Thomas Hardy — A Young Mans Exhortation

Call off your eyes from care By some determined deftness; put forth joys Dear as excess without the core that cloys,        &nbsp And charm Life’s lourings fair. Exalt and crown the hour That girdles us, and fill it full with glee, Blind glee, excelling aught could ever be        &nbsp Were heedfulness in power. Send up such touching strains That limitless recruits from Fancy’s pack Shall rush upon your tongue, and tender back        &nbsp All that your soul contains. For what do we know best? That a fresh love-leaf crumpled soon will dry, And that men moment after moment die,        &nbsp Of all scope dispossest. If I have seen one thing It is the passing preciousness of dreams; That aspects are within us; and who seems        &nbsp Most kingly is the King.