Poem by Francis Quarles

On Time

Time's an hand's-breadth; 'tis a tale;
'Tis a vessel under sail;
'Tis an eagle in its way,
Darting down upon its prey;
'Tis an arrow in its flight,
Mocking the pursuing sight;
'Tis a short-lived fading flower;
'Tis a rainbow on a shower;
'Tis a momentary ray,
Smiling in a winter's day;
'Tis a torrent's rapid stream;
'Tis a shadow; 'tis a dream;
'Tis the closing watch of night,
Dying at the rising light;
'Tis a bubble; 'tis a sigh;
Be prepared, O! man, to die.

1. Hos Ego Versiculos
2. On the Infancy of Our Savior
3. Delight In God Only
4. On Change of Weather
5. The Loadstone

John Skelton On Time ("YE may hear now, in this rime")

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