Poem by Thomas Urquhart

Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 35. How deplorable the condition of most men is, who, though they attaine to the fruition of their praete∣rit projects, by covering neverthelesse the possession of future pleasures, honours, and commodities, never receive con∣tentment (is they ought) in the present time

IN things, to fortune Subject, when we get
What we did long for, we anew desire
To have wherewith t'uphold the former state:
Which likewise, we obtaining, more require;
For businesse engendreth businesse:
And hope, being th'usher of another hope,
Our enjoyd' wishes serve but to make place
To after aimes, whose purchase to the top
Of our ambition never reacheth; thus
By still aspiring higher we can find
No end in miseries, that trouble us:
Turmoyle the body: and perplex our mind,
Although we change with great varietie
The matter, which procures our miserie.

1. Epigrams. The First Booke. ¹ 30. That wise men, to speak properly, are the most powerfull men in the world
2. Epigrams. The Third Booke. ¹ 27. We should not be sorry, to be destitute of any thing: so long as we have judgments to perswade vs, that we may minister to our selves, what we have not, by not longing for it
3. Epigrams. The First Booke. ¹ 17. The expression of a contented mind in povertie
4. Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 25. That vertue is of greater worth, then knowledge. to a speculative Philosopher
5. Epigrams. The First Booke. ¹ 36. How difficult a thing it is, to tread in the pathes of vertue

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