This Life is but Death

THogh Fire by warmth cheers life; great heat brings death;
though good Aire life detaines; bad, life defines:
Though Water stayes our thirst, it stops our breath;
though fruitfull Earth doth feede; the barren, pines.

Too-much o'er-fils; too-little, feebles life:
Wealth wants not Cares; & Want, wants all but Cares:
Solenesse, brings sadnesse; Company, but strife;
and sodaine Ioyes doe kill, as well as feares.

Meane mirth, is rationall; extreame, is mad;
no good so good, but here it's mixt with ill:
Nay, too much goodnesse is exceeding bad;
yea, bad, if blinde it be, is true Good-will:
And, saue the High'st, our highest gaine is losse;
Then, life's but death where al things are so crosse.