As the consideration of the uncertainty of human life drew the
foregoing lines from me, so the sense I had of the folly of mankind,
in misspending the little time allowed them in evil ways and vain
sports, led me more particularly to trace the several courses
wherein the generality of men run unprofitably at best, if not to
their hurt and ruin, which I introduced with that axiom of the
Preacher (Eccles. i. 2):
ALL IS VANITY.
See here the state of man as in a glass,
And how the fashion of this world doth pass.
Some in a tavern spend the longest day,
While others hawk and hunt the time away.
Here one his mistress courts; another dances;
A third incites to lust by wanton glances.
This wastes the day in dressing; the other seeks
To set fresh colours on her with red cheeks,
That, when the sun declines, some dapper spark
May take her to Spring Garden or the park.
Plays some frequent, and balls; others their prime
Consume at dice; some bowl away their time.
With cards some wholly captivated are;
From tables others scarce an hour can spare.
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