We read that _Crates_ the Philosopher Cinicke in respect of the manifold discommodities of mans life, held opinion that it was best for man neuer to haue bene borne or soone after to dye, [_Optimum non nasci vel cito mori_] of whom certaine verses are left written in Greeke which I haue Englished, thus. _What life is the liefest? the needy is full of woe and awe, The wealthie full of brawle and brabbles of the law: To be a married man? how much art thou beguild, Seeking thy rest by carke, for houshold wife and child: To till it is a toyle, to grase some honest gaine, But such as gotten is with great hazard and paine: The sayler of his shippe, the marchant of his ware, The souldier in armes, how full of dread and care? A shrewd wife brings thee bate, wiue not and neuer thriue, Children a charge, childlesse the greatest lacke aliue: Youth witlesse is and fraile, age sicklie and forlorne, Then better to dye soone, or neuer to be borne._ _Metrodorus_ the Philosopher _Stoick_ was of a contrary opinion, reuersing all the former suppositions against _Crates_, thus. _What life list ye to lead? in good Citie and towne Is wonne both wit and wealth, Court gets vs great renowne, Countrey keepes vs in heale, and quietnesse of mynd, Where holesome aires and exercise and pretie sports we find: Traffick it turnes to gaine, by land and eke by seas, The land-borned liues safe, the forriene at his ease: Housholder hath his home, the roge romes with delight, And makes moe merry meales, then dothe the Lordly wight: Wed and thost hast a bed, of solace and of ioy, Wed not and haue a bed, of rest without annoy: The setled loue is safe, sweete is the loue at large, Children they are a store, no children are no charge, Lustie and gay is youth, old age honourd and wise: Then not to dye or be unborne, is best in myne aduise._ _Edward_ Earle of Oxford a most noble & learned Gentleman made in this figure of responce an emble of desire otherwise called _Cupide_ which for his excellencie and wit, I set downe some part of the verses, for example. _When wert thou borne desire? In pompe and pryme of May, By whome sweete boy wert thou begot? By good conceit men say, Tell me who was they nurse? Fresh youth in sugred ioy. What was thy meate and dayly foode? Sad sighes with great annoy. What hast thou then to drinke? Vnfayned louers teares. What cradle wert thou rocked in? In hope deuoyde of feares._