The fire now burns, that did but warm before, Fire, water, earth, and air, that first were made To be subdu'd, see how they now invade; They rule whom once they serv'd, command where once obey'd. Behold, that nakedness, that late bewray'd Thy glory, now's become thy shame, thy wonder; Behold, those trees whose various fruits were made For food, now turn'd a shade to shroud thee under; Behold, that voice (which thou hast disobey'd) That late was music, now affrights like thunder, Poor man! are not thy joints grown faint with shaking To view th' effect of thy bold undertaking, That in one hour didst mar what Heav'n six days was making. S. AUGUST. lib. 1. de Lib. Arbit. It is a most just punishment, that man should lose that freedom which man could not use, yet had power to keep, if he would; and that he who had knowledge to do what was right, and did not, should be deprived of the knowledge of what was right; and that he who would not do righteously, when he had the power, should lose the power to do it, when he had the will. HUGO de Animâ. They are justly punished that abuse lawful things, but they are most justly punished, that use unlawful things: thus Lucifer fell from heaven thus Adam lost his paradise. EPIG. 2. See how these fruitful kernels, being cast 3. Ut potiar, patior, patieris, non potieris. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. ALAS! fond child, How are thy thoughts beguil'd To hope for honey from a nest of wasps? Thou may'st as well Go seek for ease in hell, Or sprightly nectar from the mouths of asps. The world's a hive, From whence thou canst derive No good, but what thy soul's vexation brings: But case thou meet Some petty petty sweet, Each drop is guarded with a thousand stings. Why dost thou make These murm'ring troops forsake The safe protection of their waxen homes? No sweet that's worth thy pains; For trash and toys, And grief-engend'ring joys, What torment seems too sharp for flesh and blood! What bitter pills, Compos'd of real ills, Men swallow down to purchase one false good! The dainties here Are least what they appear; Though sweet in hopes, yet in fruition sour; The fruit that's yellow Is found not always mellow; The fairest tulip's not the sweetest flow'r. Fond youth, give o’er, And vex thy soul no more In seeking what were better far unfound; Alas! thy gains Are only present pains To gather scorpions for a future wound. What's earth? or in it, That longer than a minute Can lend a free delight that can endure? O who would droil, Or delve in such a soil, Where gain's uncertain, and the pain is sure? |