To a strong young Man

Thou'rt young, 'tis true, and strong & mayest yet
Live many years; but do not thou forget,
That young and healthy People often die,
By various accidents, as suddenly
As old; nor yet expect that death must bring
A Fever, to fore-shew thou art dying,
When death with thee divides this minute's breath;
Though we call the last act of dying, death;
Because we then do cease to die no more,
When we are dying all our lives before.
Thy youth, and my gray head now dying are;
Thou need'st no other Summons to prepare
For Heaven; but observation every day,
What multitudes of young men drop away.
Only the old Man's Dream is almost gone,
The young Man's Dream but newly is begun.
The longest is like twinkling of an eye,
Moments compar'd unto eternity.