Divine emblems Embellished with etchings on copper, after the fashion of Master Francis Quarles. Designed and written by, Johann Abricht [i.e. Jonathan Birch |
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[ALAS!] |
 | Divine emblems |  |
91
[ALAS!]
ALAS!We sob and cry
Most piteously,
In early INFANCY!
Our CHILDHOOD years move trippingly:
Our BOYHOOD and our lectures crawlingly—
And then we wish for power and manhood ardently—
We love & hate, & hope & fear—gain, lose; are hale & sick alternately!
Passes MANHOOD—then comes on OLD AGE & feebleness; & then we sigh
The time that's past,—and think it all mispent—are very worldly wise—and DIE!
[illeg.]ing our little “good or ill” to that world's whim to blot or magnify:
And then our friends, with ostentation, send the body to the grave—in earth to lie:
And kindred weep, 'kerchief in hand—and put on black, to mistify:
And say they share our gold reluctantly,
Thinking the time arrived full tardily!
And then they live right merrily
Laughing, and cheerily
Forgetting verily
OLD SLY!
This World's a Circus—Hospital, a Paradise, a Sty!
In which we strive, and moan, and riot, multiply and die.
LIFE's but a span—a sob, a smile, a laugh, a sigh;
And ah! 'tis made well nigh
A very, very
FARCE!
| Divine emblems | |