A terrible battell betweene the two consumers of the whole world: time, and death. By Samuell Rowlands

A bloudy Battell betwixt Time and Death . Time . DRead potent Monster , mighty from thy birth , Gyant of strength , against al mortal power , Gods great Earle Marshall ouer al the earth : Taking account of each mans dying houre , Landlord of Graues , and Toombs of Marble stones , Lord Treasurer of rotten dead-mens bones . Victorious consort , Slautering Caualier , Mated with me , to combat all aliue , Know worthy Champion , I haue met thee here , Only to vnderstand how matters thriue : As our affayres alike in nature be , So let vs loue , conferre , and kind agree . Great Regester of all things vnder Sunne , Gods speedy poast , that euer runs and flyes , Ender of all that euer was begun , That hast the Mappe of life before thine eyes : And of all Creatures since the worlds creation , Hast seene the finall dusty consumation . Death . Let me entreat thee pardon me a while , Because my businesse now is very great , I must go trauayle many a thousand mile , To looke with care that Wormes do lacke no meat : There s many crawling feeders I maintaine , I may not let those Cannibals complaine . I must send murtherers with speed to Hell , That there with horror they may make abode , I must shew Atheysts where the Deuils dwell , To let them feele there is a powerfull God : I must invyte the Glutton and the Lyer , Vnto a banquet made of flambes of fire . I must bring PRIDE where Fashions are inuented , [ You ydle headed Women , quake and feare ] Your toyish fooleries will be preuented , A shute of crawling Serpents you shall weare : You that endeuor onely to go braue , What Hel affoords , you shal be sure to haue . I haue the swagring Ruffian to dispatch , That moth and canker of the common wealth , The graceles Theefe , that on the pray doth watch , The dronkard a carrowsing of his health : And of all sinners such a damned rowt , As full of worke as Death can stir about . Time . This lawfull bus'nes I do well allow , But in my absence how wilt thou proceede ? I must be present too as well as thou , Before Time come thou canst not doe the deed· My Sythe cuts downe ; vpon thy dart they die , Thou hast an houre glasse , and so haue I. Looke my kinde Death , here is some sand to run , [ What do I bid thee look that hast no eies ] Let 's suffer their last minute to be don , Some man repents the instant when he dies : As one example I remember chiefe . Of him that died a Saint , and liu'd a Theefe . Death Thou speak'st it true , that penitent indeede Had neuer happy houre till his last , But of like second sinner who can read ? From such a hellish life to heauen past , But one , to keepe pore sinners from dispaire , And from presumption , one , and he most rare . Thou knowst all flesh that is of woman borne , Corruptly vnto sin giues full consent . Seruing the Diuell with the finest corne , Their pleasure , youth , and strength , on him is spent : And when the night of age brings painfull grones , Then in Gods dish they cast their rotten bones . Who would not censure him a foolish man , To loyter out the spring and sommer tide ? And when another reapes , make seede time than Expecting what the season had deni'de , Yet such bad husbands hell affourds good-cheap Will vndertake to sow , when others reape . Some make my picture a most common thing , As if I were continual in their thought , A Deaths h●d seale vpon a great gold ring , And round about Memento Mori wrought : Which memory with gold cannot agree , For he that hates the same best thinks on me . I onely am a welcome frend to such As know by me they enter vnto rest , And that no second death their soules can touch , The peace of conscience harbors in their brest , And with the diuell , flesh and world , still striue , Vntill at Canaan they doe ariue . But Time for tother thou shalt witnesse be , How most vnwilling those same wretches die , Their ends thou daily doest behold and see , And can'st enforme the world I do not lie , With horror , griefe , and anguish discontented , In soule , and body , furiously tormented . Time Surely they are , their states cannot be told , We apprehend but outward things in sight , Most fearefull are those obiects to behold , That curse their birth and time they saw the light ; Sinne hath no salue but mercy , that they craue-not , Repentance , findeth grace , and that they haue-not . Death I came to kill a Vsurer of late , And staying by his bed a while for thee , His speech was all of mony-bags and plate , But not a word of God : nor thought of me ▪ Quicke , fetch a scriuener , let a bil be drawne , Sirrha , your day is broke , i le keepe your pawne . Intreat me not : you should haue kept time better , Thou shalt buy wit , a foole must feele the smart , Get me a Seriant , to arest a debter , And with that word , my mace went through his heart , Thus died the wretch , with Mony , Bond , and Bill , And if God haue him , t' was against his will . When this bad fellowes date was thus crost out , I do remember we came to a place Where laye a Diues groning of the gowte , Crying Lord , Lord , methought he ment for grace : Vntill I heard the burden of his song , Was , Lord where may this Doctor stay so long . Sir ( quoth his wife ) t were good haue a Diuine ; Thou art a foole ( said he ) I need him not , I haue a hart as perfect sounde as thine , What is there not a Doctor to be got ? A Doctor with al expedition wife , My legges wil make me weary of my life . Time This misers answere I haue noted frend , In sicknes men on Doctors most relie Vnto Apothicaries shops they send Till phisicke giues them ouer , they must die : And when they see there is no way but one , Fetch a Diuine , God shal be thought vpon . Death . T' is true indeede , but wee le giue pilland potion To such as whole on outward meanes depend , And come to god for want , more then deuotion , As forc'd vnto it at their helples end , For ere the doctor could a drinke prouide I stab'd my dart , thus deepe into his side . Death From him thou know'st we to a lawyer went , Time . T is right , we found him arguing of cases , This is ( quoth he ) the very lawes intent , With that the golden fees came in by braces ▪ Wher 's your instructions , and his declaration ? I cannot answere thee , till next vacation . Come thou in Tearme thy matter shal be heard , Sir I remember'd you the other day , The bill you wot off , I haue now preferd , With that stept I and said , frend Lawyer stay : An execution gainst your life I haue , You must vnto my Iaile , is cald the Graue . Leauing him to the Sexton and the bels , We came vnto a Marchant in this towne That mighty bags of money ouer-tels , Wrapt very orderly in his night gowne , Sirra ( quoth he ) is not the poste come yet ? Make speed and summe me vp this bill of debt . There can no ships come yet , I le raise my price , Oh that the winde would hold but thus a while ; There comes into my head an odde deuice , The very thought thereof doth make me smile ▪ Some shal be sure to pay if this geare hold , The plot is pretious , and must yeeld me gold . Thus he sat plotting till I spoild his braine , With Oh I feele my selfe exceeding sicke , I gaue his hart a gripe , it grond againe , By this , on price of wares he would not sticke But lay a gasping , while the bell did towle , And there his body lies without a soule . Next doore to him , we found a London dame Vpon her bed , with finger aking laide , And there most bitterly she did exclaime Against the misdemeanors of her maide , Base queane ( quoth she ) how dost thou make me fret ? To see my ruffe of that ilfauord set . Your manners huswife you haue quite forgot , As sure as death i le make your ioynts to bow , You whore , the poking yron is too hot , Durst thou presume to vex thy mistris now , If I were well thou queane I would not misse To had my fists about thine eares ere this , Let me not rise , for if I doe ; no more : Few wordes are best , I thinke you will repent it , I le make you feele your sides this fortnight sore , Except Death crosse my purpose and preuent it : With that I stept betweene to part the Fray , The Mayd scapt blowes , and Mistris brake her day . A Muskie-Gentle , we did visit then , A Silken Gallant , very curyous fine , That kept a swaggring crew of Seruingmen , Whose rapyer-hylts embrued with gold did shine , And for he would from all contention cease , He wisely bound his weapons to the Peace . One that would send his challenge to his Foe , And braue him out with paper in disgrace , But to the fielde , he alwaies scornd to goe , For he kept men , that would supply the place : He would preserue his life , yet send his Gloue , His person must attend on Ladies loue . Well this same signeur with the tender skin , That dedicateth all his daies and houres To dauncing , drunkennesse , and Venus sinne , Neuer respecting Time and Deaths sterne powers Was met by me thinking his life secure , I killed the knaue to keepe my hand in vre . Where went we then , doest thou remember Time ? Time Yes very well , we visited a Poet , That tyrd inuention day and night with rime And still on Venus seruice did bestow it : Death T is true indeed a Poet was the next , With foolish idle loue extreamely vext . Time All that he did endeuour to deuise , Was onely Venus praise , and Cupids power , Within his head he had a mint of lyes , On truth he neuer spent , in 's life an houre : His fictions were to feed those in their pride , Who take delight to heare themselues belide . For slaunder , women to haue vertues many , Admird their beauties , when they lack good faces , Say they haue wit at will , not seeing any , Tell them their empty minds are full of graces : Why then they thinke you loue them past compare , And euery toy they weare becoms them rare . This Poet thus a sonneting we found , Riming himselfe euen almost out of breath , Cupid ( quoth he ) thy cruell Dart doth wound , Oh graunt me loue , or else come gentle Death : Death I heard him say , come gentle death in Iest ; And in good earnest graunted his request . Time Leaue him a rotting , then we march'd along Vnto a Godly reuerent graue deuine , Whose faith on Christ was grounded firme and strong , And all his hope to heauen did he incline ; At prayer deuout , we found him on his knees , And with these words he spake , his hart agrees . The wounds that IESVS suffred for my sinne , Are mouthes that cry , O loue him with thy hart , The thornes that pierced thorow his flesh and skin , Are tongues , ( pronouncing ) Loue is his desart , The torturing whips , that did to anguish moue him , Are Ecchoes sounding , Wretched Sinner loue him . With Peters sinnes in greatnesse mine abound , Who by his oathes and cursses Christ denied , And with the woman in Adultry found , The filthinesse of sinne in me doth bide : With Magdalens in multitudes they be , Her seauen Deuils , haue infected me . The shame of sinne vpon my soule doth fall , That on the wretched Publican did light , The cruelty of sinne I haue with Paul To prosecute the holy and vpright : And with the Theefe , that all his life did ill , Vnto my graue , my sinnes attend me still . Oh come sweet Iesus , for thy seruant coms , I doe beleeue , Lord helpe my vnbeliefe : My debt of sinnes amount to mighty sums , Of Mercies treasure onely thou art chiefe : Though sinnes be red as scarlet , yet I know , Thy precious blood can wash them white as snow , To be dissolued , greatly I desire , This world doth passe , the things thereof are vaine , To be with Christ , I onely do require , And see the Citty where his Saints do raigne , He is my life , Death is a gaine to me , With that his soule ascends where Angels be . Death A happy soule , one that had learn'd to die , And rightly vnderstood his earthly state , Whose constant faith enfor'cd the Deuill fly , That still assaulteth men with deadly hate , For thou know'st Time how that same hel-hound striues About the hower that men yeeld vp their liues . For in mans sicknes Sathan doth conceiue , It may be mortall , that disease may end-him , And therefore no temptation he will leaue , That to eternall torment he may send-him : T is time ( saith he ) to do my most endeuor , If now I loose his sowle , t is lost for euer . First then hee le tempt him to impatient mind , To grudge and to repine , at Gods correction , Whereto with paine and griefe he seemes inclin'd , But finding grace preuenteth that infection , He seekes to draw him to a pride of hart , To thinke himselfe a man of great desart . And one in whome perfection doth abound , That constantly aduersities can beare , For his good workes deseruing to be crownd , And that of sin he need not stand in feare : If this cannot his sowle for hell prepare , He labors then to driue him to despaire . Compares Gods iudgements and his sins together , And bids his conscience looke vpon the law , Where damned soules remain , he must go thither , No mercy such a sinner euer saw ; It stands not with Gods iustice for to saue-him , The Deuils come , and onely he must haue-him . Thus plots that foe , and thus he oft preuailes , And doth enlarge his kingdome wondrous thus ; Millions of sowles go hel-ward with these gales , When men from memory do banish vs : " To count thee precious all men haue great reason : " To thinke on me , is neuer out of season . Time . Death , it is true but that same monster sin , That brood of hell , that Deuils eldest childe , Which with the fall of Adam did begin , And all his off-spring odious hath defil'd : That Viper of the soule doth still appeare , To all those sinners entertaine it heere . Sinne , the despising of Gods Maiesty , And the contempt of his Eternall power , The death of Vertue , Graces enemy , Canker of true felicities faire flower , The obscure darkenes of mans vnderstanding , Rebell to all the lawes of Gods commanding . Sinne , the director vnto all mishap , The fetters of th' eternall vault of hell , The tempters net he vseth to intrap , The price wherewith the Deuils buy and sell , The seed of Sathan daily by him sowne In those hard harts which are become his owne . Sinne , euerlasting poison , curelesse killing , The imitation of the evill sprites , Folly of men , to which the world runs willing , Pleasing destruction , fil'd with loath'd delights , Soules pestilence , from darke infections Den , The cause of all Gods plagues that light on men . Hath ouer man such rule and Empire got , And generally on earth beares such a sway , That ther 's not one doth good and sinneth not , The righteous falleth seuen times a day : This is the cause the Lyon roares about , And heauens narrow way , is hard found out . Death True time : Well , then we went with expedition ( Killing about some hundred by the way ) Vnto the mansion of a rare phisition , That with my subiects bare a mighty sway , Of sicke , and lame , and gowty , cry sort , Gaue all of him a wonderfull report . Within his hand he held a vrinall , Which after he had view'd a little space , This party ( quoth he ) very shortly shall Be perfect well , and in a healthy case : There is no daunger , do as I haue wild , Yet that same person I had newly kild . To many he gaue notes , what they should take , Some pill , some potion , others must let blood , And diuers compounds some with speed must make , And on his life this phisicke would do good , Quoth I , Phisitian cure thy selfe fond man , Thou diest this howre , preuent it if thou can . About this time much worke I had to do , As wofull London did both feele and see , A dreadfull plague began six hundred two , Which did continue out six hundred three , The bloody busines I had then in hand , Became a terror vnto all the land . Deadly destruction was in e'ry street , A daily mourning and a daily dying , Great vse of Coffin , and of winding Sheet , From empty houses many hundreds flying : Each faculty , profession , and degree , Tooke counsell with their legs to run from me . But how they sped experience can declare , How many left their liues vpon the way , Poore mortals in my hands are brittle ware , Like Vapor , Buble , Flower , wither'd Hay ; Where can they run , but I am still behind-them ? Where can they liue secure , but I will find-them ? The Cittizens that out of plague time , euer Are entertain'd with welcomes in all Townes , To shun like Serpents , each man did endeuor , Amongst the rusticke rude vi●ciuill Clownes , The name of Londoner , that very breath , Had power to terrifie as much as death . Let him be friend or kinsman , what he will , Maister , or seruant , husband , or the wife : You must keepe out , saies Iobson with his bill , The plagu's about him neighbors on my life : Heere is no meat and drinke for horse or man , Starue if thou wilt , or get it where thou can . God which detested cruelty seeing this , Gaue vs commission ouer all the land , That flesh and blood might know the plague was his , And he had power to strike or hold his hand : Then we his officers to worke did go , And make the Country tast of Citties wo. How could they shun their owne infection now ? That held the Londoners contagious foes , What vertue can their worm-wood smels allow , To charme the plague , for comming neare their nose Angellica is but a rotten root , Hearbe-grace in scorne , I trample vnder-foot . Vnicorns horn's not worth a marrow-bone , Though men esteeme so precious of the dust , Bugell is euen as good as Beazer stone , If I but say , Sirrha away you must : Prepare thy soule , repent the guilt of sin , Coffin , and sheete , attend to take thee in ▪ I wonder what men thinke that daily see , Their friends and kindered carried to the graue , How they can count themselues secure to be , That not an howers time , of life-time haue ; That find they are but tenants heere at will , Yet liue , as they could liue free-holders still . Where 's old Methuselah that long liu'd man ? Whers's al the fathers saw so many daies ? Their liues were but the length of Dauids span , A vapor that most sodainly decaies : Th' are borne , grow strong , wax old , fall sicke ; and die , So other do : and others them supply . Where 's that strong man that did so many kill ? And admirable things by valour did , That carried Asah gates to Hebron hil , And rent a Lyon like a tender Kyd : Looke in the graue where this great man doth lie , There 's no strength left , to kil a silly flie . Wher 's that most rare and comely shaped prince , That would haue puld his Father from his throne ? Whose like no age hath seene for feature since , Nor any age before his age had known : Not a locke left of all his goodly haire , Hundreds ago , his scull was bald , and bare . Wher 's Hector gone , and Hercules become ? What newes with Pompey and Achilles now ? Where marcheth Alexander with his drum , To Caesars scepter who doth yeeld or bow : Where are these great and mighty conquering ones , Time , shew an ounce of dust of all their bones . Time Death preethy stay , let this discourse stand by , And make me answere vnto one request , Some doubt and difference is twixt thee and I , Which to resolue in my conceit were best , And this it is ; The world exclaimes on me , For diuers actions that are done by thee . If thou stab children in their mothers wombe , Or kill a king as soone as he is crown'd , Or make the bloodie field the Souldiors tombe , Or in the Seas cause thousands to be drown'd , Why presentlie what will the people say ? Their Time was come : thus Time beares blame awaie . Death If this be all , let it not greeue thy hart , To heare thy selfe abused now and then , But i le reuenge , I vow it with my dart , Time I marry wilt thou , but I preethy when : Death To soone by many daies i le meet with some , If thou but say , strike for their Time is come . Time I that s another matter , now you speake : By my glasse all thy tragedies are acted , The prison of mans soule thou canst not breake , With wals of flesh and blood , and bones compacted ; Nor giue the same enlargement to go free , Before my hand , to thy commission be . Thou knowst Time is Gods agent in affaires , And hath bin so , euer since the creation , Thou knowst he seateth Monarchs in their chairs , Admitting kings vnto their corronation : If long they raigne , Time giues their yeares the length , If short they rule , Time cutteth off their strength . The ornaments of heauen , sun , and Moone , With al the glittering brauery of stars , Are taught by me , their morning , night , and noone , I order them , which else disorder mars : Their motions , reuolutions , and aspects , Time with his iust proportion , due directs . Death Why what a bragging and a coile do'st keepe ? Best take my dart , be Time , be Death and al , I le into graues , and there go lie and sleepe , And answere thou when Gods affaires do cal : Be Lord of Coffin , Pickaxe , Sheet , and spade , And do my worke , with those in ground are laid . Thou art for kings , and thou dost this and that , And without thee , ther 's nothing to be done , To crowne , depose , and do I know not what , Nay thou art busie with the Moone and Sunne : Thou hast an ore in e'ry bodies boate , Vpon my conscience thou begin'st to dote . I haue bin Death almost six thousand yeares , Yer neuer heard thee vaunt so vaine before , Thou coun'st thy selfe my better it appeares , But if thou doest , thy aime is wide a score ; I tell thee Time , thou doest insence me now , Knowing my selfe a better man then thou . At least thy selfe knowes I am full as good , Being Gods steward , sinnes reward to pay , He that denies it I will see his blood , Be he the greatest Monarch liues this day ; If he were Caesar of the earths whole Globe , I le make him poorer then the Deuill made Iob. The mony-bag whose Idols in his chest , Whose Gods his gold , whose golds his prisoner , Whose thoughts are euer haunted with vnrest , And loues that best , becomes his murderer : I take him sodaine from huge heapes of treasure , The slaue was scraping all his life times leisure . Wounds , hart , and blood , that wil not sell his swearing To him would giue him forty pound a yeare , That vowes a tale is dull and harsh in hearing , Vnlesse by oaths the matter be made cleare : Oft when the tempter chiefely doth prouoke-him , His mouth being fil'd with bitter oaths , I choake him . The swaggering Ruffian in his heady braules , Whose hand is euer on his ponyard hilt , That bloody fraies his recreation cals , Chiefely delighted with foule murders guilt : Whose thoughts are onely for the stab pretence , I haue a tricke for him and all his fence . The quaintly suted Courtier in attyre , Whose lookes are fixt no lower then the sky , Is crost by me , in height of his desire , And vnder ground I make his carrion lie : He scorn'd the earth , and that I make his bed , Wrapt in a rotten sheet , from foot to head . And wheresoeuer , or what ere he be , For countenance , for credit and condition , Dignity , calling , office , or degree , Pessant , or prince , patient , or els Phisition : Euen from the Crowne and scepter to the plow , I make all looke as I my selfe do now . Perhaps thou think'st because thy beard is gray , I owe officious reuerence to thine age , And must beleeue whatsoeuer thou say , Applauding thee chiefe actor on earths stage : I le neuer do it , Time expect it not , For at my hand ther 's nothing to be got . But prethee tell me , what is he feares Time ? Not one vpon my life that doth expect thee , For all the sinful brood of Adams slime , Do euery day , and euery hower neglect thee : To vse time well , who is not slow and slacke ? But with their euils , al men loade thy backe . Pyrats and theeues take Time to fit their turne , Time must assist them ere they can preuaile , The fawning flatterer doth Time subborne , To give him leisure for his lying tale ; The lustfull Letcher borrowes thee by night , And makes Time pandor to his sinnes delight . The scatter good , in Time consumes the wealth , That might sustaine both him and his successor , The drunkard takes his Time to pledge a health Till drinke , to wit and fence be an oppressor ; Nay not an euill since the world begun , But Time was accessary till t was done . Time . Well preethy slander on , i le heare thee out , And thy vntruths , with truth I will confute , Touching the wronging me , thou goest about , Thou art not able for thy life dispute : Death , th' art a lying fellow in this case , I scorne thee I , for vsing Time so base . Death What ( Father gray-beard , doth your choler rise ? Can you so ill digest to heare your crimes ? Time Why goodman bone-face , with your vaulty eies , What i' st to me if men abuse their Times ? Where learnd your dry and empty pate the skil , That Time should answere for mens doings il . Man is ordaind by th' almighty maker , To spend his Time of earthly pilgrims state So holy , that he proue foule sinnes forsaker And with faire vertue finish out his date : I being the Time and limmit for that vse , My il imployment , is the worlds abuse ? What simple reason hath thy braine in store , That dost all sence so vtterly forget ? Shal I be charg'd to answere sinners score , That neuer past my word to pay their debt : Proue that , and let all that is good detest me , Th' art a leane knaue : Take witnes and arest me . Death By my darts point , ( I swore not so this yeare , I le fight with thee , next time we meet in field , Time Why if thou hast a stomacke try it heere , I feare thee not , my sith is newly steeld : And take this warning ere the fray begins , Looke to your legs , i le cracke those rotten shins . My shins you whorson vglie prating slaue , Death Sirrha i le keepe you at the point aloofe , For dotard know ther 's not a bone I haue , But t is compos'd of stuffe , full cannon proofe , Laie on my legs an houre by thy glasse , Als one , to hew a pillar made of brasse . Time Peace bragging foole , I laugh thy vaunts to scorne , Thy tongue inclines to much vnto thy lying , Feare children with thy force but newly borne , And terrifie the sicke that lie a dying : I know the houre when God did first begin thee , Thy mold and making , and how much is in thee . Thy office is to murder and to kill , Stabbing of men , is solace to thy hart , Thou goest about and carriest with thee stil , A Spade , and Pickaxe , Hower-glasse , and Dart : With one toole , thou dost giue a cowards wound Vnseene , and with tother turne men vnder ground . Thou lookest like the inside of a tombe , All rotten bones , with sinnews bound togither , Thy guts are gone , for they lacke belly roome , And al thy flesh is lighter then a feather : Thy head is like an empty drie oile iarre , Where neather teeth , nor nose , nor eies there are . From eare to eare thou hast a mouth vnshut , With armes and hands like to a Gardners rake , Thy ribs shew like a leather Ierkin cut , Thy voice resembles hissing of a snake : Thy legs appeare a paire of Crane-stilts right , And al thy formes more vgly then a sprite . Thy picture stands vpon the Ale-house wall , Not in the credit of an ancient story , But when the old wiues guests begin to braule , She points , and bids them read Memento mori : Looke , looke ( saies she ) what fellow standeth there , As women do , when crying Babes they feare . No memory of worth to thee belongs , To call thee famous is condemned error , And though sometime th' art baletted in songs , Thy names imploide vnto no vse but terror , Thy companie both rich and poore defie , Loathsome to eare , most vgly to the eie . Death Time , I perceiue thou art dispos'd to raile , So am not I , my head is not so vaine , Thy tearmes are very base , most scuruy stale , And th' art a testie old foole , for thy paine : What needst thou vse this speeches vnto me , A man so hansome thou wilt neuer be . Best shapen forme , by natures powerfulnesse , And sweetest face on which loues eies do fawn , The chiefest stature , prais'd for comlinesse , Are but my picture when the Curtaines drawne : Remoue the veile of flesh and blood away , T is Death's true picture all the world wil say . But what art thou , a foule mishapen monster , Behind all bald , a locke elle long before , With clouen feet , whereby a man may conster , Caron from hell hath brought thee late a shore , Which if he did , thy swiftnes doth declare , Thou ranst away and neuer paid his fare . Actaeons feet , ( I would thou hads his hornes ) Wing'd like an Owle , a Cat hath lent thee eies ▪ A fugitiue that neuer backe returnes , One that will run with Titans horse in skies : Neuer to be intreated , stopt , or staid , For whom repose and rest was neuer made . And dost thou thinke i le pocket vp disgrace , Of such a paltry rusticke peasant boore , Nay rather I defie thee to thy face , Thou knowst me honest , though thou knowst me poor : I care for no man , all that liue feare me , A figge for the whole world . A rush for thee . Time Well art thou now reueng'd ? preethy haue done ? Thou striu'st to haue the last word I dare sweare it , Death Why should I not as long as you begun , Fie , fie , I am asham'd that any man should heare it : Time For were it knowne , we two were at contention , The world would laugh , and terme it Mad discention . Death Giue me thy hand , imbrace , let choler passe : For my part I do beare thee no ill-will , Time Take heed ( good Death ) thy bones will crack my glasse , Death . I would be loath to do thee so much ill : Lay downe thy sith , as I lay downe my dart : Shake hands , and so be friends before we part . Time Where goest thou now , Marry harke in thine eare : Death I haue a Lady presently to kill : One that s at dice , and doth no daunger feare ? But haue at al she saies , come set me stil : She is at passage , passing sound and wel ▪ And little thinketh on the passing-bel . And then I go to baile an honest man , Lies in the Counter for a little debt , Whom 's creditor in most extreames he can Doth deale withal , now he is in the net ; He sweares hee le keepe him there this dozen yeare , Yet the knaue lies , this night i le set him cleare . And then I go to see two fellowes fight , ( With whome there is no reason to be had ) About a cup of wine they dranke last night , One swore t was good , and tother vowd t was bad ; I le giue one that , no Chirurgeon's like to heale , And with the tother let the hangman deale . And hundreds more , come Time with speed along , About our busines we haue stood heere now : Till Priest , and Clarke , and Sexton haue the wrong , More dead worke for their profit let s alow : My dart is dry , ther 's no fresh blood thereon , We suffer sicke to ly too long and grone .

Harke a monstrous rich fellow a Cittizen .

Time . Wee le take him with vs euen in the way , ( Preethy be thou a quiet man a while ) Some hower , by my glasse he hath to stay , Before the date be come of his exile ; And then in such a hole he shal be plac'st , He is not like be seene againe in hast ▪ The villains rich , exceeding rich indeed , And loues a bag of gold most dearely well , His wife is of a proud and dainty breed , And for imbrasing fashions doth excell : She married him for pure loue to his wealth , But hath a friend for tother thing by stealth . His children long , as misers children do , To be a sharing , ery months a yeare , They hope hee le dy , their minds consent thereto , And then their gallant humors wil appeare , The angels kept in darknes by his might , Shalby their power approach and come to light . Vintners make welcomes ready for they come , Let them not want ( I praie ) Potato pies , And Cheaters with false dice looke out for some , No little profit to your snares will rise : But Bawds and whores haue you a special care , To fit them penni-worths with your pocky ware : As the oppresser got it wicked in , The prodigal wil send it vainly out , One wickednes requites anothers sin , If vengeance haue a plague to bring about : For what is got by rapine and by wrong , The Deuil wil be doer in 't ere long . Let them haue Lord-ships , and be Lords of Towns , Let them inioy the world , at wit and wil , Let them bequ●ath fiue hundred mourning gownes , And prosper al their daies in doing il : Giue backe their goods when life is almost spent , As Iudas when to hange himselfe he went . What of al this , it warrants not from hel ? The wicked getting is not iustifyed , Because the rich disposeth riches wel , Wrong gotten , and wel giuen when he died : For t is like him , steales from anothers store , And of that coine giues almes vnto the poore . The vsurer whom God forbids as plaine , Take any intrest , as the theife from stealing , And yet wil venter soule for mony gaine , Opressing al that vndergo his dealing , Thinks it inough to make an honest wil , How ere he got his goods , that shal not skil . Thus men delude , deeeiue , beguile , betray Themselues , their sowles , their hope , their happines : Running the common beaten passage way , That leads to hel , the haunt of al distresse : And like the foolish Virgins knocke too late , When ther 's no entrance in at heauens gate . One builds a house , and titles that his owne , Giues it his name , to keep his name in sound , When presently a graue with one square stone , Wil serue his bodies turne to ly in ground , Ten thousand pounds his costly house requires , A coffin of a crowne 's al death desires . Another fals to purchasing of land , Hee le haue it out of Orchard , field , and wood , And onely with his humor it doth stand , To get much in his hand , and do no good : This Mole that in the earth is moiling thus , With six foot ground is satisfied by vs . Death No more , away , looke heere my glasse is out , Thou art to tedious Time in telling tales , Our bloody businesse let vs go about , Thousands are now at point of death , breath failes : To worke , to worke , and lay about thee man , Let 's kil as fast , as for our liues we can . Harke , listen Time , I pray giue eare , What bell is that a towling there ? FINIS .