A time to be born, and a time to die.

As soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish.

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.

Before thy camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.

Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.

For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition.

I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.

In sin did my mother conceive me.

In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.

Our birth is nothing but our death begun, As tapers waste the moment they take fire.