XLI. M. Thorn

WHO shall profoundly way or scan

The assured state of man,

Shall well perceiue by reason than,

That where is no stabilitie,

Remaineth nought but vanitie.

For what estate is there, think ye,

Throughly content with his degre?

Wherby we maie right clerely see

That in this vale of miserie

Remaineth nought but vanitie.

The great men wishe the meane estate,

Meane men again their state doe hate;

Old men thinke children fortunate,

A boy a man would fainest be:

Thus wandreth man in vanitie.

The countrey man doth daily swell

With great desire in court to dwel;

The courtier thinks hym nothyng well,

Till he from court in countrey be,

He wandreth so in vanitie.

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If thou haue lands or goods great store,

Consider thou thy charge the more,

Since thou must make account therefore:

Thei are not thine, but lent to thee,

And yet thei are but vanitie.

If thou be strong or faire of face,

Sicknes or age doth both disgrace;

Then be not proude in any case:

For how can there more folly be,

Then for to bost of vanitie?

Now finally, be not infect

With worldly cares; but haue respect

How God rewardeth his true electe

With glorious felicitie,

Free from all worldly vanitie.