A little strife--and oh! the long forgetting. A gust of cheering--and the frozen breath.A day of singing--and a night of silence. An hour for living--and an age for death.
So go the great; so goes the shining hero; So go we all, the weak, the strong, the blind,The proud, the meek, the saint, the mocking sinner, Stumbling in front and crowding fast behind.
A little mirth--and oh! the long composure. A few swift paces--and the fainting breath.Your day for singing, and God's time for silence. My day for loving, and God's age for death.
And yet I swear by the Eternal Riddle, The Holy Mysteries and the Awful Name,My care is all for mortal human kindness, My jealousy for this brief minute's fame.
