Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
And yet to thee Time hastes away,
Like as the war-horse to the fray;
Or, swift as couriers homeward go,
Or ship to port, or shaft from bow.
Ponder, Ο Man, ETERNITY!
Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
For e’en as on a perfect sphere
End nor beginning can appear,
E’en so, Eternity, on thee
Entrance nor exit can there be.
Ponder, Ο Man, ETERNITY!
Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
A circle infinite art thou,
Thy center an eternal now:
Never, we name thy outer bound;
For never end therein is found.
Ponder, Ο Man, ETERNITY!
Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
How terrible art thou in woe!
How fair where joys forever glow.
God’s goodness sheddeth gladness here,
His justice there wakes bitter fear.
Ponder, Ο Man, ETERNITY!
Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
They who lived poor and faithful, rest
With God, forever rich and blest,
And love and praise the Highest Good,
In perfect bliss and gladsome mood.
Ponder, Ο Man, ETERNITY!
Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
Who ponders oft on thee is wise!
All fleshly lusts he will despise,
The world finds place with him no more;
The love of vain delights is o’er.
Ponder, Ο Man, ETERNITY!
Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
Who marks thee well, would say to God,
Here judge, burn, smite me with the rod,
Here let me all thy chastening bear;
For who can stand thy judgments there?
Ponder, Ο Man, ETERNITY!
Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
Lo! I, Eternity, warn thee
Ο Man, that oft thou think on me,
The sinner’s punishment and pain,
To them who love their God, rich gain,
Ponder, Ο Man, ETERNITY!