THE SUN he is sunk in the west,
All creatures retir?d to rest,
While here I sit, all sore beset,
      With sorrow, grief, and woe:
And its O, fickle Fortune, O!
 
The prosperous man is asleep,
Nor hears how the whirlwinds sweep;
But Misery and I must watch
      The surly tempest blow:
And its O, fickle Fortune, O!
 
There lies the dear partner of my breast;
Her cares for a moment at rest:
Must I see thee, my youthful pride,
      Thus brought so very low!
And its O, fickle Fortune, O!
 
There lie my sweet babies in her arms;
No anxious fear their little hearts alarms;
But for their sake my heart does ache,
      With many a bitter throe:
And its O, fickle Fortune, O!
 
I once was by Fortune carest:
I once could relieve the distrest:
Now lifes poor support, hardly earnd
      My fate will scarce bestow:
And its O, fickle Fortune, O!
 
No comfort, no comfort I have!
How welcome to me were the grave!
But then my wife and children dear
      O, wither would they go!
And its O, fickle Fortune, O!
 
O whither, O whither shall I turn!
All friendless, forsaken, forlorn!
For, in this world, Rest or Peace
      I never more shall know!
And its O, fickle Fortune, O!


 



