What emperors, kings, and dukes in times past,

What earls and lords, and captains of war,

What popes and bishops, all at the last

In the twinkling of an eye are fled so far?

How short a feast is this worldly joying?

Even as a shadow it passeth away,

Depriving a man of gifts everlasting,

Leading to darkness and not to day!

O meat of worms, O heap of dust,

O like to dew, climb not too high.”