Wear thou this fresh green garland this one day,
This white-flowered garland wear for Love's delight,
While still the sun shines, ere the lessening light
Declines into the shadows cold and grey:
Wear thou this myrtle leaf while yet ye may,
Love's wings are wings that hate the dews of night,
Nor will he rest still smiling in our sight,
And still companioning our western way.

Wear then this plain green garland this one day,
To please Love's eyes, else not for all the might
Of all the gods, nor any law of right,
Will he, content with age's disarray,
For us pass by the youthful and the gay;
And it were hard to live in love's despite.