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As the long hours do pass away,
So doth the life of man decay.
As the long hours do pass away,
So doth the life of man decay.
Our life's a flying shadow, God's the pole,
The index pointing at Him is our soul;
Death read more
Our life's a flying shadow, God's the pole,
The index pointing at Him is our soul;
Death the horizon, when our sun is set,
Which will through Christ a resurrection get.
Thou breathing dial! since thy day began
The present hour was ever mark'd with shade.
Thou breathing dial! since thy day began
The present hour was ever mark'd with shade.
O God! methinks it were a happy life
To be no better than a homely swain;
To read more
O God! methinks it were a happy life
To be no better than a homely swain;
To sit upon a hill, as I do now,
To carve out dials, quaintly, point by point,
Thereby to see the minutes, how they run--
How many makes the hour full complete,
How many hours brings about the day,
How many days will finish up the year,
How many years a mortal man may live;
When this is known, then to divide the times--
So many hours must I tend my flock,
So many hours must I take my rest,
So many hours must I contemplate,
So many hours must I sport myself;
So many days my ewes have been with young,
So many weeks ere the poor fools will ean,
So many months ere I shall shear the fleece.
So minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years,
Passed over to the end they were created,
Would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave.
Ah, what a life were this!
Begone about your business.
Begone about your business.
I count only the hours that are serene.
[Lat., Horas non numero nisi serenas.]
I count only the hours that are serene.
[Lat., Horas non numero nisi serenas.]
True as the dial to the sun,
Although it be not shin'd upon.
True as the dial to the sun,
Although it be not shin'd upon.
I am moved by the light.
[Lat., A lumine motus.]
I am moved by the light.
[Lat., A lumine motus.]
I mark my hours by shadow;
Mayest thou mark thine
By sunshine.
I mark my hours by shadow;
Mayest thou mark thine
By sunshine.
