Poem by Francis Quarles

On Time

Time's an hand's-breadth; 'tis a tale;
'Tis a vessel under sail;
'Tis an eagle in its way,
Darting down upon its prey;
'Tis an arrow in its flight,
Mocking the pursuing sight;
'Tis a short-lived fading flower;
'Tis a rainbow on a shower;
'Tis a momentary ray,
Smiling in a winter's day;
'Tis a torrent's rapid stream;
'Tis a shadow; 'tis a dream;
'Tis the closing watch of night,
Dying at the rising light;
'Tis a bubble; 'tis a sigh;
Be prepared, O! man, to die.

1. On Change of Weather
2. On the Life and Death of Man
3. Hos Ego Versiculos
4. The Loadstone
5. Delight In God Only

John Skelton On Time ("YE may hear now, in this rime")

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