Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
William Oldys. 16871761438. 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, | 5 |
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. | 10 |
Threescore summers, when they’re gone, | |
Will appear as short as one! |