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The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley (ed. Hutchinson, 1914)/Mutability (2)

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For works with similar titles, see Mutability.
4457432The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley — MutabilityPercy Bysshe Shelley

MUTABILITY

[Published by Mrs. Shelley, Posthumous Poems, 1824. There is a fair draft amongst the Boscombe MSS.]

IThe flower that smiles to-dayTo-morrow dies;All that we wish to stayTempts and then flies.What is this world's delight? 5Lightning that mocks the night,Brief even as bright.
IIVirtue, how frail it is!Friendship how[1] rare!Love, how it sells poor bliss 10For proud despair?But we, though soon they fall,[2]Survive their joy, and allWhich ours we call.
IIIWhilst skies are blue and bright, 15Whilst flowers are gay,Whilst eyes that change ere nightMake glad the day;Whilst yet the calm hours creep,Dream thou—and from thy sleep 20Then wake to weep.

  1. how Boscombe MS.; too edd. 1824, 1839.
  2. though soon they fall] though soon we or so soon they cj. Rossetti.