And what's a life? A weary pilgrimage, br Whose glory in one day doth fill the stage br With childhood, manhood, and decrepit age. br br And what's a life? The flourishing array br Of the proud summer-meadow, which to-day br Wears her green plush, and is to-morrow hay. br br Read on this dial, how the shades devour br My short-lived winter's day! hour eats up the hour; br Alas! the total's but from eight to four. br br Behold these lilies, which Thy hands have made br Fair copies of my life, and open laid br To view, how soon they droop, how soon they fade! br br Shade not that dial, night will blind too soon; br My nonaged day already points to noon; br How simple is my suit! how small my boon! br br Nor do I beg this slender inch to wile br The time away, or falsely to beguile br My thoughts with joy: here's nothing worth a smile.