Note 238 — Chapter XXI · THE ANTHOLOGY.
Reading edition
Bacon's version, "The world's a bubble, and the life of man—," is both well known and too long to quote. The following is from the pen of Sir John Beaumont:
What course of life should wretched mortals take? In courts hard questions large contention make: Care dwells in houses, labor in the field, Tumultuous seas affrighting dangers yield. In foreign lands thou never canst be blessed; If rich, thou art in fear; if poor, distressed. In wedlock frequent discontentments swell; Unmarried persons as in deserts dwell. How many troubles are with children born; Yet he that wants them counts himself forlorn. Young men are wanton, and of wisdom void; Gray hairs are cold, unfit to be employed. Who would not one of these two offers choose, Not to be born, or breath with speed to lose?