Some men left us constitutional papers, others left us the trees

 

 Hence, lastly, springs care of posterities,

For things their kind would everlasting make.

Hence is it, that old men do plant young trees,

The fruit whereof another age shall take.

 

-- Sir John Davies 

He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow

 Why did my parents send me to the schools,

That I with knowledge might enrich my mind?

Since the desire to know first made men fools,

And did corrupt the root of all mankind.

-- John Davies

One of Nature's little kings

"Man"

  I know my soul hath power to know all things,  
Yet she is blind and ignorant in all:  
I know I'm one of Nature's little kings,  
Yet to the least and vilest things am thrall.  

I know my life's a pain and but a span;
I know my sense is mock'd in everything;  
And, to conclude, I know myself a Man—  
Which is a proud and yet a wretched thing.  

-- Sir John Davies (1569–1626)

Folly most in quickest sense is found

If we had nought but sense, then only they

Should have sound minds which have their senses sound;

But wisdom grows when senses do decay,

And folly most in quickest sense is found.

-- John Davies (1569-1626)

"Z", It Seems

 

We that acquaint ourselves with ev'ry zone,

And pass the tropicks, and behold each pole;

When we come home, are to ourselves unknown,

And unacquainted still with our own soul.

-- John Davies

"O" Casts a Shadow

 

 

But now these Epicures begin to smile,

And say, my doctrine is more safe than true;

And that I fondly do myself beguile,

While these receiv'd opinions I ensue.

-- John Davies