Look at the Clock

How fast the pendulum of time swings on,
And each day passes with more rapid flight!
As fast we grasp the present, it is gone —
For weal or woe—into the infinite!

Our heaped-up plans and well-considered schemes,
The high-born hopes and deepest felt desires,
Have come and gone for aye, like idle dreams,
Nor e’en their memory now our soul inspires!

With Time so fleeting and Eternity so long,
Oh, fools and dull and slow of heart are we
Not to have done with earth’s vain siren song,
Setting our sails towards Eternity!