Page:Essays - Abraham Cowley (1886).djvu/169

VI.

Officious fool! that needs must meddling be

In business that concerns not thee!
For when to future years thou extend'st thy cares,
Thou deal'st in other men's atfairs.

VII.

Even aged men, as if they truly were

Children again, for age prepare.
Provisions for long travail they design
In the last point of their short line.

VIII.

Wisely the ant against poor winter hoards

The stock which summer's wealth affords,
In grasshoppers, that must at autumn die,
How vain were such an industry.

IX.

Of power and honour the deceitful light

Might half excuse our cheated sight,
If it of life the whole small time would stay,
And be our sunshine all the day.