LINES.
Reading edition
Why do we live? Is it to fade
From glory to the tomb,
Wrapt in its melancholy shade,
Inheritors of gloom?
Struck like the stars from Heav’n we die:
Quench’d is the spirit’s light;
Youth’s cheer and Hope’s sweet melody
Are hush’d in sorrow’s night.
Why are we here! but to depart?
’Tis anguish thus to fade.
Shall grief oppress a single heart
When we are lowly laid?
Thank God! th’ immortal soul no blight
Of earth can e’er decay;
On high, to realms of endless light
It flashes far away.