2. Because by mere chance were we born, And hereafter we shall be as though we had never been: Because the breath in our nostrils is smoke, And while our heart beats reason is a spark,
3. Which being extinguished, the body shall be turned into ashes, And the spirit shall be dispersed as thin air;
4. And our name shall be forgotten in time, And no man shall remember our works; And our life shall pass away as the traces of a cloud, And shall be scattered as is a mist, When it is chased by the beams of the sun, And overcome by the heat thereof.
5. For our alloted time is the passing of a shadow, And our end retreats not; Because it is fast sealed, and none turns it back.
6. Come therefore and let us enjoy the good things that now are; And let us use the creation with all our soul as youth’s possession.
7. Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and perfumes; And let no flower of spring pass us by:
8. Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered:
9. Let none of us go without his share in our proud revelry: Everywhere let us leave tokens of our mirth: Because this is our portion, and our lot is this.
10. Let us oppress the righteous poor; Let us not spare the widow, Nor reverence the hairs of the old man gray for length of years.
11. But let our strength be to us a law of righteousness; For that which is weak is found to be of no service.