Kaina kai palaia Things new and old, or, A store-house of similies, sentences, allegories, apophthegms, adagies, apologues, divine, morall, politicall, &c. : with their severall applications / collected and observed from the writings and sayings of the learned in all ages to this present by John Spencer ...

No true cause of Rejoycing in this world. [ 1104]

THere is a story of a certain King,* 1.1 that was never seen to laugh or smile, but in all places, amongst all persons, at all times, he was very pensive and sad. His Queen being much troubled at his melancholly, requested a brother of his, that he would ask him, what was the cause of his continuall sadnesse. He did so. The King put him off till the next day for an answer, and in the mean time caused a deep pit to be made, commanding his servants to fill it half full with fiery coals, and then causeth an old rotten board to be laid over it, and over the board to hang a two edged sword, by a small slender thread, with the point downwards; and close by the pit to set a table, full of all manner of delicacies. His brother comming next day for an answer, was placed on the board, and four men with drawn swords about him, and withall, the best musick that could

be had, to play before him. Then the King called to him, saying, Rejoyce and be merry, O my brother, eat, drink, and laugh; for here is pleasant being. But he replyed and said,* 1.2 O my Lord and King, how can I be merry, being in such danger on every side? Then the King said, Look how it is now with thee, so it is alwaies with me; for if I look about me, I see the great and dreadfull Iudge, to whom I must give an account of all my thoughts, words, and deeds, good or evill. If I look under me, I see the endlesse torments of hell, wherein I shall be cast, if I die in my sins. If I look behind me, I see all the sins that ever I committed, and the time which unprofitably I have spent. If I look before me, I see my death every day approaching nearer and nearer unto my body. If I look on my right hand, I see my conscience accusing me, of all that I have done, and left undone in this world. And if I look on my left hand, I see the creatures crying out for vengeance against me, because they groaned under my iniquities. Now then, cease hence forward to wonder, why I cannot rejoyce at the world, or any thing in the world, but continue sad and heavy. Thus,* 1.3 did but men consider their estates, then would they find small cause to rejoyce at any thing, which the world shall present, as a thing delectable, but rather employment enough for Argus his eyes; yet all little enough to weep for the miserable estate wherein they stand, by reason of sin and wick∣ednesse.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dr. La••rence Ser. at S. P••••ls 1624.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 aspi∣cio nihil est ni••••, &c. Ovid de trist.
• * 1.3

  Miscentur tri∣stia laetis. Ovid