Page 2279 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

And every one to rest themselves betake, [125]
Save thieves and cares and troubled minds that wake.

As one of which doth Tarquin lie revolving
The sundry dangers of his will’s obtaining,
Yet ever to obtain his will resolving,

Though weak-built hopes persuade him to abstaining. [130]
Despair to gain doth traffic oft for gaining,
And when great treasure is the meed proposed,

Though death be adjunct, there’s no death supposed.

Those that much covet are with gain so fond

That what they have not, that which they possess [135]
They scatter and unloose it from their bond;
And so by hoping more they have but less,

Or gaining more, the profit of excess
Is but to surfeit, and such griefs sustain,
That they prove bankrout in this poor rich gain. [140]

The aim of all is but to nurse the life
With honour, wealth and ease, in waning age;

And in this aim there is such thwarting strife
That one for all or all for one we gage:
As life for honour in fell battle’s rage, [145]
Honour for wealth; and oft that wealth doth cost

The death of all, and all together lost.

So that in vent’ring ill we leave to be
The things we are, for that which we expect;
And this ambitious foul infirmity, [150]
In having much, torments us with defect

Of that we have: so then we do neglect
The thing we have, and all for want of wit,
Make something nothing by augmenting it.

Such hazard now must doting Tarquin make, [155]
Pawning his honour to obtain his lust;