Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher :: :: University of Virginia Library

Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher

Containing Salomons Sermons or Commentaries (as it may probably be collected) vpon the 49. Psalme of Dauid his father. Compendiously abridged, and also paraphrastically dilated in English poesie, according to the analogie of Scripture, and consent of the most approued writer thereof. Composed by H. L. Gentleman [i.e. Henry Lok]. Whereunto are annexed sundrie Sonets of Christian Passions heretofore printed, and now corrected and augmented, with other affectionate Sonets of a feeling conscience of the same Authors

Lok, Henry

[epigraph]

[dedication]

[section]

To the vertuous Lady, the Lady Woollie.

Certaine poems to the Authour of the worke.

To the worke.

To the Author.

TO THE QVEENES MOST EXCELLENT MAIESTIE.

[1. These sacred words king Dauids son did preach, who Israel taught ]

II.

III.

10.

11.

12.

Adue to worlds vaine delight.

Sundry Psalmes of Dauid translated into verse, as briefly and significantly as the scope of the text will suffer; by the same Author.

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15. If so (thought I) then is it vaine, more wisedome to aspire,
16. All is forgot in time to come, like death haue all for hire.

15.

I therefore in my heart beganne to thinke,

Thé I thought in mine heart, it befalleth vnto me, as it befalleth to the foole: why therefore doe I then labour to be more wise? and I said in mine hart, that this also is vanitie.

If all estates some miserie must haue,
If wise and foolish both of one cup drinke,
If all by death must draw vnto the graue,
If wisedome may not man from daunger saue:
If sicknesse be the common guide to death,
If death the end of all that draweth breath:

Why then do I contend for wisedomes prayse?
With studious trauell, why do I applie
My time, and spend away youthes pleasant dayes
With paine and toyle? why serues seueritie,
And temperance of life, since all must die?
It is meere madnesse to be too precise,
Though fooles be vaine, vaine also be the wise.

16.

Vaine in the highest point of vanitie,

For there shall be no remembrance of the wise, nor of the foole for euer: for that that now is, in the dayes to come shall all be forgotten: and how dieth the wise man, as doth the foole.

If they suppose on earth true blisse to find,
As on a stage, each step they tred awrie
Is markt, and fame defamd by slaunderous kind,
And their best name that they do leaue behind
Is soone forgot, as fooles facts also bee,
As we by daily proofe full well may see.

Alas! is there no difference at all,
In length of dayes betwixt the fond and wise?
Can nought protect from death, but must all fall?
As basest sort, so those in honour rise,
Can man no way to lengthen life deuise?
Then vaine is he in them reposeth trust,
Whose ioyes with them so soone determine must.