The AGE of MAN,
Displayed in TEN different Stages of LIFE.
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IN prime of Years when I was Young,
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I took Delight in youthful Toys,
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Not knowing then what did belong
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Unto the Pleasure of those Days:
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At Seven Years old I was a Child,
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And subject then to be beguil'd,
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At Two Times Seven I must needs go learn
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What Discipline was taught at School,
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Then Good from Evil I could discern,
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And thought Myself no more a Child;
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My Parents were contriving then,
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How I might Live when I became a Man.
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At Three Times Seven I waxed Wild,
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And Manhood led me to be Bold,
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I thought Myself no more a Child,
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My own Conceit it so Me told:
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Then did I venture Far and Near
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To buy Delight at a Price full Dear.
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At Four Times Seven I must take a Wife,
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And leave off all my wanton Ways?
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Thinking thereby perhaps to Thrive,
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And save Myself from sad Disgrace:
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So Farewell now, my companions all,
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For another Business doth Me Call.
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At Five Times Seven I would go prove
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What I could gain by Art or Skill,
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But still against the Stream I strove,
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And bowl'd up Stones against the Hill:
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The more I labour'd with Might and Maiu,
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The more I strove against the Stream.
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At Six Times Seven all Covetousness
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Began to harbour in my Breast,
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My Mind then still contriving was,
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How I might gain this Worldly Wealth:
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To purchase Lands and live on them,
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To make my Children Mighty Men.
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At Seven Times Seven all Worldly Care
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Began to harbour [i]n my Brain,
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Then did I drink a heavy Draught
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Of Water of Experience plain:
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There was none so ready then as I,
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To purchase Bargains, to sell or Buy.
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At Eight Times Seven I waxed Old,
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And took myself unto my Rest,
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My Neighbours then my Council crav'd,
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And I was had in great Request:
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But Age did so abate my Strength,
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That I was forc'd to yield at length.
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At Nine Times Seven I must take my Leave
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Of all my former vain Delights,
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And then full sore it did me grieve,
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I fetched many a bitter Sigh;
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To rise up early and sit up late,
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I was no longer fit, my Strength did abate.
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At Ten Times Seven my Glass was run,
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And I poor silly Man must die;
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I looked up and saw the Sun
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Had overcome the crystal Sky;
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And now I must this World forsake,
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And another Man my Place must take.
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Now you may see as in a Glass,
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The whole Estate of Mortal Men,
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How they from Seven to Seven do pass,
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Untill they are Threescore and Ten:
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And when their Glass is fully run,
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They must leave off where they first began.
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