There groups of merry children played, There youths and maidens dreaming strayed; O precious hours! O golden prime, And affluence of love and time! Even as a Miser counts his gold, Those hours the ancient timepiece told,-- "Forever--never! Never--forever!"
Where these words come from
- 95% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
- The Old Clock on the Stairs; Exact wording and attribution checked. Poem contrasts changing human generations with the enduring clock.
- The Old Clock on the Stairs
More from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
See allMusic is the universal language of mankind.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowOh, fear not in a world like this, And thou shalt know erelong,— Know how sublime a thing it is To suffer and be strong.Henry Wadsworth LongfellowThe hooded clouds, like friars, Tell their beads in drops of rain.Henry Wadsworth LongfellowNo tears Dim the sweet look that Nature wears.Henry Wadsworth LongfellowFor Time will teach thee soon the truth, There are no birds in last year's nest!Henry Wadsworth LongfellowInto each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowOh, fear not in a world like this, And thou shalt know erelong,— Know how sublime a thing it is To suffer and be strong.Henry Wadsworth LongfellowThe hooded clouds, like friars, Tell their beads in drops of rain.Henry Wadsworth LongfellowNo tears Dim the sweet look that Nature wears.Henry Wadsworth LongfellowFor Time will teach thee soon the truth, There are no birds in last year's nest!Henry Wadsworth LongfellowInto each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary.Henry Wadsworth LongfellowMore inspiration
See allYou gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
Eleanor RooseveltNo one can make you feel inferior without your consent.Eleanor RooseveltLittle strokes fell great oaks.
Benjamin FranklinEnergy and persistence conquer all things.Benjamin FranklinWell done is better than well said.Benjamin FranklinIf there is no struggle, there is no progress.
Frederick Douglass
Eleanor RooseveltNo one can make you feel inferior without your consent.Eleanor RooseveltLittle strokes fell great oaks.Benjamin FranklinEnergy and persistence conquer all things.Benjamin FranklinWell done is better than well said.Benjamin FranklinIf there is no struggle, there is no progress.Frederick Douglass