Page:Madagascar, with other poems - Davenant (1638).djvu/136

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His youth was gentle, and dispos'd to win,Had so much courtship in't, 'twas his chiefe sin;Yet sure, although his courtship knew the wayTo conquer Beauty; it did ne're betray.When wise with yeares, these soft affaires did cease:He whisper'd War abroad, then brought home Peace.He was supreme Ambassador, and wentTo be that Prince, whom Leigers but present;And soone with easie ceremonies got,What they did lose with care, and a deepe plot:Cheerefull his age; not tedious or severe,Like those, who being dull, would grave appeare;Whose guilt, made them the soule of Mirth despise,And being sullen, hope men thinke them wise:Yet he that kept his Virtues from decay,Had that about him needs must weare away:The daily less'ning of our life, shews byA little dying, how out-right to die:Observe the Morning, Noone, and Evening Sunne:Then (Madam) you that saw his Hou'r-glasse runne,In wiser faith, will not be more opprestTo see the last sand fall, than all the rest.

Epilogue

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