Nosce Teipsum - Life Lyrics

How can the tree but waste and wither away
That hath not some time comfort of the sun?
How can the flower but fade and soon decay
That always is with dark clouds overrun?

Is this a life? No, death you may it call
That feels each pain and knows no joy at all

What foodless beast can live long in good plight?
Or is it life where sense there be none?
Or what availeth eyes without their life
Or else a tongue to him that is alone?

Is this a life? No, death you may it call
That feels each pain and knows no joy at all

Whereto serve ears if that there be no sound
Or such a head where no device doth grow?
But, of all plaints, since sorrow is the ground
Whereby the heart doth pine in deadly woe?

Is this a life? No, death you may it call
That feels each pain and knows no joy at all