Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/To-day and To-morrow

To-Day and To-Morrow.

To-day, man lives in pleasure, wealth, and pride;To-morrow, poor, of life itself denied.To-day, lays plans for many years to come;To-morrow, sinks into the silent tomb.To-day, his food is dressed in dainty forms;To-morrow, is himself a feast for worms.To-day, he's clad in gaudy, rich array;To-morrow, shrouded for a bed of clay.To-day, enjoys his halls, built to his mind;To-morrow, in a coffin is confined.To-day, he floats on honour's lofty wave;To-morrow, leaves his titles for a grave.To-day, his beauteous visage we extol;To-morrow, loathsome in the sight of all.To-day, he has delusive dreams of heaven;To-morrow, cries too late to be forgiven.To-day, he lives in hopes as light as air;To-morrow, dies in anguish and despair.