(Retaining still the brook to bear us on)
That life is like a vessel on the stream? 410
In life embark’d, we smoothly down the tide
Of time descend, but not on time intent;
Amused, unconscious of the gliding wave;
Till on a sudden we perceive a shock;
We start, awake, look out; what see we there?
Our brittle bark is burst on Charon’s shore.
Is this the cause death flies all human thought?
Or is it judgment, by the will struck blind,