How vain are all things here below!

How false, and yet how fair!

Each pleasure hath its poison too,

And every sweet a snare.

The brightest things below the sky

Give but a flatt'ring light;

We should suspect some danger nigh

Where we possess delight.

Our dearest joys, and nearest friends,

The partners of our blood,

How they divide our wav'ring minds,

And leave but half for God!

The fondness of a creature's love,

How strong it strikes the sense!

Thither the warm affections move,

Nor can we call them thence.

Dear Savior! let thy beauties be

My soul's eternal food;

And grace command my heart away

From all created good.