Chorus: Whoso craves the ampler length of life, not
Content to desire a modest span, him will I
Judge with no uncertain voice; he cleaves to folly.
For the long days lay up full many things nearer
To grief than to joy. But as for your delights, their
Place shall know them no more when a man’s
Life has lapsed beyond the fitting term. The
Deliverer comes at the last to all alike-when
The doom of Hades is suddenly revealed, without
Marriage song or lyre or dance—even Death at
The last.
Not to be born is past all prizing best; but when
A man has seen the light this is next best by far,
That with all speed he should go thither whence
He has come.
For when he has seen youth go by, with its light
Follies, what troublous affliction is strange to his
Lot, what suffering is not therein?—envy, factions,
Strife, battles, and slaughters. And last of all age
Claims him for her own—age, dispraised,
Infirm, unsociable, unfriended, with whom
All woe of woe abides.
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