Once more the year is numbered - come, ye gay,
Ye light of heart - children of mirth and glee -
Pause for a while upon your reckless way
And mark the changes upon fortune's sea: -
Oh ye who dream in love's soft witchery
Turning round beauty's form loves verdant wreath,
Little ye think that joyless hour to see
When like the hot Sirmoon, misfortune's breath
Shall blight that wreath, and wither it to death.

Come, and behold how youth and beauty fall
In the brief span of one contracted year -
xx oft the dark and melancholy fall
Hath been extended o'er the sable bier
Bath'd with the tribute of affliction's tear.
How oft the peal of the funereal bell
Hath struck it's warning on the startled ear -
When o'er the lovely and the loved, that knell
In fitful tones hath formed a last farewell.

                      Florio