How vast the change by death in man's estate?
How silent now the orator's proud tongue,
On which so many thousands often hung?
How fled the concord of sweet sounds, which late
Drew to the songstress admiration great?
How heedless now the monarch to the throng
Of worshippers? Alas, to whom doth now belong
The rich man's gold, which yielding to his fate
He leaves behind?――Whate'er on earth ye love
Ye soon must lose; then seek with earnest heart
The proffer'd blessings near Christ's throne above:
Once gain'd, there's naught can them and you dispart
While you shall live; nor shall one joy be gone
While endless centuries of bliss roll on!