University of Virginia Library

Epigram. XVI. Stultorum plena sunt omnia.

Some men compare, and that not much amisse
This lower world, whereon our beeing is,
Vnto a Theater: the Gods stand by,
Behold: we act our parts, depart, and die.
Yet to my seeming in this said compare
As some things iumpe, so some things diff'ring are.
There each man is assign'd a seuerall part,
For to bestirre his stumps, and shew his Art.
One he acts Menedemus raging mad:
Another acts his friend: a third is glad
To entertaine the Cockscombes part, thereby
To make the simpler sort laugh out of crie.
Of this last kinde in some playes there are none;
And where there is the most, there is but one.
But here farre otherwise in our societie,
We act the same part all: there's no varietie.
On this vast stage the world, dame Natures schoole,
There's not a man of vs, but playes the foole.
They for a time, in iest, display their madnesse
We still, in serious sooth, in sober sadnesse.