Page:The Works of Abraham Cowley - volume 1 (ed. Aikin) (1806).djvu/196

In vain a breast-plate now I wear,
Since in my breast the foe I bear
In vain my feet their swiftness try;
For from the body can they fly?

 

V.

AGE.

Oft am I by the women told,
Poor Anacreon! thou grow'st old:
Look how thy hairs are falling all;
Poor Anacreon, how they fall!
Whether I grow old or no,
By th' effects I do not know;
This I know, without being told,
'T is time to live, if I grow old;
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$'Tis time short pleasures now to take,
Of little life the best to make,
And manage wisely the last stake.

 

VI.

THE ACCOUNT.

When all the stars are by thee told
(The endless sums of heavenly gold);
Or when the hairs are reckon'd all,
From sickly autumn's head that fall;