the face of eternity

May we not compare our life on earth
to a theatre where actors play?
We enter the stage naked;
but along our way
we find costumes and masks,
strewn across the stage.

Fearing their nakedness,do not most men
cling to tightly to their costume?
Think their mask their true self?
They are neither wise nor foolish;
emperors and beggars both are among their number.

The wise man wears his costume,
but is still naked underneath.
He can wear a thousand masks
yet remain himself.