WHEN I am young again I'll hoard my bliss, br Nor deem that inexhaustible it is, br Remembering old age comes after this, br Joy grows to pain; br Nor waste one moment of youth's rose-sweet hours, br Nor trample one of all its countless flowers, br But drink the summer sun and soft spring showers, br When I am young again. br br br I will be wise with wisdom dearly won br By those who through life's wood have nearly run; br Learn what to do, and what to leave undone, br Risk or refrain. br I will not seek into my mouth to take br The bitter apple of the acrid lake, br But at clear fountains all my thirsts will slake, br When I am young again. br br br I will not brush the bloom to reach the core, br Remembering how it chanced with me before, br And bloom once lost returns not any more, br Hard cores remain: br I will fence round with prudence and secure br A lasting bloom whose freshness shall endure; br Oh, I will guard my peach of youth, be sure, br When I am young again. br br br When I am young again, I'll spend no breath br On bitter words the heart remembereth br When bitterness is swallowed up by Death br Holding sole reign; br I'll love so well that if they pass to sleep br Before me, I shall have no watch to keep br Over their tears-only my tears to weep br When I am young again. br br br I will not lightly joy nor idly grieve, br Nor for a heaven itself one soul deceive, br Nor will I be deceived, vainly believe, br Nor love in vain.