in bulk1) doth make man better be;
or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
to fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere2):
a lily of a day
is fairer far in may,
although it fall and die that night—
it was the plant and flower of light.
in small proportions3) we just beauties see;
and in short measures4) life may perfect be.
1. bulk [bʌlk] n. (尤指巨大的)体积
2. sere [sɪə] adj. <诗> <古> 干枯的；枯萎的
3. proportion [prəˈpɔː(r)ʃ(ə)n] n. 面积；范围
4. short measure: 缺陷，不足之处
要成就人生，
不必如巨树，木秀于林；
不必如橡树，经年不倒，
亦难逃枯朽之命；
五月之百合，
绽放一日，便有万种风情；
纵然是夜凋零，
却是光华的落英；
于细微处领略美丽，
于残缺处完满生命。