: S. CHRYS. Grey hairs are honourable, when the behaviour suits with grey hairs: but when an ancient man hath childish manners, he becometh more ridiculous than a child. SEN. Thou art in vain attained to old years, that repeatest thy youthfulness. EPIG. 14. To the youth. Seest thou this good old man? He represents Thou break'st thy fast, he sups; now which is best ? PSALM Plumbeus in Terram. The Sun new sets; all hopes of Life And to the Earth We sink like Weights of Lead. are fled S PSALM XC. 10. The days of our years are threescore years and ten. 1. O have I seen th' illustrious prince of light Pause first, decline, at length begin to shroud 2. So have I seen a well-built castle stand Whose active pow'r commands both sea and land, At length her ag'd foundation fails her trust, 3. So have I seen the blazing taper shoot Whose shadow-gilding ray, spread round about, 4. Ev'n so this little world of living clay, Whom earth adores, and all her hosts obey, Alli'd to heav'n by his diviner part, Triumphs a while, then droops, and then decays; *Crocean; saffron-colour. That 5. That glorious sun, that whilom* shone so bright, That blazing taper, that disdain'd the puff 6. Poor bedrid man! where is that glory now, 7. Thy drooping glory's blurr'd, and prostrate lies, Thy panting breast vents all her breath by groans, 8. Thus man that's born of woman can remain Whilom. i. e. heretofore. Enerves; i. e. enervates. |