Poetry 8

This poem makes me laugh. It was written by Thomas Moore in 1834, but it could just as easily be the thoughts of a young man today, lamenting how easy it is to be captured by a pretty face. What do you think?


The Time I've Lost in Wooing
by Thomas Moore

The time I've lost in wooing,
In watching and pursuing
      The light that lies
      In woman's eyes,
Has been my heart's undoing.
Though Wisdom oft has sought me,
I scorned the lore she brought me,
      My only books
      Were woman's looks,
And folly's all they've taught me.

Her smile when Beauty granted,
I hung with gaze enchanted,
      Like him, the sprite,
      Whom maids by night
Oft meet in glen that's haunted.
Like him, too, Beauty won me,
But while her eyes were on me;
      If once their ray
      Was turned away,
Oh! winds could not outrun me.

And are those follies going?
And is my proud heart growing
      Too cold or wise
      For brilliant eyes
Again to set it glowing?
No, vain, alas! th' endeavor
From bonds so sweet to sever;
      Poor Wisdom's chance
      Against a glance
Is now as weak as ever.