Step aside, vain mortal!--cast thine eyes on this emaciated figure, and
then reflect on thy transitory life. Look yet closer--See! the smile is
no longer seated here. In how short a time has this change happened!
A few hours since and he sported in the sunshine of health: his gaiety
was equal to thine. He had measured full twenty years; and many more
appeared in readiness to swell the lump.
Dost thou shrink back?--Nay, start not! ’tis thine own picture thou art
viewing!--Ere long and thou wilt be likened unto this odious mass.
Perhaps thou mayest not again behold that bright luminary which
constitutes the day.
Ah! ’twas but yesterday that this now inanimate substance was in the
full exercise of every living faculty!--He had laid down a plan for
future life, but lived not to put it in practice. While he was figuring
to himself the many days of uninterrupted pleasure that seemed within
his grasp, the dread summons arrived; and scarcely was the awful packet
opened, before the victim was made sure.