Epigrams
141 Posting to Printing
Let others to the printing-press run fast;
Since after death comes glory, I’ll not haste.
142 His Loss
All has been plunder’d from me but my wit:
Fortune herself can lay no claim to it.
143 Things Mortal Still Mutable
Things are uncertain; and the more we get,
The more on icy pavements we are set.
144 No Man Without Money
No man such rare parts hath, that he can swim,
If favour or occasion help not him.
145 The Present Time Best Pleaseth
Praise, they that will, times past: I joy to see
Myself now live; this age best pleaseth me!
146 Want
Want is a softer wax, that takes thereon,
This, that, and every base impression,
147 Satisfaction for Sufferings
For all our works a recompence is sure;
’Tis sweet to think on what was hard t’endure.
148 Writing
When words we want, Love teacheth to indite;
And what we blush to speak, she bids us write.
149 The Definition of Beauty
Beauty no other thing is, than a beam
Flash’d out between the middle and extreme.
150 A Mean in Our Means
Though frankincense the deities require,
We must not give all to the hallow’d fire.
Such be our gifts, and such be our expense,
As for ourselves to leave some frankincense.