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Unknown

Unknown

Anonymous

O what is mortal?
A masterpiece of God's creation,
In strength so frail, in wisdom blind,
Despite his gifts and many talents,
He's but a child at age of ten.

O what is twenty?
The age when youth buds forth with vigor
To reach accountability;
Then fear thy God, self-will subduing,
That innocence might go with thee.

O what is thirty?
The age of manhood's understanding,
Advanced in mind he may employ
Himself with things of most importance
That life for him might hold true joy.

O what is forty?
In life this is a time most joyous
When children bring his heart delight,
And if good fortune is attendant
His children he can rear aright.

O what is fifty?
The time when as a happy father
Man can his family life review,
His heart is filled with satisfaction,
As on life's course he doth pursue.

O what is sixty?
The fact to him becomes apparent
That his old age has now begun,
But now he reaps what with welldoing
He for his latter years has won.

O what is seventy?
Then in the midst of his grandchildren,
Whom he so fondly can caress,
He does review past life so fleeting
Which brought to him this happiness.

O what is eighty?
His body now becomes enfeebled,
He unto God does daily pray
That death for him be sweet and easy,
But clings to life while yet he may.

O what is ninety?
He finds that life runs in a cycle
And as a child he is again;
But if in God he lives a hundred
Long life will not have been in vain.

O what is hundred?
This age to few is e'er allotted;
O man do strive for virtues pure,
And lay thy treasures up in heaven
And make your own elections sure!