Classic Poem

Casimirus, Lib. 3 Ode 22.

Let not thy youth and false delights
Cheat thee of life ; Those headdy flights
But wast thy time , which posts away
Like winds unseen, and swift as they.
Beauty is but meer paint , whose die
With times breath will dissolve and flye ,
'Tis wax , 'tis water , 'tis a glasse
It melts, breaks , and away doth passe
'Tis like a Rose which in the dawne
The aire with gentle breath doth fawne
And whisper too, but in the houres
Of night is sullied with smart showres
Life spent, is wish'd for but in vain,
Nor can past years come back again.
Happy the Man ! who in this vale
Redeems his time, shutting out all
Thoughts of the world , whose longing Eyes
Are ever Pilgrims in the skyes ,
That views his bright home , and desires
To shine amongst those glorious fires .