O YOUTH sweet comrade youth, wouldst thou be gone?
Long have we dwelt together, thou and I;
Together drunk of many an alien dawn,
And plucked the fruit of many an alien sky.
Ah, fickle friend, must I,
who yesterday Dreamed forwards to long, undimmed ecstasy,
Henceforward dream, because thou wilt not stay,
Backward to transient pleasure and to thee?
I give thee back thy false, ephemeral vow;
But, O beloved comrade, ere we part,
Upon my mournful eyelids and my brow
Kiss me who hold thine image in my heart.
What does the word 'ephemeral' suggest?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Temporary
- Ephemeral means lasting for a very short time. The poet calls the vow of youth "false, ephemeral": its promise of lasting joy did not last.
Example: The beauty of a rainbow is ephemeral. - Temporary means lasting only for a limited time, not permanent, which is the same sense, so it is the answer.
Example: He found a temporary job for the summer.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Permanent — Incorrect. Permanent means lasting for ever or for a very long time. It is the opposite of ephemeral.
Example: The museum has a permanent collection of old coins.
Option 2: Strong — Incorrect. Strong means powerful or firm. It says nothing about how long something lasts.
Example: A strong wind blew the roof off.
Option 3: Eternal — Incorrect. Eternal means without beginning or end. It is also an opposite of ephemeral.
Example: Poets often write about eternal love.
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