Variations on "The Clock of Life" by William H. Smith

Variations on "The Clock of Life" by William H. Smith

I first encountered this poem when my Dad etched it out on a board with a wood burning kit.
At the time, the author was unknown (?) but somehow the idea got put in my head that Frank Nitti had a handwritten copy of it in his wallet when he was found.

The Clock of Life
by Robert H. Smith, copyright 1932, 1982

The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.

To lose one's wealth is sad indeed,
To lose one's health is more,
To lose one's soul is such a loss
That no man can restore.

The present only is our own,
So live, love, toil with a will,
Place no faith in "Tomorrow,"
For the Clock may then be still.

Possibly the variation found in Nitti's wallet? :

The clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop At late or early hour.

Now is the only time you own.
Live, love, toil with a will, Place no faith in time.
For the Clock may soon be still.