University of Virginia Library

The vncertayntie of Lyfe.

No vayner thing ther can be foūd
amyd this vale of stryfe,
As Auncient men reporte haue made
then truste vncertayne lyfe.
This trwe we dayly fynde,
by proofes of many yeares,
And many tymes the trothe is tryed,
by losse of frendly fears,
Hope who so lyst in lyfe
hath but vncertayne stay.
As tayle of Ele that harder held,
doth sooner slyde away.
When least we thynk therof,
most neare approcheth it.
And sodaynly posses the place,
wher lyfe before did sytt:
How many haue byn seen,
in Helth to go to rest,
And yet eare mornyng tyde haue ben,
with Cruell Death opprest,
How many in their meales,
Haue Ioyfully ben sett,
That sodaynly in all their Feaste,
hath yealded Earth theyr dett.
Syth thus the lyfe is nought,
that in this world we trust,
And that for all the pompe & Pryde,
the Bodie tournes to dust:
Hope for the lyfe aboue,
whiche far surmounteth all.
With vertuous mind await the time,
when God, for vs doth call.