O man! You have lived as a citizen in this great city — the world. Whether for many years or few, what does it matter? You have lived as long as the laws of the city required. This should comfort everyone. Why should it upset you if the same nature that brought you in now sends you out? It's not a tyrant or corrupt judge doing this — it's nature itself. It's like a fair judge dismissing an actor from the stage after letting him perform for a while. "But the play isn't finished yet — only three acts are done!" True. But in life, three acts is the whole play. Only the one who created you gets to decide how long each person's performance lasts. You have nothing to do with that timing. So go peacefully and content. The one who dismisses you is pleased with your performance.
O man! as a citizen thou hast lived, and conversed in this great city the world. Whether just for so many years, or no, what is it unto thee? Thou hast lived (thou mayest be sure) as long as the laws and orders of the city required; which may be the common comfort of all. Why then should it be grievous unto thee, if (not a tyrant, nor an unjust judge, but) the same nature that brought thee in, doth now send thee out of the world? As if the praetor should fairly dismiss him from the stage, whom he had taken in to act a while. Oh, but the play is not yet at an end, there are but three acts yet acted of it? Thou hast well said: for in matter of life, three acts is the whole play. Now to set a certain time to every man's acting, belongs unto him only, who as first he was of thy composition, so is now the cause of thy dissolution. As for thyself; thou hast to do with neither. Go thy ways then well pleased and contented: for so is He that dismisseth thee.