["Memento mori." "Gedenke zu Leben."]
"Think of Death!" the gravestones say, —
"Peace to Life's mad striving!"
But the churchyard daisies, — "Nay,
Think of Living!"
"Think of Life!" the sunbeams say,
O'er the dial flying;
But the slanting shadows, — "Nay,
Think of Dying!"
"Think of Death!" the night-birds say,
On the storm-blast driving;
But the building swallows, —" Nay,
Think of Living!"
"Think of Life!" the broad winds say,
Through the old trees sighing;
But the whirling leaf-dance, — " Nay,
Think of Dying!"
"Think of Death!"the sad bells say,
Fateful record giving;
Clash the merry Yule-peal, —" Nay,
Think of Living!"
Dying, Living, glad, or loth,
On God's Rood relying;
Pray he fit us all for both, —
Living, Dying!