Philip Ayres - On Man's Life lyrics

No human thing in constancy will stay; The learned Chian us'd of old to say, Our life was frailer than the fading leaves; Which Man forgets, and scarce its flight perceives He harbours idle fancies in his brain, Many which he from childhood did retain: And whilst his vigour lasts, he's still inclin'd To fill with trifles his unsettled mind; On Age or d**h ne'er thinks, nor takes he care Health to preserve, or active limbs to spare. We to more serious things our minds should give; Youth hastes, and we have little time to live. To weigh this well, is a material part, This thought's of worth, record it in thy heart.