English Poetry. Thomas Urquhart. Epigrams. The Second Booke. № 35. How deplorable the condition of most men is, who, though they attaine to the fruition of their praete∣rit projects, by covering neverthelesse the possession of future pleasures, honours, and commodities, never receive con∣tentment (is they ought) in the present time. Томас Эркарт.

Thomas Urquhart (Томас Эркарт)

Epigrams. The Second Booke. № 35. How deplorable the condition of most men is, who, though they attaine to the fruition of their praete∣rit projects, by covering neverthelesse the possession of future pleasures, honours, and commodities, never receive con∣tentment (is they ought) in the present time

IN things, to fortune Subject, when we get
What we did long for, we anew desire
To have wherewith t'uphold the former state:
Which likewise, we obtaining, more require;
For businesse engendreth businesse:
And hope, being th'usher of another hope,
Our enjoyd' wishes serve but to make place
To after aimes, whose purchase to the top
Of our ambition never reacheth; thus
By still aspiring higher we can find
No end in miseries, that trouble us:
Turmoyle the body: and perplex our mind,
Although we change with great varietie
The matter, which procures our miserie.

Thomas Urquhart’s other poems:

1. Epigrams. The Third Booke. № 36. Of Death, and Sin
2. Epigrams. The Third Booke. № 23. Of foure things, in an epalleled way vanquished each by other
3. Epigrams. The Third Booke. № 19. The Parallel of Nature, and For∣tune
4. Epigrams. The Third Booke. № 3. We ought always to thinke upon what we are to say, before we utter any thing; the speeches and talk of solid wits, being still pre∣meditated, and never using to forerunne the mind
5. Epigrams. The Third Booke. № 9. That a courtesie ought to be conferred soone, and with a good will

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