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By Sarah Leech

Vain, alas! Are earthly treasures,

And the joys that we pursue;
Swift as thought fly human pleasures,
Fleeting are our days and few.

Some are thro’ false hopes deluded,
Taught the ways of truth to shun,
‘Till from peace they are excluded,
And by folly quite undone.

Others in despair are sinking,
Like a ship by billows toss’d,
‘Till her crew, engaged in drinking,
Are amid the breakers lost.

Some from paths of virtue straying,
Break thro’ prudent Reason’s rule,
Heedless sinful lusts obeying,
Thus vain man becomes a fool.

But avoid all sinful pleasure,
Which corrodes the mind when past;
In the heavens lay up treasure,
Which eternally shall last.

Tho’ beset by persecution,
To complain and grieve refrain,
Meekly wait thy dissolution,
Which removes all earthly pain.

By the Lord thou shalt be favoured –
Angels shall thou soul attend:
When from mortal frame ‘tis severed,
Straight to heav’n it shall ascend:

While on earth, in tribution,
May thy soul on heav’nly wing,
Ever drink sweet consolation,
From that pure eternal spring.