Author: Eugene Field

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    Though mighty in Love's favor still,
    Though cruel yet, my boy,
    When the unwelcome dawn shall chill
    Your pride and youthful joy,
    The hair which round your shoulder grows
    Is rudely cut away,
    Your color, redder than the rose,
    Is changed by youth's decay,--

    Then, Ligurinus, in the glass
    Another you will spy.
    And as the shaggy face, alas!
    You see, your grief will cry:
    "Why in my youth could I not learn
    The wisdom men enjoy?
    Or why to men cannot return
    The smooth cheeks of the boy?"

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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem explores the universal themes of love, youth, and the inevitable passage of time. The poet uses rich imagery and poignant expressions to convey a sense of regret and longing for lost youth. The poem's tone straddles a line between wistful and cautionary, presenting a lament for the fleeting nature of youth and beauty, while also delivering a warning about the transience of these qualities.

The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, lends a harmonious and balanced feel to the work, emphasizing the cyclical nature of time and life. The poet effectively uses metaphor, comparing the youthful beauty to a rose, to illustrate the fading allure with the coming of age. The personification of Love and the dawn also adds depth to the narrative, suggesting forces beyond human control that dictate the course of life. The poem ends on a note of self-reflection and introspection, urging the reader to value wisdom over superficial beauty and to appreciate the fleeting nature of youth. The poet's powerful use of rhetorical questions in the end amplifies the sense of longing and regret, ultimately leaving the reader with a profound contemplation of life's ephemeral qualities.