What's the life of a man, any more than a leaf?
A man has his season, so why should he grieve?
All thro' this life we appear fine and gay
Then like leaves we will wither, and soon fade away!
Had you seen the leaves but a few days ago---
How beautiful and green they all did seem to grow;
A frost came upon them and withered them all,
Then a storm came upon them, and down they did fall!

One of my favourites from the English southwest.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 20-Mar-02.