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His refuge, and a third the school,

While a fourth bends him ’neath the rule

Of merchandise, or arts, which he

Perchance had studied formerly.

And some will chase off care with fine

Luxurious meats and luscious wine.

While others with desire to fly

From death or moveless destiny,

You may on prancing steeds behold.

Their stirrups bright with glistering gold;

Thinking that thus they may escape

More speedily Death’s grisly shape.

Another on frail planks doth set

His hope, and trusts thereby to get

O’er sea, if so the stars avail

To guide his boat and help him sail

Afar from death. Another tries

By base hypocrisy and lies

’Neath guise of prayer to give the slip

To death when he his foot would trip;

Though of a truth must all men know

His life by what his actions show,

And thus it is that all men try

Vainly the grip of Death to fly.

But he, with hideous blackened face.

To all these fugitives gives chase,

Until he treadeth on their heels.

And each in turn his weapon feels

At ten years, twenty, or two score,

Or may be double that or more,

Nay, some to four score years and ten

Escape, or five score, but all men