Joy and sorrow, mirth and tears,
Darkness, sunshine, kind words, jeers,
The flitting moments, halting years—
Strange contrasts these!
Today the youth, tomorrow age;
We read, and then we turn the page;
The fool we honour, not the sage—
Sad travesties!
The dancers gay, the open grave—
From foot-lights’ flare to solemn wave
The sale of souls Christ came to save—
Life’s tragedies!
—HIRAM DRYER MCCASKEY.