Messin in his translation of Boissard’s Emblems (edition 1588, p. 24), takes the motto, “Av Navire agité semble le jour de l’homme,” and dilates into four stanzas the neatly expressed single stanza of the original.
“Vita hæc est tanquam pelago commissa carina,
Instanti semper proxima naufragio.
Optima res homini est non nasci: proxima, si te
Nasci fata velent, quàm citò posse mori.”
i.e.
“This life is as a keel entrusted to the sea,
Ever to threatening shipwreck nearest.
Not to be born for man is best; next, if to thee
The fates give birth, quick death is dearest.”