De Morte

Mans life's a Tragedy: his mothers womb

(From which he enters) is the tyring room;

This spacious earth the Theater; and the Stage

That Country which he lives in: Passions, Rage,

Folly, and Vice are Actors: The first cry

The Prologue to th'ensuing Tragedy.

The former act consisteth of dumb shows;

The second, he to more perfection grows;

I'th third he is a man, and doth begin

To nurture vice, and act the deeds of sin:

I'th fourth declines; i'th fifth diseases clog

And trouble him; then Death's his Epilogue.