Think, wordling, think, alas, how vain

1 Think worldling, think! alas! how vain
Couldst thou this spacious earth obtain,
And grasp it all from pole to pole,
Yet lose thine own immortal soul.

2 What will thy mighty wealth avail
When sickness shall thy health assail?
Or when the pow'rful hand of death
Shall seize upon thy mortal breath?

3 Think on the man who vainly said,
"Take ease my soul, for there is laid
"Sufficient store for many years,
"To banish all your crowding fears."

4 But Oh! how soon his bliss expir'd!
"Thou fool" said God "Thy soul's requir'd,
"And all those heaps thou countest thine,
"Thou shalt this very night resign."

5 O worldling here a warning take,
Your gilded pleasures now forsake;
Improve your time and talent given,
And lay your treasure up in Heaven.

6 Will all your vast possessions buy,
A mansion for your soul on high,
When you're confin'd of God to dwell
For ever in the lake of Hell?

7 Can wealth assuage the troubled mind,
Or make the furious Devils kind?
Can all the wealth from pole to pole
Redeem one lost, immortal soul?

8 No worldling no; whoe'er thou art,
If here on earth thou hast thy heart,
However large thy share may be
Eternal wants remain for thee.

Source: A Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs: from various authors #XXI