Time Wastes Too Fast

Laurence Sterne in Tristram Shandy

“I will not argue the matter: Time
wastes too fast: every letter I trace
tells me with what rapidity Life follows my
pen; the days and hours of it, more
precious, my dear Jenny! than the rubies
about thy neck, are flying over our
heads like light clouds of a windy day,
never to return more - every thing
presses on - whilst thou are twisting
that lock, see! it grows grey; and
every time I kiss thy hand to bid adieu,
and every absence which follows it, are
preludes to that eternal separation which
we are shortly to make.”