This vulgar _Figure_ of a _winged glasse_, Doth signifie, how swiftly _Time_ doth passe. By that leane _Scull_, which to this _houre-glasse_ clings, We are informed what effect it brings; And, by the _Words_ about it, wee are taught _To keepe our latter ending still in thought_. The common _houre-glasse_, of the _Life_ of _Man_, Exceedeth not the largenesse of a _span_. The _Sand_-like _Minutes_, flye away so fast, That, _yeares_ are out, e’re wee thinke _months_ are past: Yea, many times, our _nat’rall-day_ is gone, Before wee look’d for _twelve a clocke at Noone_; And, where wee sought for _Beautie, at the Full_, Wee finde the _Flesh_ quite rotted from the _Skull_. Let these Expressions of _Times_ passage, bee _Remembrancers_ for ever, _Lord_, to mee; That, I may still bee guiltlesse of their crime, Who fruitlesly consume their precious _Time_: And, minde my _Death_; not with a slavish feare, But, with a thankfull use, of _life-time_, here: Not grieving, that my _dayes_ away doe post; But, caring rather, that they bee not lost, And, lab’ring with Discretion, how I may Redeeme the _Time_, that’s vainely slipt away. So, when that _moment_ comes, which others dread, I, undismay’d, shall climbe my _dying bed_; With joyfull _Hopes_, my _Flesh_ to dust commend; In _Spirit_, with a stedfast _Faith_ ascend; And, whilst I _living_ am, to _sinne_ so _dye_, That _dying_, I may live eternally. _In ev’ry =Storme=, hee standeth fast, Whose dwelling, on the =Rocke= is plac’d._ [Illustration: MEDIIS TRANQUILLUS IN UNDIS. ILLVSTR. XXVIII. _Book. 4_]