Tottel sig. Niiir

[sig. Niiir]

W Ho iustly may reioyce in ought vnder the skye? As life, or lands: as frends, or frutes: which only liue to dye. Or who doth not well know all worldly works are vaine? And geueth nought but to the lendes, to take the same again. (5) For though it lift some vp: as we long vpward all: Such is the sort of slipper welth: all thinges do rise to fall. +Thuncerteintie is such: experience teacheth so: That what things men do couer most them sonest they forgo. Lo Deuorox where he lieth: whose life men held so deare (10) That now his death is sorowed so, that pitie it is to heare. His birth of auncient blood: his parents of great fame: And yet in vertue farre before the formost of the same, His king, and countrye both he serued to so great gaine: +That with the Brutes + record doth rest, and euer shall remaine. (15) No man in warre so mete, an enterprise to take: No man in peace that pleasurde more of enmies frends to make. A Cato for his counsell: his hed was surely such. Ne Theseus frendship was so great, + but Deuorox was as much. A graffe of so small grothe, so much good frute to bring: (20) Is seldome heard, or neuer sene: it is so rare a thing. A man sent vs from God, his life did well declare, And now sent for by God again, to teach vs what we are. Death, and the graue, that shall accompany all that liue, Hath brought him heuen, though somwhat sone, which life could neuer giue (25) God graunt well all, that shall professe as he profest: To liue so well, to dye no worse: and send his soule good rest.

They of the meane estate
are happiest. +

I F right be rackt, and ouerronne: And power take part with open wrong: If feare my force do yelde to soone, The lack is like to last to long. (5) If God for goodes shalbe vnplaced: If right for riches lose his shape: If world for wisdome be embraced: The gesse is great, much hurt may hap. Among good thinges, I proue and finde, (10) The quiet life doth most abound: