Poem by Thomas Urquhart

Epigrams. The Third Booke. ¹ 41. To one, who was grieved within himselfe, that he was not endewed with such force, and vi∣gour of body, as many others were

THough you be not so strong, as other men,
Jf you have health, the matter is but small;
You being reserv'd for tasks, more noble, then
The labours of the body: therefore all
Page  58 You can complaine of, is not of defect,
But of imparitie: Nature did grant
Milo great strength, in whose regard you're weake:
So was he weaker then an Elephant:
His strength decay'd: but Solons lasted longer,
And wise men love not, what's not durable:
Care not for strength; seeing sicknesse will be stronger:
But with your soule, as with a Sword of steele,
Within a sheath of Wooll, subdue temptations;
For the true strength of Man, being in the mind,
He is much stronger, overcomes his passions,
Then who can with main force a Lyon bind;
And who himselfe thus in subjection brings,
Surmounts the power of all Earthly Kings.

1. Epigrams. The Third Booke. ¹ 3. We ought always to thinke upon what we are to say, before we utter any thing; the speeches and talk of solid wits, being still pre∣meditated, and never using to forerunne the mind
2. 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
3. Epigrams. The Second Booke. ¹ 22. A very ready way to goodnesse, and true VVisedome
4. Epigrams. The First Booke. ¹ 41. Concerning those, who marry for beauty, and wealth without regard of vertue
5. Epigrams. The Third Booke. ¹ 29. How magnanimous a thing it is, in adversity, patiently to endure, what cannot bee evited

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