Laurence Sterne - The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (Chap. 4.74) lyrics

 The seventy-fourth chapter is come at last; and brings nothing with it but a sad signature of 'How our pleasures slip from under us in this world!'  For in talking of my digression—I declare before heaven I have made it! What a strange creature is mortal man! said she.  'Tis very true, said I—but 'twere better to get all these things out of our heads, and return to my uncle Toby.