Ecclesiastes, othervvise called The preacher Containing Salomons sermons or commentaries (as it may probably be collected) vpon the 49. Psalme of Dauid his father. Compendiously abridged, and also paraphrastically dilated in English poesie, according to the analogie of Scripture, and consent of the most approued writer thereof. Composed by H.L. Gentleman. Whereunto are annexed sundrie sonets of Christian passions heretofore printed, and now corrected and augmented, with other affectionate sonets of a feeling conscience of the same authors.

4.

Also I beheld all trauell, and all perfection of workes that this is the enuy of a mā against his neighbour: this also is va∣nitie and vexa∣tion of the Spi∣rit.

This other plague besides, doth follow man, A vice (alas) too common in this age, The more of vertue that he glory can, The more the baser sort repine and rage, And with reprochfull slander malice swage, Depriuing, or deprauing best desart, Or it Eclipsing with some guilefull art.

No foe to learning, like the ignorant, Nor to the good, like to the bad we say: Gods kingdome Beliall seeketh to supplant, And vertue fayling his another way, Euen viciously they vertue would betray, Who herein yet themselues do but disgrace, For slander can not iust deserts deface.