Part 20

In man, ambition is the common'st thing; Each one by nature loves to be a king.

169. SAFETY ON THE SHORE

What though the sea be calm? Trust to the shore; Ships have been drown'd, where late they danced before.

170. UPON A PAINTED GENTLEWOMAN

Men say you're fair; and fair ye are, 'tis true; But, hark! we praise the painter now, not you.

171. UPON WRINKLES

Wrinkles no more are, or no less, Than beauty turn'd to sourness.

172. CASUALTIES

Good things, that come of course, far less do please Than those which come by sweet contingencies.

173. TO LIVE FREELY

Let's live in haste; use pleasures while we may; Could life return, 'twould never lose a day.

174. NOTHING FREE-COST

Nothing comes free-cost here; Jove will not let His gifts go from him, if not bought with sweat.

175. MAN'S DYING-PLACE UNCERTAIN

Man knows where first he ships himself; but he Never can tell where shall his landing be.

176. LOSS FROM THE LEAST

Great men by small means oft are overthrown; He's lord of thy life, who contemns his own.

177. POVERTY AND RICHES

Who with a little cannot be content, Endures an everlasting punishment.

178. UPON MAN

Man is composed here of a twofold part; The first of nature, and the next of art; Art presupposes nature; nature, she Prepares the way for man's docility.

179. PURPOSES

No wrath of men, or rage of seas, Can shake a just man's purposes; No threats of tyrants, or the grim Visage of them can alter him; But what he doth at first intend, That he holds firmly to the end.

180. FOUR THINGS MAKE US HAPPY HERE

Health is the first good lent to men; A gentle disposition then: Next, to be rich by no by-ways; Lastly, with friends t' enjoy our days.

181. THE WATCH

Man is a watch, wound up at first, but never Wound up again; Once down, he's down for ever. The watch once down, all motions then do cease; The man's pulse stopt, all passions sleep in peace.

182. UPON THE DETRACTER