Poems (Robert Underwood Johnson)/Song for Youth

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SONG FOR YOUTH
O flower-like years of youth,
  Delay, delay!
Old Time shall soon, forsooth,
December make of May.
  Bid him away!

O flower-like years of youth,
  Oh, stay; oh, stay!
Nor covet Age uncouth,
When all is warm and gay
  For you to-day.

O flower-like years of youth,
  Delay, delay!
Let others seek for Truth;
Yours is the time for play
  And dance of fay.

O flower-like years of youth,
  Oh, stay; oh, stay!
Time with remorseless tooth
Shall gnaw your bloom away;
  Then say him nay.

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O flower-like years of youth,
  Delay, delay!
Age knows for you no ruth;
Then, till your latest day,
  Hold him at bay.

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