University of Virginia Library

By fortune as I lay in bed

Of the mutabilitie of the world.

By fortune as I lay in bed, my fortune was to fynde
Such fa[n]sies, as my carefull thought had brought into my minde
And when eche one was gone to rest, full soft in bed to lye:
I would haue slept: but then the watch did folow still myne eye.
And sodeinly I saw a sea of wofull sorowes prest:

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Whose wicked wayes of sharp repulse bred mine vnquiet rest.
I saw this world: and how it went, eche state in his degree:
And that from wealth ygraunted is, both lyfe, and libertee.
I saw, how enuy it did rayne, and beare the greatest price:
Yet greater poyson is not found within the Cockatrice.
I saw also, how that disdayn oft times to forge my wo,
Gaue me the cup of bitter swete, to pledge my mortall fo.
I saw also, how that desire to rest no place could finde
But styll constrainde in endlesse pain to folow natures kynde.
I saw also most strauuge

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straunge

of all how nature did forsake
The blood, that in her womb was wrought: as doth [the] lothed snake
I saw, how fansy would retayn no lenger then her lust:
And as the winde how she doth change: and is not for to trust.
I saw, how stedfastnesse did fly with winges of often change:
A fleyng birde, but seldom seen, her nature is so strange.
I saw, how pleasant times did passe, as flowers doe in the mede:
To day that ryseth red as rose: to morow falleth ded.
I saw, my tyme how it did runne, as sand out of the glasse.
Euen as eche hower appointed is from tyme, and tyde to passe.
I saw the yeares, that I had spent, and losse of all my gayn:
And how the sport of youthfull playes my foly dyd retayn.
I saw, how that the litle ant in somer still dothe runne
To seke her foode, wherby to liue in winter for to come.
I saw eke vertue, how she sat the threde of life to spinne.
Which sheweth the end of euery work, before it doth beginne.
And when all these I thus beheld with many mo pardy:
In me, me thought, eche one had wrought a parfite proparty.
And then I said vnto my self: a lesson this shalbe
For other: that shall after come, for to beware by me.
Thus, all the night I did deuise, which way I might constrayn.
To fourme a plot, that wit might work these branches in my brain.