Abraham Cowley

Nothing is there to come, and nothing past,
But an eternal Now does always last.

Nothing is there to come, and nothing past,
But an eternal Now does always last.

Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
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Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
And a few Friends, and many Books both true,
Both wise, and both delightful too.
And since Love ne'er will from me flee,
A mistress moderately fair,
And good as Guardian angels are,
Only belov'd and loving me.

Vain, weak-built isthmus, which dost proudly rise
Up between two eternities!

Vain, weak-built isthmus, which dost proudly rise
Up between two eternities!

Money was made, not to command our will,
But all out lawful pleasure to fulfil.
Shame and read more

Money was made, not to command our will,
But all out lawful pleasure to fulfil.
Shame and woe to use, if we our wealth obey;
The horse doth with the horseman run away.

Enjoy the present hour, be thankful for the past,
And neither fear nor wish th' approaches of the last.

Enjoy the present hour, be thankful for the past,
And neither fear nor wish th' approaches of the last.