But time strips our illusions of their hue,
And one by one in turn some grand mistake
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But time strips our illusions of their hue,
And one by one in turn some grand mistake
Casts off its bright skin yearly like a snake.

For, wake where'er he may, man wakes to care and coil.

For, wake where'er he may, man wakes to care and coil.

Alas! the fleeting years, how they roll on!

Alas! the fleeting years, how they roll on!

Thursday come, and the week's gone.

Thursday come, and the week's gone.

Let the poor man mind his tongue.

Let the poor man mind his tongue.

Strict law is often great injustice.

Strict law is often great injustice.

The grief of an heir is only masked laughter.

The grief of an heir is only masked laughter.

'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale,
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale.

'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale,
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale.

The pot boils badly.

The pot boils badly.