Vitae Summa Brevis

Ernest Dowson

Ernest Dowson portrait

1867 to 1900

Poem Image
Track 1

Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. You can also use the up (↑) and down (↓) arrows to move a line one place at a time, or the top (⇑) and bottom (⇓) arrows to move a line directly to the top or bottom. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.

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We pass the gate.
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream.
Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam
I think they have no portion in us after
Out of a misty dream
The brief sum of life forbids us the hope of enduring long. –Horace
They are not long, the weeping and the laughter,
They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Love and desire and hate:

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Poet portrait