OF old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth : and the heavens 

 are the work of thy hands. 



They shall perish, but thou shalt endure : yea, all of them shall 

 wax old like a garment ; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and 

 they shall be changed. 



Psalm cii. 25, 26. 



MUTABILITY 



From low to high doth dissolution climb, 



And sink from high to low, along a scale 



Of awful notes, whose concord shall not fail : 



A musical but melancholy chime, 



Which they can hear who meddle not with crime, 



Nor avarice, nor over-anxious care. 



Truth fails not ; but her outward forms that bear 



The longest date do melt like frosty rime, 



That in the morning whitened hill and plain 



And is no more ; drop like the tower sublime 



Of yesterday, which royally did wear 



His crown of weeds, but could not even sustain 



Some casual shout that broke the silent air, 



Or the unimaginable touch of Time. 



WORDSWORTH. 



