A dream that waketh,
         Bubble that breaketh,
Song whose burden sigheth,
         A passing breath,
         Smoke that vanisheth,--
Such is life that dieth.

         A flower that fadeth,
         Fruit the tree sheddeth,
Trackless bird that flieth,
         Summer time brief,
         Falling of the leaf,--
Such is life that dieth.

         A scent exhaling,
         Snow waters failing,
Morning dew that drieth,
         A windy blast,
         Lengthening shadows cast,--
Such is life that dieth.

         A scanty measure,
         Rust-eaten treasure,
Spending that nought buyeth,
         Moth on the wing,
         Toil unprofiting,--
Such is life that dieth.
         Morrow by morrow
         Sorrow breeds sorrow,
For this my song sigheth;
         From day to night
         We lapse out of sight,--
Such is life that dieth.