1
Why[2] so triumphes the world, in pompe and glorie vaine,
Whose state so happie thought, so fickle[3] doth remaine?
Whose brauerie slipprie stands, and doth so soone decaie,
As doth the potters pan, [compact] of brittle claie?
2
Plus crede literis, scriptis in glacie,
Quàm mundi fragilis, vanæ fallaciæ,
Fallax in præmijs, virtutis specie,
Quæ nunquam habuit tempus fiduciæ.
2
More credite sée thou giue, to letters wrote in [ise],
Than vnto vaine deceits, of brittle worlds deuise.
In gifts to vertue due, beguiling many one,
Yet those same neuer haue long time to hope vpon.
3
Magis credendum est, viris fallacibus,
Quàm mundi miseris prosperitatibus,
Falsis insanijs et voluptatibus,
Falsis quoque studijs et vanitatibus.
3
To false dissembling men more trust is to be had,
Than to the prosperous state of wretched world so bad:
What with voluptuousnes, and other maddish toies,
False studies won with paine, false vanities and ioies.
4
Dic vbi Salomon, olim tam nobilis?
Vel vbi Samson est, dux invincibilis?
Vel dulcis Ionathas, multùm amabilis?
Vel pulcher Absolon, vultu mirabilis?
4
Tell where is Salomon, that once so noble was?
Or where now Samson is, in strength whome none could pas?
Or woorthie Ionathas, that prince so louely bold?
Or faier Absolon, so goodlie to behold?
5
Quò Cæsar abijt, celsus imperio?
Vel Diues splendidus, totus in prandio?
Dic vbi Tullius, clarus eloquio?
Vel Aristoteles, summus ingenio?
5
Shew whither is Cesar gone, which conquered far and néere?
Or that rich famous Carle,[E486] so giuen to bellie chéere:
Shew where is [Tullie] now, for eloquence so fit?
Or Aristoteles, of such a pregnant wit?
6
O esca vermium! ô massa pulueris!
O ros! ô vanitas! cùr sic extolleris,
Ignoras penitùs vtrùm cras vixeris,
Fac bonum omnibus, quàm diu poteris.