Come and display your treasure!

(Henry Law, "Deuteronomy" 1858)

Ah! wretched worldling, when will you be wise!

Come and display your treasure!
Your best is but . . .
   a fading flower;
   a fleeting shadow;
   a tottering reed;
   a failing brook.

And how long can your hands retain it?

How long?

You startle.
You tremble.
You turn pale.

How long?

It perishes, while you strive to grasp it!

What will then follow?

Hell is at hand to answer!