The greatest conquerors in strife, Is time, then love the light of life. These hours that please or that pain, Shall never by man be lived again. Let not thoughts of time depress, A heart that owes but thankfulness. Shine, sun, and let thy radiance bright Disperse the gloomy shades of night. Time hastens on an end too near, And friends grow dearer every year. Should with this day a sorrow come, All hours, remember, gladden some. My shadow keeps the time-worn track, Moving forward, but never back. Our time’s so short that all men should, Both start and end each day with good. God fill thy cup brim full of joy, And send thee hours that never cloy. To-morrow, men too often say, Forgetful that it is to-day. By shadow through the sun’s bright rays, Every day God’s name I praise. Leave sometimes the cares that kill, Seek the wood and seek the rill. Procrastination is a thief, That robs us of a pledged relief. Where the light of heaven rules, Time’s neglected but by fools. Go, kill the hour and waste the day, But count the forfeit you must pay. Behold my shadow on this wall, Warning to some and guide to all. Amidst the flowers of earth I stand, Ever at the sun’s command. I bring life and I bring breath, I bring shade and I bring death. Hours that come are hours that go, Waste not then the hours I show. Gold that called me into being, Cannot regulate time fleeing. With my gnomon I have power, To mark ye sun and tell ye hour. I remind of what is best, Hours of work and hours of rest. Without the sun I silent keep, Ever watchful, ne’er asleep. Ere each day doth end Time’s path, Gather up some aftermath. When the clouds of life have gone, Sun remains for every one. On your behalf the hours I tell, For others, too, who note me well. No one shall ever say of me, I marked a clouded hour to thee. Let the morrow ever find, You’ve advanced, not lagged behind. Like me, go work without a fuss, For we are labourers, both of us. Time passes silently away, By minutes, hours, and then the day. Let sun’s declining rays now teach, A greater lesson than I preach. Come, mortal, own this hour to be, A gift to frail humanity. Care and fear storm clouds never, Hide the sun for long or ever. True love, a circle, and the sun, Are not excelled, own equals none.