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H. His Deuises

for his owne exercise, and his Friends pleasure [by Thomas Howell]
 
 

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Mans lyfe likened to a Stage play.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mans lyfe likened to a Stage play.

Sithe earth is Stage whereon we play our partes,
And deedes are deemde according to desartes,
Be warie how thou walkst vpon the same,
In playing thy parte, thy course vprightly frame.
Remember when thy tale is tolde, straight way
Another steps on stage his part to playe,
To whome thou must resigne thy former state,
As one that hath already playde his mate.
All welth, pompe, powre, high hap and princely Mace,
Must yeelden be to such as shall take place,
As things but lente, to play our parts withall,
Our meede no more, then our desarts doe fall.
Not he that playeth the stateliest parte most praise,
Nor he that weares the ryches robe alwaies,


But he whose Uertues shall exceede the reast,
How so his seate be with the great or least.
Take heede therfore, and kepe eche Cue so right,
That Heauen for hyre vnto thy lotte may light.
With greedie minde so wrest not worldly gayne,
That soule doe spill, for slyding pleasures vayne.
Suffised be with that sufficient is,
And seeke the things that bring eternall blisse,
So shalt thou here not onely purchase prayse,
But after eke enioy most happie dayes.