Duration gives importance; swells the price

An angel, if a creature of a day,

What would he be? a trifle of no weight; 1090

Or stand, or fall; no matter which; he’s gone.

Because immortal, therefore is indulged

This strange regard of deities to dust.

Hence, Heaven looks down on earth with all her eyes;

Hence, the soul’s mighty moment in her sight:

Hence, every soul has partisans above,

And every thought a critic in the skies: