Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3

Lo all things have their times, by God decreed
In Natures changes; all things which proceed
From Mans Intentions under the vast skie:
A Time when to be borne, a Time to Dye:
A time to plant, to extirpe; to Kill, to Cure:
A time to batter downe, a time to immure:
A time of laughter, and a time to turne
Our smiles to teares: a time to dance, to mourne:
To scatter Stones, to gather them againe;
A time to embrace, embraces to refraine:
A Time to get, to loose; to save, to spend:
To teare asunder, and the torne to mend:
A time to speake, from speaking to surcease:
A time for Love, for hate; for warre, for Peace.
What good can humane Industry obtaine,
When all things are so changeable and vaine?
For God on Man these various Labours throwes;
To afflict him with varietie of woes.
He in their times all beautifull hath made;
The world into our narrow hearts convay'd:
Yet cannot they the causes apprehend
Of his great workes; the Originall, nor End.
What other good can Man from these produce,
But to take pleasure in their present use?
To eate, to drinke, t'enjoy what is our owne;
Is such a gift as God bestowes alone.
His purpose is Eternall; nor can wee
Adde or Substract from his Divine Decree:
That Mortals might their bold Attempts forbeare;
And curbe their wild affections by his feare.
What hath beene, is; what shall be, was before:
And what is past, the Almighty will restore.
Besides; the seats of Justice I survay'd:
There saw how favour and corruption sway'd.
Then said I in my heart; God surely shall
Reward the just; the unjust to Judgement call.
All Purposes and Actions have their Times:
A time for Vengeance to pursue our Crimes.
As much as sense concernes, God manifests
To Men how little they dissent from Beasts:
One end to both befals; to equall Death
Are lyable; and breath the selfe same Breath.
Then what preheminence hath Man above
A Beast; since both so Transitory prove?
Both travell to one home: are Earth, and must
Returne to their Originary Dust.
Who knowes that Soules of men ascend the sky?
That those of Beasts with their fraile Bodies dye?
What Mortall then can make so good a choice,
As in his owne acquirements to rejoyce?
This is his Portion: for of things to come,
None can informe him in the Graves darke wombe.