114
His youth was gentle, and dispos'd to win,
Had so much courtship in't, 'twas his chiefe sin;
Yet sure, although his courtship knew the way
To conquer Beauty; it did ne're betray.
When wise with yeares, these soft affaires did cease:
He whisper'd War abroad, then brought home Peace.
He was supreme Ambassador, and went
To be that Prince, whom Leigers but present;
And soone with easie ceremonies got,
What they did lose with care, and a deepe plot:
Cheerefull his age; not tedious or severe,
Like those, who being dull, would grave appeare;
Whose guilt, made them the soule of Mirth despise,
And being sullen, hope men thinke them wise:
Yet he that kept his Virtues from decay,
Had that about him needs must weare away:
The daily less'ning of our life, shews by
A little dying, how out-right to die:
Observe the Morning, Noone, and Evening Sunne:
Then (Madam) you that saw his Hou'r-glasse runne,
In wiser faith, will not be more opprest
To see the last sand fall, than all the rest.
Had so much courtship in't, 'twas his chiefe sin;
Yet sure, although his courtship knew the way
To conquer Beauty; it did ne're betray.
When wise with yeares, these soft affaires did cease:
He whisper'd War abroad, then brought home Peace.
He was supreme Ambassador, and went
To be that Prince, whom Leigers but present;
And soone with easie ceremonies got,
What they did lose with care, and a deepe plot:
Cheerefull his age; not tedious or severe,
Like those, who being dull, would grave appeare;
Whose guilt, made them the soule of Mirth despise,
And being sullen, hope men thinke them wise:
Yet he that kept his Virtues from decay,
Had that about him needs must weare away:
The daily less'ning of our life, shews by
A little dying, how out-right to die:
Observe the Morning, Noone, and Evening Sunne:
Then (Madam) you that saw his Hou'r-glasse runne,
In wiser faith, will not be more opprest
To see the last sand fall, than all the rest.
Epilogue
