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 41. Concerning those, who marry for beauty, and wealth without regard of vertue
2. Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 20. Riches affoord to vertue more matter to worke upon, then povertie can doe
3. Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 43. That inconveniences ought to be regarded to before hand
4. Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 6. To one, whom poverty was to be wished for, in so farre, as he could hardly otherwise be restrained from excessive ryot, and feasting
5. Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 1. No crosse adventure should hinder vs from being good; though we be frustrate of the reward thereof

Print

1653 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version