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Epigrams: Divine and Moral

By Sir Thomas Vrchard

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44. Age meerly depending on the continuall Flux of time, we have very small reason to boast of a long life, already obtained: or be proud of the hope, hereafter to attaine unto it.

The present time doth fly away so fast,
That one can hardly follow't with his mind:
The Præterit's a time already past:
And seeing the futur's still to come, we find,
Both those being absent, that they are not ours:
Although they breed to us no meane vexation,
Th'one with the slip'ry thought of ill-spent houres:
And th'other, with a carefull expectation:

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Thus life is almost nothing, in effect,
Whereof two parcels never are our owne:
The third being such, as e'r we can reflect
Upon th'enjoying of it, is quite gone;
The longest time not having bounds to measure
A reall, permanent, and solid pleasure.