1How fast this creature runs upon the earth;

2Her loving it shows her

ignoble1

birth.

3How swift she swims within the

tamed2

seas;

4Let her but grovelling be, she is in

peace3

.

5But do but

turn this turtle to the skies4

;

6

She sighs and sobs and discontented lies,5

7And in this passion bathed in tears she dies.

8So let a miser fear the loss

of’s6

gold;

9

His heart, like Nabal’s, instantly is cold.7

10Tell him that Death is come to take his due;

11He’ll call for int’rest or your bonds renew.

12

Bid gallants leave their dames, their drink, their dice;8

13Not they (they’ll swear) for

present paradise9

.

14Tell them (in love) they’re at the

abyss’s brink10

;

15They’ll

yawl and bawl11

for

wenches12

or more drink.

16Bid a

light13

lady leave her wanton love;

17Not she, she vows, for all the

joys above14

.

18Tell her, ere long,

her paint won’t hide her clay15

;

19What doth she care, she’ll do it while she may.

20Put but these

ranters16

where they cannot roar,

21They lie like fish on the forsaken shore;

22Or curb these gallants of their vain desire,

23They’re like

pyraustas17

kept out of the fire;

24Or take these wantons from their vanity,

25These like

this simple creature18

blubb'ring lie,

26And in despair most commonly they die.

27

Then hear a friend19

that tells you but the truth:

28

Remember thy Creator in thy youth,20

29And leave those follies ere they do leave you,

30Or else expect that Hell will have its due.