Democritus, or Doctor Merry-man his Medicines against Melancholy humors. Written by S. R. [i.e. by Samuel Rowlands] |
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[An aged Gentleman, sore sicke did lye] |
 | Democritus, or Doctor Merry-man his Medicines |  |
[An aged Gentleman, sore sicke did lye]
An aged Gentleman, sore sicke did lye,Expecting life, that could not chuse but dye,
His foole came to him and intreateth thus,
Good Mayster ere you goe away from vs
Bestow on Iacke (that oft hath made you laugh)
Against he waxeth old, your walking staffe.
I will (quoth he) go take it, there it is,
But on condition Iacke which shall be this,
If thou do meete with any while thou liue,
More foole then thou, the staffe thou shalt him giue:
Mayster (said he) vpon my life I will,
But I do hope that I shall keepe it stil.
When Death drew neare, and faintnesse did proceed,
His Maister cals for a Diuine with speede,
For to prepare him vnto heauens way,
The Foole starts vp, and hastily did say:
Oh Maister, Mayster, take your staffe againe,
That prooue your selfe the most foole of vs twaine.
And all this time are vnprepar'd for God?
What greater foole can any meete withall?
Then one that's ready in the graue to fall.
And is to seeke about his soules estate,
When Death is op'ning of the pryso n-gate.
Beare witnesse friends, that I discharge me plaine:
Here Mayster, here, receiue your staffe againe:
Vpon the same condition I did take it,
According as you wil'd me, I forsake it.
And ouer and aboue, I will bestow,
This Epitaph, which shall your follie shew.
Heere lies a man, at death did heauen clayme,
But in his life he neuer sought the same.
| Democritus, or Doctor Merry-man his Medicines | |