Friends! do you see in yon sunset sky, br That cloud of crimson bright? br Soon will its gorgeous colors die br In coming dim twilight; br E’en now it fadeth ray by ray— br Like it I too shall pass away! br br Look on yon fragile summer flower br Yielding its sweet perfume; br Soon shall it have lived out its hour, br Its beauty and its bloom: br Trampled, ’twill perish in the shade— br Alas! as quickly shall I fade.