appear no more before thy sight

than yesterday that's past.

thou giv'st the word: thy creature, man,

is to existence brought;

again thou say'st, “ye sons of men,

return ye into nought!”

thou layest them, with all their cares,

in everlasting sleep;

as with a flood thou tak'st them off

with overwhelming sweep.

they flourish like the morning flow'r,

in beauty's pride array'd;

but long ere night cut down it lies

all wither'd and decay'd.