Two Robbers

When Death from some fair face
Is stealing life away,
All weep, save she, the grace
That earth shall lose today.

When Time from some fair face
Steals beauty year by year,
For her slow-fading grace
Who sheds, save she, a tear?

And Death not often dares
To wake the world's distress;
While Time, the cunning, mars
Surely all loveliness.

Yet though by breath and breath
Fades all thy fairest prime,
Men shrink from cruel Death,
But honor crafty Time.

poem by Francis William Bourdillon
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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