III.

And all you men, whom greatness does so please,

Ye feast, I fear, like Damocles.

If you your eyes could upwards move,

(But you, I fear, think nothing is above)

You would perceive by what a little thread

The sword still hangs over your head.

No tide of wine would drown your cares,

No mirth or music over-noise your fears;

The fear of death would you so watchful keep,

As not to admit the image of it, sleep.

Cowley's Essays · 第 49 / 90 题