Emblem III.34: Whil'st thou dost, here, injoy thy breath

Whil'st thou dost, here, injoy thy breath,
Continue mindfull of thy Death.

WHen thou beholdest on this Burying-stone,
The melancholly Night-bird, sitting on
The fleshlesse ruines of a rotten-Skull,
(Whose Face, perhaps, hath been more beautifull,
Then thine is now) take up a serious thought;
And, doe as thou art by the Motto taught.
Remember Death: and minde, I thee beseech,
How soone, these Fowles may at thy window screech;
Or, call thee (as the common people deeme)
To dwell in Graves, and Sepulchers, by them,
Where nothing else, but Bats, and Owles, appeare;
Or, Goblins, form'd by Fancies, and, by Feare.
If thou shalt be advis'd, to meditate
Thy later end, before it be too late,
(And, whil'st thy friends, thy strength, and wits may bee
In likely case, to hlp and comfort thee)
There may be courses taken, to divert
Thos Frights, which, else, would terrifie thy heart,
When Deah drawes neare; and helpe thee plucke away
That Sng, of his, which would thy Soule disay.
But, i thou madly ramble onward, still,
Til tou art sinking downe that darkesome hill,
Which borders on the Grave (and dost bginne
To see, he Shades of Terrour, and of Sinne
To fly crosse thy Conscience) 'twill be hard
To this Lesson; or, to be prepar'd
For th sad parting, which, will forced bee,
Be ehi much beloved World, and thee.
Consider this, therefoe, while Time thou hast,
An, put not off this Bus'nesse, till the last.