Abraham Cowley

Who lets slip fortune, her shall never find:
Occasion once past by, is bald behind.

Who lets slip fortune, her shall never find:
Occasion once past by, is bald behind.

Vain, weak-built isthmus, which dost proudly rise
Up between two eternities!

Vain, weak-built isthmus, which dost proudly rise
Up between two eternities!

Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
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Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
And a few Friends, and many Books both true,
Both wise, and both delightful too.
And since Love ne'er will from me flee,
A mistress moderately fair,
And good as Guardian angels are,
Only belov'd and loving me.

Enjoy the present hour, be thankful for the past,
And neither fear nor wish th' approaches of the last.

Enjoy the present hour, be thankful for the past,
And neither fear nor wish th' approaches of the last.

We griev'd, we sigh'd, we wept; we never blushed before.

We griev'd, we sigh'd, we wept; we never blushed before.