Thou'rt welcome in my box to peep! Life's puppet-show, the world in little, Thou'lt see depicted to a tittle, - But pray at some small distance keep! 'Tis by the torch of love alone, By Cupid's taper, it is shown. See, not a moment void the stage is! The child in arms at first they bring, - The boy then skips, - the youth now storms and rages, - The man contends, and ventures everything! Each one attempts success to find, Yet narrow is the race-course ever; The chariot rolls, the axles quiver, The hero presses on, the coward stays behind, The proud man falls with mirth-inspiring fall, The wise man overtakes them all! Thou see'st fair woman it the barrier stand, With beauteous hands, with smiling eyes, To glad the victor with his prize. By ( Friedrich Schiller )