The Four Ages of Ma 71. 159
If happinefs my fordidnefs hath found,
'Twas in the Crop of my manured ground.
My thriving Cattle and my new-milch-Cow,
My fleeced Sheep, and fruitful farrowing Sow: '"
To greater things I never did afpire,
My dunghil thoughts or hopes could reach no higher.
If to be rich or great it was my fate.
How was I broyl'd with envy and with hate.^
Greater then was the great'ft was my delire,
And thirll for honour, fet my heart on fire : -^
And by Ambition's^ fails I was fo carried,
That over Flats and fands, and Rocks I hurried,
Oppreft and funk, and ftav'd " all in my way
That did oppofe me, to my longed Bay.
My thirft was higher then nobility,
I oft long'd fore to tafh on Royalty:
Then Kings muft be deposed or put to flight,
I might poflefs that Throne which was their right;"
There fet, I rid my felf ftraight out of hand
Of fuch Competitors, as might in time withfl;and.*
'«< Mv fatted Oxe, and my exuberous Cow, My fleeced Ewe, and ever farr owing Sow.
^ And greater ftil, did fet my heart on fire.
If honour was the point, to which I fteer'd ;
To run my hull upon difgrace I fear'd. y But by ambitious. 2 fa6t.
« Instead of this and the preceding line, the first edition has, —
Whence poyfon, Piftols, and dread inftruments,
Have been curd furtherers of mine intents.
Nor Brothers, Nephewes, Sons, nor Sires I've fpar'd,
When to a Monarchy, my way they barr'd.
- Of fuch as might mv fon, or his withftand.
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