Vanity of the world by William Cowper
- God gives his mercies to be spent;
- "Your hoard will do your soul no good:
- Gold is a blessing only lent,
- Repaid by giving others food.
- The world's esteem is but a bribe,
- To buy their peace you fell your own;
- The slave of a vain-glorious tribe,
- Who hate you while they make you known.
- The Joy that vain amusements give,
- O! sad conclusion that it brings!
- The honey of a crowded hive,
- Defended by a thousand stings.
- 'Tis thus the world rewards the fools
- That live upon her treach'rous smiles;
- She leads them, blindfold, by her rules,
- And ruins all whom she beguiles.
- God knows the thousands who go down
- From pleasure, into endless woe;
- And with a long despairing groan
- Blaspheme their Maker as they go.
- O fearful thought! be timely wise;
- Delight but in a Savior's charms;
- And God shall take you to the skies,
- Embraced in everlasting arms.
This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.