Maitland Club > Works of Sir Thomas Urquhart

OF EPIGRAMS. 2S
TO ONE WHOM POVERTY WAS TO BE WISHED FOR, IN SO FARRE
AS HE COULD HARDLY OTHERWISE BE RESTRAINED FROM
EXCESSIVE RYOT AND FEASTING.
You fliould not be a whit the more dejec~led,
That, as in former times, not being tiiftain'd,
Your fare, and dyet daily doe decreafe ;
For want doing - what your modeftie negledted,
It is a happy thing- to be conftrain'd
To that, which willingly you ought t'embrace.
THAT MEN ARE NOT DESTITUTE OF REMEDIES WITHIN THEMSELVES
AGAINST THE SHREWDEST ACCIDENTS THAT CAN BEFALL THEM.
If you expert to be of toyle, and care
Sometime exeem'd, hope may your griefe diminilh,
And patience comfort you, ere you defpaire ;
Though both thofe faile, death will your troubles finilh :
Thus are you fitly ferved with reliefes,
'Gainft Fortune's moft elaboured mifchiefes.
WHAT SORT OF BENEFITS ONE OUGHT TO BESTOW.
Would you oblige to you a friend, by giving
Moft cheerfully your favours to acquite,
Give that, which gives content in the receiving,
And when it is received yeelds delight ;
For if it faile in either of thofe two,
It will impaire his thankfulnefle to you.
TO ONE WHO DID GLORY TOO MUCH IN THE FAIRE AND DUR-
ABLE FABRIC OF A GORGIOUS PALACE WHICH HE HAD
CAUSED LATELY TO BE BUILT.
Boast never of the permanence of that,
Which neither can prolong your dayes, nor houres ;
For that your houfe is ftately, ftrong, and great,
The praife is the artificers, not yours.