WHAT IS LIFE?

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1858

And what is life? a dream within a dream; A pilgrimage from peril rarely free; A bark that sails upon a changing sea, Now sunshine and now storm; a mountain stream, Heard, but scarce seen ere to the dark deep gone. A wild star blazing with unsteady beam, Yet for a season fair to look upon.

Life is an infant on Affection's knee, A youth now full of hope and transient glee; In manhood's peerless noon now bright; anon A time-worn ruin silvered o'er with years. Life is a race where slippery steeps arise, Where discontent and sorrow are the prize; And when the goal is won, the grave appears.