quote · Legacy record
When I consider life, ’tis all a cheat; Yet, fooled with hope, men favour the deceit Trust on, and think to-morrow will repay— To-morrow’s falser than the former day; Lies worse and, while it says we shall be blessed With some new joys, cuts off what we possesst. Strange cozenage! none would live past years again, Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain; And, from the dregs of life, think to receive What the first sprightly running would not give, I’m tired with waiting for this chymic gold, Which fools us young, and beggars us when old.
When I consider life, ’tis all a cheat; Yet, fooled with hope, men favour the deceit Trust on, and think to-morrow will repay— To-morrow’s falser than the former day; Lies worse and, while it says we shall be blessed With some new joys, cuts off what we possesst. Strange cozenage! none would live past years again, Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain; And, from the dregs of life, think to receive What the first sprightly running would not give, I’m tired with waiting for this chymic gold, Which fools us young, and beggars us when old.
Approximate author period: c. 1666 AD · renaissance
Meaning not yet available
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Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- John Dryden
Attribution: attributed - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Approximate author period: c. 1666 AD · renaissance
author lifetime midpoint (1631–1701)
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- My Commonplace Book (third English edition,1921) (1921 AD)
Page 118 · printed citation: John Dryden (Aureng-zebe). · compiler notes excluded
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.