298. _Panelling Inscription._--I have recently discovered, in my
investigations for the _History and Antiquities of South Lynn_, an old
building in this town which bears the date 1605 on one of its gables;
and in the course of my peregrinations through, I find some old
panelling with the date 1676, and the following inscription in old
English (large) characters:
"As nothinge is so absolutly blest
But chance may crosse, and make it seeming ill,
So nothinge cane a man so much molest,
But God may chang, and seeing good he will."
It has been suggested to me that these lines form a quotation from some
of our English poets; if so, of whom? for it is of great importance to
me to know, as it will tend considerably to connect the date with the
building; and if the lines can be traced to a writer of the period, it
will establish what I require very much, and assist me in my researches.