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Life's Uncertainty.

I

What ail'st thou, to complain of what
Thy Heart believeth not?
Why cry'st thou out on Life's Uncertainty,
And yet preparest not to dye?
Either thy Mock-Repinings spare,
Or else be true to thine own Fear.

II

Yet let me tell thee, hadst thou wise
And right-discerning Eyes,
Thou might'st an advantageous Courtesy
In Life's Uncertainty espy,
And ground to thank thy Lord, that he
Let it not out by Lease to thee.

III

This was the way Love did contrive
To make thee truly live
Before thou dy'st, and after thou art dead:
The only way thy Heart to lead
On in devout religious Care,
And holy profitable Fear.

IV

Thy brittle Life's Inconstancy
Alarms thee constantly
To stand upon thy never-sleeping guard,
And Night and Day keep watch and ward:
By which strict Discipline may'st thou
In thy Lord's service perfect grow.

V

So wilt thou suffer no sly Sin
Thy hold to undermine;
So shalt thou sift by wise Examination
The bottom of each fair Temptation:
For Spies Temptations are, and sent
To murder thee in compliment.

VI

Wert thou for any term secure
That this Life should endure,
Alas, how eas'ly would'st thou yield to set
Up all thy Rest and Joys in it!
And never strive that Life to gain,
Which shall for evermore remain.

VII

But now be brave, and throw disdain
On what thou find'st so vain.
Is not thy Soul eternal? and can she
On this short Vapour doating be?
A Vapour, which each minute may
Break, toss, and mock, and puff away!
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