| Matthew Arnold (1822–88). The Poems of Matthew Arnold, 1840–1867. 1909. | | | | New Poems, 1867 | | Early Death and Fame |
| | [First published 1867.]
FOR him who must see many years, | |
| I praise the life which slips away | |
| Out of the light and mutely; which avoids | |
| Fame, and her less fair followers, envy, strife, | |
| Stupid detraction, jealousy, cabal, | 5 |
| Insincere praises; which descends | |
| The quiet mossy track to age. | |
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| But, when immature death | |
| Beckons too early the guest | |
| From the half-tried banquet of life, | 10 |
| Young, in the bloom of his days; | |
| Leaves no leisure to press, | |
| Slow and surely, the sweets | |
| Of a tranquil life in the shade; | |
| Fuller for him be the hours! | 15 |
| Give him emotion, though pain! | |
| Let him live, let him feel: I have lived! | |
| Heap up his moments with life, | |
| Triple his pulses with fame! | | | | |
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