Mortals

Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunderstorm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.

Stand aside, mortals.

For the sharks, we saw them, not by units, nor by tens, nor by hundreds; but by thousands and by myriads. Trust me, there are more sharks in the sea than mortals on land.

But I do like that, mortals.

The people on this earth are all mortals.

Thou seest the giver of fire to mortals.

Nothing is given to mortals without effort.

We mortals die in a thousand ways; we are born in only one. There are a thousand diseases of men, but only one source of health.

'Twas now the time, when on tired mortals crept / first slumber, sweetest that celestials pour.

Sweet life from mortals fled; they drooped and died. / Fierce Sirius scorched the fields, and herbs and grain / were parched, and food the wasting crops denied.