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Cowper, William - Shortlived as foliage is the race of man
Identifier
001801
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
William Cowper – from the Everyman's poetry collection
Shortlived as foliage is the race of man
The wind shakes down the leaves, the budding grove
Soon teems with others, and in spring they grow.
So pass mankind. One generation meets
Its destined period and a new succeeds.
Such was the tender but undue complaint
Of the Maeonian in old time; for who
Would drawl out centuries in tedious strife
Severe with mental and corporeal ill
And would not rather choose a shorter race
To glory, a few decades here below?