You shall have joy, or you shall have power, said God; you shall not have both

You shall have joy, or you shall have power, said God; you shall not have both

Joys too exquisite to last,
And yet more exquisite when past.

Joys too exquisite to last,
And yet more exquisite when past.

And, e'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy,
The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy.

And, e'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy,
The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy.

A joy that's shared is a joy made double.

A joy that's shared is a joy made double.

Joys do not stay, but take wing and fly away.
[Lat., Gaudia non remanent, sed fugitiva volant.]

Joys do not stay, but take wing and fly away.
[Lat., Gaudia non remanent, sed fugitiva volant.]

How fading are the joys we dote upon!
Like apparitions seen and gone;
But those which soonest read more

How fading are the joys we dote upon!
Like apparitions seen and gone;
But those which soonest take their flight
Are the most exquisite and strong;
Like angel's visits short and bright,
Mortality's too weak to bear them long.

On a March clothesline
.. transparent icicles in a row
in the bright sun
they drip and glow
Marks read more

On a March clothesline
.. transparent icicles in a row
in the bright sun
they drip and glow
Marks of exclamation !!!!!!!!!!
a sentence of joyful exclamation !!!!!!!!

Full from the fount of Joy's delicious springs
Some bitter o'er the flowers its bubbling venom springs.
read more

Full from the fount of Joy's delicious springs
Some bitter o'er the flowers its bubbling venom springs.
[Lat., Medio de fonte leporum
Surgit amari aliquid, quod in ipsis floribus angat.]

He who has not looked on Sorrow will never see Joy.

He who has not looked on Sorrow will never see Joy.