Song (Philips)

by Katherine Philips

For works with similar titles, see Song.

'Tis true our life is but a long disease,
Made up of reàl pain and seeming ease.
You stars, who these entangled fortunes give,
     O tell me why
     It is so hard to die,
          Yet such a task to live!

If with some pleasure we our griefs betray,
It costs us dearer than it can repay,
For time or fortune all things so devours,
     Our hopes are crossed,
     Or els the object lost,
          Ere we can call it ours.