When we observe the _Ball_, how to and fro The _Gamesters_ force it; we may ponder thus: That whil’st we live we shall be playd with so, And that the _World_ will make her _Game_ of us. _Adversities_, one while our hearts constraine To stoope, and knock the Pavements of _Despaire_; _Hope_, like a Whirle-wind mounts us up againe, Till oft it lose us in the empty ayre. Sometimes, above the _Battlements_ we looke; Sometimes, we quite below the _Line_ are tost: Another-while, against the _Hazard_ strooke, We, but a little want, of being lost. _Detraction_, _Envie_, _Mischief_, and _Despight_, One Partie make, and watchfully attend To catch us when we rise to any _Height_; Lest we above their hatred should ascend. _Good-Fortune_, _Praises_, _Hopes_, and _Industries_, Doe side-together, and make _Play_ to please us; But, when by them we thinke more high to rise, More great they make our _Fall_, and more disease us. Yea, they that seeke our _Losse_, advance our _Gaine_; And to our _Wishes_, bring us oft the nigher: For, we that else upon the Ground had laine, Are, by their striking of us lifted higher. When _Balls_ against the Stones are hardest throwne, Then highest up into the Aire they fly; So, when men hurle us (with most fury) downe, Wee hopefull are to be advanc’d thereby: And, when they smite us quite unto the Ground, Then, up to Heav’n, we trust, we shall rebound. _Till =God= hath wrought us to his Will, The =Hammer= we shall suffer still._ [Illustration: DVM EXTENDAR ILLVSTR. XVII. _Book. 1._]