Five _Termes_, there be, which five, I doe apply To all, that _was_, and _is_, and, _shall be done_. The _first_, and _last_, is that ETERNITIE, Which, neither shall have _End_, nor, was _begunne_. BEGINNING, is the _next_; which, is a space (Or moment rather) scarce imaginarie, Made, when the first _Material_, formed was; And, then, forbidden, longer time to tarry. TIME entred, when, BEGINNING had an _Ending_, And, is a Progresse, all the workes of _Nature_, Within the circuit of it, comprehending, Ev’n till the _period_, of the _Outward-creature_. END, is the _fourth_, of those five _Termes_ I meane; (As briefe, as was _Beginning_) and, ordayned, To set the last of _moments_, to that _Scæne_, Which, on this Worlds wide _Stage_, is entertayned. The _fifth_, we EVERLASTING, fitly, call; For, though, it once _begunne_, yet, shall it never Admit, of any _future-end_, at all; But, be extended onward, still, for ever. The knowledge of these _Termes_, and of what _actions_, To each of them belongs, would set an end, To many Controversies, and Distractions, Which doe so many trouble, and offend. TIME’S nature, by the _Fading-flowre_, appeares; Which, is a _Type_, of Transitory things: The _Circled-snake_, ETERNITIE declares; Within whose _Round_, each fading Creature, springs. Some _Riddles_ more, to utter, I intended, But, lo; a sudden stop, my words have ended. _When great Attempts are undergone, Ioyne =Strength= and =Wisedome=, both in one._ [Illustration: VIRIBVS IVNGENDA SAPIENTIA. ILLVSTR. XLI. _Book. 2_]