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A continuing selection of classic and contemporary poems.

The Hourglass

Ben Jonson

Do but consider this small dust
Here running in the glass,
By atoms moved;
Could you believe that this
The body was
Of one that loved?
And in his mistress’ flame, playing like a fly,
Turned to cinders by her eye?
Yes; and in death, as life, unblessed,
To have’t expressed,
Even ashes of lovers find no rest.
Online text © 1998-2013 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From Underwoods | Written c. 1640
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