Gateway to the Classics: Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 3 by Arthur Quiller-Couch
 
Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 3 by  Arthur Quiller-Couch

On a Fly Drinking Out of His Cup

Busy, curious, thirsty fly!

Drink with me and drink as I:

Freely welcome to my cup,

Couldst thou sip and sip it up:

Make the most of life you may,

Life is short and wears away.


Both alike are mine and thine

Hastening quick to their decline:

Thine's a summer, mine's no more,

Though repeated to threescore.

Threescore summers, when they're gone,

Will appear as short as one!

— William Oldys
1687–1761   


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