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in Holie Writ, 510 King Ninus worke, might be compar'd to it. But, O vaine labours of terrestriall wit, That buildes so stronglie on so frayle a soyle, As with each storme does fall away and flit, And gives the fruit of all your travailes toyle 515 To be the pray of Tyme, and Fortunes spoyle, I saw this towre fall sodainlie to dust, That nigh with griefe thereof my heart was brust. III. Then did I see a pleasant Paradize, Full of sweete flowres and daintiest delights, 520 Such as on earth man could not more devize, With pleasures choyce to feed his cheereful sprights: Not that which Merlin by his magicke slights Made for the gentle Squire, to entertaine His fayre Belphoebe, could this gardine staine. 525 But O short pleasure bought with lasting paine! Why will hereafter anie flesh delight In earthlie blis, and ioy in pleasures vaine? Since that I sawe this gardine wasted quite, That where it was scarce seemed anie sight; 530 That I, which once that beautie did beholde, Could not from teares my melting eyes with-holde. IV. Soone after this a Giaunt came in place, Of wondrous power, and of exceeding stature, That none durst vewe the horror of his face; 535 Yet was he milde of speach, and meeke of nature. Not he which in despight of his Creatour With railing tearmes defied the Iewish hoast, Might with this mightie one in hugenes boast; For from the one he could to th'other coast 540 Stretch his strong thighes, and th'ocean overstride, And reatch his hand into his enemies hoast. But see the end of pompe and fleshlie pride! One of his feete unwares from him did slide, That downe hee fell into the deepe abisse, 545 Where drownd with him is all his earthlie blisse. V. Then did I see a Bridge, made all of golde, Over the sea from one to other side, Withouten prop or pillour it t'upholde, But like the coloured rainbowe arched wide: 550 Not that great arche which Traian edifide, To be a wonder to all age ensuing, Was matchable to this in equall vewing. But ah! what bootes it to see earthlie thing In glorie or in greatnes to excell, 555 Sith time doth greatest things to ruine bring? This goodlie bridge, one foote not fastned well, Gan faile, and al
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