Classic Poem

Fond men! whose wretched care the life soon ending,
By striving to increase your joy, do spend it;
And spending joy, yet find no joy in spending;
You hurt your life by striving to amend it,
And seeking to prolong it, soonest end it:
Then, while fit time affords thee time and leisure,
Enjoy while yet thou may'st thy life's sweet pleasure:
Too foolish is the man that starves to feed his treasure.

Love is life's end (an end, but never ending),
All joys, all sweets, all happiness, awarding;
Love is life's wealth (ne'er spent, but ever spending),
More rich by giving, taking by discarding;
Love 's life's reward, rewarded in rewarding:
Then, from thy wretched heart fond care remove.
Ah! shouldst thou live but once love's sweets to prove,
Thou wilt not love to live, unless thou live to love.