Upon that storied marble cast thine eye
The scene commands a moralising sigh
E'en in Arcadia's blessed Elysian plains
Amidst the laughing nymphs and sportive swains

Life's Emblem here in youth and vernal bloom
But Reason's finger pointing at the...

See festal joy subside with melting grace
And pity visit the half-smiling face
Where now the dance, the lute, the ruptial feast
The passion throbbing in the lover's breast?

Life's Emblem here in youth and vernal bloom
But Reason's finger pointing at the tomb

[Man:] So say me, noble stranger, what brings you here this night?
[Death:] I have come to release you from the bitter taste of life
[Man:] Why me? Why now? It cannot be my time
[Death:] Everything that falls to the ground is mine

Upon that storied marble cast thine eye
The scene commands a moralising sigh
E'en in Arcadia's blessed Elysian plains
Amidst the laughing nymphs and sportive swains
See festal joy subside with melting grace
And pity visit the half-smiling face
Where now the dance, the lute, the ruptial feast
The passion throbbing in the lover's breast?

Life's Emblem here in youth and vernal bloom
But Reason's finger pointing at the...

See festal joy subside with melting grace
And pity visit the half-smiling face
Where now the dance, the lute, the ruptial feast
The passion throbbing in the lover's breast?

Life's Emblem here in youth and vernal bloom
But Reason's finger pointing at the tomb

[Man:] But in youth am I still, and in flesh am I strong
[Death:] And I have a disease for every sin that you have done
[Man:] But I've done nothing wrong, nothing bad or untrue
[Death:] Neither God nor Devil agrees with you!