In all we do, and hear, and see, Is restless Toil¹ and Vanity. While yet the rolling earth abides², Men come and go like ocean tides；

    And ere one generation dies, Another in its place shall rise； THAT, sinking soon into the grave, Others succeed, like wave on wave；

    And as they rise, they pass away. The sun arises every day, And hastening onward³ to the West, He nightly sinks, but not to rest：

    Returning to the eastern skies, Again to light us, he must rise. And still the restless wind comes forth⁴, Now blowing keenly from the North；

    Now from the South, the East, the West, For ever changing, ne'er at rest. The fountains, gushing⁵ from the hills, Supply the ever-running rills；

    The thirsty rivers drink their store, And bear it rolling to the shore, But still the ocean craves⁶ for more. 'Tis endless labour everywhere！ Sound cannot satisfy the ear,

    Light cannot fill the craving⁷ eye, Nor riches half our wants supply, Pleasure but doubles future pain, And joy brings sorrow in her train；

    Laughter is mad, and reckless mirth—— What does she in this weary earth？ Should Wealth, or Fame, our Life employ, Death comes, our labour to destroy；

    To snatch the untasted cup away, For which we toiled⁸ so many a day. What, then, remains⁹ for wretched man？ To use life's comforts while he can,

    Enjoy the blessings¹⁰ Heaven bestows¹¹, Assist his friends, forgive his foes¹²； Trust God, and keep His statutes¹³ still, Upright and firm, through good and ill；

    Thankful for all that God has given, Fixing his firmest hopes on Heaven； Knowing that earthly joys decay, But hoping through the darkest day.