Classic Poem

Eccles: 12:1

When (Solomon) was vested in his throne
sole supreame souraigne; regent Lord alone
Hee craved wisdome did obtaine, the same
and their withall: an Indian stocke of gaine
Hono ur did hommage, did attend his throne
riches advancd him: more then anyone
Hee gaue his heart to gladnesse & to folly
madnesse did medicine, his melancholly
Let loose the reines vnto all sensuall lust
pampred his palate, to delight his gust
Dainties delicious vians fowles & fish.
alike all portion es in a Lordly dish.
Plays maskes & motions did bewitch his sight
with numerous concubines: hee spent the night
Such minstrallsy as the inchanter eare
of roaring revelists! did never heare
Hee and she singers with melodious notes
like phillomell turne warbling from his throate
Psallteries and timbales: stringed instrument es
inchanting musicke for his solacement es
In stately structures: hee was much luxurious
in robes and rayment gallant extreame curious
Gardens like Edenfruits: and for pleasure
Vast miniralls of gold and silver treasure
When with theise delights: his heart had done
hee thus concludes: all vaine beneath the sun
Thus glutted with imaginary ioyes
his vexed spiritt disclaimed theise terrene toyes
Let thi[s suff]ice. by way of introduction
The sequell serues for solid sound instruction.
Remember (here) implies the morall law.
the decologue, to keepe mankind in awe.
The law (as in a glase,) doth cleare reflect.
What wee should: act & what wee should neglect.
Remember thy creator: in thy streng[th]
whiles thou art plumpe & young & life hath leng[th]
Not in decrepitt feeble doting daies
When faculties: shall faile to sound his praise.
Things of concernment: o ur immortall state
must be remembred; early not to late
Tis dangerous to deferre: vntill tomorrow.
one day delay: may: cause: eternall sorrow
On paine of death: doe not procrastinate
Least barr'd of entrance, at the marriage gate
Remember now thy span: thy petite space
whiles thou hast sparing: in the day of grace
It were ingratitude of high degree
for to forgett the cause: created thee.
I meane the mighty god the grand creator
of the faire frame of all the world theator
Who in six daies did consomnate the same
That all his worke might magnifie his name
Man was the master peece of the creation:
made marvelously: surpasing admiration.
God ins good time in the creating season
endued man with vnderstanding reason.
Hee breathd in him: an everlasting spiritt
on tearmes of service heaven for to in herritt
And man thus made; was last in mercy found
onely Christ blood can cure his mortall wound.