language: the moral points in the closing couplets of the stanzas
are often powerfully enforced.' Most readers will agree in the
justice of these remarks. The poem was, probably, as Clare
supposes, written about the commencement of the 18th century; and
the unknown author appears to have been deeply imbued with the
spirit of the popular devotional writers of the preceding century,
as Herbert, Quarles, &c., but seems to have modelled his smoother
and more elegant versification after that of the poetic school of
his own times.]

'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.' - SOLOMON.


WHAT are life's joys and gains?
What pleasures crowd its ways,
That man should take such pains
To seek them all his days?
Sift this untoward strife
On which thy mind is bent,
See if this chaff of life
Is worth the trouble spent.

Is pride thy heart's desire?
Is power thy climbing aim?
Is love thy folly's fire?
Is wealth thy restless game?
Pride, power, love, wealth and all,
Time's touchstone shall destroy,
And, like base coin, prove all
Vain substitutes for joy.