5 Quotes by Winthrop Mackworth Praed

I remember, I remember how my childhood fleeted by. The mirth of its December, and the warmth of its July.

Dame Fortune is a fickle gipsy, And always blind, and often tipsy; Sometimes for years and years together, She ’ll bless you with the sunniest weather, Bestowing honour, pudding, pence, You can’t imagine why or whence; Then in a moment Presto, pass! Your joys are withered like the grass.

The Baptist found him far too deep; The Deist sighed with saving sorrow; And the lean Levite went to sleep, And dreamed of tasting pork to-morrow.

I think, whatever mortals crave, With impotent endeavor, A wreath – a rank – a throne – a grave – The world goes round forever; I think that life is not too long, And therefore I determine, That many people read a song, Who will not read a sermon.

And oh! I shall find how, day by day, All thoughts and things look older; How the laugh of pleasure grows less gay, And the heart of friendship colder.