University of Virginia Library

To every thing there is an appointed time. ECCLESIASTES 3. 1.

Time. Death.
Time:
Behold the frailty of this slender snuffe;
Alas it hath not long to last:
Without the helpe of either Thiefe, or puffe,
Her weakness knows the way to wast:
Nature hath made her Substance apt enough
To spend it selfe, and spend too fast:
It needs the help of none,
That is so prone
To lavish out, untoucht; and languish all alone.

Death:
Time, hold thy peace, and shake thy slow pac'd Sand;
Thy idle Minits make no way:
Thy glass exceeds her how'r, or else does stand,
I can not hold; I can not stay;
Surcease thy pleading, and enlarge my hand
I surfet with too long delay:
This brisk, this boldfac'd Light
Does burne too bright;
Darkness adornes my throne; my day is darkest night.

Time:
Great Prince of darknesse, hold thy needless hand;
Thy Captiv's fast, and can not flee:
What arme can rescue? Who can countermand,
What pow'r can set thy Pris'ner free?
Or if they could, what close, what forrein land
Can hide that head, that flees from Thee?
But if her harmeless light,
Offend thy sight,
What needst thou snatch at noone, what will be thine at night?

Death:
I have outstaid my patience; My quick Trade
Growes dull and makes slow returne:
This long-liv'd det is due, and should bin paid
When first her flame began to burne:
But I have staid too long, I have delayd
To store my vast, my craving Urne.
My Patent gives me pow'r,
Each day, each how'r,
To strike the Peasants thatch, and shake the Princely Tow'r.

Time:

Death:
Canst thou appoint my shaft?

Time:
Or thou my How'r?

Death:
Tis I bid, doe:

Time:

St. AUGUST.

Thou knowest not what Time he will come: wait alwaies, that because thou knowest not the time of his comming, thou maiest be prepared against the time he comes. And for this, perchance, thou knowest not the Time, because thou maiest be prepared against all times.