Youth And Age.

By Thomas Moore

Dialogue
    "Tell me, what's Love?" said Youth, one day,     To drooping Age, who crest his way.--     "It is a sunny hour of play,     "For which repentance dear doth pay;         "Repentance! Repentance!     "And this is Love, as wise men say."     "Tell me, what's Love?" said Youth once more,     Fearful, yet fond, of Age's lore.--     "Soft as a passing summer's wind,     "Wouldst know the blight it leaves behind?         "Repentance! Repentance!     "And this is Love--when love is o'er."     "Tell me, what's Love? "said Youth again,     Trusting the bliss, but not the pain.     "Sweet as a May tree's scented air--     "Mark ye what bitter fruit 'twill bear,         "Repentance! Repentance!     "This, this is Love--sweet Youth, beware."     Just then, young Love himself came by,     And cast on Youth a smiling eye;     Who could resist that glance's ray?     In vain did Age his warning say,         "Repentance! Repentance!"     Youth laughing went with Love away.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem utilizes a dialogue structure between the characters of Youth and Age to explore the theme of love, and more specifically, the consequences and regrets that may follow it. The use of repetition, particularly with the word "repentance," serves to emphasize Age’s perspective on love, painting it as a potentially dangerous and regretful experience. This repetition also creates a rhythmic, almost haunting echo throughout the verse, enhancing the poem's overall tone of caution and regret.

The personification of Love as a character entering the scene in the final stanza provides a poignant contrast to the abstract concept discussed by Youth and Age. Love's entrance and the subsequent persuasion of Youth, despite Age's warnings, underscores the universal theme of the irresistible allure of love, particularly to those who are young and inexperienced. Simultaneously, it implies the inevitability of love's consequences. The poem concludes with Youth disregarding Age's wisdom and warnings, symbolizing the common human tendency to ignore foresight and wisdom in the pursuit of immediate pleasure or happiness. The tone throughout the poem is one of gentle admonishment, tinged with a sense of resigned understanding that the allure of love is nearly impossible to resist.