Uncertainty

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ALL the birds which bless the morning as the sun beams
      O'er the hill
Have their foes with which to reckon, as they "chirrup" by
     the rill;
Hills and vales may each encumber, as we pass the way
     along,
Yet we feel but little discord, if our steps are set to song;

Lease of life is quite uncertain, scarce the promise of a day,
And the soul-house, by to-morrow, may have crumbled quite
     away.
Yet the touch of death so dreadful should entrance us as a
     dream :
'T is the flower-bordered gateway which the ages pass
      between.