Page:Essays - Abraham Cowley (1886).djvu/169

 Officious fool! that needs must meddling be
 * In business that concerns not thee!

For when to future years thou extend'st thy cares,
 * Thou deal'st in other men's atfairs.

Even aged men, as if they truly were
 * Children again, for age prepare.

Provisions for long travail they design
 * In the last point of their short line.

Wisely the ant against poor winter hoards
 * The stock which summer's wealth affords,

In grasshoppers, that must at autumn die,
 * How vain were such an industry.

Of power and honour the deceitful light
 * Might half excuse our cheated sight,

If it of life the whole small time would stay,
 * And be our sunshine all the day.