Life's Emblem

Upon that storied marble cast thine eye
The scene commands a moralising sigh
E'en in Arcadia's blessed Elysian plains
Amidst the laughing nymphs and sportive swains

Life's Emblem here in youth and vernal bloom
But Reason's finger pointing at the

See festal joy subside with melting grace
And pity visit the half-smiling face
Where now the dance, the lute, the ruptial feast
The passion throbbing in the lover's breast?

Life's Emblem here in youth and vernal bloom
But Reason's finger pointing at the tomb

So say me, noble stranger, what brings you here this night?
I have come to release you from the bitter taste of life
Why me? Why now? It cannot be my time
Everything that falls to the ground is mine

Upon that storied marble cast thine eye
The scene commands a moralising sigh
E'en in Arcadia's blessed Elysian plains
Amidst the laughing nymphs and sportive swains

See festal joy subside with melting grace
And pity visit the half-smiling face
Where now the dance, the lute, the ruptial feast
The passion throbbing in the lover's breast?

Life's Emblem here in youth and vernal bloom
But Reason's finger pointing at the

See festal joy subside with melting grace
And pity visit the half-smiling face
Where now the dance, the lute, the ruptial feast
The passion throbbing in the lover's breast?

Life's Emblem here in youth and vernal bloom
But Reason's finger pointing at the tomb

But in youth am I still, and in flesh am I strong
And I have a disease for every sin that you have done
But I've done nothing wrong, nothing bad or untrue
Neither God nor Devil agrees with you!