2.—Life’s a short summer, man a flower.
3.—By turns we catch the vital breath and die—
4.—The cradle and the tomb, alas! so nigh.
5.—To be is better far than not to be,
6.—Though all man’s life may seem a tragedy.
7.—But light cares speak when mighty griefs are dumb;
8.—The bottom is but shallow whence they come.
9.—Your fate is but the common fate of all,
10.—Unmingled joys, here, to no man befall.
11.—Nature to each allots his proper sphere,