THE HOLLOWNESS OF AMBITION.

Be not with honour's gilded baits beguiled,
Nor think ambition wise, because 'tis brave;
For though we like it, as a froward child,
'Tis so unsound, her cradle is her grave.

EARTHLY GREATNESS.

Davenant.

Glories

Of human greatness are but pleasing dreams, And shadows soon decaying.

INFLUENCE OF A GOOD LIFE.

Ford.

Whether mine eye with a new spirit sees,
Or Nature is grown lovelier, I know not:
But, ne'er methinks was sunset half so sweet.
He's down, and yet his glory still appears,

Like to the memory of a well-spent life,
That's golden to the last, and when 'tis o'er,
Shines in the witnesses it leaves behind.

FASCINATION OF BEAUTY.

Knowles.

All men do err, because that men they be,
And men with beauty blinded cannot see.

Peele.

THE STRENGTH OF INNOCENCE.

Innocence, the sacred amulet

'Gainst all the poisons of infirmity,
Of all misfortune, injury, and death:
That makes a man in tune still in himself;
Free from the hell to be his own accuser;
Ever in quiet, endless joy enjoying,
No strife nor no sedition in his power;
No motion in his will against his reason;
No thought 'gainst thought; nor (as 'twere in
the confines

Of wishing and repenting) doth possess,
Only a wayward and tumultuous peace;
But, all parts in him friendly and secure.
Fruitful of all best things in all worst seasons,
He can with every wish be in their plenty;
When the infectious guilt of one foul crime
Destroys the free content of all our time.
Chapman.

CARE.

Care, that in cloi ters only seals her eyes, Which youth think. folly, age as wisdom owns: Fools, by not knowing her, outlive the wise: She visits cities, but she dwells on thrones.

Davenant.

B

THE GOOD PITIED IN MISFORTUNE.

When a great mind falls,

The noble nature of man's gen'rous heart
Doth bear him up against the shame of ruin,
With gentle censure, using but his faults
As modest means to introduce his praise;
For pity, like a dewy twilight, comes
To close th' oppressive splendour of his day,
And they who but admired him in his height
His alter'd state lament, and love him fall'n.
Joanna Baillie.

A FORTUNATE MAN.

I know not yet what grief is, yet have sought A hundred ways for its acquaintance: with me Prosperity hath kept so close a watch,

That ev'n those things that I have meant a cross, Have that way turn'd a blessing.

THE STRENGTH OF HONESTY.

An honest soul is like a ship at sea,

Rowley.

That sleeps at anchor upon the occasion's calm; But when it rages, and the winds blow high,

She cuts her way with skill and majesty.

Beaumont and Fletcher.

APPEARANCES DECEITFUL.

The fairest cheek hath oftentimes a soul
Leprous as sin itself, than hell more foul.
The wisdom of this world is idiotism;
Strength a weak reed; health sickness' enemy,
And it at length will have the victory.
Beauty is but a painting; and long life
Is a long journey in December gone,
Tedious and full of tribulation.

THE INVINCIBILITY OF LOVE.

Decker.

Love is like a lamb, and love is like a lion;
Fly from love, he fights; fight, then does he

fly on

Love is all on fire, and yet is ever freezing;

Love is much in winning, yet is more in leasing.
Love is ever sick, and yet is never dying;
Love is ever true, and yet is ever lying;
Love does doat in liking, and is mad in loathing;
Love indeed is anything, yet indeed is nothing.
Middleton.

MAN'S FICKLENESS.

Clocks will go as they are set; but man, Irregular man's never constant, never certain.

Massinger.

DAYBREAK.

The dapple gray coursers of the morn Beat up the light with their bright silver hoofs And chase it through the sky.

DEATH, THE Leveller.

The glories of our blood and state

Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate;

Death lays his icy hand on kings:

Sceptre and crown

Must tumble down,

And in the dust be equal made

Marston.

With the poor crooked scythe and spade.

SOLICITUDES OF AFFECTION.

Affection is the savage beast,
Which always us annoyeth :
And never lets us live in rest,
But still our good destroyeth.
Affection's power who can suppress,
And master when it sinneth,
Of worthy praise deserves no less,
Than he that kingdoms winneth.

Shirley.

Brandon.