Because the rose must fade,
   Shall I not love the rose?
Because the summer shade
   Passes when winter blows,
Shall I not rest me there
In the cool air?

Because the sunset sky
   Makes music in my soul,
Only to fail and die;
   Shall I not take the whole
Of beauty that it gives
While yet it lives?

Because the sweet of youth
   Doth vanish all too soon,
Shall I forget, forsooth,
   To learn its lingering tune;
My joy to memorise
In those young eyes? 

It, like the summer flower
   That blooms---a fragrant death,
Keen music hath no power
   To live beyond its breath,
Then of this flood of song
Let me drink long! 

Ah, yes, because the rose
   Fades like the sunset skies;
Because rude winter blows
   All bare, and music dies---
Therefore, now is to me
Eternity!