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 19. Ingratitude is such a common vice, that even those who exclame most against it, are not freest of it
2. Epigrams. The Third Booke. ¹ 21. To one, who did confide too much in the sound temperament, and goodly constitution of his bodily complexion
3. Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 34. The misery of such, as are doubtfull, and suspi∣cious of their VVives chastitie
4. Epigrams. The Third Booke. ¹ 29. How magnanimous a thing it is, in adversity, patiently to endure, what cannot bee evited
5. Epigrams. The First Booke. ¹ 40. The duty of a husband to his wife

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