1. O Lord of a face in ancient dust interred,
And O Lord of beauty in dust thin and slight,

2. O Lord of wisdom in dust buried deep,
And O Lord of reason in dust firmly bound tight,

3. I see each living soul doomed to decay,
Though of glorious ancestry and lineage bright,

4. Say to the neighbour in his house drawing near:
"You journey to a dwelling far remote from sight."

5. When life was tried, the wise man it revealed
A foe in the garb of a friend, shining bright.