An Epigram concerning Mans life composed by Crates, or Posidippus

What course of life should wretched mortals take?
In Courts, hard questions, large contention make,
Care dwels in houses, Labour in the field,
Tumultuous Seas affrighting dangers yeeld.
In forraine Land, thou neuer canst be blest;
If rich, thou art in feare; if poore, distrest
In wedlock, frequent discontentments swell:
Vnmarried persons, as in Desarts dwell.
How many troubles are with children borne?
Yet he that wants them, counts himselfe forlorne.
Young men are wanton, and of wisedome void:
Gray haires are cold, vnfit to be imploid.
Who would not one of these two offers choose:
Not to be borne, or breath with speede to loose?