Dying Ladies last Farewell
To the WORLD:
Shewing the Vanity of things below and the Excellency of those above, etc.
To the Tune of, Sighs and Groans.
|
FArewell to the World and all its Joys
|
The troubles, hurries and endless noise
|
That attend on its best Felicity,
|
Since all its gaudy Pomps but Pageantry.
|
Riches, Powr and Honour, what are they?
|
Things that must and will soon away.
|
Like guilded Clouds, awhile seem bright and fair
|
But soon disperse and vanish into Air.
|
Beauty thats adord and so much prizd,
|
Cannt be stayd by all the Arts devizd,
|
The Roses and the Lillies that in prime
|
Do look so fair, are witherd all by Time.
|
All the glittring Glories of the Spring
|
On themselves at last a Winter bring;
|
The proudest Beauty and the gayest must
|
Contented be to be embalmd in dust.
|
Riches, Beauty, Powr, Honour and State,
|
Must submit and yield themselves to Fate;
|
For when death coms nor death, nor powr can save
|
Tis Vertue only that survives the Grave.
|
|
|
|
|
The Second Part to the same Tune.
|
IN this World our Joys are mixd with Woe,
|
For all things still uncertain are below,
|
Today we are at rest and dread no ill,
|
Tomorrow Gall instead of Wine dos fill.
|
The fond Cup we so delighted in,
|
And instead of Pleasure gives us pain
|
Nothing is stable, nothing sure we find,
|
All things to change and vary are inclind.
|
Which shoud Mortals then so much desire,
|
Transitory things that will expire;
|
The fading glories that are at no stay,
|
Neglecting those that never will away.
|
Be wise then, while Time dos give you time,
|
And spend not in such Vanity your prime;
|
But bid a farewell to all worldly things
|
From which much trouble but no Joy springs.
|
By me be warnd, and well advizd to
|
Who the depth and height of Pleasure knew,
|
And tryd whateer the World did rate most high
|
In costly dainties and variety.
|
Yet to me they did but dull appear,
|
Rather add than free me from sad care,
|
For whateer beneath the Skies we prove
|
Are but Types and Shades of those above.
|
Then be wise and reach at lasting Joy,
|
Pleasures that the Fates can neer destroy;
|
Such as when this Life it is at end
|
Will carry you beyond old Times command.
|
Mounting you above the reach of Death,
|
When hes took the Tribute of your Breath:
|
No more in sadness you shall then complain,
|
But yet by Vertue you must these obtain.
|
Be charitable, courteous and kind
|
Let the poor your Bounty ever find:
|
Do unto all as youd be done unto,
|
Be faithfull in your ways, be just and true.
|
Be not given unto change but prove
|
How you still the ways of Truth do love:
|
Let no Hypocrisie nor Pride take place,
|
For that the true Religion dos deface.
|
And thus in hopes these Lines may be receivd
|
As kindly as they are by me bequeathd:
|
To Death I yield that Rings my Passing-bell
|
Taking my leave, I bid the World farewell.
|
|
|
|
|