No man can hope to save of time, For ever on the move; ’Tis like the sand unsoaked with brine, Which, firmly held, and we call mine, Leaks through the fingers just like slime, And simple claims disprove. [Illustration: GREEK SUNDIAL. ] The sun is my best friend; Pray who is thine? Learn, man, where’er you wend, True kindness to extend To thy friends to the end, As I to mine. [Illustration: SUNDIAL, GRÆCO-ROMAN, THE VATICAN, ROME. ] Like me, true loyalty go show, Ought else is simply treason. He only serves his king below, Who prays each day that he may know, How best his foes to overthrow, And get his wants in reason. [Illustration: SUNDIAL, GERMAN TOWN, PENNSYLVANIA. ] All the world’s a-sighing, A-crying and a-dying, But spite of every trial, That e’er shall vex or rile, I stand a happy dial. [Illustration: ROMAN SUNDIAL, THE MUSEUM, DOVER. ] With me no deceiving, For seeing’s believing. The hours that I send, Learn thou to extend, Or if broken go mend. [Illustration: SAXON SUNDIAL, LANGFORD CHURCH, BERKS. ] Youth and age can ne’er agree On the pace I go, But they ask continually; Youth I move more rapidly, Age less speed I show. [Illustration: SAXON SUNDIAL AT KIRKDALE, YORKSHIRE. ] Time may rob us of our gold, Or of some high estate; But cannot for a day withhold, Learning and wisdom manifold, Reward of labour great. [Illustration: SUNDIAL ON OLD GRAMMAR SCHOOL, HAWKSHEAD. ] How are you, mortal, did you say? Why, just the same as yesterday. But, questioner, let me ask you, How is the day? and how are you? [Illustration: SUNDIAL AT UPTON, NORTHANTS. ] If any fault with me you claim, The man who altered me’s to blame. Let not then the dial or sun Suffer for another one. [Illustration: SUNDIAL ON DIAL HOUSE, TWICKENHAM. Date 1715. ] Go, let this day a pattern be Of each lived for eternity, And let the hours, every one, Show evils vanquished, good deeds done. [Illustration: