Time's Rule

 

Time called me out of a dark room
In a green place to play;
He gave me flowers, fruits, and sweets,
I laughed all day.

 

I sang all day; I danced; I moved
With motion light and free:
Like th' little bird whose weight is scarce
More than a bee.

 

The sunny days made golden years,
Till Time told his fast rule:
"I send my happy children all
to a good-school."

 

Then to experience me he took,
The Master of Life's school;
Who snatched away my flowers and sweets
And called me fool.

 

And made me suffer, made me weep,
In daily teen and pain;
Would I were back, moaned I, in that
Green place again?

 

Time heard my plaint; " that place," said he,
"Hath now no fruit or flower."
"Then take me back to that dark room
For evermore."