But here we dally with fate, and in this

Stern Destiny mocks and controls our wish;

Informing us, if fathers should remain

50For ever here, children were born in vain;

And we in vain were Christians, should we

In this world dream of perpetuity.

Decay is Nature's Kalendar; nor can

It hurt the King to think he is a man;

Nor grieve, but comfort him, to hear us say

That his own children must his sceptre sway.