Read "Chinese Mettle" by Emily Georgiana Kemp online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
"Crabbèd Age and Youth / Cannot live together: / Youth is full of pleasance, / Age is full of care; / Youth like summer morn, / Age like winter weather; / Youth like summer brave, / Age like winter bare. / Youth is full of sport, / Age's breath is short; / Youth is nimble, Age is lame; / Youth is hot and bold, / Age is weak and cold; / Youth is wild, and Age is tame. / Age, I do abhor thee; / Youth, I do adore thee. " / -_The Passionate Pilgrim._
The Spirit of Youth is one of the most marvellous possessions of humanity. It is not possessed by young people in all countries, nor indeed by all the young in any country, or at any given time. We heard a good deal about Young Turkey and Young Egypt, but neither of those countries have the Spirit of Youth, nor had China until quite recently. Of all the poets Shakespeare speaks most of this Spirit of Youth, for he lived in a time when it shone forth resplendent, spelling high endeavour, the joy of life, ardour, courage, chivalry, beauty, faith. It has its drawbacks, of course-conceit, wilfulness, turbulence, impatience of control, of law, of order. But it is a splendid thing, and the salvation of a weary world.