Time's Rule

Time's Rule written by William Henry Davies

New Poems (1907)

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<poem> 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.'