210 THE WHALE AND 



Difference between Rational Conjecture and Melancholy Fact. 



of fatal epidemics and more than ordinary dan- 

 gers, but I never yet have met with one per- 

 manently reformed and brought to repentance 

 by seeing others drowned and die before his 

 eyes, and by what would seem to be the nat- 

 ural consideration of danger in his own case. 



So true it is, in the words of the preacher, 

 The heart of the sons of men is full of evil ; 

 madness is in their hearts while they live, and 

 after that they go to the dead. As the fishes 

 that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds 

 that are caught in the snare, so are the sons 

 of men snared in an evil time, when it cometh 

 suddenly upon them. As an old poet hath it, 



Such is the state of every mortal wight ' 



In health our glories and our lusts we show ; 



We fill ourselves with every vain delight, 



And will least think of that which may ensue. 



But let us learn to heed as well as know, 



That spring doth pass, that summer steals away, 



And that the flower which makes the fairest show, 



Ere many weeks may wither and decay. 



The stoutest form that walks the earth to-day, 



To-morrow with the dead may senseless lay ! 



