1. What use are my tears, flowing down
While misfortune rages all around?

2. Can tears bring back days gone by? Can they
Raise the dead from their graves on high?

3. They bring no solace. How they've wracked
This body, till its youth is sacked.

4. When tears pour down in waves, they are
The soul's own tongue, the spirit's air.

5. They burn and redden these eyes of mine,
As if sparks flew from the lids that confine.

6. Life's sorrow comes by fate's decree
That governs all humanity.

7. The soul is like the wheeling sky
Where stars can fail and moons can die.

8. The journey lost its way, and broke
Its hope, its life, before we woke.

9. O you who mourn a brother fled,
God grants abundant grace instead.

10. No man lives on this earth forever,
And death, for sure, is on its way hither.

11. True rest comes only when life is gone
And deeds are done and earth's race run.

12. How many sleepers in each grave
Would envy him who's free and brave,

13. High on his couch through the long night,
While the coffined must shun the light!

14. How many sad, confined in stone,
Would smile to see those free and flown,

15. To live unfettered, where no care
Can touch, and only joy is there!

16. Better a grave safe from alarm
Than life, with peril and harm.

17. And kinder than silk's soft repose
Is the dust, with its healing clothes.

18. If loss struck deep, and pain bore hard,
'Tis but for one well-honored lord.

19. For when life's spring was fresh and new,
Its morning drank the evening dew.

20. Youth's fault is haste. No time to save!
Swift blooms the flower; sudden the grave.

21. The perfume sweet, but lasting never;
The dove flies far; thought strays for ever.

22. He soothed my heart when cares would stir;
Helped days to pass; fought off despair.

23. Cured hurt; restored my courage high
When soul felt low and hope seemed dry.

24. Now surcease comes from all distress.
As if he'd never bowed to duress.

25. Our Maker is our only cure;
Through faith His healing grace is sure.

26. No friendship lasts like one divine.
We wander lost in worlds malign.

27. Life is a sickness beyond cure,
Except by death, which all ensure.

28. Without death's balm, we would endure
Pangs for all time, beyond all care.

29. Submit to God, who sees our hearts,
Beyond what human eyes can chart.

30. Recall your brother with pure joy;
His days were jewels without alloy.