“ Omnia Tempus edax depascitur.”
Whate’er we see, do, hear of—all1
A prey to hungry Time must fall ; 2
Time, of all strengths, the only strong— 3
And that which is, shall not be, long.4
The gasping Rivers shall run dry ; 5
The Ocean from his sands shall fly ; 6
The Mountains pine to dwarfish size, 7
And shrink beneath the threat’ning skies.8
Those Skies shall in their turn, expire, 9
Burn’d in their own rebellious fire— 10
That death we fear, and would prevent, 11
Is Nature’s law—not punishment.12