Time

Time flies on eagle-wings away,
It will not for a moment stay,
But like a stream glides on—glides on;
It never turns its footsteps back,
But sinks all ages in its track,
And reigns and rules alone.
The poor, the rich, alike pursues;
The poor, the rich, alike subdues;
Who can withstand it? None!

There's only one whose mightier strength
The strength of time overpowers at length,
And sits in quiet victory;
Time's sickle mows it not; time's flight
Brings nor decay, nor death, nor blight,
But passes harmless by;
There's only one—'tis virtuous fame,
Through shifting ages still the same,
It shines eternally.