Solomon's recantation Intituled Ecclesiastes, paraphras'd. With A Soliloquy or Meditation Upon Every Chapter. By Francis Quarles |
 |
|
| I. |
| I. |
| II. |
| II. |
| III. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XII. |
 | CHAP V. Solomon's recantation |  |
There is an Ill that happens now and then
Beneath the Sun, among the Sons of Men.
Oft have I seen increasing Riches grow
To be their great-made Owners Overthrow;
And vex their Souls with Care, and then repay
Unprosp'rous Pains with Grief, and melt away.
His Wealth is fled, and when he should transfer it
Upon his Heir, there's nothing to inherit.
Look how he came into the World, the same
He shall go out, as naked as he came;
Of what his lab'ring Arm hath brought about,
His dying Hand shall carry nothing out:
This is a wounding Grief, that as he came,
In ev'ry Point, he shall return the same:
What Profit can his Soul's Affliction find,
That toyls for Air, and travels but for Wind?
The Pilgrimage of his laborious Days,
Is sordid and obscure, and all his Ways
Are blockt with Troubles, and his Soul's disquiet,
To gain his very life-sustaining Diet.
I hold it therefore the most happy Lot,
To eat and drink, and reap what Pains hath got,
To crown those Days which his Creator gave;
'Tis all the Portion he is like to have:
All such to whom the bounteous Hand of Heav'n
Gives Wealth, and License to enjoy it given,
To sweeten Labour, may they understand,
It is a Favour from the Almighty's Hand:
Such, doubtless, in their Labour, shall forget
Their painful Sorrows, and their toylsome Sweat;
For Heav'n hath crown'd their fair Desires, and sent
A peaceful Conscience, and a pleas'd Content.
Beneath the Sun, among the Sons of Men.
Oft have I seen increasing Riches grow
To be their great-made Owners Overthrow;
And vex their Souls with Care, and then repay
Unprosp'rous Pains with Grief, and melt away.
His Wealth is fled, and when he should transfer it
Upon his Heir, there's nothing to inherit.
Look how he came into the World, the same
He shall go out, as naked as he came;
Of what his lab'ring Arm hath brought about,
His dying Hand shall carry nothing out:
This is a wounding Grief, that as he came,
In ev'ry Point, he shall return the same:
What Profit can his Soul's Affliction find,
That toyls for Air, and travels but for Wind?
The Pilgrimage of his laborious Days,
Is sordid and obscure, and all his Ways
Are blockt with Troubles, and his Soul's disquiet,
To gain his very life-sustaining Diet.
25
To eat and drink, and reap what Pains hath got,
To crown those Days which his Creator gave;
'Tis all the Portion he is like to have:
All such to whom the bounteous Hand of Heav'n
Gives Wealth, and License to enjoy it given,
To sweeten Labour, may they understand,
It is a Favour from the Almighty's Hand:
Such, doubtless, in their Labour, shall forget
Their painful Sorrows, and their toylsome Sweat;
For Heav'n hath crown'd their fair Desires, and sent
A peaceful Conscience, and a pleas'd Content.
| CHAP V. Solomon's recantation | |