The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 Excerpt: ...sence and soules are set to sale, While hoorders heape that naked people need: And for the gaine but of a simple groat, One man wil seeke to cut another throate. What is there here that can content the hart? That knowes content or what it doth containe: What thought so sweet but brings as sower a smart? What pleasure such but breeds a greater paine? What thing so good but prooues in fine so euill? As (but for God) would beare men to the deuill. What is the earth? the labour of the life. What is the sea? a gulfe of grislie lakes, What is the ayre? a stuffe of filthie strife: What is the fire? the spoyle of that it takes. Since these are al whence euerie thing doth spring What is the world, but euen a woful thing? What thing is man? a clod of mirie clay, Slime of the earth, a slaue to filthie sinne, Springs like a weed, and so doth weare away, Goes to the earth where first he did begin: Thinke with thy selfe, when thou thy selfe art such What is in Man that man should be so much: What hath the world to leade thy minde to loue? In true effect, a fardle full of toyes, For wey the pith what euerie man doth prooue, The perfect Gems are most vnperfect ioyes; Consider all what fancie bringeth forth, The best conceit will fall out nothing worth. What worldlie thinges doe follow fancie most? Wealth, beautie, loue, fine diet, honour, fame: What finds affect? both loue and labour lost, Disdaine, disease, dishonour, death and shame. Where care and sorrow, death and deadlie strife, Doo rule the roste in this accursed life. What thing is beautie? a colour quicklie gone. And what is wealth when riches fall to rust? What thing is loue? a toy to think vpon: Fine diet? drosse to feede a filthie lust. What worldlie honor? oft unworthie praise: What ease? the cause whereby the ...