TIMES PRECIOUS JEWEL, OR, A DIALOGUE between a YOUNGMAN and DEATH. BEING A Seasonable Warning for Youth to Forsake their Sins, and to lead a Religious Life: Left Death Surprise them, and Repentance comes too late.  

This may be Printed,  
R. M.   
 

ALL FLECH MU DIE   
 Youth. 

WHile Youthful Blood is flowing in my Veins  
And Providence Prosperity ordains;  
The Glory of this World I here will view,  
And her sweet Baits will eagerly pursue:  
I'II search Earth's Bowels, cross the roaring Seas,  
I'll break may rest, nay, forfeit all my ease,  
So I may but arrive to that degree,  
As to enrich my whole Posterity.   Death. 

Forbear fond Youth, and be not so profuse,  
For I am come to bring unwelcome News;  
Thy tender Thread of Life is at an end,  
Into Eternity thy Soul I'll send.   Youth. 

What sudden Tidings soundeth in mine Ear?  
Pray wherefore do you now seem so severe?  
Forbear a while your Fury fierce and hot,  
I solemnly protest I know you not;  
Nor did I ever see your Face before,  
Depart I say, come not a near me more.   Death. 

I am the Great Ambassador, called Death,  
Who does deprive all Mortals of their Breath;  
Where e'er I come, there's none dare say me No,  
And you shall feel my power ere I go:  
Here in my Hand behold my Fatal Dart!  
Which suddenly shall penetrate thy heart.   Youth. 

Stand back pale Death, do not approach so near  
My Person now, for why, the Case is clear,  
That you so soon was never sent to me,  
Behold I'm Youthful, Strong and Stout, you see:  
Extend thy spite to those that lies in Tears,  
For I am Youthful, and of tender Years.   Death. 

Tho' you are in the Glory of your prime,  
Yet you must hence, 'tis your appointed time:  
Where is the brave Victorious Alexander,  
Who in his days was the whole world's Commander  
Where are those Hero's Famed in high Renown,  
Whose Noble Actions merited a Crown?  
Youth, Beauty, Strength, and Wealth, cannot obtain  
No Favour from me, nor one Minute gain,  
For my Imperial power is from on High,  
God has decreed that thou this day shalt Die;  
Therefore poor Mortal, do not think to save  
Thyself, by fair Excuses from a Grave.   Youth. 

O tell me not that I this World shall leave  
So soon, for why, it makes my Soul to grieve;  
Feign would I live to soar on Wings of Fame,  
To purchase here a long and lasting Name;  
With Honour here I fain would be possessed,  
Be kind, pale Death, and grant me my Request.   Death. 

Wert thou Adorned with a Royal Robe,  
And was Supreme of all the Earthly Globe,  
And many thousand Knees before you bow,  
Yet I one Minute's time cannot allow;  
Croesus, whose Gold surpassed the Indian Wealth,  
Could not one Minute add unto his Health:  
This failing, shows all things are Transitory,  
Both the World's Riches, and its fading Glory;  
Therefore depend not here on things below,  
But place thy thoughts whereas true Riches flow;  
Lay hold on Faith, Repent thy Sins, for why,  
Thy Glass is run, and thou this day must Die.   Youth. 

Whose Sorrow in the world is like to mine?  
O' let me Live my Actions to refine;  
Here with thy Dart pray do not me affail,  
For longer Life let Youthfulness prevail.   Death. 

I never granted Favour on these terms,  
Thy Youthful Flem shall make a Feast for Worms;  
Thy dear-bought Soul shall take its flight also,  
To perfect Bliss or Everlasting Woe.   Youth. 

That Word of woe strikes Terror to my Soul,  
A'as! my Sins are many, gross and soul;  
O grant me but a Season to Repent,  
For fear I am to Endless sorrow sent,  
I never thought of this my Dying day,  
But spent in Sin, my precious time away;  
My former Sins come fresh into my mind,  
O that I might of thee this favour find,  
To fit myself for thee before I go,  
Pity those Tears that from mine eyes do flow.   Death. 

My Name is 〈…〉  
You must with me, and this vain World forsake;  
Pray was not you endued with time and space,  
Then wherefore did you slight the means of Grace?  
You knew full well this time would come at last,  
When as your fading Pleasures all were passed;  
When you were in your full Prosperity,  
You oftentimes beheld Mortality  
In ev'ry Street where you were pleased to roam,  
Conveying to their long and lasting home;  
Methinks the sound of ev'ry Passing Bell,  
Might have learned you the way of living well;  
But now it is too late, and therefore you  
Must hence with me, and bid the world adieu.   Youth. 

My Dying Minute's come, and I must be  
Launched to the Ocean of Eternity;  
But yet, alas! my Sins does cause much woe,  
O that the Lord in love would Favour show;  
In whom indeed, alone I put my trust,  
Thou art both Gracious, Merciful and Just:  
O pardon me, even for thy Mercies sake;  
And then with Sighs and Tears his heart did break.   

Both Old and Young that hear these Lines, I pray,  
Prepare yourselves against your Dying day:  
The Youngest Person here, for aught we know▪  
May soon be laid down in Grave full owe:  
Our Lives, alas! are but a blast of breath,  
And there is no Repentance after Death.   
FINIS.   

Printed for R. Kell, at the Sign of the Blue Anchor in Pie-corner, near West-Smithfield: 1688.