CIV. H. C.

WHAT kinde of state can any choose,

But he therein shall fynde

Great bitternesse and endlesse woe,

To mooue his troubled minde?

In field much toyle, at home great care,

And feare in forrein lande:

If aught we haue by fortune lent,

In youth dame Follye’s bande

Doth hold us fast; her we imbrace,

And wisedome’s lore do leaue:

In age doth sicknesse us assayle,

And so our strength bereaue.

In marryage is unquietnesse;

In lacking of a wife

All sollitary we remaine,

And leade a loathsome lyfe.

If God to us doe children sende,

We haue continuall care;

If none, then are we halfe dismayde,

Far worser doe we fare.

Therefore one of these twaine is best

Desyred for to be;

Not to be borne, or else to dye

Before these dayes we see.