 | Oedipus |  |
Chorus.
Mans lyfe wt tumbling fatal course of fortunes wheele is rowld,To it giue place for it doth run all swiftly vncontrowld.
And Cares & teares are spent in vayn, for it cannot be stayed:
Syth hie decree of heauenly powers perforce must be obayed.
What mankind bydes or does on earth it cōmeth from aboue,
Then wayling grones powrd out in griefe do nought at all behoue.
Our life must haue her pointed course, (alas) what shall I say.
As fates decree, so things do run, no man can make them stay.
For at our byrth to Gods is known our latter dying day.
No Prayer, no Arte, not God himselfe may fatall fates resist.
But fastned all in fixed course, vnchaunged they persist.
Such ende them still ensues as they appointed were to haue,
Than fly all feare of Fortunes chaung, seeke not to lyue a slaue
Enthrald in bondage vyle to feare. For feare doth often bring
Destnies that dreaded ben and mischiefs feard vpon vs fling.
Yea many a man hath come vnto his fatall ende by feare.
Wherefore set peuish feare aside, and worthy courage beare.
And thou that subiect art to death. Regard thy latter day.
Thinke no man blest before his ende. Aduise thee well and stay.
Be sure his lyfe, and death, and all, be quight exempt from mysery:
Ere thou do once presume to say: this man is blest and happy.
But out alas, see where he coms: a wretch withouten Guide,
Bereft of sight. Halfe spoyld of lyfe: without all Pomp, and Pride
(That vnto Kings Estate belongs.)
| Oedipus | |