|p. 587] 
[p. 588] 
MS. Fairfax 4o. 277 
Doth health & Pleasure spur our sences on 
Soon sickness Comes and all delights are gone 
Such is the State of vs vncertaine men 
To know in calmes to guide our Vessels then 
Is not enough, but tis when Tempests rise 
To steare a Course both Patient, Stout, & Wise 
Did our misfortunes soe deuide our share 
As some shee would Aflict & others Spare 
We might Complaine of her inconstant fitts 
Bullets as soon th’ Captaine as soulder hitts 
The Feauer to the Great a deafe eare hath 
As to the meanest both subuerts by death 
Soe may the Justice of Impartial fate 
For Comfort serue vs in our greatest Strait 
Why doe we enuy then aspiringe Men 
Wt Stormes the Vallyes are less troubled then 
The lofty Hills & humble shrubbs belowe 
Less danger’s in then Oakes that highest growe! 
See we not how the straitest Popler tree 
And spredinge Elme as they vngratfull be 
For nurishment) to barreness incline 
Whilst prostrate on the ground the Crocked vine 
Abundance yeilds or haue we nott seene 
From highest plenty men in wants haue beene 
How many Kings falne from ther Regall seate 
Haue Crack’t their Crownes ther Royal Septers breake 
Our Wittnesses by cloudes we all may bringe 
To shew that splendid honours a vaine thinge 
Should they be ta’ne from vs resolue thus much 
Ther loss should not be great ther fading’s such 
Should we aflict ourselues when loss appear’s 
Our Teares would sooner want then Cause for teares 
All you wt heauenly Marks of God indued 
Arme to the Fight shew Virtue Fortitude 
As Rocks ’gainst we! the raging billowes rore 
Keepe firme ther station on the threatned shore 
Soe let our Soules be firme & Constant still 
Against the threats this World doth make of Ill 
Or as a Diamon mongst the dust doth dart 
The beauty more in itt’s resplendent sparke 


1 Cf. Horace, Carm. II 10. 
