VILE Composition, Earth inspir'd with breath, Man, that at first wert made of dust and tears, And then by law divine condemn'd to death; When wilt thou check thy lusts in their careers? Change all thy mirth to sorrow, and repent, That thou so often didst just Heav'n offend, Deplore thy precious hours so vainly spent, If thou wilt 'scape such pains as have no end. The gaping grave expects thee as its right, 'Tis a strait place, but can contain with ease, Honour, Command, Wealth, Beauty, and Delight, And all that does our carnal senses please. Only th' immortal soul can never die, Therefore on that thy utmost care employ. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DREAMS (2) by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE IRISH MOTHER'S LAMENT by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER AUNT FANNY; A LEGEND OF A SHIRT by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM LYNTON VERSES: 6. SYMPHONY by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN TO MY MISTRESS SITTING BY A RIVER'S SIDE; AN EDDY by THOMAS CAREW TO SIR WILLIAM DAVENANT UPON .. FIRST TWO BOOKS OF GONDIBERT by ABRAHAM COWLEY OLNEY HYMNS: 60. A LIVING AND A DEAD FAITH by WILLIAM COWPER |