I'yCfl. HYMNS BY SENEX. 32jf 



its loVeiinefs v:as vaniiiied away ; the leaves thereof 

 were fcattered on the ground, and no one gathered them 

 again. 



• A ftately tree grew on the plain ; its branches -were 

 covered with verdure ; its boughs fpread wide, and 

 tnade a goodly (hadcw ; the trunk was like a itrong 

 pillar 5 the roots were like crooked fangs. — I returned, 

 -r-the verdure was nip' by the eaft wind ; the branches 

 were lopt away by tl;e ax ; the worm had made its way 

 inio the trunk, and the heart thereof was decayed ; it 

 moli'dered aw^y, and fell to the ground. 



I have feiii the inleiEls i'poiting in the funlhine, and 

 darting along theftream : their wings glittered with 

 gold and purple ; their bodies flione like the green eme- 

 rald ; they were more numerous than I could count ; 

 their nvotions were quicker than my eye could glance. 

 ■ I returned ; they were brufhed into the pool J 



they were perifliing with the evening breeze; thefwal- 

 low had devoured them ; the pike had feized them : 

 there was none found of fo great a multitude. 



I have feen man in the pride of his ftrength ; his 

 cheeks glowed with beauty ; his limbs were full of ac^ 

 jtivity ; he leaped ; he walked ; he ran : he rejoiced in 

 that he was more excellent than thofe 1 return- 

 ed ; — he lay ftifF and cold on the bare ground ; his feet 

 could no longer move, nor his hands Itretch themfelves 

 out ; his life was departed from him, and the breath 

 ou' of his nollrils : — Therefore do I weep, becaufe 

 DEATH is in the world ; the fpoiler is among the 

 works of God : all that is made, mull be deltroyed ; 

 9II that is born, muft die. 



*' I alfo have feen the flower withering on the ftalk, 



•' and its bright leaves fpread on the ground. 1 



" looked again, and it fprung forth afreflj ; the item 

 •' was crowned with new buds, and the fweetnefs there. 

 f • of filled the air. 



