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diff --git a/old/50143-0.txt b/old/50143-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8eed2cc..0000000 --- a/old/50143-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,14847 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Collection of Emblemes, Ancient and -Moderne, by George Wither - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: A Collection of Emblemes, Ancient and Moderne - Quickened With Metrical Illustrations, both Morall and Divine, Etc - -Author: George Wither - -Release Date: October 6, 2015 [EBook #50143] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A COLLECTION OF EMBLEMES *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Chris Jordan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net with -transcriptions from Stephen Rowland and Louise Hope - - - - - - - - - -=Transcriber's notes:= - -In the section "To The Reader" our author writes: - -_There be, no doubt, some faults committed by the =Printer=, both -Literall and Materiall, and some Errors of the =Gravers= in the -=Figures=, (as in the =Tetragrammaton=; in the Figure of =Arîon=; and -in the =Proprieties= due to some other =Hieroglyphicks=); but, for the -most part, they are such, as =Common-Readers= will never perceive; and -I thinke, that they who are =Judicious= will so plainly finde them to -be no faults of mine; that, leaving them to be amended by those, to -whom they appertaine; and, =You=, to accept of these =Play-games= as -you please: I bid you =Farewell=._ - -Therefore all oddities and inconsistencies have been left unchanged. -They have been noted at the end of the transcription. - -An addendum of transcriptions and translations of the mottoes engraved -around each emblem has been added to the final note as a convenience to -the reader. - - - - -A PREPOSITION to this FRONTISPIECE. - - - This BOOKE contayning EMBLEMS, ’twas thought fit, - A _Title-page_ should stand to usher it, - That’s Emblematicall: And, for that end, - Our AVTHOR, to the _Graver_ did commend - A plaine Invention; that it might be wrought, - According as his Fancie had forethought. - Insteed thereof, the _Workeman_ brought to light, - What, here, you see; therein, mistaking quite - The true _Designe_: And, so (with paines, and cost) - The first intended FRONTISPIECE, is lost. - The AVTHOR, was as much displeas’d, as Hee - In such Adventures, is inclin’d to bee; - And, halfe resolv’d, to cast this PIECE aside, - As nothing worth: but, having better ey’d - Those _Errors_, and _Confusions_, which may, there, - Blame-worthy (at the first aspect) appeare; - Hee saw, they fitted many Fantasies - Much better, then what _Reason_ can devise; - And, that, the _Graver_ (by meere _Chance_) had hit - On what, so much transcends the reach of _Wit_, - As made it seeme, an Object of _Delight_, - To looke on what, MISFORTVNE brought to light: - And, here it stands, to try his _Wit_, who lists - To pumpe the secrets, out of _Cabalists_. - If any thinke this _Page_ will, now, declare - The meaning of those _Figures_, which are there, - They are deceiv’d. For, _Destinie_ denyes - The utt’ring of such hidden _Mysteries_, - In these respects: First, _This_ contayneth nought - Which (in a proper sense) concerneth, ought, - The _present-Age_: Moreover, tis ordain’d, - That, none must know the _Secrecies_ contain’d - Within this PIECE; but, they who are so wise - To finde them out, by their owne _prudencies_; - And, hee that can unriddle them, to us, - Shall stiled be, the second OEDIPVS. - Tis, likewise, thought expedient, now and then, - To make some _Worke_, for those _All-knowing men_, - (To exercise upon) who thinke they see - The _secret-meanings_, of all things that bee. - And, lastly, since we finde, that, some there are, - Who best affect _Inuentions_, which appeare - Beyond their understandings; _This_, we knew - A _Representment_, worthy of their view; - And, here, wee placed it, to be, to these, - A FRONTISPIECE, in any sense they please. - -[Illustration: EMBLEMES. _Illustrated by_ Geo: Wither.] - - - - - A - COLLECTION - OF - EMBLEMES, - ANCIENT AND - MODERNE: - - Quickened - With METRICALL ILLVSTRATIONS, both - _Morall_ and _Divine_: And disposed into - LOTTERIES, - - That _Jnstruction_, and _Good Counsell_, may bee furthered - by an Honest and Pleasant _Recreation_. - - _By_ GEORGE WITHER. - - _The First Booke._ - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - LONDON, - Printed by _A.M._ for _Richard Royston_, and - are to be sold at his Shop in _Ivie_-Lane. - MDCXXXV. - - - - -_Recensui hoc Poëma, cui titulus est =(A Collection and Illustration -of Emblems Ancient and Moderne)= in quo nihil reperio, quò minus cum -utilitate imprimatur, ita tamen, ut si non intra septem menses proximè -sequentes Typis mandetur, hæc licentia sit omninò irrita._ - -Ex ædibus Lambithanis - _Iul. 2. 1634._ - GVIL. BRAY. - - - - - A - WRIT OF PREVENTION - Concerning the AVTHORS _Dedication_ - of the foure following BOOKES, to those - _Royall_, _Princely_, and _Illustrious_ PERSONAGES, - whose Names are mentioned - in this _Leafe_. - - I have not often us’d, with _Epigrames_, - Or, with _Inscriptions_ unto many NAMES, - To charge my _Bookes_: Nor, had I done it, now, - If I, to pay the _Duties_ which I owe, - Had other _meanes_; Or, any better Wayes - To honour them, whose _Vertue_ merits praise. - In _ARCHITECT_, it giveth good content, - (And passeth for a praisefull _Ornament_) - If, to adorne the _FORE-FRONTS_, _Builders_ reare - The _Statues_ of their _Soveraigne-Princes_, there; - And, trimme the _Outsides_, of the other SQVARES - With _Portraitures_ of some Heroicke PEERES. - If, therefore, I (the more to beautifie - This _Portion_ of my MVSES _Gallerie_) - Doe, here, presume to place, the _NAMES_ of those - To whose _Deserts_, my LOVE remembrance owes, - I hope ’twill none offend. For, most, who see - Their worthy _mention_, in this BOOKE, to bee, - Will thinke them honor’d: And, perhaps, it may - (To their high praise) be found, another day, - That, in these LEAVES their _Names_ wil stand unrac’d, - When many fairer _STRVCTVRFS_, are defac’d. - - _In this =Hope=, I have placed on the FORE-FRONT (or before the - =First Booke= of these EMBLEMS) a =Ioint-Inscription= to the - KING and QVEENES most excellent MAIESTIE._ - - _Upon the =Right-Side-Front= of this =Building= (or before - the =Second Booke=) One =Inscription= to the most hopefull - =Prince, =CHARLES=, Prince of =Wales=; And, another to his deere - =Brother, =IAMES=, Duke of =Yorke=, =&c.=_ - - _On the other =Side-Front=, (or before the =Third Booke=) - One =Inscription= to the gratious Princesse, FRANCES - Dutchesse-Dowager of RICHMOND and LENOX; And, another to her - most noble Nephew, IAMES Duke of Lenox, &c._ - - _On the =Fourth Front= of our =Square=, (Or before the =Fourth - Booke=) One =Inscription= to the right Honourable PHILIP Earle - of =Pembrooke= and =Montgomery=, &c. And another to the right - Honourable, HENRY Earle of =Holland=, &c._ - - - To the MAJESTIE of Great - _Britaine_, _France_, and _Ireland_, the - Most Illustrious King, - CHARLES; - And his excellently beloved, the most - gratious _Queene_ MARY. - - Sev’n yeares are full expired, Royall SIR, - Since last I kneel’d, an offring to preferre - Before your feete; where, now, my selfe I throw - To pay once more, the _Tributes_ which I owe. - _As many yeares are past, most beauteous QVEENE, - Since witnesses, mine eares and eyes, have beene - Of those Perfections; which the generall =Fame= - Hath sounded forth, in honour of your =Name=._ - And, both your _beaming-splendors_ (oh yee faire, - Thrice blessed, and most fitly-matched PAIRE) - Vpon each other, make such bright reflections; - And have so sweetly mingled your _affections_, - Your _Praise_, your _Pow’re_, your _Vertues_, and your _Beautie_: - That, (if preserving of my _Soveraigne dutie_, - This may be said) you doe appeare, to me, - TWO PERSONS, in One MAIESTY, to be; - To whom, there, appertaines (in veneration - Of your large _Worth_) the right of some _Oblation_ - And, best, I thought, my _Homage_ would be done, - If, thus, the tender were to BOTH-in-ONE. - Which, in this humble GVIFT, my _Love_ presents; - And, wisheth it may adde to your Contents. - Perhaps it shall: For, though I dare not shew - These _Figures_, as well meriting your view; - Nor boast, as if their _Moralls_ couched ought, - By which your sacred _Wisdomes_ may be taught: - Yet, I have humble _Hopings_, that, they might - Prove, some way, an occasion of delight; - Since, meane and common _Objects_, now and then, - Beget contentments in the _greatest-men_. - But, that before this _Booke_, I should propose - Your praisefull NAMES, there is (as I suppose) - A faire inducement: For, considering these - Are EMBLEMS, whose intention is to please - And profit vulgar Iudgements (by the view, - Of what they ought to follow, or eschew.) - And, I well knowing, that your MAIESTIES - Set foorth before my _Booke_, in _Emblem-wise_, - Throughout your Lands, more _Vertues_ might convay, - Than many _Volumes_, of these _Emblems_, may; - It seemed _Petty-treason_, to omit - This good occasion of endeavouring it. - For, (if your MAIESTIES, well heeded, were) - YOV, double-treble-foure-fold _Emblems_ are; - Which, fully to illustrate, would require - The _Wit_ I want; or, meanes to raise, that, higher - Which I have gain’d; (and, which, as yet, hath flowne - By no incouragements, but by her owne.) - Of all the _Vertues_ OECONOMICAL, - Of _Duties_ MORAL and POLITICALL, - Your _Lives_ are _Patternes_, and faire EMBLEMS; whether - Considered apart, or both together. - Your CHILDHOODS were bright _Mirrours_, which did show - What Duties, _Children_, to their _Parents_ owe: - And, by the sequele, we now understand, - That, they who best _obay’d_, can best command. - The glorious _Vertues_ of your NVPTIALL-_state_, - Your _Courtiers_, find so hard to imitate, - That, they admire them, rather; and would sweare, - (Had others told, what, now they see and heare) - That, all the former Times, were not acquainted, - With such a _Paire_, when _Kings_ and _Queenes_ were _Sainted_. - The chastest _Cupids_, and the gamesom’st _Graces_, - Are alwaies mingled in your _Deare-embraces_. - The mutuall enterchanges of your _Loves_, - May teach affection to the _Turtle-doves_: - And, such as are, with goodly sights, delighted, - May see in _You_, all _Excellence_ united. - You, SIR, who beare _Ioves_ Thunders in your Fist, - And, (shake this _Ilands_ EMPIRE, when You list) - Did never in your _Orbe_, a _Tempest_ move, - But, by the Beautious _Mistresse_ of your _Love_ - It might be calm’d. _And, in your lofty =Spheare=, - Most lovely QVEENE, Your Motions ever, were - So smoath, and, so direct; that, none can say, - They have withdrawne his Royall-heart away - From Iust =Designes=; Which, loudly speakes your =Praise=, - And, intimates much more, than, yet, it saies._ - Yea, both Your _Splendors_ doe so glorious growe, - And, You, each other have out-vyed so, - In these, and other _Vertues_; that, on You, - Should I conferre what praise, I thinke, is due, - My _Lines_, (which from that staine have, yet, beene cleare) - Would Flatt’ry seeme, unto an envious eare. - But, what needs _Flatt’ry_, where the _Truth_ may teach - To praise, beyond immodest _Flatt’ries_ reach? - Or, what needs he to feare a _sland’rous-mouth_, - Who seekes no _meed_, nor utters more than Truth? - Your Princely _Vertues_, what can better show, - Than _Peace_, and _Plenty_, which have thrived so, - Whilst You have raign’d that, yet, no people see, - A _Richer_, or more _Peacefull_ time, than wee? - Your _Civill Actions_ (to the publike eye) - Are faire _examples_ of _Moralitie_, - So manifest; That, if he Truth did sing, - Who said, _The World doth imitate the King_; - My _Muses_ dare, with boldnesse to presage, - A Chast, a Pious, and a Prosperous _Age_: - And, that, the stormes which, late, these Realmes deterr’d, - Shall all be quite removed, or deferr’d - Till you Ascend; And, future times have seene, - That, your Examples have not followed beene. - Thus, you are living _Emblems_, to this _Nation_: - Which being mark’d with heedefull speculation, - May serve, as well, to helpe us how to see - Our _Happinesse_, As, what our _Duties_ be. - And, if I might unlocke all _Mysteries_, - Which doe declare, how in a _foure-fold-wise_, - Your Lives are usefull EMBLEMS; I, perchance, - Should vexe blind _Zeale_, or anger _Ignorance_; - And, teach well-temper’d _Spirits_, how to see, - That, we, for Blessings, oft, Vnthankefull be. - For, as you, _Both_, Prime _Children_ are of those - Two _Sister-Churches_, betwixt whom, yet, growes - Vnseemely _strife_; So, _You_, perhaps, may be - An _Emblem_, how those MOTHERS may agree. - And, not by your _Example_, onely, show, - How wrought it may be; but, effect it so. - Yea, peradventure, GOD, united _You_, - That, such a blessed VNION might ensue: - And, that, Your _living-lovingly_, together; - Your Christian _hopefullnesse_, of one another; - Your milde _forbearance_, harsh attempts to proove; - Your _mutuall-waiting_, untill _God_ shall move - By some _calme-voice_, or peacefull _inspiration_, - That _Heart_ Which needeth better _Information_; - And, that, your _Charities_, might give a _signe_, - How, all the _Daughters_, of the SPOVSE _Divine_ - Might reconciled be; And, shew, that, _Swords_, - _Flames_, _Threats_, and _Furie_, make no true _Accords_. - GOD grant a better VNION may appeare: - Yet, wish I not the _tollerating_, here, - Of _Politicke-Agreements_; (further than - Our wholsome _Lawes_, and, _Civill-vowes_ to man, - With _Piety_, approve) but, such, as may - Make up a blessed CONCORD, every way: - Might it be so; your _Vertues_, would become - A Glorious _Blessing_, to all CHRISTENDOME: - Your EMBLEM should, by future _Generations_; - Be plac’d among the famous _Constellations_, - And, _after-times_ (though, Mee, this _Age_ despise) - Would thinke, these _Verses_, had beene _Prophecies_. - What ever may succeed, my _Pray’rs_ and _Powr’s_ - Are this way bent; with _Hope_, that _You_ or _Yours_ - Shall _Helps_ (at least) become, that _Breach_ to close, - Which, in the SEAMLES-ROBE, yet, wider growes. - SO BE IT: And, let bright your _Glories_ bee, - For ever, though _You_ never shine on MEE. - -_Your_ MAIESTIES - - _most Loyall Subject_, - - =GEO: WITHER.= - - - - -TO THE READER. - - -_If there had not beene some =Bookes= conceitedly composed, and sutable -to meane capacities, I am doubtfull, whether I had ever beene so -delighted in reading, as thereby to attaine to the little Knowledge -I have: For, I doe yet remember, that, things =honestly pleasant=, -brought mee by degrees, to love that which is =truely profitable=. And -as =David= said, His =Heart shewed him the wickednesse of the Vngodly=; -(meaning perhaps, that hee felt in himselfe, some =Experiments=, of -the same naturall Corruption, by which they are overcome, who resist -not evill suggestions at their first motions:) Even so, I may truly -acknowledge, that mine owne =Experience= hath showne mee so much of the -common =Ignorance= and =Infirmitie= in mine owne person, that it hath -taught mee, how those things may be wrought upon in others, to their -best advantage._ - -_Therefore, though I can say no more to disswade from =Vice=, or -to incourage men to =Vertue=, than hath already beene said in many -learned =Authors=; yet I may be an occasion by these =Endeavours=, -to bring that, the oftner into remembrance, which they have, more -learnedly, expressed; and perhaps, by such circumstances, as they would -not descend unto, may insinuate further also with some Capacities, -than more applauded =Meanes=. =Viniger=, =Salt=, or common =Water=, -(which are very meane =Ingredients=) make Sawces more pleasing to some -tastes, than =Sugar=, and =Spices=. In like manner, plaine and vulgar -notions, seasoned with a little =Pleasantnesse=, and relished with a -moderate =Sharpnesse=, worke that, otherwhile, which the most admired -=Compositions= could never effect in many =Readers=; yea, wee have had -frequent proofes, that a blunt =Iest= hath moved to more consideration, -than a judicious =Discourse=._ - -_I take little pleasures in =Rymes=, =Fictions=, or conceited -=Compositions=, for their owne sakes; neither could I ever take so -much paines, as to spend time to put my meanings into other words than -such as flowed forth, without =Studie=; partly because I delight more -in Matter, than in =Wordy Flourishes=, But, chiefely, because those -=Verball Conceites=, which by some, are accounted most =Elegant=, -are not onely (for the greater part) =Emptie Sounds= and Impertinent -=Clinches=, in themselves; but, such =Inventions=, as do sometime, -also, obscure the =Sense=, to common =Readers=; and, serve to little -other purpose, but for =Wittie men= to shew =Tricks= one to another: -For, the =Ignorant= understand them not; and the =Wise= need them not._ - -_So much of them, as (without darkning the matter, to them who most -need instruction) may be made use of, to stirre up the =Affections=, -winne =Attention=, or help the =Memory=, I approve and make use of, to -those good purposes, according as my leisure, and the measure of my -=Facultie= will permit; that, =Vanitie= might not, to worse ends, get -them wholly into her =Possession=. For, I know that the meanest of such -conceites are as pertinent to some, as =Rattles=, and =Hobby-horses= -to Children; or as the =A. B. C.= and =Spelling=, were at first to -those =Readers=, who are now past them. And, indeed, to despise =Meane -Inventions=, =Pleasant Compositions=, and =Verball Elegancies=, (being -qualified as is aforesaid) or to banish them out of the world, because -there be other things of more excellencie, were as absurd, as to -neglect and root out all =Herbes=, which will not make =Pottage=; Or, -to destroy all =Flowers=, which are lesse beautifull than the =Tulip=, -or lesse sweet than the =Rose=._ - -_I (that was never so sullenly wise) have alwaies intermingled -=Sports= with =Seriousnesse= in my =Inventions=; and, taken in -=Verball-conceites=, as they came to hand, without =Affectation=; -But, having, ever aymed, rather to profit my =Readers=, than to gaine -their praise, I never pumpe for those things; and am, otherwhile, -contented to seeme =Foolish=, (yea, and perhaps, more foolish than I -am) to the =Overweening-Wise=; that, I may make others =Wiser than -they were=: And, (as I now doe) am not ashamed to set forth a =Game at -Lots=, or (as it were) a =Puppet-play= in =Pictures=, to allure men -to the more serious observation of the profitable =Morals=, couched -in these =Emblems=. Neverthelesse, (if some have sayd, and thought -truly) my =Poems= have instructed, and rectified many People in the -Course of =Honest-living=, (which is the best =Wisedome=) much more -than the =Austerer Volumes= of some criticall =Authors=; who, are by -the =Common-sort=, therefore onely, judged Wise, because they composed -=Books=, which few understand, save they who need them not._ - -_In these =Lots= and =Emblems=, I have the same ayme which I had in -my other =Writings=: and, though I have not dressed them sutably to -curious =Fancies=, yet, they yield wholsome nourishment to strengthen -the constitution of a =Good-life=; and, have solidity enough for -a =Play game=, which was but Accidentally composed; and, by this -=Occasion=._ - -_These =Emblems=, graven in Copper by =Crispinus Passæus= (with a -=Motto= in Greeke, Latine, or Italian, round about every =Figure=; -and with two =Lines= (or =Verses=) in one of the same =Languages=, -periphrasing those =Motto’s=) came to my hands, almost twentie yeares -past. The =Verses= were so meane, that, they were afterward cut off -from the =Plates=; And, the =Collector= of the said Emblems, (whether -hee were the =Versifier= or the =Graver=, was neither so well -advised in the =Choice= of them, nor so exact in observing the true -=Proprieties= belonging to every =Figure=, as hee might have beene._ - -_Yet, the =Workman-ship= being judged very good, for the most part; -and the rest excusable; some of my Friends were so much delighted -in the =Gravers= art, and, in those =Illustrations=, which for mine -owne pleasure, I had made upon some few of them, that, they requested -mee to =Moralize= the rest. Which I condiscended unto: And, they had -beene brought to view many yeares agoe, but that the =Copper Prints= -(which are now gotten) could not be procured out of =Holland=, upon any -reasonable Conditions._ - -_If they were worthy of the =Gravers= and =Printers= cost, being -onely dumbe =Figures=, little usefull to any but to young =Gravers= -or =Painters=, and as little delightfull, except, to =Children=, -and =Childish-gazers=: they may now be much more worthy; seeing the -life of =Speach= being added unto them, may make them =Teachers= and -=Remembrancers= of profitable things._ - -_I doe not arrogate so much unto my =Illustrations=, as to thinke, they -will be able to teach any thing to the =Learned=; yet if they cast -their eyes upon them, perhaps, these =Emblems=, and their =Morals=, may -remember them, either of some =Dutie=, which they might else forget, -or minde them to beware of some =Danger=, which they might otherwise -be unheedfull to prevent. But, sure I am, the =Vulgar Capacities=, may -from them, be many waies both =Instructed=, and =Remembred=; yea, they -that have most need to be =Instructed=, and =Remembred=, (and they who -are most backward to listen to =Instructions=, and =Remembrances=, by -the common Course of =Teaching=, and =Admonishing=) shall be, hereby, -informed of their =Dangers=, or =Duties=, by the way of an honest -=Recreation=, before they be aware._ - -_For, when levitie, or a childish delight in trifling Objects, hath -allured them to looke on the =Pictures=; Curiositie may urge them to -peepe further, that they might seeke out also their =Meanings=, in -our annexed =Illustrations=; In which, may lurke some =Sentence=, or -=Expression=, so evidently pertinent to their =Estates=, =Persons=, or -=Affections=, as will (at that instant or afterward) make way for those -=Considerations=, which will, at last, wholly change them, or much -better them, in their =Conversation=._ - -_To seeke out the =Author= of every particular =Emblem=, were a -labour without profit; and, I have beene so far from endeavouring -it, that, I have not so much as cared to find out their meanings in -any of these =Figures=; but, applied them, rather, to such purposes, -as I could thinke of, at first sight; which, upon a second view, I -found might have beene much betterd, if I could have spared time from -other imployments. Something, also, I was =Confined=, by obliging my -selfe to observe the same number of =lines= in every =Illustration=; -and, otherwhile, I was thereby constrained to conclude, when my best -=Meditations= were but new begunne: which (though it hath pleased Some, -by the more comely Vniformitie, in the Pages) yet, it hath much injured -the libertie of my =Muse=._ - -_There be, no doubt, some faults committed by the =Printer=, both -Literall and Materiall, and some Errors of the =Gravers= in the -=Figures=, (as in the =Tetragrammaton=; in the Figure of =Arîon=; and -in the =Proprieties= due to some other =Hieroglyphicks=; but, for the -most part, they are such, as =Common-Readers= will never perceive; and -I thinke, that they who are =Judicious= will so plainly finde them to -be no faults of mine; that, leaving them to be amended by those, to -whom they appertaine; and, =You=, to accept of these =Play-games= as -you please: I bid you =Farewell=._ - - - The Occasion, _Intention_, and use of the Foure - _Lotteries_ adjoyned to these foure Books - of _Emblems_. - -Stultorum plena sunt omnia. _The world is growne so in Love with -=Follie=, that the Imprinting of over-solid and serious =treatises= -would undoe the Book-sellers; especially, being so chargeable as the -many costly =Sculptures= have made this Booke: therefore, (to advance -their =Profits=, rather than to satisfie my owne =Iudgement=) I was -moved to invent somewhat, which might be likely to please the vulgar -Capacitie, without hindrance to my chiefe =End=. And, though that which -I resolved on, be not so =Plausible= to Criticall understandings, yet -I am contented to hazzard among them, so much of my Reputation as that -comes to._ - -_I have often observed, that where the =Summer-bowers= of Recreation -are placed neare the =Church=, it drawes thither more people from the -remote =Hamlets=, than would else be there. Now, though I praise not -their =Devotion=, yet I am glad if any thing (which is not evill in -it selfe) may be made an occasion of =Good=: (because, those things -may, perhaps, be continued, at last, for Conscience sake, which were -at first begunne upon vaine =occasions=) and, have therefore added -=Lotteries= to these =Emblems=, to occasion the more frequent notice -of the =Morals=, and good =Counsels= tendred in their =Illustrations=; -hoping that, at one time or other, some shall draw those =Lots=, -which will make them the better, and the happier, whilest they live. -I confesse that this Devise may probably be censured, as unsutable -to the gravitie expected in my ripe yeares: and be reputed as great -an Indecorum, as erecting an =Ale-house= at the =Church-stile=; yet, -the same having had beginning in my younger dayes, I do now resolve -not to be ashamed of it, for the Reasons aforementioned. To such as I -was, it will be someway avayleable: and perhaps, if the =Wisest= did -otherwhile, when they walke abroad, to =Vncertaine purposes=, take -up this =Booke=, and (without =Superstitious Conceites=) make tryall -what their =Lots= would remember, or give them cause to thinke on; it -might, now and then, either occasion better =Proceedings=, or prevent -=Mischieves=._ - -_Some =Games= were ever in use; ever, I thinke, will be, and for -ought I know, ever may be without exception. And, I believe, this -=Recreation=, will be as harmlesse as any, if it be used according to -my Intentions. For, my meaning is not, that any should use it as an -=Oracle=, which could signifie, infallibly, what is divinely alloted; -but, to serve onely for a =Morall Pastime=. And, that I may no way -encourage the secret entertaining of such a =Fantasie=, I doe before -hand affirme unto them, that none but =Children=, or =Ideots= may be -tollerated to be so foolish, without laughing at._ - -_Yet, if any one shall draw that =Lot= wherein his =Secret vices= -are reproved; or some good Counsels proposed, which in his owne -understanding are pertinent to his welfare, let not such as =those=, -passe them over as meere =Casualties= to them; for, whatsoever these -=Lots= are to =others=, or in =themselves=, they are to all =these=, -made pertinent in such cases, both by their particular =Knowledges= and -=Occasions=._ - -_Some will thinke perhaps, that I have purposely invented this =Game=, -that I might finde meanes to reprove mens =vices=, without being -suspected, (as I have hitherto unjustly beene) to ayme at particular -persons: For, if any who are =notoriously Guiltie=, shall by drawing -their =Chances=, among other Companions, be so fitted with =Lots=, -(which may now and then happen) that those =Vices= be therby intimated -to the by-standers, of which the world knowes them guilty; they do -therin make their owne =Libels=; and, may (I hope) bee laughed at -without my blame. If not; I doe here warne all such as are worthily -suspected of =Haynous crimes=, and =Scandalous conversations=, either -to forbeare these =Lotteries=; or to excuse me if they be justly shamed -by their own =Act=._ - -_Having thus declared the Reason of this =Invention=, and made these -Anticipations; every man hath his choice, whether hee will make use of -those =Lotteries= or no; hee that will, is left to his =Chance=, of -which, how hee shall make tryall, direction is given in the two last -Pages of this =Booke=._ - - This _Game_ occasions not the frequent crime, - Of _Swearing_, or mispending of our _Time_; - Nor losse of money: For, the _Play_ is _short_, - And, ev’ry _Gamester_ winneth by the sport. - Wee, therefore, know it may aswell become - The _Hall_, the _Parlor_, or the _Dining-roome_, - As _Chesse_, or _Tables_; and, we thinke the _Price_ - Will be as low; because, it needs no _Dice_. - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - - - -[Illustration: - _What I =WAS=, is passed-by; - What I =AM=, away doth flie; - What I =SHAL BEE=, none do see; - Yet, in =that=, my =Beauties= bee._ -] - - -The AVTHORS Meditation upon sight of his PICTVRE. - - _When I behold my =Picture=, and perceive, - How vaine it is, our =Portraitures= to leave - In =Lines=, and =Shadowes=, (which make shewes, to day, - Of that which will, to morrow, fade away) - And, thinke, what meane =Resemblances= at best, - Are by =Mechanike Instruments= exprest; - I thought it better, much, to leave behind me, - Some =Draught=, in which, my living friends might find me - The same I =am=; in =that=, which will remaine, - Till all is ruin’d, and repair’d againe: - And, which, in absence, will more truely show me, - Than, =outward Formes=, to those, who think they know me. - For, though my gratious MAKER made me such, - That, where I love, belov’d I am, as much - As J desire; yet, =Forme=, nor =Features= are, - Those =Ornaments=, in which J would appeare - To =future Times=; Though they were found in me, - Farre better, than I can beleeve they be. - Much lesse, affect I =that=, which each man knowes, - To be no more, but Counterfeits of those, - Wherein, the =Painters=, or the =Gravers= toole, - Befriends alike, the =Wiseman=, and the =Foole=: - And, (when they please) can give him, by their =Art=, - The =fairest-Face=, that had the =falsest-Heart=. - A PICTVRE, though with most exactnesse made, - Is nothing, but the =Shadow= of a SHADE. - For, ev’n our =living Bodies=, (though they seeme - To others more, or more in our esteeme) - Are but the =shadowes= of that =Reall-being=, - Which doth extend beyond the =Fleshly-seeing=; - And, cannot be discerned, till we rise - =Immortall-Objects=, for =Immortall-eyes=. - Our =Everlasting-Substance= lies unseene, - Behinde the Fouldings, of a =Carnall-Screene=, - Which is, but, =Vapours= thickned into =Blood=, - (By due concoction of our daily food) - And, still supplied, out of other =Creatures=, - To keepe us =living=, by their wasted natures: - Renewing, and decaying, ev’ry Day, - Vntill that =Vaile= must be remov’d away. - For, this lov’d =Flesh=, wherewith, yet cloth’d we go, - Is not the same, wee had sev’n yeares ago; - But, rather, something which is taken-in, - To serve insteed of what hath wasted bin, - In =Wounds=, in =Sicknesses=, in =Colds=, and =Heates=, - In all =Excrescions=, and in =Fumes=, and =Sweates=. - Nor shall, this present =Flesh=, long stay with us: - And, wee may well be pleas’d, it should be =Thus=. - For, as I view, those Townes, and Fields, that be - In Landskip drawne; Even so, me thinks, I see - A Glimpes, farre off, (through FAITH’S =Prospective glasse=) - Of that, which after =Death=, will come to passe; - And, likewise, gained have, such meanes of seeing, - Some things, which were, before my =Life= had being, - That, in my =Soule=, I should be discontent, - If, this my =Body= were, more permanent; - Since, =Wee=, and all =God’s= other =Creatures=, here, - Are but the =Pictures=, of what shall appeare. - Yet, whilst they =are=, I thankfully would make - That use of them, for their CREATOR’S sake, - To which hee made them; and, preserve the =Table=, - Still, =Faire= and =Full=, as much as I were able, - By finishing, (in my alotted place) - Those =Workes=, for which, hee fits me by his Grace. - And, if a =Wrenne=, a =Wrenn’s= just height shall soare, - No =Ægle=, for an =Ægle=, can doe more. - If therefore, of my =Labours=, or of MEE, - Ought shall remaine, when I remov’d, must be, - Let it be that, wherein it may be view’d, - My MAKERS =Image=, was in me renew’d: - And, so declare, a dutifull intent, - To doe the =Worke= I came for, e’re I went; - That, I to others, may some =Patterne= be, - Of =Doing-well=, as other men to mee, - Have beene, whilst I had life: And, let my daies - Be summed up, to my =Redeemer’s= praise. - So this be gained, I regard it not, - Though, all that I am else, be quite forgot._ - - - - - _By =Knowledge= onely, =Life= wee gaine, - All other things to =Death= pertaine._ - -[Illustration: VIVITVR INGENIO CÆTERA MORTIS ERṼT - -ILLVSTRATIO I. _Book. 1._] - - How Fond are they, who spend their pretious Time - In still pursuing their deceiving _Pleasures_? - And they, that unto ayery _Titles_ clime - Or tyre themselves in hoording up of _Treasures_? - For, these are _Death’s_, who, when with wearinesse - They have acquired most, sweepes all away; - And leaves them, for their Labors, to possesse - Nought but a raw-bon’d _Carcasse_ lapt in clay. - Of twenty hundred thousands, who, this houre - Vaunt much, of those _Possessions_ they have got; - Of their new purchac’d _Honours_, or, the _Power_, - By which, they seeme to have advanc’t their _Lott_: - Of this great _Multitude_, there shall not _Three_ - Remaine, for any _Future-age_ to know; - But perish quite, and quite forgotten bee, - As _Beasts_, devoured twice ten yeares agoe. - Thou, therefore, who desir’st for aye to live, - And to possesse thy _Labors_ maugre _Death_, - To needfull _Arts_ and honest _Actions_, give - Thy Spanne of _Time_, and thy short blast of _Breath_. - In holy _Studies_, exercise thy _Mind_; - In workes of _Charity_, thy _Hands_ imploy; - That _Knowledge_, and that _Treasure_, seeke to find, - Which may enrich thy _Heart_ with perfect _Ioy_. - So, though obscured thou appeare, awhile, - Despised, poore, or borne to Fortunes low, - Thy _Vertue_ shall acquire a nobler stile, - Then greatest _Kings_ are able to bestow: - And, gaine thee those _Possessions_, which, nor _They_, - Nor _Time_, nor _Death_, have power to take away. - - - _The Man that hath true =Wisdome= got, - Continues =firme=, and =wavers= not._ - -[Illustration: SAPIENTIA CONSTANS - -ILLVSTR. II. _Book. 1._] - - Still fixt, and with triumphant _Laurell_ crown’d, - Is truest _Wisdome_; whom, expressed thus, - Among the old _Impresa’s_, we have found; - And, much, this _Emblem_ hath instructed us. - For, hence we learne; that, _Wisdome_ doth not flow - From those unconstant men, whom ev’ry _Blast_, - Or small _Occasion_, turneth to and fro; - But, from a _Settled head_ that standeth _fast_. - Who’ever shoulders, him, he gives no place; - What _Storme_ soe’re, his _Times_ or _Fortunes_, breath, - He neither hides his _Brow_, nor turnes his _Face_; - But, keepes his Lookes undaunted, ev’n in _Death_. - The _Laureat head_, upon the _Pillar_ set, - Thus signifies; And that _Bay-wreath_ doth show - That constant _Wisdome_ will the conquest get, - When giddy _Policie_ prevailes not so. - If, therefore, thou desirest to be taught, - Propose good _Ends_ with honest _Meanes_ thereto, - And therein _Constant_ be, till thou hast brought - To perfect _end_, that _Worke_, thou hast to doe. - Let neither flatt’ring _Pleasures_, nor _Disgrace_, - Nor scoffing _Censures_, nor the cunning _Sleights_ - Of glozing _Sycophants_, divert that _Race_ - To which, a harmelesse _Prudence_, thee invites. - Though others plot, conspire, and undermine, - Keepe thou a plaine right _Path_; and let their _Course_, - For no advantage, make thee change from _thine_, - Although it (for the present) seemes the worse. - He, thus that workes, puts _Policie_ to Schoole, - And makes the _Machavilian_ prove a foole. - - - _The =Law= is given to =direct=; - The =Sword=, to =punish= and =protect=._ - -[Illustration: LEX REGIT ET ARMA TVENTVR. - -ILLVSTR. III. _Book. 1._] - - When _God-Almighty_ first engrav’d in stone - His holy _Law_; He did not give the same - As if some common Act had then beene done; - For, arm’d with _Fires_ and _Thunders_, forth it came. - By which, that great _Law-maker_, might inferre - What dreadfull _Vengeance_ would on those attend, - Who did against those holy _Precepts_ erre; - And, that, his _Power_, well-doers could defend. - Thereto, this _Emblem_, also doth agree; - For, loe, before the _Tables_ of the _Lawe_, - A naked _Sword_ is borne, whose use may bee - As well to keepe in _Safety_, as in _Awe_. - Whence, _Princes_ (if they please) this note may take, - (And it shall make them happily to raigne) - That, many good and wholsome _Lawes_ to make - Without an _Executioner_, is vaine. - It likewise intimates, that such as are - In _Soveraigne place_, as well obliged be - Their zeale for true _Religion_ to declare, - As, what concerneth _Manners_, to foresee. - It, lastly, showes that _Princes_ should affect - Not onely, over others to _Command_, - But _Swords_ to weare, their _Subjects_ to protect; - And, for their _Guard_, extend a willing hand. - For, _Lawes_, or _Peace_ to boast of; and, the whiles, - The _Publique-weale_, to weaken or disarme, - Is nor the way to hinder _Civill-Broyles_, - Nor to secure it from a _Forraigne-harme_. - For, As by _Lawes_ a Land is kept in frame; - So, _Armes_ is that, which must protect the same. - - - _=Occasions-past= are sought in vaine; - But, oft, they =wheele-about= again._ - -[Illustration: NE TENEAR - -ILLVSTR. IV. _Book. 1._] - - Unwise are they that spend their youthfull _Prime_ - In Vanities; as if they did suppose - That men, at pleasure, might redeeme the _Time_; - For, they a faire advantage fondly lose. - As ill-advis’d be those, who having lost - The first _Occasions_, to _Despairing_ runne: - For, _Time_ hath _Revolutions_; and, the most, - For their Affaires, have _Seasons_ more, then one. - Nor is their Folly small, who much depend - On _Transitorie things_, as if their Powre - Could bring to passe what should not have an _End_; - Or compasse that, which _Time_ will not devoure. - The first _Occasions_, therefore, see thou take - (Which offred are) to bring thy hopes about; - And, minde thou, still, what _Haste_ away they make, - Before thy swift-pac’t houres are quite runne out. - Yet, if an _Opportunity_ be past, - Despaire not thou, as they that hopelesse be; - Since, _Time_ may so revolve againe, at last, - That _New-Occasions_ may be offred thee. - And see, thou trust not on those fading things, - Which by thine owne _Endeavours_ thou acquir’st: - For, _Time_ (which her owne _Births_ to ruine brings) - Will spare, not _thee_, nor ought which thou desir’st. - His _Properties_, and _Vses_, what they are, - In-vaine observ’d will be, when he is fled: - That, they in season, therefore, may appeare, - Our _Emblem_, thus, hath him deciphered; - _Balde_ save before, and standing on a _Wheele_; - A _Razor_ in his Hand, a _Winged-Heele_. - - - _By =Labour=, =Vertue= may be gain’d; - By =Vertue=, =Glorie= is attain’d._ - -[Illustration: LABORE VIRTVS, VIRTVTE GLORIA PARATVR - -ILLVSTR. V. _Book. 1._] - - Svppose you _Sirs_, those mimicke _Apes_ you meet - In strange fantasticke habits? or the Rabble, - That in gay clothes embroyder out the street, - Are truely of _Worshipfull_ or _Honorable_? - Or can you thinke, that, To be borne the Sonne - Of some rich _Alderman_, or ancient _Peere_, - Or that the _Fame_ our Predecessors wonne - May claime those _Wreathes_ which true _Deserving_ weare? - Is _Honour_ due to those, who spend their dayes - In courting one another? or consuming - Their Fortunes and themselves, on Drabbs and Playes? - In sleeping, drinking, and Tobacco-fuming? - Not so. For, (though such _Fooles_, like children, place - Gay _Titles_ on each other) _Wise-men_ know - What slaves they be; how miserably-base; - And, where such _Attributes_ would better show. - An idle _Body_ clothes a vitious _Minde_; - And, what (at best) is purchac’d by the same, - Is nothing else, but stinking _Smoke_ and _Winde_; - Or frothie _Bubbles_ of an empty _Fame_. - True _Glory_, none did ever purchase, yet, - Till, to be _Vertuous_ they could first attaine; - Nor shall those men faire _Vertues_ favour get, - Who _labour_ not, such _Dignities_ to gaine. - And, this _Impresa_ doth inferre no lesse: - For, by the _Spade_, is _Labour_ here implide; - The _Snake_, a vertuous _Prudence_, doth expresse; - And, _Glorie_, by the _Wreath_ is Typifide. - For, where a vertuous _Industry_ is found, - She, shall with Wreaths of _Glory_, thus be crown’d. - - - _Though =Fortune= prove true =Vertues= Foe, - It cannot worke her Overthrowe._ - -[Illustration: NON OBEST VIRTVTI SORS. - -ILLVSTR. VI. _Book. 1._] - - Unhappy men are they, whose Ignorance - So slaves them to the _Fortunes_ of the Time, - That they (attending on the Lot of _Chance_) - Neglect by _Vertue_, and _Deserts_, to clime. - Poore _Heights_ they be which _Fortune_ reares unto; - And, fickle is the _Favour_ she bestowes: - To-day, she makes; to-morrow, doth undoe; - Builds up, and in an instant overthrowes. - On easie _Wheeles_, to Wealth, and Honours high, - She windes men oft, before they be aware; - And, when they dreame of most _Prosperitie_, - Downe, headlong, throwes them lower then they were. - You, then, that seeke a more assur’d estate, - On good, and honest _Objects_, fixe your _Minde_, - And follow _Vertue_, that you may a _Fate_ - Exempt from feare of Change, or Dangers, finde. - For, he that’s _Vertuous_, whether high or low - His _Fortune_ seemes (or whether foule or faire - His _Path_ he findes) or whether friend, or foe, - The _World_ doth prove; regards it not a haire. - His _Losse_ is _Gaine_; his _Poverty_ is _Wealth_; - The Worlds _Contempt_, he makes his _Diadem_; - In _Sicknesse_, he rejoyceth, as in _Health_: - Yea, _Death_ it selfe, becommeth _Life_, to him. - He feares no disrespect, no bitter scorne, - Nor subtile plottings, nor Oppressions force; - Nay, though the World should topsie-turvie turne, - It cannot fright him, nor divert his Course. - Above all Earthly powres his _Vertue_ reares him; - And, up with _Eglets_ wings, to Heav’n it beares him. - - - _A fickle =Woman= wanton growne, - Preferres a =Crowd=, before a =Crowne=._ - -[Illustration: NON SCEPTRO SED PLECTRO DVCITVR - -ILLVSTR. VII. _Book. 1._] - - _Foole!_ Dost thou hope, thine _Honours_, or thy _Gold_, - Shall gaine thee _Love_? Or, that thou hast her heart - Whose hand upon thy tempting _Bayt_ layes hold? - Alas! fond _Lover_, thou deceived art. - She that with _Wealth_, and _Titles_, can be wonne, - Or woo’d with _Vanities_, will wavring bee; - And, when her Love, thou most dependest on, - A _Fiddle-sticke_ shall winne her heart from thee. - To _Youth_ and _Musicke_, _Venus_ leaneth most; - And (though her hand she on the _Scepter_ lay) - Let _Greatnesse_, of her Favours never boast: - For, _Heart_ and _Eye_, are bent another way. - And lo, no glorious Purchace that Man gets, - Who hath with such poore _Trifles_, woo’d, and wonne: - Her footing, on a _Ball_, his _Mistresse_ sets, - Which in a moment slips, and she is gone. - A _Woman_, meerely with an _Out side_ caught, - Or tempted with a _Galliard_, or a _Song_, - Will him forsake (whom she most lovely thought) - For _Players_ and for _Tumblers_, ere’t be long. - You, then, that wish your _Love_ should ever last, - (And would enjoy _Affection_ without changing) - _Love_ where your _Loves_ may worthily be plac’t; - And, keepe your owne _Affection_, still from ranging. - Vse noble _Meanes_, your Longings to attaine; - Seeke equall _Mindes_, and well beseeming _Yeares_: - They are (at best) vaine _Fooles_, whom _Follie_ gaine; - But, there is _Blisse_, where, _Vertue_ most endeares: - And, wheresoe’re, Affection _shee_ procures, - In spight of all _Temptations_, it endures. - - - _This Ragge of =Death=, which thou shalt see, - Consider it; And =Pious= bee._ - -[Illustration: IN HVNC INTVENS PIVS ESTO - -ILLVSTR. VIII. _Book 1._] - - Why, silly Man! so much admirest thou - Thy present _Fortune_? overvaluing so - Thy _Person_, or the beauty of thy _Brow_? - And _Cloth’d_, so proudly, wherefore dost thou goe? - Why dost thou live in riotous _Excesse_? - And _Boast_, as if thy Flesh immortall were? - Why dost thou gather so? Why so oppresse? - And, o’re thy Fellow-creatures, _Domineere_? - Behold this _Emblem_; such a thing was hee - Whom this doth represent as now thou art; - And, such a Fleshlesse _Raw-bone_ shalt thou bee, - Though, yet, thou seeme to act a comelier part. - Observe it well; and marke what _Vglinesse_ - Stares through the sightlesse _Eye-holes_, from within: - Note those leane _Craggs_, and with what _Gastlinesse_, - That horrid _Countenance_ doth seeme to grin. - Yea, view it well; and having seene the same - Plucke downe that _Pride_ which puffs thy heart so high; - Of thy _Proportion_ boast not, and (for shame) - Repent thee of thy sinfull _Vanity_. - And, having learn’d, that, all men must become - Such bare _Anatomies_; and, how this _Fate_ - No mortall _Powre_, nor _Wit_, can keepe thee from; - Live so, that _Death_ may better thy estate. - Consider who created thee; and why: - Renew thy _Spirit_, ere thy _Flesh_ decayes: - More _Pious_ grow; Affect more _Honestie_; - And seeke hereafter thy _Creatours_ praise. - So though of _Breath_ and _Beauty_ Time deprive thee, - New _Life_, with endlesse _Glorie_, _God_ will give thee. - - - _Before thou bring thy =Workes= to Light, - Consider on them, in the =Night=._ - -[Illustration: IN NOCTE CONSILIṼ - -ILLVSTR. IX. _Book. 1._] - - An _Owle_ (the _Hieroglyphicke_ us’d for _Night_) - Twixt _Mercury_ and _Pallas_, here takes place, - Vpon a crown’d _Caduceus_ fixt upright; - And, each a _Cornucopia_ doth imbrace. - Through which darke _Emblem_, I this Light perceive; - That, such as would the _Wit_ and _Wealth_ acquire, - Which may the _Crowne_ of approbation have, - Must _wake by Night_, to compasse their desire. - For, this _Mercurian-Wand_, doth _Wit_ expresse; - The _Cornu-copia_, _Wealthinesse_ implies; - Both gained by a studious _Watchfulnesse_; - Which, here, the _Bird of Athens_ signifies. - Nor, by this _Emblem_, are we taught alone, - That, (when great _Vndertakings_ are intended) - We _Sloth_, and lumpish _Drowsinesse_ must shunne; - But, _Rashnesse_, also, here is reprehended. - _Take Counsell of thy Pillow_, (saith our _Sawe_) - And, ere in waighty Matters thou proceede, - Consider well upon them; lest they draw - Some Afterclap, which may thy Mischiefe breede. - I, for my seriou’st _Muses_, chuse the _Night_; - (More friend to _Meditation_, then the _Day_) - That neither Noyse, nor Objects of the _Sight_, - Nor bus’nesses, withdraw my _Thoughts_ away, - By _Night_, we best may ruminate upon - Our _Purposes_; Then, best, we may enquire - What _Actions_ wee amisse, or well, have done; - And, then, may best into our _Selves_ retire: - For, of the _World-without_, when most we see, - Then, blindest to the _World-within_, are wee. - - - _An =Innocent= no =Danger= feares, - How great soever it appeares._ - -[Illustration: SPERNIT PERICVLA VIRT[VS] - -ILLVSTR. X. _Book. 1._] - - When some did seeke _Arion_ to have drown’d, - He, with a dreadlesse heart his Temples crown’d; - And, when to drench him in the Seas they meant, - He playd on his melodious _Instrument_; - To shew, that _Innocence_ disdayned Feare, - Though to be swallow’d in the _Deeps_ it were. - Nor did it perish: For, upon her Backe - A _Dolphin_ tooke him, for his _Musick’s_ sake: - To intimate, that _Vertue_ shall prevaile - With _Bruitish_ Creatures, if with _Men_ it faile. - Most vaine is then their Hope, who dreame they can - Make wretched, or undoe, an _Honest-Man_: - For, he whom Vertuous _Innocence_ adornes, - Insults o’re _Cruelties_; and, _Perill_ scornes. - Yea, that, by which, Men purpose to _undoe_ him, - (In their despight) shall bring great _Honours_ to him. - _Arion_-like, the Malice of the _World_, - Hath into _Seas_ of _Troubles_ often hurl’d - Deserving Men, although no Cause they had, - But that their _Words_ and _Workes_ sweet _Musicke_ made. - Of all their outward Helps it hath bereft them; - Nor meanes, nor hopes of Comfort have beene left them; - But such, as in the House of _Mourning_ are, - And, what _Good-Conscience_ can afford them there. - Yet, _Dolphin-like_, their _Innocence_ hath rear’d - Their Heads above those _Dangers_ that appear’d. - _God_ hath vouchsaf’d their harmelesse _Cause_ to heed, - And, ev’n in Thraldome, so their Hearts hath freed, - That, whil’st they seem’d oppressed and forlorne; - They _Ioyd_, and _Sung_, and _Laugh’d the World to scorne_. - - - _A =Foole=, in =Folly= taketh Paine, - Although he labour still in vaine._ - -[Illustration: AD SCOPVM LICET ÆGRE ET FRVSTRA - -ILLVSTR. XI. _Book. 1._] - - A Massie _Mil-stone_ up a tedious Hill, - With mighty Labour, _Sisyphus_ doth roll; - Which being rais’d-aloft, downe-tumbleth, still, - To keepe imployed his afflicted _Soule_. - On him, this tedious Labour is impos’d; - And (though in vaine) it must be still assayd: - But, some, by no Necessity inclos’d, - Vpon themselves, such needlesse Taskes have layd. - Yea, knowing not (or caring not to know) - That they are worne and weary’d out in vaine, - They madly toyle to plunge themselves in Woe; - And, seeke uncertaine _Ease_, in certaine _Paine_. - Such _Fooles_ are they, who dreame they can acquire - A Minde-content, by _Lab’ring still for more_: - For, _Wealth_ encreasing, doth encrease _Desire_, - And makes _Contentment_ lesser then before. - Such _Fooles_ are they, whose _Hopes_ doe vainely stretch - To climbe by _Titles_, to a happy Height: - For, having gotten one _Ambitious-Reach_, - Another comes perpetually in sight. - And, their stupidity is nothing lesse, - Who dreame that _Flesh_ and _Blood_ may raysed be - Vp to the _Mount of perfect-Holinesse_: - For (at our best) corrupt and vile are we. - Yet, we are bound by _Faith_, with _Love_ and _Hope_, - To roll the Stone of _Good-Endeavour_, still, - As neere as may be, to _Perfections top_, - Though backe againe it tumble downe the _Hill_. - So; What our _Workes_ had never power to doe, - _God’s_ Grace, at last, shall freely bring us to. - - - _As, to the =World= I =naked= came, - So, =naked=-stript I leave the same._ - -[Illustration: ΠΑΝΤΑ ΛΕΛΟΙΠΑ - -ILLVSTR. XII. _Book. 1._] - - Thrice happy is that Man whose _Thoughts_ doe reare - His Minde above that pitch the _Worldling_ flies, - And by his _Contemplations_, hovers where - He viewes things mortall, with unbleared eyes. - What Trifles then doe _Villages_ and _Townes_ - Large _Fields_ or _Flockes_ of fruitfull _Cattell_ seeme? - Nay, what poore things are _Miters_, _Scepters_, _Crownes_, - And all those _Glories_ which Men most esteeme? - Though he that hath among them, his Delight, - Brave things imagines them (because they blinde - With some false Lustre his beguiled sight) - He that’s above them, their meane-Worth may finde. - _Lord_, to that _Blessed-Station_ me convey - Where I may view the _World_, and view her so, - That I her true Condition may survey; - And all her Imperfections rightly know. - Remember me, that once there was a Day - When thou didst weane me from them with content, - Ev’n when shut up within those _Gates_ I lay - Through which the _Plague-inflicting Angel_ went. - And, let me still remember, that an Houre - Is hourely comming on, wherein I shall - (Though I had all the _World_ within my powre) - Be naked stript, and turned out of all. - But minde me, chiefely, that I never cleave - Too closely to my _Selfe_; and cause thou me, - Not other Earthly things alone to leave, - But to forsake my _Selfe_ for love of _Thee_: - That I may say, now _I have all things left_, - Before that I of all things, am bereft. - - - _To him a happy =Lot= befalls - That hath a =Ship=, and =prosp’rous Gales=._ - -[Illustration: REMIGIO VENTISQ[VE] SECVNDIS - -ILLVSTR. XIII. _Book. 1._] - - No wonder he a prosp’rous _Voyage_ findes - That hath both _Sailes_ and _Oares_ to serve his turne, - And, still, through meanes of some propitious _Winds_ - Is to his wished _Harbour_, swiftly borne. - Nor is it much admir’d, if they that lacke - Those aydes (on which the _Common-faith_ depends) - Are from their hoped aymes repelled backe, - Or made to labour for unfruitfull ends. - Yet neither in the _Ship_, _Wind_, _Oares_, or _Sailes_, - Nor in the want of _Outward meanes_, alone, - Consists it, that our _Hope_ succeedes or failes; - But, most in that, which Men least thinke upon. - For, _some_ endeavour, and their Paines are blest - With _Gales_ which are so fortunate, that they - Fly safe, and swiftly on, among the best, - Whil’st others labour, and are cast away. - _Some_ others, on this _Worlds_ wide _Ocean_ floate, - And neither _Wind_, nor _Tide_ assistant have, - Nor _Saile_, nor _Oare_, nor _Anchor_, nor sound _Boate_, - Nor take so much as heede themselves to save; - And yet are safe: A third sort, then, there are - Who neither want fit _Meanes_, nor yet neglect, - The painefull-_Industrie_, or honest _Care_, - Which _Need_ requires; yet find small good effect. - Therefore, let that which you propose, be _Iust_; - Then, use the fairest _Meanes_, to compasse it: - And, though _Meanes_ faile, yet foster no mistrust; - But fearelesly, to _God_, your _Course_ commit: - For, _Hee_, to _Faithfull-Hearts_, and _Honest-Mindes_ - Turnes _Losse_ to _Gaine_; and _Stormes_, to _prosp’rous Windes_. - - - _Though he endeavour all he can, - An =Ape=, will never be a =Man=._ - -[Illustration: QVID SI SIC - -ILLVSTR. XIIII. _Book. 1._] - - What though an _Apish-Pigmie_, in attire, - His Dwarfish Body _Gyant-lyke_, array? - Turne _Brave_, and get him _Stilts_ to seem the higher? - What would so doing, handsome him I pray? - Now, surely, such a Mimicke sight as that, - Would with excessive Laughter move your Spleene, - Till you had made the little _Dandiprat_, - To lye within some Auger-hole, unseene. - I must confesse I cannot chuse but smile, - When I perceive, how Men that worthlesse are, - Piece out their _Imperfections_, to beguile, - By making showes, of what they never were. - For, in their _borrow’d-Shapes_, I know those Men, - And (through their _Maskes_) such insight of them have; - That I can oftentimes disclose (ev’n then) - How much they savour of the _Foole_ or _Knave_. - A _Pigmey-spirit_, and an _Earthly-Minde_, - Whose looke is onely fixt on Objects vaine; - In my esteeme, so meane a place doth finde, - That ev’ry such a one, I much refraine. - But, when in honour’d _Robes_ I see it put, - Betrimm’d, as if some thing of _Worth_ it were, - Looke big, and on the _Stilts_ of _Greatnesse_, strut; - From scorning it, I cannot then forbeare. - For, when to grosse _Vnworthinesse_, Men adde - Those Dues, which to the _Truest-worth_ pertaine; - Tis like an _Ape_, in _Humane-Vestments_ clad, - Which, when most fine, deserveth most disdaine: - And, more absurd, those Men appeare to me, - Then this _Fantasticke-Monkey_ seemes to thee. - - - _I =pine=, that others may not perish, - And =waste= my =Selfe=, their =Life= to cherish._ - -[Illustration: DVM NVTRIO CONSVMOR - -ILLVSTR. XV. _Book. 1._] - - Observe I pray you, how the greedy _Flame_ - The _Fewell_, on an _Altar_ doth consume. - How it destroyeth that which feedes the same, - And how the _Nourisher_ away doth fume. - For, so it fares with _Parents_ that uphold - Their thriftlesse _Children_ in unlawfull _Pleasures_: - With _Cares_, it weares them out, ere they are old; - And ere their Lives consume, consumes their Treasures. - So fares it with such _Wantons_ as doe feede - Vnchast Desires; for, ev’ry day they grow - Vntill their _Longings_, their _Supplies_ exceede, - And, quite devoure those men that fed them so. - So fares it with all those that spend their _Youth_ - In lab’ring to enrich ungratefull Men, - Who, growing _Great_, and _Wealthy_, by their Truth, - Returne them _Smoke_ and _Ashes_ backe agen. - So fares it with good _States-men_, who to keepe - A thankelesse _Common-wealth_ in happy Peace, - Deprive their _Mindes_ of Rest, their _Eyes_ of Sleepe, - And, waste themselves, that others may encrease. - And, so it fares with Men that passe away - Their time in _Studies_, (and their Healths impaire) - That helps to other men become they may, - And, their defective Knowledges, repaire. - But, let my _Flesh_, my _Time_, and my _Estate_, - Be so consum’d; so spent; so wasted bee, - That they may nourish _Grace_, and perfit that - For which all these were first bestowd’d on me: - So when I quite am vanish’d out of seeing, - I shall enjoy my _Now-concealed-Being_. - - - _When to =suppresse= us, Men intend, - They make us higher to =ascend=._ - -[Illustration: CONCVSSVS SVRGO - -ILLVSTR. XVI. _Book. 1._] - - When we observe the _Ball_, how to and fro - The _Gamesters_ force it; we may ponder thus: - That whil’st we live we shall be playd with so, - And that the _World_ will make her _Game_ of us. - _Adversities_, one while our hearts constraine - To stoope, and knock the Pavements of _Despaire_; - _Hope_, like a Whirle-wind mounts us up againe, - Till oft it lose us in the empty ayre. - Sometimes, above the _Battlements_ we looke; - Sometimes, we quite below the _Line_ are tost: - Another-while, against the _Hazard_ strooke, - We, but a little want, of being lost. - _Detraction_, _Envie_, _Mischief_, and _Despight_, - One Partie make, and watchfully attend - To catch us when we rise to any _Height_; - Lest we above their hatred should ascend. - _Good-Fortune_, _Praises_, _Hopes_, and _Industries_, - Doe side-together, and make _Play_ to please us; - But, when by them we thinke more high to rise, - More great they make our _Fall_, and more disease us. - Yea, they that seeke our _Losse_, advance our _Gaine_; - And to our _Wishes_, bring us oft the nigher: - For, we that else upon the Ground had laine, - Are, by their striking of us lifted higher. - When _Balls_ against the Stones are hardest throwne, - Then highest up into the Aire they fly; - So, when men hurle us (with most fury) downe, - Wee hopefull are to be advanc’d thereby: - And, when they smite us quite unto the Ground, - Then, up to Heav’n, we trust, we shall rebound. - - - _Till =God= hath wrought us to his Will, - The =Hammer= we shall suffer still._ - -[Illustration: DVM EXTENDAR - -ILLVSTR. XVII. _Book. 1._] - - Why should the foolish _World_ discourage Men, - In just endurances? or bid them shunne - Good _Actions_, 'cause they suffer now and then, - For _Doing well_, as if some _Ill_ were done? - Ere _Plates_ extended are, they must abide - A thousand hamm’rings; And, then that which fill’d - So little roome, it scarce your Hand could hide, - Will serve a goodly _Monument_ to gild. - So, he that hopes to winne an honest _Name_, - Must many blowes of _Fortune_ undergoe, - And hazard, oft, the blast of _Evill-Fame_, - Before a _Good-Report_ her Trumpe will blow. - A thousand _Worthies_ had unworthily - Been raked up in Ashes and in Clay, - Vnknowne and bury’d in _Obscurity_, - If Malice had not fil’d their Rust away. - But, lo; their lasting prayses now are spread, - And rais’d, by _Adverse-Chance_, to such a height, - That they most glorious are, now they are dead; - And live in _Injuries_, and _Deaths_, despight. - For, by _Afflictions_, man refined growes, - And, (as the _Gold_ prepared in the _Fire_) - Receiveth such a _Forme_ by wrongs and blowes, - That hee becomes the _Iewell_ we desire. - To thee therefore, _Oh God_! My Prayers are - Not to be freed from Griefes and Troubles quite: - But, that they may be such as I can beare; - And, serve to make me precious in thy Sight. - This please me shall, though all my Life time, I - Betweene thine _Anvill_ and the _Hammer_, lie. - - - _From thence, where =Nets= and =Snares= are layd, - =Make-hast=; lest els you be betray’d._ - -[Illustration: MATVRA - -ILLVSTR. XVIII. _Book. 1._] - - The nimble _Spider_ from his Entrailes drawes - A suttle Thread, and curious art doth show - In weaving _Nets_, not much unlike those _Lawes_ - Which catch _Small-Thieves_, and let the _Great-ones_ goe. - For, as the _Cob-web_ takes the lesser _Flyes_, - When those of larger size breake through their _Snares_; - So, _Poore-men_ smart for little Injuries, - When _Rich-men_ scape, whose Guilt is more then theirs. - The _Spider_, also representeth such - Who very curious are in Trifling-things, - And neither Cost, nor Time, nor Labour grutch, - In that which neither _Gaine_ nor _Pleasure_ brings. - But those whom here that _Creature_ doth implye - Are chiefely such, who under cunning shewes - Of simple-Meanings (or of Curtesie) - Doe silly Men unwarily abuse. - Or else, it meanes those greedy-_Cormorants_ - Who without touch, of Conscience or Compassion, - Seeke how to be enricht by others wants, - And bring the _Poore_ to utter Desolation. - Avoyd them therefore, though compell’d by need; - Or if a _Storme_ inforce, (yee lab’ring _Bees_) - That yee must fall among them; Flie with speed - From their Commerce, when _Calmes_ your passage frees. - Much more, let wastfull _Gallants_ haste from these; - Else, when those Idling-painted-_Butterflies_, - Have flutter’d-out their _Summer-time_, in ease, - (And spent their Wealth in foolish Vanities) - The Blasts of _Want_ may force them to be brought - For shelter thither, where they shall be caught. - - - _When thou a =Dangerous-Way= dost goe, - Walke =surely=, though thy pace be =slowe=._ - -[Illustration: LENTE SED ATTENTE - -ILLVSTR. XIX. _Book. 1._] - - _Experience_ proves, that Men who trust upon - Their Nat’rall parts, too much, oft lose the _Day_, - And, faile in that which els they might have done, - By vainely trifling pretious _Time_ away. - It also shewes, that many Men have sought - With so much _Rashnesse_, those things they desir’d, - That they have brought most likely _Hopes_ to nought; - And, in the middle of their _Courses_, tir’d. - And, not a few, are found who so much wrong - Gods _Gratiousnesse_, as if their thinkings were, - That (seeing he deferres his _Iudgements_ long) - His _Vengeance_, he, for ever, would forbeare: - But, such as these may see wherein they faile, - And, what would fitter be for them to doe, - If they would contemplate the slow-pac’d _Snaile_; - Or, this our _Hieroglyphicke_ looke into: - For, thence we learne, that _Perseverance_ brings - Large Workes to end, though slowly they creepe on; - And, that _Continuance_ perfects many things, - Which seeme, at first, unlikely to be done. - It warnes, likewise, that some _Affaires_ require - More _Heed_ then _Haste_: And that the _Course_ we take, - Should suite as well our _Strength_, as our _Desire_; - Else (as our _Proverbe_ saith) _Haste, Waste may make_. - And, in a _Mysticke-sense_, it seemes to preach - _Repentance_ and _Amendment_, unto those - Who live, as if they liv’d beyond _Gods_ reach; - Because, he long deferres deserved Blowes: - For, though _Iust-Vengeance_ moveth like a _Snaile_, - And slowly comes; her comming will not faile. - - - _A =Sive=, of shelter maketh show; - But ev’ry =Storme= will through it goe._ - -[Illustration: TRANSEAT - -ILLVSTR. XX. _Book. 1._] - - Some Men, when for their Actions they procure - A likely colour, (be it nere so vaine) - Proceede as if their _Projects_ were as sure, - As when _Sound Reason_ did their Course maintayne: - And these not much unlike those _Children_ are, - Who through a _Storme_ advent’ring desp’rately, - Had rather on their Heads, a _Sive_ to beare, - Then _Cov’rings_, that may serve to keepe them drye. - For, at a distance that perchance is thought - A helpfull _Shelter_; and, yet, proves to those - Who neede the same, a _Toy_, which profits nought; - Because, each drop of Raine quite through it, goes. - So, they, whose foolish _Projects_, for a while, - Doe promise their _Projectors_ hopefull ends, - Shall finde them, in the _Tryall_, to beguile; - And, that both _Shame_ and _Want_, on them attends. - Such like is their estate, who, (to appeare - _Rich-men_ to others) doe, with Inward-payne, - A gladsome out-ward _Port_ desire to beare; - Though they at last nor _Wealth_ nor _Credit_ gaine. - And, such are all those _Hypocrites_, who strive - False _Hearts_ beneath _Faire-spoken Words_ to hyde: - For, they o’revaile themselves but with a _Sive_, - Through which, their purposes at length are spyde. - And, then, they either woefully-lament - Their _Brutish-folly_, or so hardned grow - In Sinning, that they never can repent, - Nay, jest and scoffe at their owne Overthrow. - But no false _Vaile_ can serve (when _God_ will smite) - To save a _Scorner_, or an _Hypocrite_. - - - _=Death= no =Losse=, but rather, =Gaine=; - For wee by =Dying=, =Life= attaine._ - -[Illustration: MORS VITÆ INITIVM. - -ILLVSTR. XXI. _Book. 1._] - - I Will not blame those grieved Hearts that shed - _Becoming-teares_, for their departed Friends; - Nor those who sigh out _Passions_ for the _Dead_; - Since, on _Good-natures_, this Disease attends. - When _Sorrow_ is conceiv’d, it must have Vent - (In Sighes or Moysture) or the Heart will breake; - And, much they aggravate our Discontent, - Who, out of _Season_, _Reason_ seeme to speake. - Yet, since our Frailty may require we should - _Remembrances_ admit to keepe us from - Excesse in _Griefe_: this _Emblem_ here behold, - And take such _Hope_ as may our _Teares_ become. - The _Wheat_ although a while it lyes in Earth, - (And seemeth lost) consumes not quite away; - But, from that _Wombe_ receives another _Birth_, - And, with _Additions_, riseth from the Clay. - Much more shall _Man_ revive, whose worth is more: - For, _Death_, who from our Drosse will us refine, - Vnto that other _Life_, becomes the _Doore_, - Where, we in _Immortalitie_ shall shine. - When once our _Glasse_ is runne, we presently - Give up our _Soules_ to _Death_; So _Death_ must give - Our _Bodies_ backe againe, that we, thereby, - The _Light_ of _Life eternall_, may receive. - The Venom’d _Sting_ of _Death_ is tooke away; - And, now, the _Grave_, that was a Place of _Feare_, - Is made a _Bed of Rest_, wherein we may - Lye downe in _Hope_, and bide in safety, there. - When we are _Borne_, to _Death_-ward straight we runne; - And by our _Death_, our _Life_ is new-begnnne. - - - _When =Vice= and =Vertue= Youth shall wooe, - Tis hard to say, which way 'twill goe._ - -[Illustration: QVO ME VERTĀ NESCIO - -ILLVSTR. XXII. _Book. 1._] - - My hopefull _Friends_ at thrice five yeares and three, - Without a _Guide_ (into the World alone) - To seeke my _Fortune_, did adventure mee; - And, many hazards, I alighted on. - First, _Englands_ greatest _Rendevouz_ I sought, - Where VICE and VERTVE at the highest sit; - And, thither, both a _Minde_ and _Bodie_ brought, - For neither of their Services unfit. - Both, woo’d my _Youth_: And, both perswaded so, - That (like the _Young man_ in our _Emblem_ here) - I stood, and cry’d, _Ah! which way shall I goe?_ - To me so pleasing both their Offers were. - VICE, _Pleasures_ best Contentments promist mee, - And what the wanton _Flesh_ desires to have: - Quoth VERTVE, _I will Wisdome give to thee, - And those brave things, which noblest Mindes doe crave_. - _Serve me_ said VICE, _and thou shalt soone acquire - All those Atchievements which my Service brings_: - _Serve me_ said VERTVE, _and Ile raise thee higher, - Then VICES can, and teach thee better things_. - Whil’st thus they strove to gaine me, I espyde - Grim _Death_ attending VICE; and, that her Face - Was but a painted _Vizard_, which did hide - The foul’st Deformity that ever was. - _LORD, grant me grace for evermore to view - Her Vglinesse: And, that I viewing it, - Her Falsehoods and allurements may eschew; - And on faire VERTVE my Affection set; - Her Beauties contemplate, her Love embrace, - And by her safe Direction, runne my Race._ - - - _By =Paine=, on =Pleasures= we doe seize; - And, we by =Suff’rance=, purchase =Ease=._ - -[Illustration: PATIOR VT POTIAR - -ILLVSTR. XXIII. _Book. 1._] - - The lick’rish _Beare_ to rob the _Honey-Bees_ - Among their stinging-Swarms thrusts in his pawes; - Adventureth to climbe up hollow Trees, - And from their _Cells_, the well fill’d _Combes_ he drawes: - Right so, the _Sensuall-Man_ that he may gaine - His bruitish _Lust_, a thousand perills dares; - And, that his _Lawlesse-will_ he may attaine, - Nor _Conscience_, _Credit_, _Cost_, nor _Labour_ spares. - 'Twere shamefull basenesse, therefore, if that he - Who knoweth _Vertue_, and is thought her _Lover_, - Should so by any Perills frighted bee, - To make him such _Affections_ to give-over. - For, why should that _Vaine-Crew_ whose Valour springs - From beastly _Fury_, or inflamed-_Passion_, - Enabled be to compasse bolder things, - Then _Sober-Wit_, and _Grave Consideration_? - Or, why should lisping-_Wantons_, for their _Lust_ - So much adventure as one finger, there, - Where we our Lives in hazard would not thrust - For _Vertues_ Glory, if it needfull were? - For, though her _Sweetnesse_ fast is closed in - With many _Thornes_, and such a Prickling-guard, - That we must smart, before that _Prize_ we winne, - The _Paine_ is follow’d, with a _Rich Reward_. - By _Suff’ring_, I have more _Contentment_ had, - Then ever I acquir’d by _Slothfull Ease_; - And, I by _Griefe_, so joyfull have beene made, - That I will beare my _Crosse_, while _God_ shall please. - For, so at last my _Soule_ may _Ioy_ procure, - I care not, in my _Flesh_ what I endure. - - - _Who by good =Meanes=, good things would gaine, - Shall never =seeke=, nor =aske= in vaine._ - -[Illustration: CONSEQVITVR QVODCVNQ[VE] PETIT - -ILLVSTR. XXIIII. _Book. 1._] - - In vaine faire _Cynthia_ never taketh paines, - Nor faints in foll’wing her desired _Game_; - And, when at any Marke her Bowe she straines, - The winged Arrow surely hits the same. - Her _Picture_, therefore, in this place doth shew - The Nature of their _Mindes_ who _Cynthia_-like, - With _Constancie_ their _Purposes_ pursue, - And faint not till they compasse what they seeke. - For, nought more _God-like_ in this World is found, - Then so _Resolv’d a man_, that nothing may - His _Resolution_ alter or confound, - When any taske of _Worth_, he doth assay. - Nor, is there greater Basenesse, then those _Mindes_ - That from an _Honest-purpose_, can be wrought - By _Threatnings_, _Bribes_, _Smooth-Gales_ or _Boyst’rous-Windes_, - What ever colour or excuse be brought. - You then, that would, with _Pleasure_, _Glory_ gaine, - _Diana_ like, those modest things require, - Which truely may beseeme you to attaine; - And stoutly follow that which you desire: - For, changing though the _Moone_ to us appeare, - She holds a firme Dependence on the _Sunne_; - And, by a _Constant-Motion_, in her _Sphære_ - With him, doth in _Conjunction_ often runne: - So, _Constant-men_, still move their hopes to winne; - But, never by a _Motion-indirect_; - Nor, will they stop the Course that they are in, - Vntill they bring their purpose to effect. - For, whosoever _Honest-things_ requires, - A _Promise_ hath of all that he desires. - - - _Oft =Shooting=, doth not =Archers= make; - But, hitting right the =Marke= they take._ - -[Illustration: NON QVAM CREBRO SED QVĀ BĒE - -ILLVSTR. XXV. _Book. 1._] - - When to the Fields we walke to looke upon - Some skilfull _Mark-man_; so much heede we not - How many _Arrowes_ from his Bowe are gone, - As we observe how nigh the _Marke_ he shot: - And, justly we deride that Man who spends - His _Time_ and _Shafts_, but never ayme doth take - To hit the _White_; or foolishly pretends, - The number of the Shots, doth _Archers_ make. - So, _God_, who marketh our Endeavours, here, - Doth not by _tale_, account of them receive; - But, heedeth rather how _well meant_ they were, - And, at his _Will_ how rightly aym’d we have. - It is not mumbling over thrice a day - A Set of _Ave Maries_, or of _Creeds_, - Or many houres formally to _pray_; - When from a dull _Devotion_ it proceedes: - Nor is it, up and downe the Land to seeke - To finde those well breath’d _Lecturers_, that can - Preach thrice a _Sabbath_, and sixe times a weeke, - Yet be as fresh, as when they first beganne: - Nor, is it, such like things perform’d by _Number_ - Which _God_ respects: Nor doth his _Wisdome_ crave - Those many _Vanities_, wherewith some cumber - Their _Bodies_, as if those their _Soules_ could save. - For, not _Much-doing_, but _Well-doing_, that - Which _God_ commands, the _Doer_, justifies. - To pray without _Devotion_, is to _Prate_; - And, _Hearing_ is but halfe our _Exercise_. - We ought not, therefore, to regard, alone, - How _often_, but how _Well_, the _Worke_ be done. - - - _With =Patience=, I the =Storme= sustaine; - For, =Sun-shine= still doth follow =Raine=._ - -[Illustration: DVRABO - -ILLVSTR. XXVI. _Book. 1._] - - The little _Squirrell_, hath no other Food - Then that which _Natures_ thrifty hand provides; - And, in purveying up and downe the Wood, - She many cold wet Stormes, for that, abides. - She lyes not heartlesse in her Mossie _Dray_, - Nor feareth to adventure through the _Raine_; - But skippeth out, and beares it as she may, - Vntill the Season waxeth calme againe. - Right thus, have I and others, often far’d; - For, when we first into the World were brought, - We found but little, for our Vse prepar’d, - Save that, which by _Hard-Labour_, must be sought. - In many _Stormes_, unheeded, we are faine - To seeke out needfull things; and, smilingly - To jest, at what some others would complaine: - That, none might laugh at our _Necessity_. - Yea, some have liv’d on _Huskes_, whil’st others fed - On that which was their _Labours_ due Reward; - And, were pursu’d (till they almost were dead) - Without the Worlds Compassion or Regard. - Yet, by _Enduring_, they out liv’d the Blast - Of _Adverse-Fortune_; and, with good successe, - (Expecting calmer Seasons) at the last, - Arrived at the Port of _Happinesse_. - Their _Suffring-much_, hath made their _Suffrings_ none; - And brought forth _Hopes_, by which, perceive they may, - That _Nights_ have but their Turnes; and (they once gone) - Their _Darkenesse_, makes much welcomer, the _Day_. - All _Griefe_ shall have an ending, I am sure; - And, therefore, I with _Patience_, will _Endure_. - - - _Where =Hellen= is, there, will be =Warre=; - For, =Death= and =Lust=, Companions are._ - -[Illustration: VBI HELENA IBI TROIA - -ILLVSTR. XXVII. _Book. 1._] - - Their foolish Guise, I never could affect, - Who dare, for any cause, the _Stewes_ frequent: - And, thither, where I justly might suspect - A _Strumpet_ liv’d, as yet, I never went. - For, when (as _Fooles_ pretend) they goe to seeke - Experience, where more _Ill_ then _Good_, they see; - They venture for their _Knowledge_, _Adam_-like; - And, such as his, will their _Atchievements_ bee. - Let, therefore, those that would loose _Trulls_ detest, - Converse with none, but those that modest are; - For, they that can of _Whoredome_ make a Iest, - Will entertaine it, ere they be aware. - _Chast-Company_, and _Chast-Discourse_, doth make - The Minde more pleased with it, ev’ry day; - And, _Frequent viewes of Wantonnesse_, will take - The Sense and Hatred, of the _Vice_ away. - Some, I have k_n_owne, by _Harlots_ Wiles undone, - Who, but _to see their Fashions_ first pretended; - And, they that went _for Company_, alone, - By suddaine Quarrells, there, their Dayes have ended. - For, in the Lodgings of a _Lustfull-Woman_, - Immodest _Impudence_ hath still her Being; - There, _Furie_, _Fraud_, and _Cruelties_ are common: - And, there, is _Want_, and _Shame_, and _Disagreeing_. - Ev’n _Beauty_, of it selfe, stirres loose Desires, - Occasioning both _Iealousies_, and _Feares_; - It kindleth in the Brest, concealed _Fires_, - Which burne the Heart, before the _Flame_ appeares: - And, ev’ry day, experienced are wee; - That, there, where _Hellen_ is, _Troyes_ Fate will bee. - - - _No Inward =Griefe=, nor outward =Smart=, - Can overcome a =Patient-Heart=._ - -[Illustration: VICTRIX PATIENTIA DVRI. - -ILLVSTR. XXVIII. _Book. 1._] - - Some _Trees_, when Men oppresse their Aged Heads, - (With waighty Stones) they fructifie the more; - And, when upon some _Herbs_, the _Gard’ner_ treads, - They thrive and prosper, better then before: - So, when the Kings of _Ægypt_ did oppresse - The Sonnes of _Iacob_, through their Tyrannies; - Their Numbers, every day, did more encrease, - Till they grew greater then their Enemies. - So, when the _Iewes_ and _Gentiles_, joyn’d their Powre - The _Lord_, and his _Annoynted_, to withstand; - (With raging _Furie_, lab’ring to devoure - And roote the _Gospel_, out of ev’ry Land) - The more they rag’d, conspired, and envy’d, - The more they slander’d, scorn’d, and murthered; - The more, the _Faithfull_, still, were multiply’d: - And, still, the further, their _Profession_ spred. - Yea, so it spred, that quite it overthrew - Ev’n _Tyranny_ it selfe; that, at the last, - The _Patience of the Saints_, most pow’rfull grew, - And _Persecutions_ force, to ground was cast. - The selfe-same Pow’r, true _Patience_, yet retaines, - And (though a thousand _Suff’rings_ wound the same) - She still hath _Hope_ enough to ease her paynes; - That _Hope_, which keepeth off, all _Feare_ and _Shame_: - For, 'tis not _Hunger_, _Cold_, nor _Fire_, nor _Steele_, - Nor all the _Scornes_ or _Slanders_, we can heare, - Nor any _Torment_, which our _Flesh_ can feele, - That conquers us; but, our owne Trayt’rous _Feare_. - Where, _Honest Mindes_, and _Patient_ Hearts, are Mates - They grow victorious, in their _Hardest-Fates_. - - - _By =many Strokes=, that Worke is done, - Which cannot be perform’d at =One=._ - -[Illustration: NON VNO STERNITVR ICTV. - -ILLVSTR. XXIX. _Book. 1._] - - Despaire not _Man_, in what thou oughtst to doe, - Although thou faile when one _Attempt_ is made; - But, adde a _New-Endeavour_ thereunto, - And, then another, and another, adde: - Yea, till thy Pow’r and Life shall quite be spent, - Persist in seeking what thou shouldst desire; - For, he that falleth from a good _Intent_, - Deserves not that, to which he did aspire. - Rich _Treasures_, are by _Nature_, placed deepe; - And, ere we gaine them, we must pierce the _Rockes_: - Such _Perills_, also, them, as _Guardians_ keepe, - That, none can winne them without wounds and knockes. - Moreover, _Glories_, _Thrones_ are so sublime, - That, whosoever thinkes their Top to gaine, - Till many thousand weary steps he clime, - Doth foole himselfe, by Musings which are vaine. - And, yet, there is a _Path-way_, which doth leade - Above the highest things that Man can see; - And (though it be not knowne to all who tread - The _Common-Tract_) it may ascended be. - As, therefore, none should greater things presume - Then well becomes their strength; So, none should feare - (Through _Folly_, _Sloth_, or _Basenesse_) to assume - Those things upon them, which beseeming are. - In _Time_, and by _Degrees_ may things be wrought, - That seem’d impossible to have beene done, - When they were first conceived in the thought; - And, such as these, we may adventure on. - Mine _Arme_, I know, in time will fell an _Oke_; - But, I will nev’r attempt it, at a _Stroke_. - - - _=Afflictions Fire= consumeth =Sinne=; - But, =Vertue= taketh =Life= therein._ - -[Illustration: NVDRISCO IL BVONO ET SPENGO IL REO - -ILLVSTR. XXX. _Book. 1._] - - Whether the _Salamander_ be a _Beast_, - Or _Precious-Stone_, which overcomes the _Flame_, - It skills not; Since, by either is exprest - The Meaning which we purpose by the same: - Both brooke the _Fire_ unhurt; And (more then so) - The fiercer and the longer _Heats_ there are, - The livelyer in the same the _Beast_ will grow; - And, much the brighter, will the _Stone_ appeare. - This _Crowned-Salamander_ in the _Fire_, - May, therefore, not unfitly, signifie - Those, who in _Fiery Charriots_, doe aspire - _Elijah_-like, to _Immortality_: - Or, those _Heroicke-spirits_, who unharm’d - Have through the _Fires_ of _Troubles_, and _Affliction_, - (With _Vertue_, and with _Innocencie_ arm’d) - Walkt onward, in the _Path-way_, of _Perfection_. - The _Fiery-Tryall_, which like _Wood_ and _Hay_, - Consumes the Workes of ev’ry _Wicked-one_; - (And maketh all their _Hopes_ to fume away) - Doth purifie what _Faithfull-men_ have done. - They triumph in the _Flames_, and shall obtaine - The glorious _Crowne_ of _Endless-Happinesse_, - When all that show of _Blisse_ appeareth vaine, - Which _Worldly men_ have seemed to possesse. - For, though some _Sinnes_ and _Follies_, gilded are, - And shine like purest _Gold_, and _Pretious-Stones_; - This _Test_, will finde of what _Allay_ they were, - And, make them knowne but _Counterfeited Ones_: - For, in this _Fornace_, all such _Wormes_ expire; - And, none but _Vertue_ liveth in this _Fire_. - - - _Hee, over all the =Starres= doth raigne, - That unto =Wisdome= can attaine._ - -[Illustration: SAPIENS DOMINABITVR ASTRIS. - -ILLVSTR. XXXI. _Book. 1._] - - I Am not of their Minde, who thinke the _Sun_, - The _Moone_, the _Planets_, and those glorious _Lights_ - Which trim the _Sphæres_, doe in their _Motions_ run - To no more purpose, then to please our _Sights_. - Nor for distinguishment of _Nights_, and _Dayes_, - Or of the _Seasons_, and the _Times_, alone, - Can I suppose the Hand of _God_ displayes - Those many _Starres_, we nightly gaze upon: - For, both by _Reason_, and by _Common-sense_ - We know (and often feele) that from above - The _Planets_ have, on us, an _Influence_; - And, that our _Bodies_ varie, as they move. - Moreover, _Holy Writ_ inferres, that these - Have some such pow’r; ev’n in those Places, where - It names _Orion_, and the _Pleiades_; - Which, _Starres_ of much inferiour Nature are. - Yet, hence conclude not, therefore, that the _Minde_ - Is by the _Starres_ constrained to obey - Their _Influence_; or, so by them inclin’d, - That, by no meanes resist the same we may. - For, though they forme the _Bodies_ temp’rature, - (And though the _Minde_ inclineth after that) - By _Grace_ another _Temper_ we procure, - Which guides the _Motions_ of _Supposed Fate_. - The _Soule_ of _Man_ is nobler then the _Sphæres_; - And, if it gaine the Place which may be had, - Not here alone on Earth, the Rule it beares, - But, is the _Lord_, of all that _God_ hath made. - Be _wise in him_; and, if just cause there bee, - The _Sunne_ and _Moone_, shall stand and wayt on thee. - - - _A =Princes= most ennobling Parts, - Are Skill in =Armes=, and Love to =Arts=._ - -[Illustration: EX VTROQVE CÆSAR - -ILLVSTR. XXXII. _Book. 1._] - - Right blest are they on whom _God_ hath bestowne - A _King_, whose _Vertues_ have approved him - To be an Ornament unto his _Throne_, - And as a Lustre to his _Diadem_. - Hee seekes not onely how to keepe in awe - His _People_, by those meanes that rightfull are; - But, doth unto himselfe, become a _Law_, - And, by _Example_, Pious _Wayes_ declare. - He, loveth _Peace_, and after it pursues; - Yet, if of _Warre_ a just occasion come, - Doth nor _Bellona’s_ Challenges refuse, - Nor feare, to beat _Defyance_ on his _Drum_; - He is as ready, also, to advance - The Lib’rall _Arts_, and from his Lands to drive - All false _Religion_, _Schisme_, and _Ignorance_, - As other publike profits to contrive. - And, such a _Prince_ is not a _Casuall-thing_, - The Glories of a _Throne_, by _Chance_, possessing; - Nor meerely from his _Parents_, doth he spring, - But, he is rather _Gods_ immediate _Blessing_. - If thou desirest such a _Prince_ to be, - Or, to acquire that Worth which may allure - Such _Princes_ to vouchsafe some _Grace_ to thee; - Their Kingly _Vertues_, labour to procure. - In _Military_ Practices delight, - Not for a wicked, or vaine-glorious end; - But, to maintaine the Cause that is upright, - Or thy distressed _Countrey_ to defend. - And, strive that thou, as excellent mayst bee - In _Knowledge_, as, thou art in thy _Degree_. - - - _=True-Lovers= Lives, in one Heart lye, - Both =Live=, or both together =Dye=._. - -[Illustration: PERSEQVAR EXSTINCTṼ - -ILLVSTR. XXXIII. _Book. 1._] - - Hee that shall say he _Loves_, and was againe - So well-belov’d, that neither _Hee_ nor _Shee_ - Suspects each other, neither needs to gaine - New proofes, that they in all Desires agree; - And, yet, shall coole againe in their _Affection_, - (And leave to Love) or live till they are _Lovers_ - The second-time; It some grosse Imperfection - In _One_ (if not in _Both_) of them discovers. - It was not _Love_ which did between them grow; - But, rather, somewhat like unto the same; - Which (having made a faire deceiving _Show_) - Obtain’d, a while, that honorable Name. - For, _False-Affections_ will together play - So lovingly; and, oft, so act those Parts - Which reall seeme; that, for a time, they may - Appeare the _Children_ of _Vnfeigned-Hearts_: - Yea, Many-times, true _Turtles_ are deceiv’d - By counterfeited _Passions_, till their _Love_ - Of her true _Object_ findes her selfe bereav’d; - And, after it, is forced to remove: - But, where _True-Love_ begetteth, and enjoyes - The proper _Object_, which shee doth desire, - Nor _Time_, nor _Injury_ the same destroyes; - But, it continues a _Perpetuall Fire_. - Like am’rous _Thisbe_ to her _Pyramus_, - On all occasions, it continues true: - Nor _Night_, nor _Danger_, makes it timorous; - But, through all Perills, it will him pursue. - Thus, both in _Life_, in _Death_, in all estates, - True-_Lovers_ will be true-_Associates_. - - - _When =Two= agree in their =Desire=, - One =Sparke= will set them =both= on =Fire=._ - -[Illustration: FLAMMESCIT VTERQVE - -ILLVSTR. XXXIV. _Book. 1._] - - The _Westerne-Indians_, when they want a Fire - To warme their naked limbs, or dresse their Food, - At ev’ry need, accomplish their Desire, - By often rubbing of two _Stickes of Wood_. - From whence, these _Observations_ we may take; - First, that in them whose Natures gentlest are, - A long _Contention_ such a Change may make, - As did, before, scarce possible appeare. - Next, that when _Two_ in _Opposition_ bee, - Whose power and strength and Malice is the same, - Their strugling Hearts but seldome doe agree, - Till they beget, a _Selfe-devouring-Flame_. - And, thirdly, it informes, that those chast _Fires_ - Which on _Loves Altars_ keepe a Lasting-Heat; - Are those, which in two Hearts, two _Like-Desires_ - Vpon each other, mutually beget. - Hence, therefore, learne thou, first, not to contemne - Their _Mildnesse_, who to anger are not prone; - Lest, many wrongs doe stirre up _Fires_ in them, - And worke thee Mischiefe, when thou look’st for none. - Be wary, next, though thou thy selfe be strong, - How with a pow’rfull Foe thou dost contend; - For, they that wrastle in _Contention_, long, - Will, sure, beshrew their Madnesse, in the end. - And, if to warme thee by _Loves_ Fires thou seeke, - Thy _Peere_ in _Yeares_, and _Manners_, pray to finde; - Let both your _Aymes_, and _Longings_, be alike; - Be one in _Faith_, and _Will_; and, one in _Minde_: - So, you shall reape the fruits of your Desire, - And warme each other with a kindly _Fire_. - - - _He that delights to =Plant= and =Set=, - Makes =After-Ages= in his =Debt=._ - -[Illustration: POSTERITATI - -ILLVSTR. XXXV. _Book. 1._] - - When I behold the Havocke and the Spoyle, - Which (ev’n within the compasse of my Dayes) - Is made through every quarter of this _Ile_, - In _Woods_ and _Groves_ (which were this Kingdomes praise) - And, when I minde with how much greedinesse, - We seeke the present Gaine, in every thing; - Not caring (so our _Lust_ we may possesse) - What Dammage to _Posterity_ we bring: - They doe, me-thinkes, as if they did foresee, - That, some of those, whom they have cause to hate, - Should come in _Future-times_, their Heires to be: - Or else, why should they such things perpetrate? - For, if they thinke their _Children_ shall succeed; - Or, can believe, that they begot their _Heires_; - They could not, surely, doe so foule a Deed, - As to deface the _Land_, that should be theirs. - What our _Forefathers_ planted, we destroy: - Nay, all Mens labours, living heretofore, - And all our owne, we lavishly imploy - To serve our present _Lusts_; and, for no more. - But, let these carelesse _Wasters_ learne to know, - That, as _Vaine-Spoyle_ is open _Injury_; - So, _Planting_ is a _Debt_, they truely owe, - And ought to pay to their _Posterity_. - _Selfe-love_, for none, but for it selfe, doth care; - And, onely, for the present, taketh paine: - But, _Charity_ for others doth prepare; - And, joyes in that, which _Future-Time_ shall gaine. - If, _After-Ages_ may my _Labours_ blesse; - I care not, _much_, how _Litle_ I possesse. - - - _To =Have=, and not to =Vse= the same; - Is not our =Glory=, but our =Shame=._ - -[Illustration: NIL PENNA, SED VSVS - -ILLVSTR. XXXVI. _Book. 1._] - - The _Estridge_ (though with many _Feathers_ trimm’d, - And deckt with goodly _Plumes_ of no meane size) - Is so unwieldy, and so largely limb’d, - That, up into the Aire he cannot rise. - And, though in Wings and Feathers, he appeares - A goodly _Fowle_, and beares his Head so high, - As if he could oretop the lower _Sphæres_; - And, farre above the towring _Eagles_ flie; - So uselesse are those _Feathers_, and those _Wings_, - To gaine him _Name_ among their aiery Race; - That, he must walke with such Inferiour things, - As in this _Common-Region_, have their place. - Such _Fowles_ as these, are that _Gay-plumed-Crew_, - Which (to high place and Fortunes being borne) - Are men of goodly worth, in outward view; - And, in themselves, deserve nought els but scorne. - For, though their _Trappings_, their _high-lifted Eyes_, - Their _Lofty Words_, and their _Much-feared Pow’rs_, - Doe make them seeme _Heroicke_, _Stout_, and _Wise_, - Their Hearts are oft as _fond_, and _faint_ as ours. - Such _Animals_ as these, are also those - That _Wise_, and _Grave_, and _Learned Men_ doe seeme - In _Title_, _Habit_, and all _Formall showes_; - Yet, have nor _Wit_, nor _Knowledge_, worth esteeme. - And, lastly, such are they; that, having got - _Wealth_, _Knowledge_, and those other _Gifts_, which may - Advance the _Publike-Good_, yet, use them not; - but _Feede_, and _Sleepe_, and _laze their time away_. - He, may be but a _Goose_, which weares the _Quill_; - But, him we praise, that useth it with _Skill_. - - - _He, that his =Course= directly Steeres, - Nor =Stormes=, nor =Windy-Censures= feares._ - -[Illustration: DVM CLAVVM RECTAM TENEAM - -ILLVSTR. XXXVII. _Book. 1._] - - Wee to the _Sea_, this _World_ may well compare; - For, ev’ry Man which liveth in the same, - Is as a _Pilot_, to some _Vessell_ there, - Of little size, or else of larger frame. - Some, have the _Boats_ of their owne _Life_ to guide, - Some, of whole _Families_ doe row the _Barge_, - Some, governe _petty Towneships_ too, beside, - (To those compar’d, which of small _Barkes_ have charge) - Some others, rule great _Provinces_; and, they - Resemble _Captaines_ of huge _Argoses_: - But, when of _Kingdomes_, any gayne the Sway, - To _Generalls of Fleets_, we liken these. - Each hath his proper _Course_ to him assign’d, - His _Card_, his _Compasse_, his due _Tacklings_, too; - And, if their Businesse, as they ought, they mind, - They may accomplish all they have to doe. - But, most Men leave the Care of their owne _Course_, - To judge or follow others, in their wayes; - And, when their Follies make their Fortunes worse, - They curse the _Destiny_, which they should prayse. - For, _Waves_, and _Windes_, and that oft-changing _Weather_ - Which many blame, as cause of all their _Losses_, - (Though they observe it not) helpes bring together - Those _Hopes_, which their owne _Wisedome_, often crosses. - Regard not, therefore much, what those things be, - Which come, without thy fault, to thwart thy _Way_; - Nor, how, _Rash-Lookers-on_ will censure thee; - But, faithfully, to doe thy part, assay: - For, if thou shalt not from this _Counsell_ vary, - Let my _Hopes_ faile me, if thy _Hopes_ miscarry. - - - _A sudden =Death=, with =Shame=, is due - To him, that, sweares =What is untrue=._ - -[Illustration: SI SCIENS FALLO. - -ILLVSTR. XXXVIII. _Book. 1._] - - When th' _Ancients_ made a solemne _League_ or _Vow_, - Their Custome was to ratifie it, thus; - Before their _Idoll-God_, they slew a _Sow_, - And sayd aloud; _So be it unto us_. - Implying, that, if otherwise they did - Then had been vow’d; or, if within their Brest - A _Fraudulent-Intention_ had beene hid, - They merited such Vsage, as that _Beast_. - For, by the _Swine_ that they had slaughtred so, - (Which, during Life, was helpefull unto none) - Of Life deprived by a sudden blow, - And, then, cast out, that none might feed thereon; - They, mystically did inferre; that, he - Who falsify’d that _Oath_ which he had sworne, - Deserv’d, by _Sudden-Death_, cut off to be; - And, as a Beast uncleane, to lye forlorne. - That Heathenish _Hieroglyphicke_, doth implye - This _Christian-Doctrine_; that, we should in _Vowes_, - In _Leagues_, and _Oathes_, assume no Liberty, - But, what sincerest _Honesty_ allowes. - By _Swine_, the babbling _Sophisters_ are meant, - In _Hieroglyphicall_ Signification; - Which wee doe _Sacrifice_, when our intent - Is free from _Falsehood_, and _Æquivocation_. - And, this, let ev’ry Man endeavour for, - Who loves the Blessings, for just men prepar’d; - Or, if the Sinne he doe not much abhorre, - At least, the Danger let him well regard: - For, to pursue him, _Vengeance_ never leaves, - That _falsely Sweares_, or _willingly Deceives_. - - - _Where strong =Desires= are entertain’d, - The =Heart= 'twixt =Hope=, and =Feare=, is pain’d._ - -[Illustration: SPEQVE METVQVE PAVET - -ILLVSTR. XXXIX. _Book. 1._] - - A Troubled _Minde_, ore-charged with _Desires_, - Betweene great _Hopes_, and no lesse _Feares_ opprest, - And payned inwardly with secret _Fires_, - Was thus, by some, in former times exprest. - A _Smoking Heart_, they placed just betwixt - A _Fastned Anchor_, and a _Bended Bow_; - To which a _Barbed-Arrow_ seemed fixt, - And, ready from the _Strayned-String_ to goe. - The _Smoke_ doth _Sighes_, the _Anchor_ doth declare - That _Hope_, which keepes us from Despairing quite; - The _Bowe_ and _Arrow_, signifie that _Feare_, - Which doth, perpetually, the Soule affright. - And, by this _Emblem_, it appeares to me - That they which are with strong _Desires_ opprest, - (Though good or bad the Object of them be) - In seeking _Pleasures_, finde no small unrest: - For, they are not by _Feares_, alone, disturbed, - But, as the _Wiseman_ saith, ev’n _Hope-Delayd - Torments the Heart_; and, when _Desire_ is curbed, - The Soule becommeth sad, and ill-apayd. - A _Groundlesse-Hope_, makes entrance for _Despaire_, - And with Deceiving-showes the Heart betrayes: - A _Causelesse-Feare_, doth _Reasons_ force impaire, - And, terrifies the Soule, in doubtfull wayes. - Yet, quite neglect them not; For, _Hope_ repells - That _Griefe_ sometimes, which would our Hearts oppresse. - And, _Feare_ is otherwhile the _Sentinell_ - Which rouzeth us from dang’rous _Carelesnesse_. - Thus, _Both_ are good: but, _Both_ are Plagues to such, - Who either _Fondly feare_, or _Hope too much_. - - - _Those =Fooles= whom =Beauties= Flame doth blinde, - Feele =Death=, where =Life= they thought to finde._ - -[Illustration: COSI VIVO PIACER CONDVCE A MORTE - -ILLVSTR. XL. _Book. 1._] - - When you doe next behold the wanton _Flyes_ - About the shining _Candle_, come to play, - Vntill the _Light_ thereof hath dimm’d their Eyes, - Or, till the _Flame_ hath sing’d their Wings away: - Remember, then, this _Emblem_; and, beware - You be not playing at such harmefull Games: - Consider, if there sit no _Female_, there, - That overwarmes you, with her _Beauties Flames_, - Take heed, you doe not over dally so - As to inflame the Tinder of _Desire_; - But, shun the Mischiefe, e’re too late it grow, - Lest you be scorched in that _Foolish-Fire_. - For, as those _Wandring-Fires_ which in the Night, - Doe leade unwary _Trauellers_ astray, - Alluring them, by their deceiving _Sight_, - Till they have altogether lost their way: - Right so fantasticke _Beauty_ doth amaze - The Lust-full _Eye_, allures the _Heart_ aside, - Captives the _Senses_ (by a sudden blaze) - And, leaves the _Iudgement_ wholly stupify’d. - Nay, if Men play too long about those _Torches_, - Such is the Nature of their wanton _Flame_, - That, from their Bodies (unawares) it scorches - Those _Wings_ and _Feet_, on which they thither came. - It wasteth (ev’n to nothing) all their _Wealth_, - Consumes their precious _Time_, destroyes their _Strength_, - Bespots their _Honest-Fame_, impaires their _Health_, - And (when their Fatall Thread is at the length) - That thing, on which their Hope of _Life_ is plac’t, - Shall bring them to _Destruction_, at the last. - - - _Let him, that at GODS =Altar= stands, - In =Innocencie=, wash his Hands._ - -[Illustration: PVRIS MANIBVS. - -ILLVSTR. XLI. _Book. 1._] - - When (_Reader_) thou hast first of all survayd - That Reverend _Priest_, which here ingraven stands, - In all his Holy _Vestiments_ array’d, - Endeavouring for _Purifyed-Hands_; - Collect from hence, that, when thou dost appeare - To offer Sacrifice of _Prayse_ or _Prayer_, - Thou oughtst the _Robes_ of _Righteousnesse_, to weare, - And, by _Repentance_, thy defects repaire. - For, thou, that, with polluted _Hands_ presum’st - Before _Gods_ Altar to present thy Face; - Or, in the _Rags_ of thine owne _Merits_ com’st, - Shalt reape _Displeasure_, where thou look’st for _Grace_. - Then, if thou be of those that would aspire - A _Priest_, or _Prelate_, in _Gods_ Church to be; - Be sure, thou first those _Ornaments_ acquire, - Which, may be suting to that _High-Degree_. - Intrude not, as perhaps too many doe, - With _Gifts_ unfit, or by an _Evill meane_: - Desire it with a right _Intention_ too; - And, seeke to keepe thy _Conversation_ cleane. - For, they that have assum’d this _Holy-Calling_, - With _Hands_ impure, and _Hearts_ unsanctify’d, - Defame the _Truth_; give others cause of Falling, - And, scandalize their _Brethren_, too, beside: - Yea, to themselves, their very _Sacrifice_ - Becomes unhallow’d; and, their _Thankes_ and _Prayers_, - The _God of Purity_, doth so despise, - That, all their _Hopes_, he turneth to _Despaires_: - And, all their best Endeavours, countermands, - Till they appeare with unpolluted _Hands_. - - - _No =Heart= can thinke, to what strange ends, - The =Tongues= unruely =Motion= tends._ - -[Illustration: LINGVA QVO TENDIS - -ILLVSTR. XLII. _Book. 1._] - - Well-worthy of our better Heeding were, - That _Holy Pen-mans_ Lesson, who hath sayd, - We should _be slow to Speake, and swift to Heare_; - If, well, the nature of the _Tongue_ we waigh’d. - For, if we let it loose, it getteth _Wings_, - And, flies with wanton Carelesnesse, about; - It prateth in all places, of _All things_; - Tells _Truth_ and _Lyes_, and babbleth _Secrets_ out. - To speake, of things unknowne, it taketh leave, - As if it had all Knowledge in Possession; - And, _Mysteries_ (which no Man can conceive) - Are thought fit Objects for the _Tongues_ Expression. - With _Truth_ it mixeth _Errors_; sayes, unsayes; - And, is the _Preacher_ of all _Heresies_. - That Heart, which gives it motion, it betrayes; - And, utters Curses, Oathes, and Blasphemies. - It spreads all Slanders, which base Envie raiseth; - It moveth Anger, and begetteth Hates: - It blameth _Vertue_; filthy Deeds it praiseth; - And, causeth Vproares, Murthers, and Debates. - Yea, tis the chiefest _Factor_ for the Devill; - And, yet, with speeches feignedly-sincere, - It otherwhile reproveth what is Evill, - And, will in Lowly-words, a _Saint_ appeare. - Now this is knowne; we, next of all, should learne, - How we may shunne the Mischiefe being knowne; - How, we bad _Tongues_, in _Others_, may discerne; - And, how to guide and moderate our _Owne_. - And, reason good; for, none can apprehend, - What Mischiefe doth an Evill _Tongue_ attend. - - - _The =Minde= should have a fixed Eye - On Objects, that are plac’d on High._ - -[Illustration: ΟΥΜE ΒΛLΨΟΝ ΑΝΩ - -ILLVSTR. XLIII. _Book. 1._] - - A _Heart_, which bore the figure of an _Eye_ - Wide open to the _Sunne_; by some, was us’d, - When in an _Emblem_, they would signifie - A _Minde_, which on Celestiall Matters mus’d: - Implying, by the same, that there is nought - Which in this lower _Orbe_, our Eyes can see, - So fit an Object for a manly thought, - As those things, which in Heav’n above us be. - _God_, gave _Mankinde_ (above all other Creatures) - A lovely _Forme_, and upward-looking _Eye_, - (Among the rest of his peculiar _Features_) - That he might lift his _Countenance_ on high: - And (having view’d the Beauty, which appeares - Within the outward _Sights_ circumference) - That he might elevate above the Sphæres, - The piercing Eye, of his _Intelligence_. - Then, higher, and still higher strive to raise - His _Contemplations_ Eyes, till they ascend - To gaine a glimpse of those eternall _Rayes_, - To which all undepraved _Spirits_ tend. - For, 'tis the proper nature of the _Minde_ - (Till fleshly _Thoughts_ corrupt it) to despise - Those Lusts whereto the _Body_ stands inclin’d; - And labour alwayes, _upward_ to arise. - Some, therefore, thought those _Goblins_ which appeare - To haunt old _Graves_ and _Tombes_, are _Soules_ of such, - Who to these loathsome places doomed were, - Because, they doted on the _Flesh_ too much. - But, sure we are, _well-minded Men_ shall goe - To live _above_, when others bide _below_. - - - _Those =Fields=, which yet appeare not so, - When =Harvest= comes, will =yellow= grow._ - -[Illustration: FLAVESCENT - -ILLVSTR. XLIV. _Book. 1._] - - When, in the sweet and pleasant Month of _May_, - We see both Leaves and Blossomes on the Tree, - And view the _Meadowes_ in their best array, - We hopefull are a _Ioyfull-Spring_ to see; - Yet, oft, before the following _Night_ be past, - It chanceth, that a _Vapor_, or a _Frost_, - Doth all those forward bloomings wholly waste; - And, then, their _Sweetnesse_ and their _Beautie’s_ lost. - Such, is the state of ev’ry mortall Wight: - In _Youth_, our _Glories_, and our _Lusts_ we shew; - We fill our selves with ev’ry vaine Delight, - And, will most thinke on that which may insue. - But, let us learne to _heed_, as well as _know_, - That, _Spring_ doth passe; that, _Summer_ steales away; - And, that the _Flow’r_ which makes the fairest show, - E’re many Weekes, must wither and decay. - And, from this _Emblem_, let each _Lab’ring-Swaine_ - (In whatsoever course of life it be) - Take heart, and hope, amidst his daily paine, - That, of his _Travailes_, he good fruits shall see. - The Plow’d and Harrow’d _Field_, which, to thine eye, - Seemes like to be the _Grave_, in which the Seeds - Shall (without hope of rising) _buryed_ lye, - Becomes the fruitfull _Wombe_, where _Plenty_ breeds. - There, will be _Corne_, where nought but _Mire_ appeares; - The Durty _Seed_, will forme a greenish _blade_; - The _Blade_, will rise to _Stemmes_ with fruitfull _Eares_; - Those _Eares_, will ripen, and be _yellow_ made: - So, if in honest _Hopes_, thou persevere, - A Ioyfull _Harvest_ will at last appeare. - - - _As soone, as wee to =bee=, begunne; - We did beginne, to be =Vndone=._ - -[Illustration: FINIS AB ORIGINE PĒDET - -ILLVSTR. XLV. _Book. 1._] - - When some, in former Ages, had a meaning - An _Emblem_, of _Mortality_, to make, - They form’d an _Infant_, on a _Deaths-head_ leaning, - And, round about, encircled with a _Snake_. - The _Childe_ so pictur’d, was to signifie, - That, from our very _Birth_, our _Dying_ springs: - The _Snake_, her _Taile devouring_, doth implie - The _Revolution_, of all Earthly things. - For, whatsoever hath _beginning_, here, - Beginnes, immediately, to vary from - The same it was; and, doth at last appeare - What very few did thinke it should become. - The solid _Stone_, doth molder into _Earth_, - That _Earth_, e’re long, to _Water_, rarifies; - That _Water_, gives an _Airy Vapour_ birth, - And, thence, a _Fiery-Comet_ doth arise: - That, moves, untill it selfe it so impaire, - That from a _burning-Meteor_, backe againe, - It sinketh downe, and thickens into _Aire_; - That _Aire_, becomes a _Cloud_; then, _Drops of Raine_: - Those _Drops_, descending on a _Rocky-Ground_, - There, settle into _Earth_, which more and more, - Doth harden, still; so, running out the _round_, - It growes to be the _Stone_ it was before. - Thus, All things wheele about; and, each _Beginning_, - Made entrance to it owne _Destruction_, hath. - The _Life_ of _Nature_, entreth in with _Sinning_; - And, is for ever, wayted on by _Death_: - The _Life_ of _Grace_, is form’d by _Death_ to _Sinne_; - And, there, doth _Life-eternall_, straight beginne. - - - _Though very =small=, at first, it be, - A =Sprout=, at length, becomes a =Tree=_. - -[Illustration: TANDEM FIT ARBOR - -ILLVSTR. XLVI. _Book. 1._] - - Wee finde it common (but not comely thou) - That, when a good _Endeavour_ is begot, - Vnlesse, at very first, it equall grow - With our Expectance, we regard it not. - Nor _Wit_, nor _Patience_, have we to conceive, - That ev’ry thing, which may by Man be wrought, - Proportionable _Time_, and _Meanes_, must have; - Before it can be to _Perfection_, brought. - Yet, ev’ry day, in things of ev’ry kinde, - _Experience_ hath informed us, herein; - And, that, in many things, a change we finde, - Which, at the first, would scarce believ’d have bin. - For, though a _Gosling_ will not prove a _Swan_, - _Vnruely-Colts_ become _well-trayned Steeds_; - A _Silly-Childe_ growes up a _Mighty-Man_, - And, _Lofty-Trees_ doe Spring from _Little Seeds_. - Learne, therefore hence, that, nothing you despise, - Because it may, at first, imperfect seeme: - And, know, how all things (in some sort) to prise, - Although, you give them not the best esteeme. - From hence, moreover, learne; not to despaire, - When you have just occasion, to pursue - A toylesome worke, or any great affaire: - Since, _all-things_, at the first, from nothing, grew. - And, I my selfe will, also, learne, from hence, - (Of all my Paines, though little fruits I see) - Nor to repine, nor to receive Offence; - But, rather joy in what befalleth mee. - For, though my _Hopes_ appeare but meanely growne, - They will be _Great_, when some shall thinke them none. - - - _When we above the =Crosse= can rise, - A =Crowne=, for us, prepared lies._ - -[Illustration: SVPERATA CRVCE CORONOR - -ILLVSTR. XLVII. _Book. 1._] - - A _Serpent_ rais’d above the Letter _Tau_, - Aspiring to a _Crowne_, is figur’d here: - From whence, a _Christian-Morall_ we may draw, - Which worth our good regarding will appeare. - For, by those _Characters_, in briefe, I see - Which _Way_, we must to Happinesse ascend; - Then, by what _Meanes_, that Path must clymed bee; - And, what _Reward_, shall thereupon attend. - The _Crosse_, doth shew, that _Suffring_ is the _Way_; - The _Serpent_, seemes to teach me, that, if I - Will overcome, I must not then, assay - To _force_ it; but, my selfe thereto _applye_. - For, by embracing what we shall not shunne, - We winde about the _Crosse_, till wee arise - Above the same; and, then, what _Prize_ is wonne, - The _Crowne_, which overtops it, signifies. - Let me, O _God_, obtaine from thee the Grace, - To be partaker of thy Blessed _Passion_; - Let me, with Willingnesse, thy _Crosse_ imbrace, - And, share the Comforts of thy _Exaltation_. - To beare that Part, whereto I doomed am, - My Heart, with Strength, and Courage, _Lord_, inspire: - Then, _Crucifie_ my _Flesh_ upon the same, - As much as my _Corruption_ shall require. - And, when by thy Assistance, I am rear’d - Above that _Burthen_, which lyes yet upon me; - And, over all, which (justly may be fear’d) - Shall, during Life-time, be inflicted on me; - Among those _Blessed-Soules_, let me be found, - Which, with eternall _Glory_, shall be _Crown’d_. - - - _In =Death=, no =Difference= is made, - Betweene the =Scepter=, and the =Spade=._ - -[Illustration: MORS SCEPTRA LIGONIB[VS] ÆQVAT - -ILLVSTR. XLVIII. _Book. 1._] - - Let no man be so sottish as to dreame, - Though all Men in their _Death_ made equall are, - That, therfore, they may gather by this _Theame_, - That, _Parity_, in Life-time, fitting were. - For, as the _Bodies_ Members (which in _Death_ - Have all the like esteeme) had their Degrees, - And Honours, differing in time of _breath_; - The same (in _States_) Discretion comely sees. - Nor, should we hence inferre, that it were just - To disesteeme the breathlesse _Carcasses_ - Of _Kings_ and _Princes_, when they sleepe in Dust; - For, _Civill-Reverence_ is due to these. - Nor, ought we, in their Life-time, to apply - The Truth, which by this _Emblem_ is declar’d, - The _Dignities_ of Men to vilifie; - Or, bring upon their _Persons_ lesse regard. - That, which from hence, I rather wish to preach, - Is this; that ev’ry Man of each degree, - Would marke it so, that he, himselfe might teach - What thoughts and deeds, to him most proper be. - If he be great; let him remember, then, - That (since, nor _Wealth_, nor _Title_, can procure him - Exemption from the Doomes of other Men) - He ought to seeke, how _Vertue_ may secure him. - If he be _Poore_; let him this _Comfort_ take, - That, though, awhile, he be afflicted here, - Yet, _Death_ may him as fully happy make, - As he, that doth a _Crowne Imperiall_ weare. - For, when his Fatall-blow, _Death_ comes to strike, - He, makes the _Beggar_, and the _King_, alike. - - - _What cannot be by =Force= attain’d, - By =Leisure=, and =Degrees=, is gain’d._ - -[Illustration: PAVLATIM NON IMPETV. - -ILLVSTR. XLIX. _Book. 1._] - - Some Foolish-_Boyes_ (and such a _Boy_ was I) - When they at Schoole have certaine houres to passe, - (To which they are compell’d unwillingly) - Much time they spend in shaking of the _Glasse_: - Thus, what they practise, to make-short their stay, - Prolongs it more; for while they seeke to force - The _Sands_, to runne more speedily away, - They interrupt them; and, they passe the worse. - Right so, in other things, with us it fares; - (And, seeming wise, we act a foolish part) - For, otherwhile, what _Time_ alone prepares, - We seeke to make the subject of an _Art_. - Sometimes, by _Rashnesse_, we endeavour what - We ought with _Leisure_, and _Advice_, to doe: - But, if a good _Successe_ doth follow, that, - Our _Wit_ was nothing helpefull thereunto. - Sometime, againe, we prosecute a thing - By _Violence_; when our desir’d effect, - No other meanes so well to passe can bring, - As _Love_ and _Gentlenesse_, which we neglect. - But, let this _Emblem_ teach us to regard - What _Way of Working_, to each _Worke_ pertaines: - So, though some Portion of our Hopes be barr’d, - We shall not, altogether, lose our paines. - Some things are _strong_, and, othersome are _weake_; - With _Labour_, some; and, some with _Ease_ be wrought: - Although the _Reed_ will bend, the _Kexe_ will breake; - And, what _mends_ one thing, makes another _naught_. - Marke this; And, when much _Haste_ will marre thy _Speed_, - That, then, thou take good _Leisure_; take thou _Heed_. - - - _Of =Little-Gaines=, let Care be had; - For, of small =Eares=, great =Mowes= are made._ - -[Illustration: DE PARVIS GRANDIS ACERVVS ERIT. - -ILLVSTR. L. _Book. 1._] - - Among the many Faylings of the _Time_, - This _Emblem_ giveth Cause to mention one, - Which, unto me, doth seeme the greater _Crime_, - Because, to many, it appeareth none. - I finde, that petty things are so neglected - (Well nigh of all) in _Losings_ and in _Winnings_, - As if, what ere they thought to have effected, - Subsisted without _Members_, or _Beginnings_. - The Man, that loseth every _Month_ a _Penny_, - May salve-up _Twelve-months_ Losses, with a _Shilling_. - But, if of other Losses he hath many, - To save a _Pin_, at length, he shall be willing. - For, he that sees his Wine-fill’d _Vessell_ drop, - (Although a _Drop_, in value, be but small) - Should, thence, Occasion take, the _Leake_ to stop, - Lest many _Droppings_ draine him drye of all. - Moreover, they, that will to _Greatnesse_ rise, - A Course, not much unlike to this, must keepe: - They ought not _Small-Beginnings_ to despise; - Nor, strive to _runne_, before they learne to _creepe_. - By many single _Eares_, together brought, - The _Hand_ is fill’d; by _Handfulls_, we may gaine - A _Sheafe_; with many _Sheaves_ a Barne is fraught: - Thus, oft, by _Little_, we doe much obtaine. - Consider this; And, though I wish not thee - To take, of _Trifling-things_, too great a care; - Yet, know thus much (for truth) it best will bee, - If all things may be weighed as they are: - By _slender_ Losses, _great_-ones are begunne; - By many trifling _Gaines_, much _Wealth_ is wonne. - - FINIS _Libri primi_. - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - - - -THE FIRST LOTTERIE. - - -1 - - Thou, dost overmuch respect - That, which will thy harme effect; - But, some other things there bee, - Which will more advantage thee: - Search thy heart; and, thou shalt, there, - Soone discover, what they are: - Yea, thine _Emblem_ showes thee, too, - What to shunne; and, what to doe. - -See, _Emblem_ I. - - -2 - - It is a little fear’d, that you - Are to your owne Designes, untrue; - And, that, if you more constant were, - You would be richer, then you are, - (It may be, also, wiser, too) - Looke, therefore, what you are to doe: - Then, follow it, and, you will say, - That, well advis’d, you were, to day. - -See, _Emb._ II. - - -3 - - How rich or poore soe’re thou be, - Thou, art a _Prince_, in some degree; - And, o’re thy selfe, thou shouldst command, - As doth a _Monarch_, in his Land. - Within thy Heart, therefore, ingrave - The Lawes, that _Grace_ and _Nature_ gave: - For, thus (to counsell thee) inclines - That _Emblem_, which, thy _Lot_ assignes. - -See, _Emb._ III. - - -4 - - Much Liberty, thou hast assum’d; - And, heretofore, so much presum’d - On _Time_, which, alway rideth poast, - That, for awhile, some _Hopes_ are crost. - But, loe, to keepe thee from _Despaire_, - And, thy _Misfortune_, to repaire, - Marke, what to thee, by _Lot_, befell, - And, practise, what is counsell’d, well. - -See, _Emb._ IV. - - -5 - - Thou seekest _Honour_, to obtaine, - By meanes, which frustrate all thy paine. - Thy Predecessors rich were made, - By using of the _Plough_ and _Spade_: - Thou, honourable wouldst be thought, - By taking Courses, that are naught; - But, if, right noble, thou wilt be, - Looke, what thine _Emblem_ counsells thee. - -See, _Emb._ V. - - -_M_ 6 - - This Man, what ever he may seeme, - Is worthy of a high esteeme: - Though _Fortune_ may, his person, grinde; - She, cannot harme him, in his _Minde_. - Right blest, this _Company_ would be, - If all of them, were such, as _He_. - Reade that _Impresa_, which he drew; - For, that, in part, the same will shew. - -See, _Emb._ VI. - - -_M_ 7 - - If some, now present, this had got, - They, would have blushed, at their _Lot_; - Since, very fit, the same doth prove - For one, that’s either light of _Love_, - Or, troubled with a fickle _Mate_: - If you enjoy a better _Fate_, - Yet, hearken, what your _Lot_ doth say; - Lest, you, hereafter, need it may, - -See, _Emb._ VII. - - -8 - - For ought, that, plainely, doth appeare, - You may out-live the longest, here; - Yet, seeing, now, of all this crew, - The _Lot_ of _Death_, you, onely, drew, - See what, your _Emblem_ hath injoyn’d; - And, still, that Morall, beare in minde: - So, _Deaths_ deform’d and ghastly _Shade_ - Shall, _Meanes_ of _Life_, to thee, be made. - -See, _Emb._ VIII. - - -9 - - Though you have _Wit_, and, know it well; - That, rash you are, your _Friends_ can tell; - Yea, _Sleepe_, and _Ease_, possesse you so, - That, some doe feare, you’l sottish grow: - But, lo, your hind’rance, to prevent, - This _Lot_, was, peradventure, sent; - For, in the _Moralls_, that, insue, - Are _Counsells_, fit, for such as you. - -See, _Emb._ IX. - - -10 - - You, have beene wronged, many wayes, - Yet, _patient_ are; and, that’s your praise: - Your _Actions_, also, seem’d upright; - Yet, some there are, that, beare you spite: - Lest, therefore, you discourag’d grow, - An _Emblem_, you have drawne, to show - What other _Innocents_ have borne, - And, how, the worlds despites, to scorne. - -See, _Emb._ X. - - -_M_ 11 - - Doubtlesse, you are either wooing, - Or, some other _Bus’nesse_, doing; - Which, you shall attempt, in vaine, - Or, much hazzard all your paine: - Yet, if good, your _meanings_ are, - Doe not honest _meanes_ forbeare; - For, where things are, well, begunne, - _God_, oft, workes, when Man hath done. - -See, _Emb._ XI. - - -12 - - Be not angry, if I tell - That, you love the _World_, too well; - For, this _Lot_, perhaps, you drew, - That, such _Faults_, you might eschew. - Marke, to what their Soules aspire, - Who, true _Blessednesse_, desire: - For, if you can doe, like those, - _Heav’n_ you gaine, when _Earth_ you lose. - -See, _Emb._ XII. - - -13 - - You love the _Rich_; and, honour them; - The needy-person, you contemne: - Yet, _Wealth_, nor want of _Wealth_, is that, - Which, _wretched_ makes, or _fortunate_: - From other _Causes_, those things flow; - Which, since, you either doe not know, - Or, heede not much, this _Emblem_ came, - That, you might learne to minde the same. - -See, _Emb._ XIII. - - -_M_ 14 - - Thy _Chance_ is doubtfull; and, as yet, - I know not, what to say of it; - But, this I know, a foe thou art - To what thine _Emblem_ hath, in part, - Expressed by a _Mimicke Shape_; - Or, thou, thy selfe, art such an _Ape_. - Now, which of these, pertaines to thee, - Let them, that know thee, Iudges bee. - -See, _Emb._ XIV. - - -15 - - Thy Vertues he may wrong, that sayes - Thou spend’st thy selfe, in wanton wayes; - But, some have thought, and sayd of late, - That, those thou lov’st, consume thy state: - Yet, spare nor _Time_, nor Substance, tho, - Where, them, thou oughtest to bestow; - But, to thine _Emblem_ turne, and, see - When Life, and Wealth, well ventur’d bee. - -See, _Emb._ XV. - - -16 - - Though _Troubles_, you may have (or had) - Enough, to make some others mad; - Yet, be content: for, they, that are - As weake, have had as much to beare; - And, that, which _Malice_ did contrive, - To make them poore, hath made them thrive. - That _Emblem_, which, by _Lot_, you drew, - Prognosticates, as much, for you. - -See, _Emb._ XVI. - - -17 - - Though, you suffer blame and paine, - You, at last, may Comfort gaine, - (Sharing _Honours_, truely gotten, - When, your Foes are dead, and rotten) - For, of this, you have a pawne, - In the _Lot_, that you have drawne; - And, by that, it may appeare, - What your paines, and wages, are. - -See, _Emb._ XVII. - - -18 - - Take you serious heed, I pray, - Whither, you doe goe to day; - Whom you credite; and, for whom - You, ingaged, shall become; - And, unlesse you wish for Sorrow, - Be as provident, to morrow: - For, there are some traps and Snares, - Which, may take you unawares. - -See, _Emb._ XVIII. - - -19 - - Your _Wit_, so much, you trust upon, - That, weaker _Meanes_ hath yours out-gone; - Sometime, you runne, when there is need - Of much more _Warinesse_, then _Speed_. - But, you, to _God_-ward, worse have err’d; - And, yet, _Amendment_ is deferr’d. - See, therefore, what your _Chance_ doth say, - And, take good _Counsell_, while you may. - -See, _Emb._ XIX. - - -20 - - Take heed, you doe not quite forget, - That you are dauncing in a _Net_: - More, then a few, your Course doe see, - Though, you, suppose, unseene to be. - Your Fault, we will no nearer touch; - Me-thinkes your _Emblem_ blabs too much: - But, if, you minde, what is amisse, - You, shall be nere the worse, for this. - -See, _Emb._ XX. - - -21 - - Let such, as draw this _Lot_, have care, - For _Death_, and _Sorrow_, to prepare - All times, to come, lest one of these, - Their persons, unexpected, seize: - For, them, or some of theirs, to stay, - Pale _Death_, drawes neerer, ev’ry day. - Yet, let them not, disheartned, bee: - For, in their _Emblem_, they shall see, - _Death_, may (though, in appearance, grim) - Become, a _blessing_, unto them. - -See, _Emb._ XXI. - - -22 - - With _Mary_, thou art one of those, - By whom, the better part, is chose; - And, though, thou tempted art, astray, - Continu’st in a lawfull way. - Give _God_ the praise, with heart unfaign’d, - That, he, such _Grace_ to thee, hath dain’d; - And, view thy _Lot_, where thou shalt see, - What _Hag_, hath layd a _Trap_, for thee. - -See, _Emb._ XXII. - - -23 - - Although, that, thou demure appeare, - For _Pleasure_, there is no man here - Will venture more: And, some there are, - Who thinke you venture over farre: - Hereof, consider well, therefore, - E’re, so, you venture, any more; - And, in your Lotted _Emblem_, see, - For what, your _Suffrings_ ought to bee. - -See, _Emb._ XXIII. - - -24 - - If ought, thou purpose, to assay, - Pursue the same, without delay; - And, if thou meane to gather fruit, - Be constant in thy _Hopes_ pursuit: - For, by thine _Emblem_, thou mayst finde, - Thy _Starres_, to thee, are well-inclin’d; - Provided, thy _Attempts_ be good: - For, that, is ever understood. - -See, _Emb._ XXIV. - - -25 - - Take heed, thou love not their deceipt, - Who _Number_ give, in steed of _Weight_; - Nor, let their Fansies, thee abuse, - Who, such-like foolish _Customes_, use. - Perhaps, it may concerne thee, much, - To know the _Vanities_ of such; - And, who they are: Marke, therfore, what - Thine _Emblem_, will, to thee relate. - -See, _Emb._ XXV. - - -26 - - Thou, to _Impatience_, art inclin’d; - And, hast a discontented Minde; - That, therfore, thou mayst _Patience_ learne, - And, thine owne _Over-sights_ discerne, - Thy _Lot_ (as to a Schoole to day) - Hath sent thee to the _Squirrells_ Dray; - For, she instructs thee, to indure, - Till, thou, a better _state_, procure. - -See, _Emb._ XXVI. - - -27 - - Your _Lot_, is very much to blame, - Or else, your person, or, your Name - Hath injur’d beene, or, may have wrong - By some loose wanton, ere’t be long: - Therfore, e’re, hence, you passe away, - Marke, what your _Emblem_, now, doth say. - Perhaps, by drawing of this _Lot_, - Some _Harmes_ prevention may be got. - -See, _Emb._ XXVII. - - -28 - - Vpon your head, those weights were laid, - Which, your _Endeavours_, downeward waigh’d; - For, those, who doe your _weale_ envie, - Much feare, your top will spring too high; - Nay, yet, some _Burthen_, you sustaine: - But, what their _Malice_ will obtaine, - Your _Emblem_ prophesies; if you, - With _Patience_, Honest-_wayes_, pursue. - -See, _Emb._ XXVIII. - - -29 - - This _Lot_, befell thee, for the nonce; - For, if things come not, all at once, - Thou, to despairing, soone, dost runne, - Or, leav’st the Worke, that’s well begun: - Which, to prevent, regardfull be - Of what thine _Emblem_ counsells thee. - -See, _Emb._ XXIX. - - -30 - - Afflictions, are thy chiefest _Lot_; - Yea, great ones, too: yet, murmure not. - For, all, must fiery tryalls bide, - And, from their Drosse be purify’d. - Therefore, though this, in sport, be done, - Thy Morall’d _Emblem_, looke upon; - And, learne, those _Vertues_ to acquire, - Which, will not perish in the _Fire_. - -See, _Emb._ XXX. - - -31 - - You seeke a _Lot_, which, proving bad, - Would, peradventure, make you sad; - But, this may please: for, you are taught - To mend a Fortune, that is naught; - And, armed, with such Counsell, here, - That, you, no _Destiny_, need feare. - Now, if you come to Harme, or Shame, - Vpon the _Starres_, lay not the blame. - -See, _Emb._ XXXI. - - -_M_ 32 - - In _Court_, thou mayst have hope, to clime, - This present, or some other time; - But, something thou dost want, as yet, - Which, for that place, must make thee fit. - Presume not, therefore, on thy _Lot_, - Till, those accomplishments are got, - Which, in thine _Emblem_, are exprest; - And, then, march on, among the best. - -See, _Emb._ XXXII. - - -33 - - Some thinke, you love; 'tis true, you doe; - And, are as well beloved too: - But, you (if we the truth shall say) - Love not so truely, as you may. - To make a perfect _Love_, there goes - Much more, then ev’ry _Lover_ knowes. - Your _Emblem_, therefore heede; and, then, - Beginne, anew, to love agen. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIII. - - -34 - - Now, some good _Counsell_, thou dost need; - Of what we say, take, therefore, heed. - Beware, lest thou, too much, offend - A meeke, and, gentle-natur’d, _Friend_: - Though pow’r thou hast, be carefull, too, - Thou vexe not, long, thine able _Foe_; - And, e’re thou love, be sure to finde - Thy _Match_, in _Manners_, and in _Minde_. - If thou demand a Reason, why, - To thee, thine _Emblem_ will replie. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIV. - - -35 - - Beware, thou share not in their crime, - Who care, but for the present time: - For, by thy _Lot_, wee may suspect, - Or that, or things, to that effect. - If so it be, or if thy Minde, - To such an _Errour_, be inclin’d, - Thy _Chance_, unto an _Emblem_, brings, - Which, will advise to better things. - -See, _Emb._ XXXV. - - -36 - - You, love to _seeme_; this, all Men see: - But, would you lov’d, as well, to _bee_. - If, also, better use were made - Of those good _Blessings_, you have had; - Your praise were more. Marke, therefore, well, - What _Moralls_, now, your _Emblem_, tell; - And, gather, from it, what you may, - To set you in a better way. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVI. - - -37 - - To scape a Storme, great thought you take; - But, little heed, what _meanes_ you make. - You, love your ease, and, Troubles, feare; - But, carelesse are, what _Course_ you steere. - Which _Indiscretions_, to prevent, - You, to an _Emblem_, now, are sent: - Whereof, if you regardfull are, - You, lesse will feare, and better fare. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVII. - - -38 - - What you have, done, consider, now; - For, this your _Chance_, doth seeme to show - That you have sworne, or vow’d, of late, - Or promised (you best know what) - Which, you have, since, unwilling bin, - To keepe; or, else, did faile, therein. - If it be so; repent, or els, - What will befall, your _Emblem_ tells. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVIII. - - -39 - - Thy _Hopings_, and thy _Feares_, are such, - That, they afflict, and paine thee, much; - Because, thou giv’st too great a scope - Vnto thy _Feare_, or to thy _Hope_: - For, they will paine, or pleasure thee, - As they enlarg’d, or curbed be. - But, lo; thine _Emblem_, if thou please, - Instructs thee, how, to mannage these. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIX. - - -40 - - Let them, who get this _Chance_, beware, - Lest _Cupid_ snarle them in a Snare: - For, by their _Lot_, they should be apt - To be, in such-like Ginnes, intrapt. - Some helpe, is by their _Emblem_, got, - If they, too late, observe it not; - But, then, no profit will be done them: - For, _Counsell_ will be lost upon them. - -See, _Emb._ XL. - - -41 - - Whether, meerely, _Chance_, or no, - Brought this _Lot_, we doe not know: - But, received, let it be, - As, divinely, sent to thee: - For, that, merits thy regard, - Which, thine _Emblem_ hath declar’d; - And, the best, that are, have need, - Such _Advisements_, well to heed. - -See, _Emb._ XLI. - - -42 - - Thou, hast already, or, e’re long, - Shalt have some dammage by the _Tongue_: - But, fully, yet, it is not knowne, - Whether the _Tongue_ shall be thine owne, - Or else, anothers _tongue_, from whom - This Mischiefe, unto thee, shall come: - But, much the better, thou shalt speed, - If, now, thine _Emblem_, well thou heed. - -See, _Emb._ XLII. - - -43 - - Vnworthy things, thou dost affect, - With somewhat overmuch respect; - Vnto the _World_, inclining so, - As if thy Hopes were all below: - But, now, to rowse thee from this crime, - Good _Counsell_ comes in happy time. - Make use thereof; and, thinke it not - Meere casuall, or a needlesse _Lot_. - -See, _Emb._ XLIII. - - -44 - - Thou, either, too much love, hast plac’t - On things, that will not alway last; - Or else, thou art a little fear’d. - Because thy Hopes are long deferr’d: - Nay, thou art touch’d, in both of these. - Thy Profit, therefore, and thine ease, - It will effect, if well thou minde - What, in thine _Emblem_, thou shalt finde. - -See, _Emb._ XLV. - - -45 - - When thou hast _Changes_, good, or bad, - Ore-joy’d, thou art, or over-sad; - As if it seemed very strange - To see the _Winde_ or _Weather_, change: - Lo, therefore, to remember thee, - How changeable, things Mortall, bee, - Thou, art assisted by this _Lot_; - Now, let it be, no more, forgot. - -See, _Emb._ XLV. - - -46 - - Of thy just _Aymes_, though meanes be slight, - Thou mayst attaine their wished height; - Vnlesse, thy Folly shall destroy - The Weale, thou seekest to injoy, - By thy Despaire, or by neglect - Of that, which, may thy _Hopes_ effect: - For, by thine _Emblem_, thou mayst know, - Great things, from small _Beginnings_, grow. - -See, _Emb._ XLVI. - - -47 - - Thou must have _Crosses_; but they, shall, - To _Blessings_, be converted, all; - And, _Suffrings_, will become, thy Praise, - If, _Wisedome_ order, well, thy wayes: - Yea, when thy _Crosses_ ended are, - A Crowne of Glory, thou shalt weare. - Yet, note, how this to passe is brought: - For, in thine _Emblem_, it is taught. - -See, _Emb._ XLVII. - - -48 - - If they, who drew this _Lot_, now be - Of great _Estate_, or high _Degree_, - They shall ere long, become as poore, - As those, that beg from doore to doore. - If poore they be; it plaine appeares, - They shall become great _Princes_ Peeres: - And, in their _Emblem_, they may know, - What very day, it will be, so. - -See, _Emb._ XLVIII. - - -49 - - You, have attempted many a thing, - Which, you, to passe, could never bring; - Not, that, your Worke was hard to doe, - But, 'cause, you us’d wrong _Meanes_, thereto. - Hereafter, therefore, learne, I pray, - The _Times_ of Working, and, the _Way_; - And, of thine _Emblem_, take thou heed, - If, better, thou desire to speed. - -See, _Emb._ XLIX. - - -50 - - If you, to greater _Wealth_, will rise, - You must not, slender _Gaine_, despise; - Nay, if, you minde not, to be poore, - You must regard slight _Losses_, more: - For, _Wealth_, and _Poverty_, doe come, - Not all at once, but, some and some. - If this, concerne you, any wayes, - See, what your _Emblem_, further, sayes. - -See, _Emb._ L. - - -51 - - Your _Fortune_, hath deserved thank, - That she, on you, bestowes a _Blank_: - For, as you, nothing good, have had; - So, you, have nothing, that is bad. - Yea, she, in this, hath favour showne, - (If, now, your _Freedome_ well be knowne) - For, you, by _Lot_, these _Emblems_, mist, - That you, may chuse out, which you list. - - -52 - - You, by an _Emblem_, seeke to get - What Counsel your _Affaires_ may fit; - But, in particular, there’s none, - Which, you, by _Lot_, can light upon: - And, why? because, no _Morall_, there, - Doth, worthy of your Heed, appeare? - No; but because you rather, need, - Of ev’ry _Emblem_, to take heed. - - -53 - - The _Starres_, are, now, no friends of your, - Or this is not their lucky houre: - For, at this time, unto your _Lot_, - They, by an _Emblem_, answer not. - If, therefore, you desire to know - What good advice they will allow, - Some further _Meanes_, you must assay, - Or, trye your _Chance_, another day. - - -54 - - You, in your secret thoughts, despise - To thinke an _Emblem_ should advise, - Or give you cause to minde or heed - Those things, whereof you may have need: - And, therefore, when, the _Lot_, you try’d, - An answer, justly, was deny’d. - Yet (by your leave) there are but few, - Who, need good _Counsell_, more then you. - - -55 - - In some extreame, you often are, - And, shoot too short, or else too farre; - Yea, such an errour, you were in, - When, for a _Lot_, you mov’d the _Pin_: - For, one touch more, or lesse, had layd - Our _Index_, where it should have stayd. - But, if you can be warn’d, by this, - To keepe the _Meane_, which oft you misse, - You have obtain’d as good a _Lot_, - As any one, this day, hath got. - - -56 - - Among these _Emblems_, none there be, - Which, now by _Lot_ will fall to thee; - However, doe not thou repine: - For, this doth seeme to be a signe, - That, thou, thy Portion, shalt advance - By _Vertue_, not by fickle _Chance_. - Yet, nerethelesse, despise thou not - What, by good _Fortune_, may be got. - - _FINIS._ - - - - - A - COLLECTION - OF - EMBLEMES, - ANCIENT AND - MODERNE: - - Quickened - With METRICALL ILLVSTRATIONS; And, - disposed into LOTTERIES, both _Morall_ - and _Divine_. - - That _Jnstruction_, and _Good Counsell_, may bee furthered - by an Honest and Pleasant _Recreation_. - - _By_ GEORGE WITHER. - - _The Second Booke._ - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - LONDON, - Printed by AVGVSTINE MATHEWES. - MDCXXXIV. - - - - - TO - THE HIGH AND MIGHTY - Prince, _CHARLES_, Prince - _of_ WALES, _&c._ - - Fair’st _Blossome_ of our hopes; and _Morning-starre_ - To all these _Ilands_, which inclosed are - By _Neptunes_ armes, within our Northern _climes_; - And who (wee trust) shall rise, in future times, - To be the brightest _Light_, that, then will shine, - Betwixt the _Artick-Circle_, and the LINE. - To YOV (as now you are) that I present - These EMBLEMS, 'tis not so impertinent - As those may thinke it, who have neither seene - What, of your _Cradle-sports_, hath heeded beene; - Nor heard how many serious _Questionings_, - Your _Child-hood_ frameth, out of trifling things: - And, if mine aime I have not much mistooke, - I come not oversoone with such a _Booke_. - So long as in this _Infant-Age_ you are, - (Wherein, the speechlesse _Portraitures_ appeare - A pleasurefull delight) your HIGHNESSE may - Among our EMBLEMS, finde a _Harmelesse-play_: - And, those mute _Objects_ will from time to time, - Still _Riper_, seeme, till you to _ripenesse_ clime. - When their dumb _Figures_, no more sport can make, - Their _Illustrations_, will begin to speake; - And, ev’ry day, new matter still disclose, - Vntill your _Iudgement_ to perfection growes. - They likewise, who their _Services_, to do - Frequent your _Presence_, may have pleasure too, - From this your _Play-game_: yea, and some perchance, - May cure a _Folly_, or an _Ignorance_ - By that, which they shall either heare or view - In these our _Emblems_, when they wait on _You_; - Or, shall be called, by your EXCELLENCE, - To try what LOT, they shall obtaine from thence. - It may, moreover, much increase the sport, - Which is allowed in a vertuous COVRT; - When they whose faults have long suspected bin, - Shall draw forth private Censures of their Sin, - And, heare their EMBLEMS, openly, display, - What, others dare not, but in private, say: - Nor will, to YOV, the MORALS be in vaine, - Ev’n when to manly Knowledge you attaine; - For, though to _Teach_, it will not them become - To be _Remembrancers_, they may presume: - And, that which in their _Child-hood_, men shall heed, - Will soonest come to minde, in time of need. - Incourag’d by these _Hopes_, I thought it meet - To lay this humble _Present_ at your feet. - _Accept it, now_; and, please to favour _me_, - When I growe _old_, and, You a _Man_ shall be. - -_To your Highnesse_ - - _most humbly devoted_, - - GEO: WITHER. - - - TO - THE MOST HIGH-BORNE - and hopeful Prince _JAMES, - Duke of YORKE, &c._ - -Sweet PRINCE, - - Your hand I kisse; and, thus my _Lines_ addresse - Vnto your wise, and vertuous[A] GOVERNESSE. - _For, MADAME, (as his PROXY) it is fit, - That, YOV both =Read=, and =answere= for him, yet. - To YOV for HIM, J therefore tender, here, - To welcome-in the =New-beginning Yeare=, - This harmelesse PLAY-GAME; that, it may have place, - When somewhat =riper Daies=, shall Make his =GRACE=, - Affect such =Objects=; which, to looke upon - May pleasure yeeld him, e’re this =Yeare= be gone. - 'Tis not the least =Discretion=, in great COVRTS, - To know what =Recreations=, and what =Sports= - Become young PRINCES; or, to find out those, - Which may, with harmelesse pleasantnesse, dispose - Their Mindes to =VERTVE=: neither in their =Cradles=, - Should this be heeded lesse, than in their =Sadles=: - Because, when first to =know=, we doe begin, - A small =Occasion=, lets much =Evill= in. - Among those things, which both =Instruct= and =please=; - But few, (for =Children=) are surpassing these: - For, they, to looke on =Pictures=, much desire; - And, not to =Looke alone=, but, to enquire - What things those are, that represented be, - In ev’ry MAP, or EMBLEM, which they see. - And, that which they shall =view=, or shall be =told=, - (By meanes of any =Figure= they behold) - =Experience= breedes; assisteth =Memory=; - Or, helps to forme a =Witty Fantasie=: - And, if those =Formes= to good Instruction tend, - Oft steads them, also, till their lives have end. - Then, since ev’n all of us, much Good receive - By Vertuous PRINCES; And should, therefore, strive - To adde some =helpes=, whereby they might acquire - That =Excellence=, which wee in them desire. - I (being able, to present his GRACE, - With nothing but a =Rattle=, or a =Glasse=, - Or some such =Cradle-play-game=) bring, to day, - This BOOKE, to be as usefull as it may: - And, =how=, and =when=, it will most =usefull= grow, - Without my =Teaching=, YOV can fully show. - For, what is of your =Ablenesse= believ’d, - Through all these famous =Ilands=, hath receiv’d, - A large applause; in =that=, from out of those - Which =ablest= were, both =King= and =State= have chose - Your =Faith= and =Wisedome=, to be TREASVRESSE - Of their chiefe =Iewels=; and the GOVERNESSE - Of our prime Hopes. And, now J this have weigh’d, - Me thinks, there needs no more, by me, be said, - But, (having pray’d your HONOVR to receive - This PRESENT for the DVKE) =to take my leave=; - And =Versifie= to =him=, some other day, - When =Hee= can understand mee, what I say._ - - Till then, let it please your _Honour_ sometimes to remember - _Him_, that - -I am his Graces - - daily and humble - - Oratour, - - GEO: WITHER. - -Footnote: [A] _The Countesse of Dorset._ - - - - - _We best shall quiet clamorous =Thronges=, - When, we our selves, can rule our =Tongues=._ - -[Illustration: NEQVEO COMPESCERE MVLTOS - -ILLVSTR. I. _Book. 2_] - - When I observe the Melanchollie _Owles_, - Considering with what patience, they sustaine - The many clamours, of the greater _Fowles_; - And, how the little _Chirpers_, they disdaine: - When I remember, how, their Injuries - They sleight, (who, causeles give them an offence) - Vouchsafing, scarce to cast aside their eyes - To looke upon that foolish Insolence. - Me thinkes, by their _Example_, I am taught - To sleight the slaunders of Injurious _Tongues_; - To set the scoffes of _Censurers_, at naught, - And, with a brave _neglect_, to beare out _Wrongs_. - Hee, doubtles, whom the _Psalmist_, long agoe, - Vnto a lonely _Desert-Owle_ compar’d, - Did practise thus; And, when I can doe so, - I, shall for all affronts, become prepar’d. - And, (though, this Doctrine, Flesh and blood gaine-say) - Yet, sure, to stopp the malice of _Despight_, - There is no better, (nay, no other) way: - Since, _Rage_ by Opposition gathers _Might_. - _Good =God=! vouchsafe, sufficient grace and strength, - That (though I have not yet, such =Patience= gott) - I may attaine this happy gift, at length; - And, finde the cause, that, yet, I have it not. - Though me, my =Neighbours=, and my =Foes= revile; - Make me of all their words, a =Patient-bearer=: - When er’e I =suffer=, let me be, the while, - As is the silent =Lambe= before the =Shearer=. - So; though my =speakings=, cannot quiet any, - My =Patience= may restraine the Tongues of many._ - - - _When wee by =Hunger=, =Wisdome= gaine, - Our =Guts=, are wiser then our =Braine=._ - -[Illustration: INGENII LARGITOR VENTER. - -ILLVSTR. II. _Book. 2_] - - The _Crowe_, when deepe within a close-mouth’d-_Pot_. - She water finds, her thirstinesse to slake; - (And, knoweth not where else it might be got) - Her _Belly_, teacheth her, this course to take: - She flies, and fetcheth many _Pibbles_ thither, - Then, downe into the _Vessell_, lets them _drop_; - Vntill, so many stones are brought together, - As may advance the water to the top. - From whence, we might this _observation_ heed; - That, _Hunger_, _Thirst_, and those _necessities_, - (Which from the _Bellies_ craving, doe proceed) - May make a _Foole_, grow provident and wise. - And, though (in sport) we say, the _braines_ of some, - Not in their _Heads_, but in their _Gutts_, doe lye; - Yet, that, by wants, Men wiser should become, - Dissenteth not from true _Philosophy_: - For, no man labours with much _Willingnesse_, - To compasse, what he nought at all desires; - Nor seeketh so, his longing to possesse, - As, when some urgent neede, the same requires. - Nay, though he might, a _willingnesse_, retaine, - Yet, as the _Belly_, which is ever full, - Breeds fumes, that cause a _sottish-witles-braine_; - So, _plenteous Fortunes_, make the _Spirits_ dull. - All, _borne to Riches_, have not _all-times_, witt - To keepe, (much lesse, to better) their degree: - But, men to nothing borne, oft, passage get. - (Through many wants) renown’d, and rich to bee: - Yea, _Povertie_ and _Hunger_, did produce, - The best _Inventions_, and, of chiefest use. - - - _Though =Musicke= be of some abhor’d, - =She=, is the =Handmaid= of the =Lord=._ - -[Illustration: MVSICA SERVA DEI - -ILLVSTR. III. _Book. 2_] - - To _Musicke_, and the Muses, many beare - Much hatred; and, to whatsoever ends - Their _Soule-delighting-Raptures_ tuned are, - Such peevish dispositions, it offends. - Some others, in a _Morall way_, affect - Their pleasing _Straines_ (or, for a sensuall use) - But, in _Gods Worship_, they the same suspect; - (Or, taxe it rather) as a great abuse. - The _First_ of these, are full of _Melancholy_; - And, Pitty need, or Comfort, more then blame; - And, soone, may fall into some dangerous _folly_, - Vnlesse they labour, to prevent the same. - The _Last_, are _giddie-things_, that have befool’d - Their Iudgements, with _beguiling-Fantasies_, - Which (if they be not, by discretion, school’d) - Will plunge them into greater _Vanities_. - For, _Musicke_, is the _Handmaid_ of the LORD, - And, for his _Worship_, was at first ordayned: - Yea, therewithall she fitly doth accord; - And, where _Devotion_ thriveth, is reteyned. - _Shee_, by a nat’rall power, doth helpe to raise, - The _mind_ to God, when joyfull Notes are sounded: - And, _Passions_ fierce Distemperatures, alaies; - When, by grave _Tones_, the _Mellody_ is bounded. - It, also may in _Mysticke-sense_, imply - What _Musicke_, in _our-selves_, ought still to be; - And, that our _jarring-lives_ to certifie, - Wee should in _Voice_, in _Hand_, and _Heart_, agree: - And, sing out, _Faith’s_ new-songs, with full concent, - Vnto the _Lawes_, ten-stringed _Instrument_. - - - _Marke, what =Rewards=, to =Sinne=, are due, - And, learne, =uprightnesse= to pursue._ - -[Illustration: DISCITE IVSTICIAM. - -ILLVSTR. IIII. _Book. 2_] - - A _Sword unsheathed_, and a _strangling-Snare_, - Is figur’d here; which, in _dumbe-shewes_, doe preach, - Of what the _Malefactor_ should beware; - And, they doe _threaten too_, aswell as _Teach_. - For, some there are, (would God, that summe were lesse) - Whom, neither good _Advise_, nor, wholesome _Lawe_, - Can turne from Pathwaies of _Vnrighteousnesse_, - If _Death_, or _Tortures_, keepe them not in awe. - These, are not they, whose _Conscience_ for the sake - Of _Goodnesse_ onely, _Godlinesse_, pursues; - But, these are they, who never scruple make - What _Guilt_, but, what great _punishment_ ensues. - For such as these, this _Emblem_ was prepar’d: - And, for their sakes, in places eminent, - Are all our _Gallow-trees_, and _Gibbets_, rear’d; - That, by the sight of them, they might repent. - Let, therefore, those who feele their hearts inclin’d - To any kind of _Death-deserving-Crime_, - (When they behold this _Emblem_) change their mind, - Lest, they (too late) repent, another time. - And, let not those our Counsell, now, contemne, - Who, doome _poore Theeves_ to death; yet, guilty be - Of more, then most of those whom they Condemne: - But, let them Learne their perill to foresee. - For, though a little while, they may have hope - To seeme upright, (when they are nothing lesse) - And, scape the _Sword_, the _Gallowes_, and the _Rope_, - There is a _Iudge_, who sees their wickednesse; - And, when grim _Death_, shall summon them, from hence, - They will be fully plagu’d for their offence. - - - _That =Kingdome= will establish’d bee, - Wherein the =People= well agree._ - -[Illustration: CONSENSV POPVLI REGNṼ SVBSISTIT. - -ILLVSTR. V. _Book. 2_] - - A _Crowned Scepter_, here is fixt upright, - Betwixt foure _Fowles_, whose postures may declare, - They came from _Coasts_, or _Climats_ opposite, - And, that, they diffring in their natures are. - In which, (as in some others, that we finde - Amongst these _Emblems_) little care I take - Precisely to unfold our _Authors_ minde; - Or, on his meaning, _Comments_ here to make. - It is the scope of my Intention, rather - From such perplext _Inventions_ (which have nought, - Of Ancient _Hieroglyphick_) _sense_, to gather, - Whereby, some usefull _Morall_ may be taught. - And, from these _Figures_, my Collections be, - That, _Kingdomes_, and the _Royall-dignitie_, - Are best upheld, where _Subjects_ doe agree, - To keepe upright the state of _Soveraignty_. - When, from each Coast and quarter of the Land, - The _Rich_, the _Poore_, the _Swaine_, the _Gentleman_, - Lends, in all _wants_, and at all _times_, his hand, - To give the best assistance that he can: - Yea, when with _Willing hearts_, and _Winged-speed_, - The men of all Degrees, doe duely carry - Their _Aides_ to publike-workes, in time of need, - And, to their _Kings_, be freely tributary: - Then shall the _Kingdome_ gayne the gloriest height; - Then shall the _Kingly-Title_ be renown’d; - Then shall the _Royall-Scepter_ stand upright, - And, with supremest _Honour_, then, be Crown’d. - But, where this Duty long neglect, they shall; - The _King_ will suffer, and, the _Kingdome_ fall. - - - _From that, by which I =somewhat= am, - The Cause of my =Destruction= came._ - -[Illustration: QVI ME ALIT ME EXTINGVIT. - -ILLVSTR. VI. _Book. 2_] - - The little _Sparkes_ which rak’d in _Embers_ lie, - Are kindly kindled by a gentle _blast_: - And, _brands_ in which the fire begins to die - Revive by blowing; and, flame out at last. - The selfe same _wind_, becomming over strong, - Quite bloweth out againe that very flame; - Or, else, consumes away (ere it be long) - That wasting substance, which maintain’d the same. - Thus fares it, in a Thousand other things, - As soone as they the _golden Meane_ exceed; - And, that, which keeping _Measure_, profit brings, - May, (by _excesse_) our losse, and ruine, breed. - _Preferments_ (well and moderately sought) - Have helpt those men, new _Virtues_ to acquire, - Who, being to superiour places brought, - Left all their _goodnesse_, as they climed higher. - A little _wealth_, may make us better able - To labour in our Callings: Yet, I see - That they, who being poore, were charitable, - Becomming rich, hard-hearted grow to be. - _Love_, when they entertaine it with discretion, - More worthy, and more happy, maketh men; - But, when their _Love_ is overgrowne with _Passion_, - It overthrowes their happinesse, agen. - Yea, this our _Flesh_, (in which we doe appeare - To have that _being_, which we now enjoy) - If we should overmuch the same endeare, - Would our _Well-being_, totally destroy. - For, that which gives our _Pleasures_ nourishment, - Is oft the poyson of our best _Content_. - - - _By =Guiltines=, =Death= entred in, - And, =Mischiefe= still pursueth =Sinne=._ - -[Illustration: SEQVITVR SVA PŒNA NOCENTEM - -ILLVSTR. VII. _Book. 2_] - - _Ixions_ wheele, and he himselfe thereon - Is figur’d, and (by way of _Emblem_) here, - Set forth, for _Guilty men_ to looke upon; - That, they, their wicked Courses might forbeare. - To gaine a lawlesse favour he desired, - And, in his wicked hopes beguiled was: - For, when to claspe with _Iuno_, he aspired, - In stead of her, a _Clowd_, he did embrace. - He, likewise, did incurre a dreadfull _Doome_, - (Which well befitted his presumptuous Crime) - A terror, and, a warning, to become, - For wicked men, through all succeeding time. - As did his longings, and his after _Paine_, - So, theirs affecteth, nor effecteth ought, - But, that, which proveth either false or vaine; - And, their false _Pleasures_, are as dearely, bought: - Yea, that, whereon they build their fairest _Hope_, - May, bring them (in conclusion of the Deed) - To clime the _Gallowes_, and to stretch a _Rope_; - Or, send them thither, where farre worse they speed: - Ev’n thither, where, the _never-standing-Wheele_ - Of _everlasting-Tortures_, turneth round, - And, racks the _Conscience_, till the soule doth feele - All Paines, that are in _Sense_, and _Reason_ found. - For, neither doth black Night, more swiftly follow, - Declining _Day-light_: Nor, with Nimbler Motion - Can _waves_, each other, downe their Channell follow, - From high-rais’d _Mountaines_, to the bigg-womb’d _Ocean_, - Then, _Iustice_ will, when she doth once begin, - To prosecute, an _Vnrepented-Sin_. - - - _When wee have greatest =Griefes= and =Feares=, - Then, =Consolation= sweet’st appeares._ - -[Illustration: POST TENTATIONEM CONSOLATIO. - -ILLVSTR. VIII. _Book. 2_] - - When, all the yeare, our fields are fresh and greene, - And, while sweet _Flowers_, and _Sunshine_, every day, - (As oft, as need requireth) come betweene - The Heav’ns and earth; they heedles passe away. - The fulnes, and continuance, of a blessing, - Doth make us to be senseles of the good: - And, if it sometime flie not our possessing, - The sweetnesse of it, is not understood. - Had wee no _Winter_, _Sommer_ would be thought - Not halfe so pleasing: And, if _Tempests_ were not, - Such Comforts could not by a _Calme_, be brought: - For, things, save by their _Opposites_, appeare not. - Both _health_, and _wealth_, is tastles unto some; - And, so is _ease_, and every other _pleasure_, - Till _poore_, or _sicke_, or _grieved_, they become: - And, then, they relish these, in ampler measure. - _God_, therefore (full as _kinde_, as he is _wise_) - So tempreth all the _Favours_ he will doe us, - That, wee, his _Bounties_, may the better prize; - And, make his _Chastisements_ lesse bitter to us. - One while, a scorching _Indignation_ burnes - The Flowers and Blosomes of our HOPES, away; - Which into _Scarsitie_, our _Plentie_ turnes, - And, changeth _vnmowne-Grasse_ to _parched-Hay_; - Anon, his fruitfull _showres_, and pleasing _dewes_, - Commixt with cheerefull _Rayes_, he sendeth downe; - And then the Barren-earth her cropp renewes, - Which with rich Harvests, Hills, and Vallies Crowne: - For, as to relish _Ioyes_, he sorrow sends, - So, Comfort on _Temptation_, still, attends. - - - _To brawle for =Gaine=, the =Cocke= doth sleight; - But, for his =Females=, he will fight._ - -[Illustration: PRO GALLINIS - -ILLVSTR. IX. _Book. 2_] - - Some, are so _quarrellous_, that they will draw, - And _Brawle_, and _Fight_, for every toy they see; - Grow furious, for the wagging of a straw; - And, (otherwile) for lesse then that may be. - Some, are more staid, a little, and will beare, - Apparent wrongs (which to their face you doe;) - But, when they _Lye_, they cannot brooke to heare - That any should be bold to tell them so. - Another sort, I know, that _blowes_ will take, - Put up the _Lye_, and give men leave to say - What words they please; till spoile they seeke to make - Of their estates; And, then, they’le kill and slay. - But, of all _Hacksters_, farre the fiercest are - Our _Cockrills of the game_, (Sir _Cupid’s_ knights) - Who, (on their foolish _Coxcombes_) often weare - The Scarres they get in their _Venerean-fights_. - Take heede of these; for, you may pacifie - The _first_, by time: The _second_, will be pleas’d - If you submit, or else your words denie; - The _third_, by satisfaction, are appeas’d: - But, he that for his _Female_, takes offence, - Through Iealousy, or madnesse, rageth so; - That, he accepteth of no recompence, - Till he hath wrought his _Rivals_ overthrow. - Such Fury, shun; and, shunne their Vulgar minde, - Who for base trash despitefully contend; - But, (when a just occasion, thou shalt finde) - Thy Vertuous _Mistresse_, lawfully defend. - For, he, that in such cases turnes his face, - Is held a _Capon_, of a Dunghill Race. - - - _If =Safely=, thou desire to goe, - Bee nor too =swift=, nor =overflow=._ - -[Illustration: TVTIVS VT POSSIT FIGI. - -ILLVSTR. X. _Book. 2_] - - Ovr _Elders_, when their meaning was to shew - A _native-speedinesse_ (in Emblem wise) - The picture of a _Dolphin-Fish_ they drew; - Which, through the waters, with great swiftnesse, flies. - An _Anchor_, they did figure, to declare - _Hope_, _stayednesse_, or a _grave-deliberation_: - And therefore when those two, united are, - It giveth us a two-fold Intimation. - For, as the _Dolphin_ putteth us in minde, - That in the Courses, which we have to make, - Wee should not be, to _slothfulnesse_ enclin’d; - But, swift to follow what we undertake: - So, by an _Anchor_ added thereunto, - Inform’d wee are, that, to maintaine our _speed_, - _Hope_, must bee joyn’d therewith (in all we doe) - If wee will undiscouraged proceed. - It sheweth (also) that, our _speedinesse_, - Must have some _staydnesse_; lest, when wee suppose - To prosecute our aymes with good successe, - Wee may, by _Rashnesse_, good endeavors lose. - They worke, with most securitie, that know - The _Times_, and best _Occasions_ of _delay_; - When, likewise, to be neither _swift_, nor _slow_; - And, when to practise all the _speed_, they may. - For, whether calme, or stormie-passages, - (Through this life’s _Ocean_) shall their _Bark_ attend; - This _double Vertue_, will procure their ease: - And, them, in all necessities, befriend. - By _Speedinesse_, our works are timely wrought; - By _Staydnesse_, they, to passe are, safely, brought. - - - _They that in =Hope=, and =Silence=, live, - The best =Contentment=, may atchive._ - -[Illustration: IN SILENTIO ET SPE. - -ILLVSTR. XI. _Book. 2_] - - If thou desire to cherish true _Content_, - And in a troublous time that course to take, - Which may be likely mischieves to prevent, - Some use, of this our _Hieroglyphick_, make. - The _Fryers Habit_, seemeth to import, - That, thou (as ancient _Monkes_ and _Fryers_ did) - Shouldst live remote, from places of resort, - And, in _retyrednesse_, lye closely hid. - The _clasped-Booke_, doth warne thee, to retaine - Thy _thoughts_ within the compasse of thy breast; - And, in a quiet _silence_ to remaine, - Vntill, thy minde may safely be exprest. - That _Anchor_, doth informe thee, that thou must - Walke on in _Hope_; and, in thy Pilgrimage, - Beare up (without _despairing_ or _distrust_) - Those wrongs, and sufferings, which attend thine _Age_. - For, whensoere _Oppression_ groweth rife, - _Obscurenesse_, is more safe than _Eminence_; - Hee, that then keepes his _Tongue_, may keepe his _Life_, - Till Times will better favour _Innocence_. - _Truth_ spoken where _untruth_ is more approved, - Will but enrage the malice of thy foes; - And, otherwhile, a wicked man is moved - To cease from wrong, if no man him oppose. - Let this our _Emblem_, therefore, counsell thee, - Thy life in safe _Retyrednesse_, to spend: - Let, in thy breast, thy thoughts reserved bee, - Till thou art layd, where none can thee offend. - And, whilst most others, give their _Fancie scope_, - Enjoy thy selfe, in _Silence_, and in _Hope_. - - - _Let none despaire of their Estate, - For, =Prudence=, greater is, than =Fate=._ - -[Illustration: FATO PRVDENTIA MAIOR. - -ILLVSTR. XII. _Book. 2_] - - Bee _merry_ man, and let no causelesse feare - Of _Constellation_, fatall _Destinie_, - Or of those false _Decrees_, that publish’d are - By foolish braines, thy _Conscience_ terrifie. - To thee, these _Figures_ better Doctrines teach, - Than those blind _Stoikes_, who necessitate - _Contingent things_; and, arrogantly teach - (For doubtlesse truths) their dreames of changelesse _Fate_. - Though true it bee, that those things which pertaine, - As _Ground-workes_, to _Gods_ glorie, and our blisse, - Are fixt, for aye, unchanged to remaine; - All, is not such, that thereon builded is. - God, gives men power, to build on his _Foundation_; - And, if their _workes_ bee thereunto agreeing, - No _Power-created_, brings that Variation, - Which can disturbe, the _Workmans_ happy being. - Nor, of those _workings_, which required are, - Is any made unpossible, untill - Mans heart begins that _Counsell_ to preferre, - Which is derived from a _crooked-will_. - The _Starres_, and many other things, incline - Our nat’rall _Constitutions_, divers wayes; - But, in the Soule, _God_ plac’d a _Power-divine_, - Which, all those _Inclinations_, overswayes. - Yea, _God_, that _Prudence_, hath infus’d, by _Grace_, - Which, till _Selfe-will_, and _Lust_, betrayes a man, - Will keepe him firmely, in that happy place, - From whence, no _Constellation_ move him can. - And, this is that, whereof I notice take, - From this great _Starre_, enclosed by a _Snake_. - - - _Their =Friendship= firme will ever bide, - Whose hands unto the =Crosse= are tide._ - -[Illustration: CONIVNCTIS VOTIS - -ILLVSTR. XIII. _Book. 2_] - - When first I knew the world, (and was untaught - By tryde experience, what true _Friendship_ meant) - That I had many _faithfull friends_, I thought; - And, of their Love, was wondrous confident. - For, few so young in yeares, and meane in fortune, - Of their _Familiars_, had such troopes, as I, - Who did their daily fellowship importune; - Or, seeme so pleased in their company. - In all their friendly meetings, I was one; - And, of the _Quorum_, in their honest game: - By day or night, I seldome sate alone; - And, welcome seemed, wheresoere I came. - But, where are now those multitudes of _Friends_? - Alas! they on a sudden flasht away. - Their love begun, but, for some sensuall ends, - Which fayling them, it would no longer stay. - If I to vaine expences, would have mov’d them, - They, nor their _paines_, nor _purses_, would have spared; - But, in a reall need, if I had prov’d them, - Small showes of kindnesse, had bin then declared. - Of thrice three thousands, two, perhaps, or three, - Are left me now, which (yet) as _Friends_ I prize; - But, none of them, of that great number be, - With whom I had my youthfull Iollities. - If, therefore, thou desire a _Friend_, on Earth, - Let one _pure-faith_ betwixt you bee begot, - And, seeke him not, in _vanities_, or _mirth_, - But, let _Afflictions_ tye your _true-love-knot_: - For, they who to the _Crosse_, are firmely tyde, - Will fast, and everlasting _Friends_, abide. - - - _A =Candle= that affords no =light=, - What profits it, by Day, or Night?_ - -[Illustration: CVI BONO? - -ILLVSTR. XIIII. _Book. 2_] - - There be of those in every _Common-weale_, - Whom to this _Emblem_ we resemble may; - The _Name_ of none I purpose to reveale, - But, their _Condition_, heere, I will display. - Some, both by gifts of _Nature_, and of _Grace_, - Are so prepared, that, they might be fit - To stand as _Lights_, in profitable place; - Yet, loose their _Talent_, by neglecting it. - Some, to the _common Grace_, and _nat’rall parts_, - (By helpe of _Nurture_, and good _Discipline_) - Have added an accomplishment of _Arts_, - By which, their _Light_ may much the brighter shine. - Some others, have to this, acquired more: - For, to maintaine their _Lampe_, in giving light, - Of _Waxe_, and _Oyle_, and _Fatnesse_, they have store, - Which over-flowes unto them, day and night. - And, ev’n as _Lampes_, or _Candles_, on a Table, - (Or, fixt on golden _Candlesticks_, on high) - To light _Assemblies_, Great and Honourable, - They, oft, have (also) place of _Dignitie_. - By meanes of which, their _Splendor_ might become - His praise, who those high favours did bequeath: - They might encrease the _Light_ of _Christendome_, - And, make them see, who sit in shades of _Death_. - But, many of them, like those _Candles_ bee, - That stand unlighted in a _Branch_ of gold: - For, by their helpe wee nothing more can see, - Than wee in grossest darknesse, may behold. - If such there be, (as there bee such, I feare) - The question is, _For what good use they are_. - - - _The =Sacrifice=, God loveth best, - Are =Broken-hearts=, for =Sin=, opprest._ - -[Illustration: SACRIFICIVM DEO COR CONTRIBVLATIM - -ILLVSTR. XV. _Book. 2_] - - No Age, hath had a people, to professe - _Religion_, with a shew of holinesse, - Beyond these times; nor, did men _sacrifice_, - According to their foolish fantasies, - More oft than at this present. One, bestowes - On _pious-workes_, the hundreth part, of those - Ill-gotten goods, which from the poore he seazed, - And, thinkes his _God_, in that, is highly pleased. - Another, of her dues, the _Church_ bereaves: - And, yet, himselfe a holy man conceives, - (Yea, and right bountifull) if hee can spare - From those his thefts, the tenth, or twentieth share, - To some new _Lecture_; or, a _Chaplaine_ keepe, - To please _Himselfe_, or, preach his _Wife_ asleepe. - Some others, thinke they bring sincere _Oblations_, - When, fir’d with zeale, they roare out _Imprecations_ - Against all those, whom wicked they repute: - And, when to _God_, they tender any sute, - They dreame to merit what they would obtaine, - By _praying-long_, with Repetitions vaine. - With many other such like _Sacrifices_ - Men come _to God_: but, he such _gifts_ despises: - For, neither _gifts_, nor _workes_, nor _any thing_ - (Which we can either _doe_, or _say_, or _bring_,) - Accepted is of _God_; untill he finde - A _Spirit-humbled_, and a _troubled-minde_. - A _contrite Heart_, is that, and, that alone, - Which _God_ with love, and pitie, lookes upon. - Such he affects; therefore (_Oh Lord_) to thee; - Such, let my _Heart_, and, such, my _Spirit_ bee. - - - _A =King=, that prudently Commands, - Becomes the glory of his =Lands=._ - -[Illustration: REGNI CORONA REX - -ILLVSTR. XVI. _Book. 2_] - - The _Royall-Scepter_, Kingly power, implyes; - The _Crowne-Imperiall_, GLORIE, signifies: - And, by _these_ joyn’d in one, we understand, - A _King_, that is an honour to his _Land_. - A _Kingdome_, is not alwaies eminent, - By having Confines of a large _extent_; - For, _Povertie_, and _Barbarousnesse_, are found - Ev’n in some large _Dominions_, to abound: - Nor, is it _Wealth_, which gets a _glorious-Name_; - For, then, those _Lands_ would spread the widest _Fame_, - From whence we fetch the _Gold_ and _Silver-ore_; - And, where we gather _Pearles_ upon the shore: - Nor, have those _Countries_ highest exaltations, - Which breed the strongest, and the Warlikst _Nations_; - For, proud of their owne powre, they sometimes grow, - And quarrell, till _themselves_ they overthrow. - Nor, doe the chiefest _glories_, of a _Land_, - In many _Cities_, or much _People_, stand: - For, then, those _Kingdomes_, most renowned were, - In which _Vnchristian Kings_, and, _Tyrants_ are. - It is the _King_ by whom a _Realme’s_ renowne, - Is either builded up, or overthrowne. - By _Solomon_, more fam’d was _Iudah_ made, - Then, by the Multitude of men it had: - Great _Alexander_, glorified _Greece_, - Throughout the World, which, else had bene a piece - Perhaps obscure; And, _Cæsar_ added more - To _Rome_, then all her greatnesse did before. - _Grant, =Lord=, these =Iles=, for ever may be blessed, - With what, in this our =Emblem= is expressed._ - - - _By =Studie=, and by =Watchfulnesse=, - The Jemme of =Knowledge=, we possesse._ - -[Illustration: STVDIO ET VIGILANTIA. - -ILLVSTR. XVII. _Book. 2_] - - I Thinke you would be wise; for, most men seeme - To make of _Knowledge_ very great esteeme. - If such be your desires, this _Emblem_ view; - And, marke how well the _Figures_, counsell you. - Wee by the Bird of _Athens_, doe expresse, - That painefull, and that usefull _watchfulnesse_, - Which ought to bee enjoyned, unto them, - Who seeke a place, in _Wisdomes_ Academ. - For, as an _Owle_ mewes up her selfe by _Day_, - And watcheth in the _Night_, to get her prey; - Ev’n so, good _Students_, neither must be such, - As _daily_ gad; or _nightly_ sleepe too much. - That _open-booke_, on which the _Owle_ is perch’d, - Affords a _Morall_, worthy to be search’d: - For, it informes, and, darkly doth advise, - Your _Watchings_ be not after Vanities; - (Or, like their _Wakings_, who turne dayes to nights, - In following their unlawfull appetites) - And, that, in keeping Home, you doe not spend - Your houres in sloth, or, to some fruitlesse end. - But, rather in good _Studies_; and, in that, - By which, true _Knowledge_, is arrived at. - For, if your _Studies_, and your _Wakings_, bee - To this intent; you shall that _Path-way_ see - To _Wisdome_, and to _Honour_, which was found, - Of them, whose _Knowledge_ hath been most renownd. - But, if your _Watchings_, and _Retyrednesse_, - Be for your _Lust_, or, out of _Sottishnesse_; - You are not, what th' _Athenian-Owle_ implies, - But, what our _English-Owlet_ signifies. - - - _When =Mars=, and =Pallas=, doe agree, - Great workes, by them, effected bee._ - -[Illustration: ARTE ET MARTE - -ILLVSTR. XVIII. _Book. 2_] - - It prospers ever best, in all Estates, - When _Mars_ and _Pallas_ are continuall Mates. - And, those affaires but seldome luckie be, - In which, these needfull _Powers_, doe not agree. - That _Common-wealth_, in which, good _Arts_ are found - Without a _Guard_, will soone receive a wound: - And, _Souldiers_, where _good-order_ beares no sway, - Will, very quickly, rout themselves away. - Moreover, in our private Actions too, - There must bee both a _Knowledge_, how to doe - The _worke_ propos’d; and _strength_ to finish it; - Or, wee shall profit little by our _Wit_. - _Discretion_ takes effect, where _Vigour_ failes; - Where _Cunning_ speeds not, _outward-force_ prevailes; - And, otherwhile, the prize pertaines to neither, - Till they have joyn’d their _Vertues_ both together. - Consider this; and, as occasions are, - To both of these your due respects declare. - Delight not so in _Arts_, to purchase harmes - By Negligence, or Ignorance of _Armes_: - If _Martiall-Discipline_ thou shalt affect; - Yet, doe not _honest-Policie_, neglect. - Improve thy _Minde_, as much as e’re thou may; - But foole thou not thy _Bodies_ gifts away. - The _Vertues_ both of _Body_, and of _Mind_, - Are, still, to be regarded in their kind. - And, wee should neither of the two disgrace; - Nor, either of them, raise above his place: - For, when these two wee value as wee ought, - Great works, by their _joynt-power_, to passe are brought. - - - _They, after =suffring=, shall be =crown’d=, - In whom, a =Constant-faith=, is found._ - -[Illustration: CONSTANTE FIDVCIA - -ILLVSTR. XIX. _Book. 2_] - - Marke well this _Emblem_; and, observe you thence - The nature of true _Christian-confidence_. - Her _Foot_ is fixed on a _squared-Stone_, - Which, whether side soe’re you turne it on, - Stands fast; and, is that _Corner-stone_, which props, - And firmely knits the structure of our _Hopes_. - _Shee_, alwayes, beares a _Crosse_; to signifie, - That, there was never any _Constancie_ - Without her _Tryalls_: and, that, her perfection, - Shall never be attain’d, without _Affliction_. - A _Cup_ shee hath, moreover, in her hand; - And, by that _Figure_, thou mayst understand, - That, shee hath draughts of _Comfort_, alwayes neere her, - (At ev’ry brunt) to strengthen, and to cheare her. - And, loe, _her_ head is _crown’d_; that, we may see - How great, her _Glories_, and _Rewards_, will be. - Hereby, this _Vertue’s_ nature may be knowne: - Now, practise, how to make the same thine owne. - Discourag’d be not, though thou art pursu’d - With many wrongs, which cannot be eschew’d; - Nor yeeld thou to _Despairing_, though thou hast - A _Crosse_ (which threatens death) to be embrac’t; - Or, though thou be compell’d to swallow up, - The very dregs, of _Sorrowes_ bitter _Cup_: - For, whensoever griefes, or torments, paine thee, - Thou hast the same _Foundation_ to sustaine thee: - The selfe same _Cup_ of _Comfort_, is prepared - To give thee strength, when _fainting-fits_ are feared: - And, when thy _time of tryall_, is expired, - Thou shalt obtaine the _Crowne_, thou hast desired. - - - _=Love=, a =Musician= is profest, - And, of all =Musicke=, is the best._ - -[Illustration: AMOR DOCET MVSICAM - -ILLVSTR. XX. _Book. 2_] - - If to his thoughts my _Comments_ have assented, - By whom the following _Emblem_ was _invented_, - I'le hereby teach you (_Ladies_) to discover - A true-bred _Cupid_, from a fained _Lover_; - And, shew (if you have Wooers) which be they, - That worth’est are to beare your _Hearts_ away. - As is the _Boy_, which, here, you pictured see, - Let them be _young_, or let them, rather, be - Of _suiting-yeares_ (which is instead of _youth_) - And, wooe you in the _nakednesse_, of _Truth_; - Not in the common and disguised _Clothes_, - Of _Mimick-gestures_, _Complements_, and _Oathes_. - Let them be _winged_ with a swift _Desire_; - And, not with _slow-affections_, that will tyre. - But, looke to this, as to the principall, - That, _Love_ doe make them truly _Musicall_: - For, _Love’s_ a good _Musician_; and, will show - How, every faithfull _Lover_ may be so. - Each _word_ he speakes, will presently appeare - To be melodious _Raptures_ in your eare: - Each _gesture_ of his body, when he moves, - Will seeme to _play_, or _sing_, a _Song of Loves_: - The very _lookes_, and _motions_ of his eyes, - Will touch your _Heart-strings_, with sweet _Harmonies_; - And, if the _Name_ of him, be but exprest, - T’will cause a thousand _quaverings_ in your breast. - Nay, ev’n those _Discords_, which occasion’d are, - Will make your _Musicke_, much the sweeter, farre. - And, such a mooving _Diapason_ strike, - As none but _Love_, can ever play the like. - - - _Thy =seeming-Lover=, false will bee, - And, love thy =Money=, more than =Thee=._ - -[Illustration: NON TE SED NVMMOS - -ILLVSTR. XXI. _Book. 2_] - - What may the reason be, so many wed, - And misse the blessings of a _joyfull-Bed_, - But those ungodly, and improper ends, - For which, this Age most _Marriages_ intends? - Some, love _plumpe flesh_; and, those as kinde will be - To any gamesome _Wanton_, as to thee. - Some, doate on _Honours_; and, all such will prize - Thy _Person_, meerely, for thy _Dignities_. - Some, fancy _Pleasures_; and, such _Flirts_ as they, - With ev’ry _Hobby-horse_, will runne away. - Some (like this _Couple_ in our _Emblem_, here) - Wooe hard for _Wealth_; and, very kind appeare, - Till they have wonne their prize: but, then they show - On what their best _Affections_ they bestow. - This _Wealth_, is that sweet _Beautie_, which preferres - So many to their _Executioners_. - This, is that rare _Perfection_, for whose sake, - The _Politician_, doth his _Marriage_, make. - Yea, most of those whom you shall married find, - Were cousned, (or did cousen) in this kind; - And, for some _by-spects_, they came together, - Much more, than for the sakes, of one another. - If this concernes thee, now, in any sense; - For thy instruction, take this warning hence: - If thou hast err’d already, then, lament - Thy passed crime, and, beare thy punishment. - If thou, as yet, but tempted art to erre; - Then, let this _Emblem_ be thy _Counsellor_: - For, I have said my mind; which, if thou slight, - Goe, and repent it, on thy _wedding night_. - - - _Give =Credit=; but, first, well beware, - Before thou =trust= them, =who they are=._ - -[Illustration: FIDE SED CVI VIDE - -ILLVSTR. XXII. _Book. 2_] - - I Rather would (because it seemeth just) - Deceived be, than causelesly distrust: - Yet, _whom_ I credited; and, then, how _farre_; - Bee _Cautions_, which I thought worth heeding were: - And, had not this been taught me long agone, - I had been poorer, if not quite undone. - That, others to such warinesse, may come, - This _Emblem_, here, hath filled up a roome; - And, though a vulgar _Figure_, it may seeme, - The _Morall_, of it, meriteth esteeme. - That _Seeing-Palme_, (endowed with an _Eye_, - And handling of a _Heart_) may signifie - What warie _Watchfulnesse_, observe we must, - Before we venter on a weightie _Trust_: - And, that, to keepe our _kindnesse_ from abuse, - There is of _double-diligence_, an use. - Mens hearts, are growne so false, that most are loath - To trust each others _Words_, or _Bands_, or _Oath_: - For, though wee had in every part an _Eye_, - We could not search out all _Hypocrisie_; - Nor, by our utmost providence, perceive - How many wayes, are open to deceive. - Now, then (although perhaps thou art so wise, - To know already, what I would advise) - Yet may this _Emblem_, or this _Motto_, bee - Instead of some _Remembrancer_, to thee. - So, take it therefore; And, be sure, if either - This _Warning_, or thy _Wit_, (or both together) - Can, still, secure thee from _deceitfull-hearts_; - Thy _luck_ exceedeth all thy other parts. - - - _Hee, that on =Earthly-things=, doth trust, - Dependeth, upon =Smoake=, and =Dust=._ - -[Illustration: HVMANA FVMVS - -ILLVSTR. XXIII. _Book. 2_] - - _Lord!_ what a coyle is here! and what a puther, - To save and get? to scratch and scrape together - The Rubbish of the world? and, to acquire - Those vanities, which _Fancie_ doth desire? - What _Violence_ is used, and what _Cunning_? - What nightly _Watchings_, and what daily _Running_? - What _sorrowes_ felt? what _difficulties_ entred? - What _losses_ hazarded? what _perills_ ventred? - And, still, how sottishly, doe wee persever - (By all the power, and meanes wee can endeaver) - To wheele our selves, in a perpetuall _Round_, - In quest of that, which never will be found? - In _Objects_, here on _Earth_, we seeke to finde - That perfect sollidnesse, which is confinde, - To things in _Heaven_, though every day we see, - What emptinesse, and faylings, in them be. - To teach us better; this, our _Emblem_, here, - Assayes to make terrestriall things appeare - The same they be, (both to our eares and eyes) - That, wee may rightly their Condition prize. - The best, which of earths _best things_, wee can say, - Is this; that they are _Grasse_, and will be _Hay_. - The rest, may be resembled to the _Smoke_, - (Which doth but either blind the sight, or choke) - Or else, to that uncleanly _Mushrum-ball_, - Which, in some Countries, wee a _Puff-foyst_ call; - Whose _out-side_, is a nastie rotten _skin_, - Containing durt, or smoking-dust, _within_. - This is my _mind_; if wrong you thinke I’ve done them, - Be _Fooles_; and, at your perils, dote upon them. - - - _I beare, about mee, all my store; - And, yet, a =King= enjoyes not more._ - -[Illustration: OMNIA MEA MECVM PORTO - -ILLVSTR. XXIIII. _Book. 2_] - - This _Emblem_ is a _Torteise_, whose owne shell - Becomes that _house_, where he doth rent-free dwell; - And, in what place soever hee resides, - His _Arched-Lodging_, on his backe abides. - There is, moreover, found a kind of these, - That live both on the shore, and in the Seas; - For which respects, the _Torteise_ represents - That man, who in himselfe, hath full contents; - And (by the _Vertues_ lodging in his minde) - Can all things needfull, in all places, finde. - To such a _Man_, what ever doth betide; - From him, his _Treasures_, nothing can divide. - If of his _outward-meanes_, Theeves make a prise; - Hee, more occasion hath to exercise - His _inward-Riches_: and, they prove a _Wealth_, - More usefull, and lesse lyable to stealth. - If, any at his harmelesse person strike; - Himselfe hee streight contracteth, _Torteis-like_, - To make the _Shell_ of _Suffrance_, his defence; - And, counts it _Life_, to die with _Innocence_. - If, hee, by hunger, heat, or cold, be payn’d; - If, hee, be slaundred, sleighted, or disdayn’d; - Hee, alwayes keepes and carries, that, within him, - Which may, from those things, _ease_ and _comfort_, win him. - When, him uncloathed, or unhous’d, you see; - His _Resolutions_, clothes and houses bee, - That keepe him safer; and, farre warmer too, - Than _Palaces_, and princely _Robes_, can doe. - _God give mee =wealth=, that hath so little Cumber; - And, much good doo’t the =World= with all her Lumber._ - - - _To =Learning=, J a love should have, - Although one foot were in the =Grave=._ - -[Illustration: TAMEN DISCAM. - -ILLVSTR. XXV. _Book. 2_] - - Here, we an _Aged-man_ described have, - That hath _one foot_, already, in the _Grave_: - And, if you marke it (though the _Sunne_ decline, - And horned _Cynthia_ doth begin to shine) - With _open-booke_, and, with attentive eyes, - Himselfe, to compasse _Knowledge_, he applyes: - And, though that _Evening_, end his last of dayes, - _Yet, I will study, more to learne_, he sayes. - From this, we gather, that, while time doth last, - The time of _learning_, never will be past; - And, that, each houre, till we our _life_ lay downe, - Still, something, touching _life_, is to be knowne. - When he was old, wise _Cato_ learned Greeke: - But, we have _aged-folkes_, that are to seeke - Of that, which they have much more cause to learne; - Yet, no such minde in them, wee shall discerne. - For, that, which they should studie in their _prime_, - Is, oft, deferred, till their _latter-time_: - And, then, _old-age_, unfit for _learning_, makes them, - Or, else, that common _dulnesse_ overtakes them, - Which makes ashamed, that it should be thought, - They need, like _little-children_, to be taught. - And, so, out of this world, they doe returne - As wise, as in that weeke, when they were borne. - _God, grant me grace, to spend my life-time so, - That I my duety still may seeke to =know=; - And, that, I never, may so farre proceed, - To thinke, that I, more =Knowledge=, doe not need: - But, in =Experience=, may continue growing, - Till I am fill’d with fruits of pious-knowing._ - - - _=Good-fortune=, will by those abide, - In whom, =True-vertue= doth reside._ - -[Illustration: VIRTVTI FORTVNA COMES. - -ILLVSTR. XXVI. _Book. 2_] - - Marke, how the _Cornucopias_, here, apply - Their _Plenties_, to the _Rod_ of _Mercury_; - And (if it seeme not needlesse) learne, to know - This _Hieroglyphick’s_ meaning, ere you goe. - The _Sages_ old, by this _Mercurian-wand_ - (_Caducæus_ nam’d) were wont to understand - _Art_, _Wisedome_, _Vertue_, and what else we finde, - Reputed for endowments of the _Minde_. - The _Cornucopias_, well-knowne _Emblems_, are, - By which, great _wealth_, and _plenties_, figur’d were; - And (if you joyne together, what they spell) - It will, to ev’ry Vnderstanding, tell, - That, where _Internall-Graces_ may be found, - _Eternall-blessings_, ever, will abound. - For, this is _truth_, and (though some thoughts in you - Suggest, that this is, often times, untrue) - This, ever is the _truth_; and, they have got - Few right-form’d _Vertues_, who believe it not. - I will confesse, true _Vertue_ hath not ever - All _Common-plenties_, for which most indeavour; - Nor have the _Perfect’st-Vertues_, those high places, - Which _Knowledge_, _Arts_ (and, such as have the faces - Of outward _beauty_) many times, attaine; - For, these are things, which (often) those men gaine, - That are more _flesh_, then _spirit_; and, have need - Of _carnall-helpes_, till higher they proceede. - But, they, of whom I speake, are flowne so high, - As, not to want those _Toyes_, for which wee crye: - And, I had showne you somewhat of their store, - But, that, this _Page_, had roome to write no more. - - - _The =Gospel=, thankefully imbrace; - For, =God=, vouchsafed us, this =Grace=._ - -[Illustration: DEVS NOBIS HÆC OTIA FECIT. - -ILLVSTR. XXVII. _Book. 2_] - - This moderne _Emblem_, is a mute expressing - Of _Gods_ great Mercies, in a _Moderne-blessing_; - And, gives me, now, just cause to sing his praise, - For granting me, my being, in these dayes. - The much-desired _Messages_ of Heav’n, - For which, our _Fathers_ would their lives have giv’n, - And (in _Groves_, _Caves_, and _Mountaines_, once a yeare) - Were glad, with hazard of their goods, to heare; - Or, in lesse bloudy times, at their owne homes, - To heare, in private, and obscured roomes. - Lo; those, those _Ioyfull-tydings_, we doe live - Divulg’d, in every _Village_, to perceive; - And, that, the sounds of _Gladnesse_, eccho may, - Through all our goodly _Temples_, ev’ry day. - _This was (=Oh God=) thy doing; unto thee, - Ascrib’d, for ever, let all Prayses bee. - Prolong this =Mercie=, and, vouchsafe the =fruit=, - May to thy =Labour=, on this =Vine-yard=, suit: - Lest, for our fruitlesnesse, thy =Light of grace=, - Thou, from our =Golden candlesticke=, displace. - We doe, me thinkes, already, =Lord=, beginne - To =wantonize=, and let that =loathing= in, - Which makes thy =Manna= tastlesse; And, I feare, - That, of those =Christians=, who, more often =heare=, - Then practise, what =they know=, we have too many: - And, I suspect my =selfe=, as much as any. - Oh! mend =me= so, that, by amending =mee=, - Amends in =others=, may increased be: - And, let all =Graces=, which thou hast bestow’d, - Returne thee =honour=, from whom, first, they flow’d._ - - - _The =Bees=, will in an =Helmet= breed; - And, =Peace=, doth after =Warre=, succeed._ - -[Illustration: EX BELLO PAX - -ILLVSTR. XXVIII. _Book. 2_] - - When you have heeded, by your _Eyes_ of _sense_, - This _Helmet_, hiving of a Swarme of _Bees_, - Consider, what may gather’d be from thence, - And, what your _Eye_ of _Vnderstanding_ sees. - That _Helmet_, and, those other _Weapons_, there, - Betoken _Warre_; the Honey-making, _Flyes_, - An _Emblem_ of a happy _Kingdome_, are, - Injoying _Peace_, by painfull Industries: - And, when, all these together are exprest, - As in this _Emblem_, where the _Bees_, doe seeme - To make their dwelling, in a _Plumed-Crest_, - A _Morall_ is implyed, worth esteeme. - For, these inferre, mysteriously, to me, - That, _Peace_, and _Art_, and _Thrift_, most firme abides, - In those _Re-publikes_, where, _Armes_ cherisht bee; - And, where, true _Martiall-discipline_, resides. - When, of their Stings, the _Bees_, disarm’d, become, - They, who, on others Labours, use to prey, - Incourag’d are, with violence, to come, - And, beare their _Honey_, and, their _Waxe_, away. - So when a _People_, meerely, doe affect - To gather Wealth; and (foolishly secure) - Defences necessary, quite neglect; - Their Foes, to spoyle their Land, it will allure. - Long _Peace_, brings _Warre_; and, _Warre_, brings _Peace_, againe: - For, when the smart of _Warfare_ seizeth on them, - They crye, _Alarme_; and, then, to fight, are faine, - Vntill, their _Warre_, another _Peace_, hath wonne them; - And, out of their old rusty _Helmets_, then, - New _Bees_ doe swarme, and, fall to worke agen. - - - _The =Heart= of him, that is =upright=, - In =Heavenly-knowledge=, takes delight._ - -[Illustration: COR RECTṼ INQVIRIT SCIENTIĀ. - -ILLVSTR. XXIX. _Book. 2_] - - This _Emblem_, with some other of the rest, - Are scarce, with seemly _Properties_, exprest, - Yet, since a vulgar, and a meane _Invention_ - May yield some _Fruit_, and shew a good _Intention_; - Ile, hence, as well informe your _Intellects_, - As if these _Figures_ had not those defects. - The _Booke_, here shadow’d, may be said, to show - The _Wisdome_, and _Experience_, which we know - By Common meanes, and, by these _Creatures_, here, - Which to be plac’d below us, may appeare. - The _Winged-heart_, betokens those _Desires_, - By which, the _Reasonable-soule_, aspires - Above the _Creature_; and, attempts to clime, - To _Mysteries_, and _Knowledge_, more sublime: - Ev’n to the _Knowledge_ of the _Three-in-one_, - Implyed by the _Tetragrammaton_. - The _Smokings_ of this _Heart_, may well declare - Those _Perturbations_, which within us are, - Vntill, that Heavenly wisedome, we have gain’d, - Which is not, here, below, to be attain’d; - And, after which, those _Hearts_, that are _upright_, - Enquire with daily studie, and delight. - _To me, =Oh Lord=, vouchsafe thou, to impart - The gift of such a =Rectifyed-heart=. - Grant me the =Knowledge= of Inferiour things, - So farre, alone, as their Experience, brings - The =Knowledge=, which, I ought to have of thee, - And, of those Dueties, thou requir’st of mee: - For, thee, =Oh God=, to =know=, and, thee to =feare=, - Of truest =Wisedome=, the Perfections are._ - - - _Where, =Labour=, wisely, is imploy’d, - Deserved =Glory=, is injoy’d._ - -[Illustration: ΕΚ ΠΟΝΟΥ ΚΛΕΟΣ. - -ILLVSTR. XXX. _Book. 2_] - - Doe men suppose, when _Gods_ free-giving Hand, - Doth by their _Friends_, or, by _Inheritance_, - To _Wealth_ or _Titles_, raise them in the Land, - That, those, to _Lasting-glories_, them advance? - Or, can men thinke, such _Goods_, or _Gifts_ of Nature, - As _Nimble-apprehensions_, _Memory_, - An _Able-body_, or, a comely _Feature_ - (Without improvement) them, shall dignifie? - May Sloth, and Idlenesse, be warrantable, - In us, because our _Fathers_ have been rich? - Or, are wee, therefore, truely honourable, - Because our _Predecessours_, have beene such? - When, nor our _Fortunes_, nor our _naturall parts_, - In any measure, are improved by us, - Are others bound (as if we had deserts) - With Attributes of _Honour_ to belye us? - No, no; the more our _Predecessours_ left, - (Yea, and, the more, by _nature_, we enjoy) - We, of the more esteeme, shall be bereft; - Because, our _Talents_, we doe mis-imploy. - True _Glory_, doth on _Labour_, still attend; - But, without _Labour_, _Glory_ we have none. - _She_, crownes good _Workmen_, when their Works have end; - And, _Shame_, gives payment, where is nothing done. - Laborious, therefore, bee; But, lest the _Spade_ - (which, here, doth _Labour_ meane) thou use in vaine, - The _Serpent_, thereunto, be sure thou adde; - That is, Let _Prudence_ guide thy _taking-paine_. - For, where, a _wise-endeavour_, shall be found, - A _Wreath_ of _Glory_, will inclose it round. - - - _Behold, you may, the =Picture=, here, - Of what, keepes =Man=, and =Childe=, in feare._ - -[Illustration: PVEROS CASTIGO VIROSQ[VE] - -ILLVSTR. XXXI. _Book. 2_] - - These, are the great’st _Afflictions_, most men have, - Ev’n from their _Nursing-cradle_, to their _Grave_: - Yet, both so needfull are, I cannot see, - How either of them, may well spared bee. - The _Rod_ is that, which, most our _Child-hood_ feares; - And, seemes the great’st _Affliction_ that it beares: - That, which to _Man-hood_, is a plague, as common - (And, more unsufferable) is a _Woman_. - Yet, blush not _Ladies_; neither frowne, I pray, - That, thus of _Women_, I presume to say; - Nor, number mee, as yet, among your _foes_; - For, I am more your _friend_, then you suppose: - Nor smile ye _Men_, as if, from hence, ye had - An Argument, that _Woman-kinde_ were bad. - The _Birch_, is blamelesse (yea, by nature, sweet, - And gentle) till, with stubborne Boyes, it meet: - But, then, it smarts. So, _Women_, will be kinde, - Vntill, with froward _Husbands_, they are joyn’d: - And, then indeed (perhaps) like Birchen boughes, - (Which, else, had beene a trimming, to their House) - They, sometimes prove, sharpe _whips_, and _Rods_, to them, - That _Wisdome_, and _Instruction_ doe contemne. - A _Woman_, was not given for _Correction_; - But, rather for a furtherance to _Perfection_: - A precious _Balme of love_, to cure Mans griefe; - And, of his Pleasures, to become the chiefe. - If, therefore, she occasion any smart, - The blame, he merits, wholly, or in part: - For, like sweet _Honey_, she, good _Stomackes_, pleases; - But, paines the _Body_, subject to _Diseases_. - - - _=Death’s= one =long-Sleepe=; and, =Life’s= no more, - But one =short-Watch=, an houre before._ - -[Illustration: VITA MORTALIVM VIGILIA. - -ILLVSTR. XXXII. _Book. 2_] - - When, on this _Child-like-figure_, thou shalt looke, - Which, with his _Light_, his _Houre-glasse_, and his _booke_, - Sits, in a _watching-posture_, formed here; - And, when thou hast perus’d that _Motto_, there, - On which he layes his hand; thy selfe apply - To what it counselleth; and, _learne to die_, - While that _Light_ burnes, and, that _short-houre_ doth last, - Which, for this _Lesson_, thou obtained hast. - And, in this _bus’nesse_, use thou no delayes; - For, if the bigger _Motto_ truely, sayes, - There is not left unto thee, one whole _Watch_, - Thy necessary labours, to dispatch. - It was no more, when first thy _Life_ begunne; - And, many _Glasses_ of that _Watch_ be runne: - Which thou observing, shouldst be put in minde, - To husband well, the _space_ that is behind. - Endeavour honestly, whil’st thou hast _light_: - Deferre thou not, thy _Iourney_, till the _night_; - Nor, sleepe away, in Vanities, the _prime_, - And _flowre_, of thy most acceptable _time_. - So watchfull, rather, and, so carefull be, - That, whensoere the _Bridegroome_ summons thee; - And, when thy _Lord_ returnes, unlookt for, home; - Thou mayst, a _Partner_, in their joyes, become. - _And, oh =my God!= so warie, and so wise, - Let me be made; that, this, which I advise - To other men (and really have thought) - May, still, in practice, by my selfe, be brought: - And, helpe, and pardon me, when I transgresse, - Through humane frailtie, or, forgetfulnesse._ - - - _What ever =God= did =fore-decree=, - Shall, without faile, =fulfilled be=._ - -[Illustration: MANET IMMVTABILE FATVM. - -ILLVSTR. XXXIII. _Book. 2_] - - Me thinkes, that _Fate_, which _God_ weighs forth to all, - I, by the _Figure_ of this _Even-Skale_, - May partly show; and, let my _Reader_, see - The state, of an _Immutable-decree_; - And, how it differs, from those _Destinies_, - Which carnall understandings, doe devise. - For, this implies, that ev’ry thing, _to-come_, - Was, by a steady, and, by equall _doome_, - Weigh’d out, by _Providence_; and, that, by _Grace_, - Each _thing_, each _person_, ev’ry _time_, and _place_, - Had thereunto, a _powre_, and _portion_ given, - So proper to their nature (and, so even - To that just _measure_, which, aright became - The _Workings_, and, the _being_, of the same) - As, best might helpe the furthering of that _end_, - Which, _God’s_ eternall _wisedome_, doth intend. - And, though, I dare not be so bold, as they, - Who, of _God’s_ Closet, seeme to keep the _Key_; - (And, things, for absolute _Decrees_, declare, - Which, either _false_, or, but _Contingents_ are) - Yet, in his _Will-reveal’d_, my _Reason_, sees - Thus much, of his _Immutable-decrees_: - That, him, a _Doome-eternall_, reprobateth, - Who scorneth _Mercie_; or, _Instruction_ hateth, - Without _Repenting_: And, that, whensoever, - A _Sinner_, true _amendment_, shall indeavour; - Bewaile his _Wickednesse_, and, call for _grace_; - There shall be, for _Compassion_, time, and place. - And, this, I hold, a branch of that _Decree_, - Which, Men may say, shall _never changed be_. - - - _My =Fortune=, I had rather beare; - Then come, where greater perills are._ - -[Illustration: DETERIVS FORMIDO. - -ILLVSTR. XXXIV. _Book. 2_] - - Marke well this _Caged-fowle_; and, thereby, see, - What, thy estate, may, peradventure, be. - She, wants her _freedome_; so, perhaps, dost thou, - Some _freedomes_ lacke, which, are desired, now; - And, though, thy _Body_ be not so confin’d; - Art straitned, from some liberty of _Minde_. - The _Bird in thrall_, the more contented lyes, - Because, the _Hawke_, so neere her, she espyes; - And, though, the _Cage_ were open, more would feare, - To venture out, then to continue there: - So, if thou couldst perceive, what _Birds of prey_, - Are hov’ring round about thee, every day, - To seize thy _Soule_ (when she abroad shall goe, - To take the _Freedome_, she desireth so) - Thou, farre more fearefull, wouldst of them, become, - Then thou art, now, of what thou flyest from. - Not _Precepts_, but _Experience_, thus hath taught me; - Which, to such resolutions, now have brought me, - That, whatsoever mischiefes others doe me, - I make them yield some true Contentments to me; - And, seldome struggle from them, till I see, - That, _smother-fortunes_ will securer be. - What spight soere my Foes, to me, can doe, - I laugh thereat, within an houre or two; - For, though the World, and I, at first, believe, - My Suffrings, give me cause enough to grieve; - Yet, afterward, I finde (the more to glad me) - That, better _Fortunes_, might farre worse have made me. - By some young _Devills_, though, I scratched am, - Yet, I am hopefull, I shall scape their _Dam_. - - - _The more contrary =Windes= doe blow, - The greater =Vertues= praise will grow._ - -[Illustration: ADVERSIS CLARIVS ARDET. - -ILLVSTR. XXXV. _Book. 2_] - - Observe the nature of that _Fiery-flame_, - Which on the _Mountaines_ top so brightly showes; - The _Windes_ from every quarter, blow the same, - Yea, and to blow it out, their _fury_ blowes; - But, lo; the more they _storme_, the more it _shineth_; - At every Blast, the _Flame_ ascendeth higher; - And, till the _Fuells_ want, that rage confineth, - It, will be, still, a great, and glorious _Fire_. - Thus fares the man, whom _Vertue_, Beacon-like, - Hath fixt upon the _Hills_ of Eminence, - At him, the Tempests of mad _Envie_ strike, - And, rage against his Piles of Innocence; - But, still, the more they wrong him, and the more - They seeke to keepe his worth from being knowne, - They, daily, make it greater, then before; - And, cause his _Fame_, the farther to be blowne. - When, therefore, no selfe-doting _Arrogance_, - But, _Vertues_, cover’d with a modest vaile, - Breake through _obscurity_, and, thee advance - To place, where _Envie_ shall thy worth assaile; - Discourage not thy selfe: but, stand the shockes - Of wrath, and fury. Let them snarle and bite; - Pursue thee, with _Detraction_, _Slanders_, _Mockes_, - And, all the venom’d Engines of _Despight_, - Thou art above their malice; and, the _blaze_ - Of thy _Cælestiall-fire_, shall shine so cleare, - That, their besotted soules, thou shalt amaze; - And, make thy _Splendours_, to their shame, appeare. - If this be all, that _Envies_ rage can doe, - _Lord, give me_ Vertues, _though I suffer too_. - - - _Even as the =Smoke= doth passe away; - So, shall all =Worldly-pompe= decay._ - -[Illustration: SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MVNDI. - -ILLVSTR. XXXVI. _Book. 2_] - - Some better _Arguments_, then yet I see, - I must perceive; and, better causes, why, - To those gay things, I should addicted bee, - To which, the Vulgar their _Affections_ tye. - I have consider’d, _Scepters_, _Miters_, _Crownes_, - With each appurtenance to them belonging; - My _heart_, hath search’d their _Glories_, and _Renownes_; - And, all the pleasant things about them thronging: - My _Soule_, hath truely weigh’d, and, tooke the measure, - Of _Riches_ (which the most have so desired) - I have distill’d the Quintessence of _Pleasure_, - And, seene those Objects, that are most admired. - I, likewise feele all _Passions_, and _Affections_, - That helpe to cheat the _Reason_, and perswade - That those poore _Vanities_, have some perfections, - Whereby their Owners, happy might be made. - Yet, when that I have rouz’d my _Vnderstanding_, - And cleans’d my Heart from some of that Corruption, - Which hinders in me _Reasons_ free commanding, - And, shewes, things, without vailes, or interruption; - Then, they, me thinkes, as fruitlesse doe appeare, - As _Bubbles_ (wherewithall young-children play) - Or, as the _Smoke_, which, in our _Emblem_, here, - Now, makes a show, and, straight, consumes away. - _Be pleas’d, =Oh God=, my value may be such - Of every =Outward-blessing=, here below, - That, I may neither love them overmuch, - Nor underprise the =Gifts=, thou shalt bestow:_ - But, know the use, of all these fading _Smokes_; - And, be refresht, by that, which others chokes. - - - _=Death=, is unable to divide - Their Hearts, whose Hands =True-love= hath tyde._ - -[Illustration: IVSQVE A LA MORT - -ILLVSTR. XXXVII. _Book. 2_] - - Upon an _Altar_, in this _Emblem_, stands - A _Burning-heart_; and, therewithall, you see - Beneath _Deaths-head_, a paire of _Loving-hands_, - Which, close, and fast-united, seeme to be. - These moderne _Hieroglyphickes_ (vulgarly - Thus bundled up together) may afford - Good-meanings, with as much _Propriety_, - As best, with common _Iudgements_, will accord. - It may imply, that, when both _Hand_ and _Heart_, - By sympathizing dearenesse are invited, - To meet each others nat’rall _Counterpart_, - And, are by sacred _Ordinance_ united: - They then have entred that strict _Obligation_, - By which they, firmely, ev’ry way are ty’d; - And, without meanes (or thought of separation) - Should in that _Vnion_, till their _Deaths_, abide; - This, therefore, minde thou, whatsoere thou be - (Whose _Marriage-ring_, this _Covenant_, hath sealed) - For, though, thy Faith’s infringement, none can see, - Thy secret fault, shall one day, be revealed. - And, thou that art at liberty, take heed, - Lest thou (as over great a number doe) - Of thine owne person, make a _Privy-deed_, - And, afterwards, deny thy doing so. - For, though there be, nor _Church_, nor _Chappell_, nigh thee - (Nor outward witnesses of what is done) - A _Power-invisible_ doth alwayes eye thee; - And, thy pretended _Love_, so lookes upon, - That, if thou be not, till thy _dying_, true; - Thy _Falsehood_, till thy _dying_, thou shalt rue. - - - _False =Weights=, with =Measures= false eschew, - And, give to ev’ry man, their =Due=._ - -[Illustration: SVVM CVIQVE TRIBVE - -ILLVSTR. XXXVIII. _Book. 2_] - - Forth of a _Cloud_ (with _Scale_ and _Rule_) extended - An _Arme_ (for this next _Emblem_) doth appeare; - Which hath to us in _silent-showes_, commended, - A _Vertue_, that is often wanting, here. - The World, is very studious of _Deceipts_; - And, he is judged wisest, who deceives. - _False-measures_, and, _Adulterated-weights_, - Of many dues, the needy-man bereaves. - Ev’n _Weights_ to sell, and, other _Weights_ to buy - (_Two sorts of weights_) in practice are, with some; - And, both of these, they often falsifie, - That, they to great, and _suddaine wealth_, may come. - But, Conscience make of raysing your estates, - By such a base, and such a wicked way: - For, this Injustice, _God_ expressely hates; - And, brings, at last, such _thrivers_ to decay. - By _Weight_ and _measure_, _He_, on all bestowes - The Portions due; That, _Weight_ and _Measure_, then, - Which Man to _God_, or to his _Neighbour_ owes, - Should, justly, be returned backe agen. - Give ev’ry one, in ev’ry thing his owne: - Give _honour_, where an _honour_ shall be due; - Where you are _loved_, let your _love_ be showne; - And, yield them succours, who have succour’d you. - Give to thy _Children_, breeding and _Corrections_; - Thy _Charities_, ev’n to thy _Foes_ extend: - Give to thy _wife_, the best of thy _Affections_; - To _God_, thy _selfe_, and, all thou hast, commend: - And, lest thou faile, Remember who hath sayd, - _Such =measure=, as thou giv’st, shall be repay’d_. - - - _He needs not feare, what spight can doe, - Whom =Vertue= friends, and =Fortune=, too._ - -[Illustration: IN VIRTVTE ET FORTVNA. - -ILLVSTR. XXXIX. _Book. 2_] - - When, in this _Emblem_ here, observe you shall - An _Eaglet_, perched, on a _Winged-ball_ - Advanced on an _Altar_; and, have ey’d - The _Snakes_, assayling him, on ev’ry side: - Me thinkes, by that, you straight should apprehend - Their state, whom _Wealth_, and _Vertue_, doe befriend. - My Iudgement, by that _Altar-stone_, conceives - The sollidnesse, which, true _Religion_ gives; - And, that fast-grounded _goodnesse_, which, we see; - In grave, and sound _Morality_, to be. - The _Flying-ball_, doth, very well, expresse - All _Outward-blessings_, and, their _ficklenesse_. - Our _Eaglet_, meaneth such _Contemplatives_, - As, in this world, doe passe away their lives, - By so possessing that which they have got, - As if they car’d not, though, they had it not. - The _Snakes_, may well resemble those, among them, - Who, meerely out of _envie_, seeke to wrong them; - And, all these _Figures_ (thus together layd) - Doe speake to me, as if these words, they sayd: - _That man, who builds upon the best =foundation=, - (And spreads the widest wings of =Contemplation=) - Whil’st, in the =flesh=, he bides, will need some props - of =earthly-fortunes=, to support his =hopes=: - And, other-while, those things, may meanes become, - The stings of =Envie=, to secure him from._ - And, hence, I learne; that, such, as will abide, - Against all _Envie_, strongly fortify’d, - Must joyne, great _Vertues_, and great _Wealth_, together. - _God helpe us, then, =poore-soules=, who scarce have either!_ - - - _=Time=, is a =Fading-flowre=, that’s found - Within =Eternities= wide =round=._ - -[Illustration: ΑΙΩΝΙΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΣΚΑΙΡΟΝ. - -ILLVSTR. XL. _Book. 2_] - - Five _Termes_, there be, which five, I doe apply - To all, that _was_, and _is_, and, _shall be done_. - The _first_, and _last_, is that ETERNITIE, - Which, neither shall have _End_, nor, was _begunne_. - BEGINNING, is the _next_; which, is a space - (Or moment rather) scarce imaginarie, - Made, when the first _Material_, formed was; - And, then, forbidden, longer time to tarry. - TIME entred, when, BEGINNING had an _Ending_, - And, is a Progresse, all the workes of _Nature_, - Within the circuit of it, comprehending, - Ev’n till the _period_, of the _Outward-creature_. - END, is the _fourth_, of those five _Termes_ I meane; - (As briefe, as was _Beginning_) and, ordayned, - To set the last of _moments_, to that _Scæne_, - Which, on this Worlds wide _Stage_, is entertayned. - The _fifth_, we EVERLASTING, fitly, call; - For, though, it once _begunne_, yet, shall it never - Admit, of any _future-end_, at all; - But, be extended onward, still, for ever. - The knowledge of these _Termes_, and of what _actions_, - To each of them belongs, would set an end, - To many Controversies, and Distractions, - Which doe so many trouble, and offend. - TIME’S nature, by the _Fading-flowre_, appeares; - Which, is a _Type_, of Transitory things: - The _Circled-snake_, ETERNITIE declares; - Within whose _Round_, each fading Creature, springs. - Some _Riddles_ more, to utter, I intended, - But, lo; a sudden stop, my words have ended. - - - _When great Attempts are undergone, - Ioyne =Strength= and =Wisedome=, both in one._ - -[Illustration: VIRIBVS IVNGENDA SAPIENTIA. - -ILLVSTR. XLI. _Book. 2_] - - If (_Reader_) thou desirous be to know - What by the _Centaure_, seemeth here intended; - What, also, by the _Snake_, and, by the _Bowe_, - Which in his hand, he beareth alway bended: - Learne, that this _halfe-a man_, and _halfe-a horse_, - Is ancient _Hieroglyphicke_, teaching thee, - That, _Wisedome_ should be joyn’d with outward _force_, - If prosperous, we desire our workes to be. - His _Vpper-part_, the shape of _Man_, doth beare, - To teach, that, _Reason_ must become our _guide_. - The _hinder-parts_, a _Horses_ Members are; - To shew, that we must, also, _strength_ provide: - The _Serpent_, and the _Bowe_, doth signifie - The same (or matter to the same effect) - And, by two _Types_, one _Morall_ to implie, - Is doubled a _fore-warning_ of _neglect_. - When _Knowledge_ wanteth _Power_, despis’d we grow, - And, _know_ but how to aggravate our paine: - Great _strength_, will worke it owne sad overthrow, - Vnlesse, it guided be, with _Wisedomes_ reine. - _Therefore, =Oh God=, vouchsafe thou so to marry - The gifts of =Soule= and =Body=, both, in me, - That, I may still have all things necessary, - To worke, as I commanded am, by thee. - And, let me not possesse them, =Lord=, =alone=, - But, also, =know= their vse; and, so well =know= it, - That, I may doe each =duety= to be done; - And, with upright Intentions, alwayes doe it. - If this be more, then, yet, obtaine I may, - My _will_ accept thou, for the =deed=, I pray._ - - - _The =Ground= brings forth all needfull things; - But, from the =Sunne=, this vertue springs._ - -[Illustration: SOLVM A SOLE - -ILLVSTR. XLII. _Book. 2_] - - We doe acknowledge (as this _Emblem_ showes) - That _Fruits_ and _Flowres_, and many _pleasant-things_, - From out the _Ground_, in ev’ry season growes; - And, that unto their _being_, helpe it brings. - Yet, of it selfe, the _Ground_, we know is dull, - And, but a _Willing-patient_, whereupon - The _Sunne_, with Beames, and Vertues wonderfull, - Prepareth, and effecteth, what is done. - We, likewise, doe acknowledge, that our _eyes_ - Indowed are with faculties of _Seeing_, - And, with some other nat’rall _properties_, - Which are as much our owne, as is our _Being_. - However, till the _Sunne_ imparts his light, - We finde, that we in _darkenesse_ doe remaine, - Obscured in an everlasting night; - And, boast our _Seeing-faculties_, in vaine. - So, we, by nature, have some nat’rall powers: - But, _Grace_, must those abilities of ours - First move; and, guide them, still, in moving, thus, - To worke with _God_, when _God_ shall worke on us: - For, _God_ so workes, that, no man he procures - Against his _nature_, ought to chuse, or shun: - But, by his _holy-Spirit_, him allures; - And, with sweet mildnesse, proveth ev’ry one. - The _Sunne_ is faultlesse of it, when the birth - Of some bad _Field_, is nothing else but _Weeds_: - For, by the selfe-same _Sun-shine_, fruitfull Earth - Beares pleasant Crops, and plentifully breeds. - Thus, from our _selves_, our _Vices_ have increase, - Our _Vertues_, from the _Sunne_ of _Righteousnesse_. - - - _No =passage= can divert the =Course=, - Of =Pegasus=, the =Muses= Horse._ - -[Illustration: RECTO CVRSV - -ILLVSTR. XLIII. _Book. 2_] - - This is the _Poets-horse_; a _Palfray_, SIRS, - (That may be ridden, without rod or spurres) - Abroad, more famous then _Bucephalus_, - Though, not so knowne, as _Banks_ his horse, with us; - Or some of those _fleet-horses_, which of late, - Have runne their _Masters_, out of their estate. - For, those, and _Hobby-horses_, best befit - The note, and practice of their moderne wit, - Who, what this _Horse_ might meane, no knowledge had, - Vntill, a _Taverne-signe_, they saw it made. - Yet, this old _Emblem_ (worthy veneration) - Doth figure out, that _winged-contemplation_, - On which the _Learned_ mount their best _Invention_, - And, climbe the _Hills_ of highest Apprehension. - This is the nimble _Gennet_, which doth carry, - Their _Fancie_, thorow _Worlds_ imaginary; - And, by _Idæas_ feigned, shewes them there, - The nature of those _Truths_, that reall are. - By meanes of _this_, our _Soules_ doe come to know - A thousand secrets, in the _Deeps_ below; - Things, here on _Earth_, and, things above the _Skyes_, - On which, we never fixed, yet, our eyes. - No thorny, miery, steepe, nor craggy place, - Can interrupt this _Courser_, in his race: - For, that, which others, in their passage troubles, - Augments his courage, and his vigour doubles. - _Thus, fares the =Minde=, infus’d with brave desires; - It flies through Darkenesse, Dangers, Flouds, and Fires: - And, in despight of what her ayme resisteth: - Pursues her =hopes=, and takes the =way= she listeth._ - - - _The =Husbandman=, doth sow the Seeds; - And, then, on =Hope=, till =Harvest=, feeds._ - -[Illustration: SPES ALIT AGRICOLAS:· - -ILLVSTR. XLIV. _Book. 2_] - - The painfull _Husbandman_, with sweaty browes, - Consumes in labour many a weary day: - To breake the stubborne earth, he _digs_ and _ploughes_, - And, then, the Corne, he scatters on the clay: - When that is done, he _harrowes_ in the Seeds, - And, by a well-cleans’d Furrow, layes it drye: - He, frees it from the _Wormes_, the _Moles_, the _Weeds_; - He, on the _Fences_, also hath an eye. - And, though he see the chilling Winter, bring - _Snowes_, _Flouds_, and _Frosts_, his Labours to annoy; - Though _blasting-windes_ doe nip them in the _Spring_, - And, _Summers_ Meldewes, threaten to destroy: - Yea, though not onely _Dayes_, but _Weekes_, they are - (Nay, many _Weekes_, and, many _Moneths_ beside) - In which he must with payne, prolong his care, - Yet, constant in his hopes he doth abide. - For this respect, HOPE’S _Emblem_, here, you see - Attends the _Plough_, that men beholding it, - May be instructed, or else minded be, - What Hopes, continuing _Labours_, will befit. - Though, long thou toyled hast, and, long attended - About such workings as are necessary; - And, oftentimes, ere fully they are ended, - Shalt finde thy paines in danger to miscarry: - Yet, be not out of _hope_, nor quite dejected: - For, buryed Seeds will sprout when _Winter’s_ gone; - Vnlikelier things are many times effected; - And, _God_ brings helpe, when men their best have done. - Yea, they that in _Good-workes_ their life imploy; - Although, _they sowe in teares, shall reape in joy_. - - - _Things, to their best perfection come, - Not all at once; but, =some= and =some=._ - -[Illustration: POCO A POCO. - -ILLVSTR. XLV. _Book. 2_] - - When, thou shalt visit, in the Moneth of _May_, - A costly _Garden_, in her best array; - And, view the well-grown Trees, the wel-trimm’d Bowers, - The Beds of Herbs, the knots of pleasant flowers, - With all the deckings, and the fine devices, - Perteyning to those earthly _Paradises_, - Thou canst not well suppose, one day, or two, - Did finish all, which had beene, there, to doe. - Nor dost thou, when young Plants, or new-sowne Lands, - Doe thirst for needfull Watrings, from thy hands, - By _Flood-gates_, let whole Ponds amongst them come; - But, them besprinklest, rather, _some_ and _some_; - Lest, else, thou marre the _Flowres_, or chill the _Seed_, - Or drowne the _Saplings_, which did moysture need. - Let this experiment, which, to thy thought, - May by this _Emblem_, now perhaps, be brought, - Perswade thee to consider, that, no actions, - Can come, but by _degrees_, to their perfections; - And, teach thee, to allot, for every thing, - That _leisurely-proceeding_, which may bring - The ripenesse, and the fulnesse, thou expectest: - And, though thy _Hopes_, but slowly thou effectest, - Discourage not thy selfe; since, oft they prove - Most prosperous actions, which at leisure move. - By many _drops_, is made a mighty _showre_; - And many _minutes_ finish up an _houre_: - By _little_, and by _little_, we possesse - Assurance of the greatest _Happinesse_. - And, oft, by too much _haste_, and, too much _cost_, - Great _Wealth_, great _Honours_, and, great _Hopes_, are _lost_. - - - _=Affliction=, doth to many adde - More =value=, then, before, they had._ - -[Illustration: TRIBVLATIO DITAT. - -ILLVSTR. XLVI. _Book. 2_] - - Though I am somewhat soberer to day, - I have been (I confesse) as mad as they, - Who think those men, that large Possessions have, - Gay Clothes, fine Furnitures, and Houses brave, - Are those (nay more, that they alone are those) - On whom, the stile of _Rich_, we should impose. - But, having, by experience, understood - His words, who sayd, _his troubles did him good_, - I, now perceive, the _Worldly-rich_ are poore, - Vnlesse of _Sorrowes_, also, they have store. - Till from the _Straw_, the _Flaile_, the _Corne_ doth beat; - Vntill the _Chaffe_, be purged from the _Wheat_, - Yea, till the _Mill_, the _Graines_ in pieces teare, - The richnesse of the _Flowre_, will scarce appeare. - So, till mens persons great _Afflictions_ touch - (If _worth_ be found) their _worth_ is not so much, - Because, like _Wheat_, in _Straw_, they have nor, yet, - That value, which in _threshing_, they may get. - For, till the bruising _Flailes_ of GOD’S _Corrections_, - Have threshed out of us our vaine _Affections_; - Till those _Corruptions_, which doe misbecome us, - Are by thy _Sacred-spirit_, winnowed from us; - Vntill, from us, the _straw_ of _Worldly-treasures_; - Till all the dusty _Chaffe_ of empty _Pleasures_; - Yea, till his _Flaile_, upon us, he doth lay, - To thresh the huske of this our _Flesh_ away; - And, leave the _Soule_ uncover’d; nay, yet more, - Till _God_ shall make, our very _Spirit_ poore; - We shall not up to highest _Wealth_ aspire: - But, then we shall; and, _that is my desire_. - - - _Though =Fortune=, hath a powerfull =Name=, - Yet, =Vertue= overcomes the same._ - -[Illustration: VICTRIX FORTVNÆ SAPIENTIA. - -ILLVSTR. XLVII. _Book. 2_] - - A _Snake_, (which was by wise _Antiquitie_ - Much us’d, the type of _Prudencie_ to be) - Hemmes in a _Winged-ball_, which doth imply, - That _Fickle-fortune_, from which, none are free. - Above this _Ball_, the _Snake_ advanceth too, - The _Laurell_, and the _Sword_; which, _Emblems_ are, - Whereby our _Authour_ maketh much adoe, - A _Conquest_ over _Fortune_, to declare. - And, well enough this purpose it befits, - If (_Reader_) any one of those thou be, - Whose _Fortunes_ must be mended by their _Wits_; - And, it affords instructions fit for thee: - For, hence, thou mayst collect, that, no estate - Can, by _Misfortunes_ means, become so bad, - But, _Prudence_ (who is _Mistresse_ over _Fate_) - May rule it so, that, good it might be made. - Though _Fortunes_ outlawes, on thy _Riches_ prey, - By _Wisedome_, there is meanes, of getting more; - And, ev’ry rub that’s placed in thy way, - Shall make thee walke more safely, then before. - Nor _Poverty_, nor _Paynes_, nor _Spightfulnesse_, - Nor other _Mischiefes_, that _Mischance_ can doe thee, - Shall bring thee any sorrow or distresse, - Which will not be, at last, advantage to thee. - _=Lord=, give me such a =Prudence=: for my =Fortune= - Puts many foyles, and cruell thrusts upon me: - Thy helpe, long since, it made me to importune; - And, thou didst grant it, or she had undone me. - Still, daigne me thy assistance, =Lord=, and, than, - Let all =Misfortunes=, doe the worst they can._ - - - _A =Life=, with =good-repute=, Jle have, - Or, winne an honourable =Grave=._ - -[Illustration: AVT MORS AVT VITA DECORA - -ILLVSTR. XLVIII. _Book. 2_] - - In this our _Emblem_, you shall finde exprest - A _Man_, incountring with a _Salvage-beast_; - And, he resolveth (as his _Motto_ sayes) - To _live_ with _honour_; or, to _dye_ with _praise_. - I like the _Resolution_, and the _Deed_, - In which, this _Figure_ teacheth to proceed. - For, us, me thinkes, it counselleth, to doe, - An act, which all men are oblig’d unto. - That ugly _Bore_ (wherewith the man in strife - Here seemes to be) doth meane a _Swinish-life_, - And, all those beastly _Vices_, that assay - To root becomming _Vertues_ quite away; - Those _Vices_, which not onely marre our features, - But, also, ruinate our manly natures. - The harmefull fury, of this raging _Bore_, - Oppose couragiously, lest more and more, - It get within you; and, at last, appeare - More prevalent, then your defences are. - It is a large-growne _Pig_, of that wilde _Swine_, - Which, ev’ry day, attempts to undermine - Our _Safeties_ Fort: Twas he, which long agoe, - Did seeke the _Holy-Vineyards_ overthrow: - And, if we charge him not with all our power, - The _Sire_, or _hee_, will enter and devoure. - _But, what’s our Strength, =O Lord!= or, what are wee - In such a =Combate=, without ayde from thee? - Oh, come to helpe us, therefore, in this Fight; - And, let us be inabled in thy might: - So, we shall both in =life-time=, Conquests have; - And, be victorious, also, in the =Grave=._ - - - _=Shee= shall increase in glory, still, - Vntill her =light=, the world, doth fill._ - -[Illustration: DONEC TOTṼ IMPLEAT ORBĒ. - -ILLVSTR. XLIX. _Book. 2_] - - What in this _Emblem_, that mans meanings were, - Who made it first, I neither know nor care; - For, whatsoere, he purposed, or thought, - To serve my _purpose_, now it shall be taught; - Who, many times, before this Taske is ended, - Must picke out _Moralls_, where was none intended. - This knot of _Moones_ (or _Crescents_) crowned thus, - Illustrate may a Mystery to us, - Of pious use (and, peradventure, such, - As from old _Hieroglyphicks_, erres not much) - _Old-times_, upon the _Moone_, three _names_ bestow’d; - Because, three diverse wayes, her selfe she show’d: - And, in the _sacred-bookes_, it may be showne, - That _holy-Church_, was figur’d by the _Moone_. - Then, these three _Moones in one_, may intimate - The _holy-Churches_ threefold blest estate. - The _Moone_, still, biding in our _Hemisphære_, - May typifie the _Church_, consisting, here, - Of men, yet living: when she shewes her light - Among us here, _in portions of the night_; - The _Church_ it figures, as consist she may - Of _them_, whose _bodies_ in the _Grave_ doe stay; - And, whose blest _spirits_, are ascended thither, - Where _Soule_ and _Body_ meet, at last, together. - But, when the _Moone_ is hidden from our eyes, - The _Church-triumphant_, then, she signifies; - Which, is a _Crescent_ yet, that, some, and some, - Must grow, till all her parts together come: - And, then, this _Moone_ shall beames, at full, display; - LORD, _hasten this great_ Coronation-day. - - - _True =Vertue= is a =Coat of Maile=, - 'Gainst which, no =Weapons= can prevaile._ - -[Illustration: VIRTVS LORICA FIDELIS - -ILLVSTR. L. _Book. 2_] - - _Lord_, what a coyle men keepe, and, with what care - Their _Pistolls_, and, their _Swords_ doe they prepare, - To be in readinesse? and, how they load - Themselves with Irons, when they ride abroad? - How wise and wary too, can they become, - To fortifie their persons up at home, - With lockes, and barres? and such _domestick-Armes_, - As may secure their bodies, there, from harmes? - However, when all’s done, we see, their foes - Breake in, sometimes, and worke their overthrowes. - For, though (about themselves, with Cable-quoiles, - They could inclose a hundred thousand miles) - The _gunshot_ of a slanderous _tongue_, may smite, - Their _Fame_ quite through it, to the very _White_. - Yea, more (though, there, from others, they were free) - They wounded, by themselves, to death might be, - Except their _Innocence_, more guards them, than - The strength of twenty royall _Armies_, can. - If, therefore, thou thy _Spoylers_, wilt beguile, - Thou must be armed, like this _Crocodile_; - Ev’n with such nat’rall _Armour_ (ev’ry day) - As no man can bestowe, or take away: - For, spitefull _Malice_, at one time or other, - Will pierce all borrowed _Armours_, put together. - _Without_, let _Patience_ durifie thy Skin; - Let _Innocencie_, line thy heart _within_; - Let constant _Fortitude_, unite them so, - That, they may breake the force of ev’ry blow: - And, when thou thus art _arm’d_, if ill thou speed; - Let me sustaine the _Mischiefe_, in thy steed. - - _Finis Libri secundi._ - - - - -[Illustration: Decoration] - -THE SECOND LOTTERIE. - - -1 - - Some friends, and foes, of thine, there be, - That make a _wondring-stocke_ of thee; - Some other over-much, of late, - To thy dishonour boldly prate, - And, peradventure, to thy face, - E’re long, they’l doe thee some disgrace: - Thine _Emblem_, therefore, doth advise - That thou should’st make them no replies; - And showes that _silent-patience_, than - Shall stead thee more then _Answers_ can. - -See, _Emblem._ I. - - -2 - - By such as know you, it is thought, - That, you are better _fed_ then _taught_: - And, that, it might augment your _wit_, - If you were sometimes _hunger-bit_. - That _Emblem_, which by _Lot_ you drew, - To this effect doth somewhat shew: - But 'twill goe hard, when you are faine, - To feed your _Bowells_, by your _Braine_. - -See, _Emb._ II. - - -3 - - Perhaps you may be one of those, - Whom, from the _Church_, an _Organ_ blowes; - Or, peradventure, one of them, - Who doth all melody contemne: - Or, one, whose _life_ is yet untaught, - How into _tune_ it should be brought. - If so, your _Lot_, to you hath sent - An _Emblem_, not impertinent. - -See, _Emb._ III. - - -4 - - God blesse thee, whosoere thou art, - And, give thee still an honest heart: - For, by the fortune of thy _Lot_, - That _Sword_, and _Halter_, thou hast got, - Which threatens _death_, with much disgrace; - Or, promises the Hang-mans’s place. - But, be not griev’d; for, now and than, - The _Gallowes_ makes an honest man; - And, some, who scape an outward curse, - Born in their _lives_ and _deaths_ are worse, - -See, _Emb._ IV. - - -_M_ 5 - - Thou would’st be loth, we should suspect, - Thou didst not well thy _King_ affect; - Or, that, thou should’st be so ingrate, - To sleight the welfare of the _State_: - Yet, thou, perchance, art one of those, - Who _discord_ through the _Kingdome_ sowes. - We know not, but if such thou be, - Marke, what thine _Emblem_ teaches thee. - -See, _Emb._ V. - - -6 - - In you, a naturall desire - Beginnes to blow _Affection’s_ fire; - But, by _discretion_, guide the _blast_, - Lest, it consume you, at the last; - Or, by the fury of the same, - Blow out some necessary _Flame_. - Yea, that, which doth your _Profit_ breed, - May harme you, if you take not heed. - -See, _Emb._ VI. - - -7 - - Be carefull, what you goe about; - For, by this _Lot_, there may be doubt, - That you, some wickednesse intend, - Which will undoe you, in the end. - If you have done the _deed_, repent: - If purpos’d ill, the same prevent. - Else, though in _jest_, this _Counsell_ came, - In _earnest_, you may rue the same. - -See, _Emb._ VII. - - -8 - - Thou art afflicted; or, ere long - Shalt sing some lamentable Song: - And, of those troubles, take some share, - Which, thou art very loth to beare. - But, be not overmuch dismayd, - Nor pine, what ere on thee be layd, - For, comfort shall thy joy restore, - And, make thee gladder, then before. - -See, _Emb._ VIII. - - -9 - - If this thy _Chance_ hath done thee right, - Thou art, or hast beene apt to fight; - And, wilt upon occasion small, - Beginne, sometimes, a needlesse _brawle_. - To shew thee, therefore, thy defect; - Or, that thy folly may be check’t, - And, fit thy minde for better things, - Thine _Emblem_, some good _counsell_ brings. - -See, _Emb._ IX. - - -10 - - What thing soere thou undertak’st, - Thou seldome good conclusion mak’st; - For, still, when thou hast ought to doe, - Thou art too _hasty_, or too _slow_; - And, from that equall temper stray’st, - By which, thy worke effect thou mayst. - To mend this fault thou counsell’d art, - Be wiser, therefore, then thou wert. - -See, _Emb._ X. - - -11 - - Thou hast in publicke lived long, - And, over freely us’d thy _tongue_; - But, if thy safety thou desire, - Be _silent_, and, thy selfe _retire_. - And, if thou wilt not be undone, - Possesse thy _joyes_, and _hopes_, alone: - For, they, that will from harmes be free, - Must _silent_, and _obscured_, bee. - -See, _Emb._ XI. - - -12 - - Thy _Fortune_, thou dost long to heare, - And, what thy _Constellations_ are: - But, why should’st thou desire to know, - What things, the _Planets_ doe foreshow; - Seeke, rather, _Wisedome_ to procure, - And, how, all _Fortunes_ to indure: - So, thou shalt gaine a blest estate, - And, be the _Master_ of thy _Fate_. - -See, _Emb._ XII. - - -13 - - Thou, seem’st to have great store of _friends_, - But, they affect thee, for their ends. - There is, in those, but little trust, - Who love, for _profit_, _mirth_, or _lust_. - Learne, therfore, when, thou mayst be sure, - Thy _Friend’s_ affection will indure; - And, that this _Knowledge_ may be got, - Good notice take thou of thy _Lot_. - -See, _Emb._ XIII. - - -14 - - It is conceiv’d, that meanes thou hast, - Or, might’st have had good meanes, at least, - To bring those matters to effect, - Which thou dost carelesly neglect; - And, good for many might’st have done, - Who, yet, hast pleasur’d few, or none. - If this be true, thy _Lot_ peruse, - And, _God’s_ good gifts, no more abuse. - -See, _Emb._ XIV. - - -15 - - Religious thou would’st faine be deem’d, - And, such, to many thou hast seem’d: - But, to this matter more there goes, - Then zealous lookes, and formall showes. - Looke, therefore, that thy heart be true, - What e’re thou seeme in outward view. - And, if _God’s_ favour thou would’st have, - Observe what _Off’rings_, he doth crave. - -See, _Emb._ XV. - - -16 - - That _Emblem_, which this _Lot_ will bring, - Concernes the honour of a _King_: - How, therefore, thee it may concerne, - By thy discretion seeke to learne. - Perhaps, the _Royall-powre_ hath seem’d - To thee, not so to be esteem’d, - As well it merits, to be priz’d. - If so, now better be advis’d. - -See, _Emb._ XVI. - - -17 - - Both learn’d, and wise, thou would’st become, - (Else thou hast much deceived some) - But, if thy _hopes_ thou will effect, - Thou must not likely _meanes_ neglect; - And, what the likelyest _meanes_ may bee, - Thine _Emblem_ hath advised thee: - For, by a _Fowle_, that’s blockish thought, - Good _counsell_ may to thee be taught. - -See, _Emb._ XVII. - - -18 - - If, to _preferment_ thou wilt rise, - Thou must not _Arts_, nor _Armes_, despise; - Nor so in _one_ of these delight, - That, thou the _other_, wholly sleight. - Nor, to thy _Body_ be inclin’d, - So much, as to neglect thy _Minde_. - This, by thine _Emblem_, thou mayst learne; - And, much thy good it may concerne. - -See, _Emb._ XVIII. - - -19 - - Thy _fortunes_ have appeared bad; - For, many _suff’rings_ thou hast had: - And _tryalls_ too, as yet made knowne - To no mans knowledge, but thine owne. - But, let nor losse, nor fame, nor smart, - From constant hopes remove thy heart: - And, as thine _Emblem_ doth foreshew, - A good conclusion will insue. - -See, _Emb._ XIX. - - -_W_ 20 - - Your _Lot_ informeth how to know - Where, best your _Love_ you may bestow: - And, by the same it may appeare - What _Musicke_ most affects your eare. - Denye it not; for (by your leave) - Wee by your lookes, your heart perceive. - And, this perhaps you’l thinke upon - (To purpose) when you are alone. - -See, _Emb._ XX. - - -21 - - This _Lot_ may make us all suspect, - That some wrong _object_ you affect; - And, that, where dearenesse you pretend, - It is not for the noblest end. - What mischiefe from such falshood flowes, - Your _Emblem_ very truely showes; - And, may more happy make your _Fate_, - If counsell be not come too late. - -See, _Emb._ XXI. - - -22 - - To trust on others, thou art apt; - And, hast already beene intrapt; - Or, may’st er’e long be much deceiv’d - By some, whom thou hast well believ’d. - Be heedfull, therfore, of thy _Lot_; - And, let it never be forgot: - So, though some hazzard thou mayst run, - Yet, thou shalt never be undone. - -See, _Emb._ XXII. - - -23 - - It seemes thou tak’st too great a care - For things, that vaine, and fading are; - Or else, dost overprise them so, - As if all blisse from them did flowe. - That, therefore, thou mayst view their worth, - In _Hieroglyphicke_ shaddow’d forth, - Thy _Lot_ befriends thee: marke the same, - And, be in this, no more to blame. - -See, _Emb._ XXIII. - - -24 - - Though some, should thee, for one, mistake, - Whose _wealth_ is all upon his backe, - If what thou hast, bee all thine owne, - God, hath enough on thee bestowne. - A _Princes_ ransome, wee may beare, - In _Iewells_, which most precious are; - And, yet, to many men may seeme, - To carry nothing worth esteeme. - Therefore, though small thy substance be, - Thine _Emblem_, somewhat comforts thee. - -See, _Emb._ XXIV. - - -25 - - By this your _Emblem_, wee discerne, - That, you are yet of age to learne; - And, that, when elder you shall grow, - There, will be more for you to _know_: - Presume not, therefore of your _wit_, - But, strive that you may benefit. - For, of your age, we many view, - That, farre more _wisedome_ have, then you. - -See, _Emb._ XXV. - - -26 - - By thy complaints, it hath appear’d, - Thou think’st thy _Vertues_ want reward; - And, that, if they their merit had, - Thou _rich_, and _nobler_ should’st be made. - To drive thee from that partiall thought, - Thou, by an _Emblem_, shalt be taught, - That, where true _Vertue_ may be found, - The truest _wealth_ will still abound. - -See, _Emb._ XXVI. - - -27 - - By this thy _Lot_, thou dost appeare - To be of those, who love to heare - The _Preacher’s_ voyce; or, else of them, - That undervalue, or contemne - Those dayly _showres_ of wholsome _words_, - Which _God_, in these our times, affords. - Now, which soere of these thou bee, - Thine _Emblem_, something, teaches thee. - -See, _Emb._ XXVII. - - -28 - - Thou deal’st, when thee thy _foe_ offends, - As if, you never should be _friends_. - In _peace_, thou so secure doth grow, - As if, thou could’st not have a _foe_. - How, therefore, _Peace_ and _Warre_ pursues - Each other, this thine _Emblem_ shewes, - That, thou mayst learne, in ev’ry tide, - For future chances, to provide. - -See, _Emb._ XXVIII. - - -29 - - What e’re thou are in outward shew, - Thy Heart is ever very true, - And, to those _Knowledges_ aspires, - Which every prudent _Soule_ desires: - Yet, be not proud that thou hast got - This testimonie, by thy _Lot_. - But, view thine _Emblem_, and endeaver - In search of _Knowledge_ to persever. - -See, _Emb._ XXIX. - - -30 - - If _Glory_, thou desire to get, - Thy _Wits_, thou must on working set; - And, _labour_ unto _Prudence_ adde, - Before true _Honor_ will be had: - For, what thy _Friends_, or _Parents_ brought, - To make thee _famous_, profits nought; - But, rather will procure thy _shame_, - Vnlesse, thou shalt improove the same. - -See, _Emb._ XXX. - - -_M_ 31 - - The time hath beene, that of the _Rod_, - Thou wert more fearefull, then of _God_; - But, now unlesse thou prudent grow, - More cause thou hast to feare a _shrowe_; - For, from the _Rod_, now thou art free, - A _Woman_, shall thy torment be. - At her, yet doe not thou repine, - For, all the fault is onely thine. - -See, _Emb._ XXXI. - - -32 - - It seemes, thy _Time_ thou dost _mispend_: - To warne thee, therefore of thine end; - To shew, how short thy _Life_ will be; - And, with what speed it flyes from thee; - This _Lot_ was drawne: and, may advize, - That, thou thy time shouldst better prize. - Which, if accordingly thou doe, - This, will be _sport_, and profit too. - -See, _Emb._ XXXII. - - -33 - - It may be, thou art one of those, - Who, dost not all aright suppose, - Of _Gods Decrees_; or, of the state - Of an inevitable _Fate_. - That, therefore, so thou maist beleeve, - (And, of these Mysteries conceive) - As thou art bound; this _Lot_ befell. - Peruse, and minde thine _Embleme_ well. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIII. - - -34 - - Thou, at thy _Fortune_, hast repin’d, - And, seem’st imprisond in thy minde, - Because thou art not straight releast - From those things which have thee opprest. - To thee, a _Lot_ is therefore sent, - To qualifie thy _discontent_, - By shewing, that thy present _Fate_ - Preserves thee, from a worse estate. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIV. - - -35 - - Thy _Vertues_ and thy _Worth_ are such, - That, many doe envie thee much; - And, they that hate thee, take delight - To doe thee mischiefe and despight. - But, heart assume, and follow on - The _course_ that thou hast well begunne; - For, all their spight shall doe no more, - But, make thee greater then before. - -See, _Emb._ XXXV. - - -36 - - In outward pompe, thy pleasures are; - Thy hope of blisse is placed there; - And, thou this _folly_ wilt not leave, - Till, all _content_, it shall bereave, - Vnlesse, thou timely come to see - How vaine, all earthly _Glories_ bee. - An _Emblem_, therefore, thou hast gain’d, - By which, this _Knowledge_ is obtain’d. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVI. - - -37 - - It may be feared, that thou hast - In publicke, or in private, past - Some _promise_, or else made some _vow_, - That’s broke, or else indanger’d, now. - If so; this _Lot_ is come, in time, - To mend, or to prevent this crime; - And, shew what should by them be done, - 'Twixt whom _Affection_ is begunne. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVII. - - -38 - - Thou art reproved of _deceipt_, - In faulty _Measures_, and in _Weight_; - And, overbackward hast been knowne, - In giving ev’ry one his owne. - Thine _Emblem_, therefore, counsells thee, - That, thou more just, hereafter be. - For, that, which is by _falsehood_ got, - Makes likely showes, but prospers not. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVII. - - -39 - - So highly, thou dost _Vertue_ prize, - That, thou dost _Fortunes_ helpe despise, - As if, where _Vertues_ present are, - Her favours alwayes needlesse were: - But, sometimes there’s enough to doe, - For _Fortune_, and for _Vertue_ too, - The pow’r of envious tongues to charme, - And, keepe an _Innocent_ from harme. - Therfore, make both of _these_, thy friends; - For, thereunto thine _Emblem_ tends. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIX. - - -40 - - Thou mayst be one of those, perchance, - Who _Schisme_, and _Heresies_ advance, - Because they _Times_ and _Termes_ mistake; - And, _diff’rence_ know not how to make - 'Twixt that, which _temp’rall_ doth appeare, - And, those things which _eternall_ are. - Thou, by thy _Lot_, art therefore warn’d, - To search what should of these be learn’d. - -See, _Emb._ XL. - - -41 - - Great workes to doe, thou hast a _minde_; - But, _pow’r_ thereto thou canst not finde. - Sometime, thy _pow’r_ is not unfit; - But, then thou failest in thy _wit_. - Such _Vndertakings_, therefore, chuse - (If thou wilt not thy time abuse) - As to thy _pow’rs_, and _wits_ agree; - And, let them both imployed bee. - See, _Emb._ XLI. - - -42 - - When any _Blessing_ thou hast gain’d, - Thou mind’st not whence it was obtain’d; - But, bear’st thy selfe, as if the same - By thine owne _pow’r_, or _merit_, came: - That, therefore, thou _mayst_ better heed - From whence, all _Graces_ doe proceed, - Thou, hast an _Emblem_, by this _Lot_, - From which, good _Cautions_ may be got. - -See, _Emb._ XLII. - - -43 - - By this thy _Lot_, it should appeare, - The _Muses_ thy acquaintance are; - Or, that thou art (at least) of those, - Who, of their _Steed_ ambitious growes. - If thou hast _wit_, his _Reynes_ to guide, - Vpon his backe, mount up and ride; - But, if thou finde thy selfe to weake, - Forbeare him, lest thy necke he breake. - -See, _Emb._ XLIII. - - -44 - - In many things, the worse thou art, - By thy despayring, fainting heart; - And, oft, thy labour, and thy cost, - For want of _hopefulnesse_, is lost. - This indiscretion to prevent, - Thou, therefore, by thy _Lot_, art sent, - The _Plough-man’s_ hopefulnesse to see: - Observe it; and, reformed bee. - -See, _Emb._ XLIV. - - -45 - - As soone as e’re thy _Seeds_ are sowne, - Thou _fruits_ expectest, fully growne. - And, if they ripe not in a day, - Thou, foolest all thy hopes away: - That wiser, therefore, thou mayst grow, - Thy _Lot_, an _Emblem_ doth bestow, - To teach, that _workes_ both faire and great, - By _small-degrees_, are made compleat. - -See, _Emb._ XLV. - - -46 - - Thou hadst, or hast, or thou shalt have - Much trouble, ere thou fill thy _Grave_; - And, may’st, when thou expectest rest, - With paine, or sorrowes, be opprest. - But, be content, and waile not much: - For, _Poverty_ shall make thee _rich_. - The paine will soone be overpast, - And, thou shalt happy be at last. - -See, _Emb._ XLVI. - - -47 - - Thy _Fortune_, be it good or bad, - May, by thy _wit_, be better made; - Yea, whatsoere _mischances_ fall, - By _prudence_, thou may’st helpe them all. - That, hopefull, therfore, thou mayst bide, - What change soever, shall betide, - Thou, by thy _Lot_, informed art, - What succours, _Wisedome_ doth impart. - -See, _Emb._ XLVII. - - -_M_ 48 - - A man at _Armes_, thou wouldst be thought, - And, hast the Crowne of _Honour_ sought; - But, thou hast much mistooke the _wayes_, - Which tend to well-deserved _praise_. - How, _Honour_, therefore, may be got, - Thou art informed by thy _Lot_; - And, with what _Foes_, and, for what _end_, - Thou shouldst be ready to contend. - -See, _Emb._ XLVIII. - - -49 - - Perhaps, thou mayst be one of those, - Who doth _God’s_ holy Church oppose; - For, over many in these dayes, - Disturbe her _Peace_, and sleight her _Praise_: - That her _esteeme_, therefore may bee - Increased, or preserv’d, by thee, - Thine _Emblem_, now, to thee, will show, - To what perfection she will grow. - -See, _Emb._ XLIX. - - -50 - - Thou _safety_ lov’st, and wouldst have _Armes_, - Thy person to secure from harmes: - But, most of those thou hast prepar’d, - Are but a weake uncertaine _Guard_, - And, if thou take not greater heed, - May faile thy trust, in time of need. - Thine _Emblem_, therfore, hath exprest, - What _Armes_, for thy defence are best. - -See, _Emb._ L. - - -51 - - Of _Planetary-Calculations_, - Of _Superstitious-Observations_, - Of _Lots_, and _Dreames_, and _Accidents_, - Which have but casuall events, - Thou art so fond; and, unto such, - Thou dost adhere, and trust so much, - That, it succeedeth very well, - No _Emblem_, now, to thee befell: - Lest, these, which onely _Counsells_ bee, - Might seeme firme _Destinies_ to thee. - - -52 - - He that by drawing, here, his _Lot_, - Some caveat or advice hath got, - Did, peradventure, need alone - That _Caution_, which he lighted on: - But, unto thee, so needfull are - All _Warnings_, and, all _Counsells_ here, - That, _Fortune_ will not _one_ bestow, - Lest, thou may’st thinke thou need’st no moe. - - -53 - - You, may be glad, you drew not that, - Which, in your thought, you guessed at; - For, so it points out that _condition_, - Whereof you give a great suspicion, - That, had it such an _Emblem_ nam’d, - As fits you right, you had beene sham’d. - Since, then, your fault is unreveal’d, - Amend, and keep it still conceal’d. - - -54 - - The _Muses_ Oracle is dumbe, - Because to tempt them you are come; - For, in your _heart_, you much despise, - To follow that, which they advise: - Their admonitions, you doe jeere, - And, scorne to helpe your _Wisedome_, here. - The _Muses_, therefore, leave you, still, - To be as foolish, as you will. - - -5 - - It would, perhaps, have made thee proud, - If, now, thy _Lot_ had beene allow’d - To let an _Emblem_ shadow forth - What is conceived of thy _worth_. - Or, if thy _Vertues_ were descry’d, - Perchance, thou wouldst be more envy’d - Then praysed, when they are exprest; - A _Blanke_ for thee, was therefore best. - - -6 - - No _Emblem_, to this _Lot_, replyes; - Minde, therefore, well (I thee advise) - What from the _Preacher’s_ voice thou hear’st, - When in the _Church_, thou next appear’st: - Yea, there indeavour thou, to seeke - Thy _Lot_ of _Counsell_, ev’ry weeke. - For, at all seasons, there will bee - Such _Prophecies_, concerning thee, - That, if of those, thou takest heed, - These _Emblems_, thou shalt never need. - - - _FINIS._ - - - - - A - COLLECTION - OF - EMBLEMES, - ANCIENT AND - MODERNE: - - Quickened - With METRICALL ILLVSTRATIONS, both - _Morall_ and _Divine_: And disposed into - LOTTERIES. - - That _Instruction_, and _Good Counsell_, may bee furthered - by an Honest and Pleasant _Recreation_. - - _By_ GEORGE WITHER. - - _The third Booke._ - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - LONDON, - Printed by AVGVSTINE MATHEWES. - MDCXXXIV. - - - - - TO THE MOST ILLVSTRIOVS - Princesse, _FRANCIS_, Dutchesse Dowager - _of_ RICHMOND, _and_ LENNOX, _&c._ - - - Fame sayes (great PRINCESSE) that the _Pow’rs-above_, - Will soone forgive; which, I desire to prove: - For, I am guiltie of a _Venial-sinne_ - Against your GRACE; and, have remain’d therein - Without an _Absolution_, so long time, - That, now, my _Conscience_ checks me for the _Crime_; - And, to reprove me for it, will not cease - Till I have, someway, sought to make my _Peace_. - To palliate my _Fault_, I could produce - Enough, perhaps, to stand for an _Excuse_. - But, when I mind what _Favours_, and what _Fame_ - I might have purchased unto my _Name_, - (By taking Courage, to have done my best) - I dare not make _Excuses_; but, request - Your pardon, rather, and, that some _Oblation_ - May game my _Person_, future acceptation. - To that intent, this humble _Offring_, here, - Within your gracious presence, doth appeare. - And, that it may the more content your eye, - Well-graven _Figures_, help to beautifie - My lowly _Gift_: And, vailed are in these, - A _Treasury_ of Golden _Sentences_; - By my well-meaning _Muse_, interpreted, - That, with your NAME, their Morals may be spread - And scattred, _Largesse-like_, (at your commanding) - To helpe inrich the _Poore in Vnderstanding_. - If YOV accept the _Tender_, I shall know, - Your GRACE is pleased with your _Servant_, so, - As, that there may be hope, my future Actions, - Will give the more contenting Satisfactions: - And, your _Encouragements_, my _Pow’rs_ may raise, - To make the BEAVTIES of your _Later dayes_, - More glorious, far, than your fresh YOVTH’S perfection, - Though, knowne to be, the _Load-stone_ of _Affection_. - For, like the loving TVRTLE, you have stood - So constant, in your vowed _Widdow-hood_; - So strictly, kept a solitarie state; - So faithfull beene, to your deceased MATE; - So firmly true, and truly kinde, to _them_, - Which are the _Branches_ of his _Princely-stemme_; - And, personated in so high a _Straine_, - The parts of HONOVR; that, my rusticke _vaine_, - Must raised be, before it can ascend - To say, how much, your _Fame_, doth you commend. - Yet, if these _Lines_, (or, _that_ they Vsher in) - For me, some _Passage_ may, anew, begin - To your _Esteeme_; I, may so happily, - Illustrate forth, the _Golden-History_ - Of those _Affections_, which within your Brest, - Have to the world remained unexprest. - That, future times, to your applause may reade, - The matchlesse _Paterne_ of a _Widdowed-bed_, - Which you have drawne, for those to _imitate_ - Who can; and, for the rest to wonder at. - For, what (thereto) yet wanteth, in my _Muse_, - Your GRACE, as my _Minerva_, may infuse. - Nor, will it be in vaine, to shew the worth - Of those _Perfections_, truly blazed forth, - Which you may personate: Nor, shall it be - To your _Content_ unusefull, when you see - The _Best part of your selfe_, (as in a _Glasse_) - Disclosed, and set up, before your GRACE, - To represent those _Beauties_, wherein lurkes, - More sweetnesse, than in _Picture-drawers_ Workes; - And shew, how temp’rall _Glories_, and _Affections_, - Have hourely ripened you, for those _Perfections_ - That, make _Immortall_; and, which are that _End_, - Whereto, all Earthly _Graces_, ought to tend. - Then, if your EXCELLENCE, desire to heare, - Those MVSES, honour you, whose prayses are - Attending _Vertue_; and, shall please to live - That _Life of Glory_, which my _Verse_ can give; - Your GRACES favour, (when you please) hath pow’rs - To make both MEE, and all my _Muses_ yours. - And, wee are hopefull, that, so well wee know - Your _Merits_, and those _Duties_, which wee owe, - That, wee shall raise, your HONOVR’S _Trophies_ high, - Though, _Wee our selves_ upon the pavement lie. - Thus, I have made mine _Offring_; and I stand - Attending, now, to kisse your GRACES hand. - -_Your GRACES_ - - _in all humilitie_, - - GEO: WITHER. - - - TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY - Prince, _JAMES_, Duke - _of_ LENNOX, _&c._ - - _When =RICHMOND=, your beloved =Vnkle=, liv’d, - (For whose departure, all this =Empire= griev’d, - And, yet laments) his GRACE did not refuse - To deigne respects, to my obscured MVSE; - Nor scorne, from =Highest-worth=, to stoope so low, - As, mee, in my despisednesse, to know: - And, had not =Bashfulnesse= restrain’d my =Wit=, - From pressing-on, (when he incourag’d it,) - My PEGASVS, had learn’d, e’re now, to rise, - Which, yet, with lame, and sickly =Feathers= flies. - But, HEE hath left us; and, I thought not on - The losse I had of HIM, till he was gone; - Nor could I dreame, till he did hence ascend, - What t’was to want an =Honourable-friend=: - Nor, what they feele, whom =Fate= constraines, to tarry - On stormy Plaines, without a SANCTVARIE. - Assoone, as from among us, he made wing, - My =Hopes= did waine, and, I began to sing - A =Mournfull-song=, not easie to forget; - Because, I beare the =burthen= of it, yet. - Nor was I silent (though my =Epicede= - Appear’d not, for the publike eye to reade) - But, griev’d in private, as one wanting =Art=, - To give, the =Life of praise=, to his desart: - Which, if I could have equall’d with his =Name=, - His =Death= had gain’d my =Verse=, a =living-Fame=. - And, why expresse I this? except it give - Your GRACE, a fit occasion to perceive, - That, my decayed =Hopes= I would renew, - And, faine derive them downe, from HIM to YOV? - That, as you branched from his Princely =Stemme=; - (Are, honour’d with his =Ducall-Diadem=) - And, imitate his Vertue; So, you might - Be =Lord=, in mee, of that, which was his right: - And, for his Noble sake, vouchsafe to own - A =Servant=, which, to you, is yet unknowne. - As =Prologue=, to the service I intend, - This PRESENT comes; and, without =Hope=, or =End=, - Of gaining further =Grace=, or more =Esteeme=, - Than may, with humblest modestie, beseeme - His =Love=, and =Honest-meaning=, to expect, - Whose =Merits= have, no visible effect, - Conducing to your profit; and, from whom - The best of his intents, are yet to come. - I cannot thinke, these =Lots=, or =Emblems=, are - So worthy in themselves, as they’l appeare - In your acceptance; Or, that they can give, - Such Grace to YOV, as they’l from you receive. - Yet, if YOV please, they may be, otherwhile, - A profitable Meanes, to help beguile - A Melancholy thought; And, have the pow’r - To shorten (without losse) a tedious howre. - Sometime (no doubt) content you are to walke - In =Artlesse Groves=; Or, to admit the talke - of Rustick =Swaines= (though ev’ry day you might - Your self in well-trim’d =garden-bowr’s=, delight, - Or, heare the learnedst =Muses=, when you please;) - Ev’n so, for change, you may, perhaps, in these - A =Recreation= finde; and, in some measure, - A =Profit=, intermixed with your =Pleasure=. - I will not make my =Promises= too large, - Lest, my =Performances=, they overcharge - With =Expectation=: but, I leave them, SIR, - To =Bee=, and to =be thought=, the same they are. - And, if your EXCELLENCE, (when you behold - The Ground whereon I first became so bold, - To make this Entrance) shall vouchsafe to daigne - Those =Favours=, which, I dare not thinke to gaine - By =Meer-deserving=; you may then, perchance, - My =Willingnesse=, to =Ablenesse= advance: - And, reap in =Mee= (when ripened they are grown) - Some timely =fruits=, of that, which =you= have sown. - Till then, let it suffice, that I professe - A cheerefull, and a thankfull Readinesse - To honour YOV; and, openly to show - The Dutie, which, it may appeare, I owe - To HIM that’s gone. And, let your GRACE descend - To take this =Pledge=, of what I more intend._ - -Who am in all humilitie - - Your GRACES to be - - commanded, - - GEO: WITHER. - - - - - _If well thou dost, and well intend, - Thou shalt be crowned, in the end._ - -[Illustration: SI RECTE FACIES. - -ILLVSTR. I. _Book. 3_] - - When, many, for the chiefest _Garland_ runne, - That height of _Glory_, can befall but one; - Yet, _Wreaths_ there are, for ev’ry man prepar’d, - According as he meriteth _reward_: - And, though the _Worke_ deserveth little meed, - _Grace_, prints a worth, on ev’ry _willing-deed_, - Which formes it currant; and, doth gratious make - Man’s weake endeavors, for GOD’S _promise_ sake. - All seeke the selfe-same _prize_; but, doe not seeke, - With _mindes_, and, with _endeavors_, all alike. - Most, wish the _Wreath_; but, few those things will doe, - That may be helpfull to attaine thereto: - And, some (that _will be doing_) more delight - In _doing their owne will_, then _doing right_. - One, thinkes by airie _titles_, to atchieve - The _Palme_ he seekes; Another, doth believe - Tis gain’d, by giving to his _Appetite_, - The fulnesse of his _Bodies_ vaine delight: - To reach their _aime_, some others nourish hopes, - By scrambling up unto the dunghill-tops - Of temp’rall _Riches_: and, of all the wayes, - Most thinke this _course_ deserves the greatest _praise_. - But, this our _Emblem’s_ Motto, doth implie, - That, nothing Man possesseth outwardly - Can purchase him the _Crowne_, that should be sought, - Like _rightly-doing_, what is _rightly-taught_. - And, that _God_ never passed any _doome_, - To barre their _blisse_, who righteous would become: - For, ev’n to _Cain_ he said (of sinne detected) - _If well thou dost, thou shalt be well respected_. - - - _A little =Wit=, may stand in stead, - When =Strength= doth faile, in time of need._ - -[Illustration: SUPERAT SOLERTIA VIRES. - -ILLVSTR. II. _Book. 3_] - - The _Squirrell_, when shee must goe seeke her food, - By making passage through some neighb’ring _flood_, - (And feares to be devoured by the Streame) - Thus, helpes her weaknesse, by a _Stratagem_. - On _blocks_, or _chips_, which on the waves doe flote, - She nimbly leaps; and, making them her boate - (By helpe of Windes, of Current, and of Tide) - Is wafted over to the further side. - Thus, that, which for the _Body_ proves unfit, - Must often be acquired by the _Wit_. - And, what our outward _Fortunes_ shall denye, - Our _providence_ must labour to supply. - Those _Casualties_, which may our need befriend, - We should with heedfull diligence attend; - And, watch to seize those _opportunities_, - Which, men of abler fortunes may despise. - Some Birds, when they an _Oyster_ would unlock, - Mount up, and let it fall upon a Rock; - And, when the Cockles on the Shores lye gasping, - (At ev’ry Tides approach their Shells unclasping) - Crowes cast in _Pebles_, and so take that meat - By _craft_, which by their _force_ they could not get. - Wee, by indeav’ring thus, may gaine, at length, - That, which at first appeares above our strength. - By little _Screwes_ an entrance we may make, - Where _Barres of Iron_ cannot passage breake. - Small _Engines_, lift huge weights; and, we have heard, - That one _Wise-man_ (though poore without regard) - May save a City, when the _Men of Warre_, - And, all their _Captaines_, at a _non plus_ are. - - - _To =Kings=, both =Sword= and =Mace= pertaine; - And, these they doe not beare in vaine._ - -[Illustration: NON SINE CAUSA. - -ILLVSTR. III. _Book. 3_] - - When thou behold’st, upon a _Day of State_, - The _King_ (or, some inferiour _Magistrate_) - Walke forth in publicke, and the royall _Mace_, - The _Sword_, or _Scepter_ borne before his face: - Suppose thou not, that those are carried, so, - In ostentation, or for idle show. - These vulgar _Emblems_, are significant; - And, that _authority_, which _Princes_ grant - To _Bodies-politicke_, was, heretofore - Declared, by those _Ensignes_, which they bore. - The bruzing _Mace_ (although, perhaps, with us, - It be not in these times, restrained thus) - That branch of _Royall-power_ did signifie, - Which doth by _Fines_, or _losse of liberty_, - Correct Offenders. By the _Sword_, they meant, - That larger branch of _pow’r_, to represent, - Which takes the _Malefactors_ life away; - And, armes it selfe, when _Rebells_ disobay. - As often, therefore, as thou shalt espie - Such _Hieroglyphickes_ of _Authority_; - Be mindefull, and advis’d (how meane soere - The _Persons_, or the _Places_ may appeare, - Who get this _pow’r_) that still thou honour them: - Lest, thou in those, the pow’r of _God_ contemne. - If not for theirs, yet for thy _Sov’raignes_ cause, - Whom these doe personate; Or, for the _Lawes_, - (Which threaten punishment) thy selfe submit; - And, suffer what _Authority_ thinkes fit: - For, whatsoere they be that guide the _Reyne_, - _He_, gave the _pow’r_, who gave it, not, in vaine. - - - _He, that concealed things will finde, - Must looke =before= him, and =behinde=._ - -[Illustration: PANDO RECONDITA. - -ILLVSTR. IV. _Book. 3_] - - That _Head_, which in his _Temple_, heretofore, - The well-knowne figure of old _Ianus_ bore, - Retain’d the forme, which pictur’d here you finde; - _A Face before him, and a Face behinde_. - And this old _Hieroglyphicke_ doth comprize - A multitude of Heathenish Mysteries; - Which, wee omitting, will insist on what - This _Emblem’s_ Motto, chiefely poynteth at. - In true _Divinity_, 'tis _God_ alone, - To whom, all hidden things are truely knowne. - _Hee_, onely, is that _ever-present-being_, - Who, by the vertue of his pow’r all-seeing, - Beholds, at one aspect, all things that _are_, - That ever _shall be_, and that ever _were_. - But, in a Morall-sense, we may apply - This _double-face_, that man to signifie, - Who (whatsoere he undertakes to doe) - Lookes, both _before_ him, and _behinde_ him, too. - For, he shall never fruitfully forecast - Affaires _to come_, who mindes not what is _past_: - And, such as doe not, oft, _before_ them looke, - May lose the labour, that’s already tooke. - By, sometimes, looking _backward_, we behold - Those things, which have been done in _times of old_; - By looking wisely _forward_, we foresee - Such matters, as in _future-times_ will bee: - And, thus, we doe not onely fruits receive, - From that short space of _time_, in which we live; - But, by this meanes, we likewise have a share, - In _times to come_, and, _times that passed are_. - - _Good =Fortune= will with him abide, - That hath true =Vertue=, for his guide._ - -[Illustration: VIRTUTE DUCE COMITE FORTUNA - -ILLVSTR. V. _Book. 3_] - - The _Gryphon_, is the figure of a creature, - Not found within the Catalogues of _Nature_: - But, by those Wits created, who, to shew - _Internall_ things, _externall Figures_ drew: - The Shape, in which this _Fiction_ they exprest, - Was borrow’d from a _Fowle_, and, from a _Beast_; - Importing (when their parts were thus combin’d) - The _Vertues_, both of _Body_, and of _minde_: - And, Men are sayd on _Gryphons_ backes to ride, - When those mixt _Vertues_, them have dignify’d. - The _Stone_ (this _Brute_ supporting) may expresse - The firme abiding, and the solidnesse - Of all true _Vertues_. That, long-winged _Ball_, - Which doth appeare fast-linked therewithall, - The gifts of changing _Fortune_ doth implye: - And, all those things together, signifie, - That, when by such like _Vertues_ Men are guided, - Good _Fortune_ cannot be from them divided. - If this be true (as true I this believe) - Why should wee murmure, why repine, or grieve, - As if our _Studies_, or our honest paines, - Deprived were of some deserved gaines? - Why should we thinke the world hath done us wrong, - Because wee are not register’d among - Those thriving men, who purse up evr’y day, - For _twelve hours labour_ more then _twelve months pay_? - If wee our _paines_ rewarded cannot see, - Wee count our _Merits_ greater then they be. - But if we bide content, our worth is more; - And rich we are, though others think us poore. - - _When prosperous our =Affaires= doe growe; - God’s =Grace= it is, that makes them so._ - -[Illustration: FLOREBO PROSPICIENTE DEO. - -ILLVSTR. VI. _Book. 3_] - - Svch pleasant _Flowres_, as here are shadow’d out - (Full-grown, well-trim’d, and strongly fenc’d about) - At first, perchance, had planting (where they stand) - And, husbanding, by some good _Gard’ners_ hand: - But, when to perfect ripenesse, they are grown, - (And, spread forth leaves, and blossomes, fully blowne) - They draw it from the Vertue of the _Sunne_, - Which worketh, when the _Gard’ners_ worke is done: - For, lost were all his Travaile, and his praise, - Vnlesse that _Planet_ cheare them with his rayes. - In this our _Pilgrimage_, it fares with us - (In all our _hopes_, and all our _labours_) thus. - For, whatsoever bus’nesse wee intend, - On _God_, our good successes doe depend. - Our Hands may build; but, structures vaine we make, - Till _God_, to be _Chiefe-builder_, undertake. - To wall a _City_, wee may beare the cost; - But, he must _guard_ it, or, the _Towne_ is lost: - The _Plow-man_ useth diligence to sowe; - But, _God_ must blesse it, or, no Corne will grow: - Yea, though _Paul_ plant, and, though _Apollo_ water, - They spend their sweat, upon a fruitlesse matter, - Till _God_, from heaven, their labours please to blesse, - And crowne their travailes, with a good increase. - Let, therefore, those that flourish, like this _Flowre_, - (And, may be wither’d, e’re another houre) - Give _God_ the praise, for making of their _Seeds_ - Bring forth sweet _Flowres_, that, else, had proved Weeds: - And, me despise not, though I thrive not so; - For, _when, God pleaseth, I shall flourish too_. - - _If thou thy =Duties= truely doe, - Of thy =Reward=, be hopefull too._ - -[Illustration: FAC ET SPERA. - -ILLVSTR. VII. _Book. 3_] - - Some _Sects_ are found, who so _believing_ be, - They thinke themselves from _legall-workings_ free; - And, so they live, as if they stood in feare - That, with _Good-works_, their _God_ offended were. - Another sort we know, who credit not, - That any hope of _Mercie_ can be got, - Till they themselves, by their _externall-deed_, - Have _merited_ the favours they shall need: - And, so they prize their _workings_; that, for _Grace_, - They seeme to disallow all usefull place. - Both sorts, their errours may be purged from, - When to the _Fiery-tryall_ they shall come. - So, likewise, may another _Faction_ too, - That erre more deadly then these former doe. - These doe (forsooth) affirme, that _God’s_ decree - Before all _Worlds_ (what Words can fouler be?) - Debarr’d the greatest part of _humane-race_, - Without respecting sinne, from hope of _Grace_; - And, that, howere this number shall indeaver, - They must continue _Reprobates_, for ever. - The first, are errours of Impiety; - But, this, ascends the top of blasphemy; - Dispoyles _Religion_ wholly of her fruits; - And, wrongeth _God_ in all his _Attributes_. - These _Errours_, therefore shunne; and, so _believe_, - That wee thy _Faith_, may by thy _Workes_ perceive. - So _worke_, that thy _believing_ may approve - Thou wrought’st not for thy _Wages_; but, for _love_. - For (whatsoe’re thou be) if thus thou doe, - Thou mayst have _hopes_, and, _God_ will grant them too. - - - _By =Wisedome=, things which passe away, - Are best preserved from decay._ - -[Illustration: RERUM SAPIENTIA CUSTOS. - -ILLVSTR. VIII. _Book. 3_] - - The _Laurell_, which is given for a Crowne - (To men deserving Glory, and renowne) - Is figur’d here, those noble deeds to show, - For which, the _Wreaths_ of _Honour_, we bestow. - Two _Serpents_ (WISDOME’S _Emblems_) twisted are - About this branch of _Lawrell_, to declare, - That, _Wisdome_ is the surest meanes to save - Our Names and Actions, from _Oblivion’s_ Grave. - The _Snakes_ are _two_, perhaps, to signifie - That _Morall-wit_, and _Christian-policie_ - (Vnited both together) doe contrive - The safest _guard_, and best _preservative_. - Consider this, all yee, that trust your _Names_ - To Marble Monuments; or, mount your _Fames_ - By those poore meanes, which Fooles and Knaves pursue; - And, may effect as easily as you: - Nay, with more ease; and, overtop you too, - When you have done the best, your wits can doe. - I say, consider this; and, let the _Pen_ - Of learned, wise, and understanding men, - Renowne your worths, and register the story - Of your deserved, and, well-gotten glory; - Lest, else, it suffer close-imprisonments, - Within the walls of such poore _Monuments_, - As oft are built, to leave it quite forgotten, - Whose bones they cover’d, e’re those bones be rotten. - But, you shall best preserve your _Honest-fame_, - Your _Workes_, your _Hopes_, and _Honours_ of your _Name_, - If you your selves be wise; and, so provide - That _Prudence_, all your _Workes_, and _Speeches_ guide. - - - _Good =Hopes=, we best accomplish may, - By =lab’ring= in a =constant-Way=._ - -[Illustration: LABORE ET CONSTANTIA. - -ILLVSTR. IX. _Book. 3_] - - Some Folkes there are, (and many men suppose, - That I my selfe, may passe for one of those) - Who many likely Businesses intend, - Yet, bring but very few, unto an end. - Which folly to prevent, this _Emblem_, here, - Did in a luckie houre, perhaps, appeare. - For, as to draw a _Circle_, with our hand, - We cause the brazen _Compasses_ to stand - With one foot firmely fixed one the ground; - And move the other in a _Constant-round_: - Right so, when we shall purpose to proceed - In any just, and profitable deed, - We first, should by a _constant-resolution_, - Stand firme, to what we put in execution: - And, then, with _perseverance_, labour out - Those workings, which we are employ’d about. - For, we with _constant-liking_, must elect - Those Businesses, we purpose to effect: - Or els, our _time_, our _labour_, and our _cost_, - Will, oft, be much in vaine, or wholly lost. - With _constant-labour_, we must follow, too, - Those things, which we resolved are to do; - Or, els, our hopes will never be effected, - How warily soe’re we have projected. - Long Iourneys I abhorre; yet, otherwhile - I meane a _Furlong_, and performe a _Mile_. - I greatly feare _Long-labours_ to begin; - Yet some I finish, when I’me entred in: - And, if in _Labour_, I more _constant_ grow, - How I improve, hereafter, you shall know. - - - _Ere thou a =fruitfull-Cropp= shalt see, - Thy ground must =plough’d= and =harro’wd= be._ - -[Illustration: EVERTIT ET AEQUAT. - -ILLVSTR. X. _Book. 3_] - - Before the _Plowman_ hopefull can be made, - His untill’d earth good Hay or Corne will yeeld, - He breakes the hillocks downe, with _Plough_ or _Spade_; - And, harrowes over, all the cloddie Field. - Then, from the _leaveld-ground_, at last, he mowes - That Cropp of grasse, which he had hope to gaine; - Or, there, doth reape the fruit of what he sowes, - With profit, which contents him for his paine. - Our _craggie-Nature_ must be tilled, thus, - Before it will, for _Herbes of Grace_, be fit. - Our _high conceit_, must downe be broke in us; - Our heart is proud, and God must humble it. - Before good _Seed_, in us will rooting take, - _Afflictions_ ploughes and harrowes, must prepare us: - And, that the truer _levell_, he may make, - When we are _sunck_ too low, _Gods_ hand must reare us. - Then, neither stormings of _Adversitie_, - Shall drowne the _Seedes of Hope_, which we have sowne; - Nor shall the _Sunne-beames_ of _Prosperitie_, - Drie up their moisture, ere they ripe are growne. - Oh _Lord_, thou know’st the nature of my _minde_; - Thou know’st my _bodyes_ tempers what they are; - And, by what meanes, they shall be best inclin’de - Such _Fruits_ to yeeld, as they were made to beare. - My barren _Soule_, therefore, _manure_ thou so; - So, _harrow_ it; so _emptie_, and so _fill_; - So _raise_ it _up_, and bring it _downe_, so _low_ - As best may lay it _levell_ to thy _Will_. - In _this Desire_, the worke is well begunne; - Say _thou_ the _Word_, and all is fully _done_. - - - _True =Knowledge= is a constant =Friend=, - Whose =Friendship=, never shall have end._ - -[Illustration: SCIENTIA IMMUTABILIS. - -ILLVSTR. XI. _Book. 3_] - - By viewing this _fixt-Head_, enwreath’d with _Bayes_, - (And, what the _Motto_ round about it sayes) - Your Apprehension’s eye, may partly see - What _constant Vertues_, in true _Knowledge_ be. - For, if right plac’d it be, it ever will - Continue in the same condition, still: - And, though it make mens manners to be chang’d; - Yet, never is it, from it selfe, estrang’d: - Nor doth, nor can it, cease to be a _Friend_, - What _Fate_ soever, shall on us attend. - When _Wealth_ is lost, or faileth to besteed us; - Shee findes out honest meanes to cloath and feede us. - In _farre_, and _forraigne Lands_, shee will become, - As kinde, and as familiar, as at home; - And, _travelleth_, without the costly cumber, - Of Carriages, or Clokebagges full of Lumber. - No _Place_ can from our presence, her enclose; - Nor is she frighted from us by our _Foes_. - No _Pickthankes_, of her Favours, can bereave us; - No _Promises_, can woo her to deceive us. - In _Youth_, in _Age_, in _Sickenesse_, and in _Griefe_, - Shee bringeth Consolation and reliefe: - And, is in all estates, a blessing to us, - So constant (and so apt, all helpes to doe us) - That, he for whom, such _Knowledge_, God provideth, - Enjoyes a _Friend_, that alwaies firme abideth. - _Lord_, I am _friendlesse_ left; therefore, to me, - This _Knowledge_, and this _Friend_, vouchsafe to bee: - For, thou that _Wisdome_ art, (from heav’n descending) - Which, neither hath _beginning_, _change_, nor _ending_. - - - _By =Studiousnesse=, in =Vertue’s= waies - Men gaine an =universall-praise=._ - -[Illustration: VIRTUTE AC STUDIO PER ORBEM FAMA PERPETUA COMPARATUR. - -ILLVSTR. XII. _Book. 3_] - - When _Emblems_, of too many parts consist, - Their Author was no choice _Emblematist_: - But, is like those, that wast whole _howres_, to tell - What, in three _minutes_, might be said as well. - Yet, when each member is interpreted, - Out of these vulgar _Figures_, you may read - A _Morall_, (altogether) not unfit - To be remembred, ev’n, by _men of wit_. - And, if the _Kernell_ proove to be of worth, - No matter from what shell we drew it forth. - The _Square_ whereon the _Globe_ is placed, here, - Must _Vertue_ be; That _Globe_ upon the _Square_, - Must meane the _World_; The _Figure_, in the _Round_, - (Which in appearance doth her _Trumpet_ sound) - Was made for _Fame_; The _Booke_ she beares, may show, - What _Breath_ it is, which makes her _Trumpet_ blow: - The _Wreath_, inclosing all, was to intend - A glorious _Praise_, that never shall have end: - And, these, in one summ’d up, doe seeme to say; - That, (if men _study_ in a _vertuous-way_) - The _Trumpet_ of a never-ceasing _Fame_, - Shall through the _world_ proclaime their praisefull _Name_. - Now _Reader_, if large _Fame_, be thy ambition, - This _Emblem_ doth informe, on what condition - She may be gain’d. But, (herein, me beleeve) - Thy _studie_ for meere-praise, will thee deceive: - And, if thy _Vertues_, be, but onely, those - For which the vulgar _Fame_, her _Trumpet_ blowes, - Thy _Fame’s_ a blast; Thy _Vertues_, Vices be; - Thy _Studie’s_ vaine; and, _shame_ will follow thee. - - - _Above thy =Knowledge=, doe not rise, - But, =with Sobrietie, be wise=,_ - -[Illustration: NOLI ALTUM SAPERE. - -ILLVSTR. XIII. _Book. 3_] - - _Exalt thou not thy selfe_, though, plac’d thou be, - Vpon the topp of that old _Olive-tree_, - From whence the nat’rall branches prun’d have bin, - That, thou, the better, mightst be grafted in. - Be not so _over-wise_, as to presume - The _Gard’ner_, for thy goodnesse, did assume - Thy small _Crab-Olive_, to insert it, there, - Where, once, the _sweetest-berries_, growing were: - Nor let thy Pride those few _old-boughes_ contemne, - Which, yet, remaine upon their ancient _Stemme_; - Because, thy new-incorporated _Sprayes_, - Doe more enjoy the _Sunnes_ refreshing raies: - But, humbled rather, and, more awfull bee; - Lest, _hee_ that cut off _them_, doe breake downe _thee_. - Be _wise_, in what may to thy good, belong; - But, seeke not _Knowledge_, to thy neighbours wrong: - Be thankefull for the _Grace_ thou hast receiv’d, - But, judge not those, who seeme thereof bereav’d; - Nor into those forbidden _secrets_ peepe, - Which _God-Almighty_, to himselfe doth keepe. - Remember what our Father _Adam_ found, - When he for _Knowledge_, sought beyond his bound. - For, doubtlesse, ever since, both _good_ and _ill_ - Are left with _Knowledge_, intermingled still; - And, (if we be not humble, meeke, and warie) - We are in daily danger, to miscary. - Large, proves the fruit which on the _Earth_ doth lie; - _Windes_, breake the twigge, that’s grafted _over-high_; - And, he that will, beyond his bounds, be _wise_, - Becomes a very _Foole_, before he dies. - - - _When each man keepes unto his =Trade=, - Then, all things better will be made._ - -[Illustration: TRACTANT FABRILIA FABRI. - -ILLVSTR. XIV. _Book. 3_] - - We more should thrive, and erre the seldomer, - If we were like this honest _Carpenter_, - Whose _Emblem_, in reproofe of those, is made, - That love to meddle, farther then their _Trade_. - But, most are now exceeding cunning growne - In ev’ry mans affaires, except their owne: - Yea, _Coblers_ thinke themselves not onely able, - To censure; but, to mend _Apelles_ Table. - _Great-Men_, sometime, will gravely undertake - To teach, how _Broomes_ and _Morter_, we should make. - Their Indiscretions, _Peaants_ imitate, - And boldly meddle with affaires of _State_. - Some _Houswives_ teach their _Teachers_ how to pray, - Some _Clarks_, have shew’d themselves, as wise as they; - And in their Callings, as discreet have bin, - As if they taught their _Grandames_ how to _spinne_: - And, if these _Customes_, last a few more Ages, - All Countries will be nothing els, but _Stages_ - Of evill-acted, and mistaken parts; - Or, _Gallemaufries_, of imperfect _Arts_. - But, I my selfe (you’l say) have medlings made, - In things, that are improper to my _Trade_. - No; for, the _MVSES_ are in all things free; - Fit subject of their _Verse_, all Creatures be; - And, there is nothing nam’d so meane, or great, - Whereof they have not Liberty to treat. - Both _Earth_ and _Heav’n_, are open unto these; - And (when to take more libertie they please) - They _Worlds_, and _things_, create, which never were; - And, when they list, they _play_, and _meddle_, there. - - - _A =Shepherd= carefull of the Sheepe, - At all times, faithfull =Watch= doth keepe._ - -[Illustration: NON DORMIT QUI CUSTODIT. - -ILLVSTR. XV. _Book. 3_] - - The Figure of a _Storke_ in elder dayes, - Was us’d in _Hieroglyphick_, many wayes: - But, when _one Foote_, thus grasp’d a _Peple-stone_, - The other being firmely fixed on - The _Staffe Episcopall_; in that position, - It makes an Emblem, of a late edition: - By some, thought not improper, to expresse - Their painefull, and their serious, _watchfulnesse_, - Who take upon themselves, the _Pastorall care_; - And, in that _Function_, truely _watchfull_ are. - The _Shepherds-Crooke_, doth some expression make - Of that regard, which, of their _Flocks_, they take. - The _Peble in the Foote_, doth seeme to showe, - That, these must farther diligence bestowe, - (And, use their utmost pow’r) themselves to keepe - From _slothfull Ease_; and from intemp’rate _sleepe_: - For, he that hath such _Duties_ undertooke, - (And, must the lives of others overlooke) - Shall finde himselfe, unto himselfe become - A burthen, and a Charge more troublesome - Then all his _Flocke_, unles, he still provide - His owne, aswell as others _waies_, to guide. - Now, though this _Emblems_ Morall doth concerne - The _Clergie_ most; yet, hence we all may learne - Strict _watch_ to keepe; since, unto all that bee, - A _Watchmans_ place belongs, in some degree. - Which, to discharge, if wee endeavour, still, - Our universall _Shepherd_ aide us will, - And us from harmes, and error he will keepe, - For, _Hee that guardeth Isr’ell doth not sleepe_. - - - _Our Dayes, untill our Life hath end, - In =Labours=, and in =Hopes=, wee spend._ - -[Illustration: IN SPE ET LABORE TRANSIGO VITAM. - -ILLVSTR. XVI. _Book. 3_] - - As soone as our _first Parents_ disobey’d, - Forthwith a _Curse_, for their offence, was layd, - Inforcing them, and their succeeding race, - To get their Food, with sweatings of the Face. - But, afterward, this _Doome_ to mitigate, - (And ease the miseries of their estate) - _God_ gave them _Hope_, that she might helpe them beare - The burthens of their Travaile, and their care. - A _Woman_ with an _Anchor_, and a _Spade_, - An _Emblem_ of that _Mystery_ is made: - And, this Estate, wee all continue in, - By God’s free _Mercie_, and our proper _Sinne_. - By _Sinne_, the _Labour_ is on us intail’d; - By _Grace_, it is, that _Hoping_ hath not fail’d; - And, if in _Hope_, our Labours wee attend, - That _Curse_ will prove a _Blessing_, in the end. - My Lot is _Hope_, and _Labour_; and, betweene - These _Two_, my Life-time hath prolonged beene: - Yet, hitherto, the best of all my _Paine_, - With most of all my _Hopes_ have beene in vaine; - And to the World-ward, I am like to wast - My time in fruitlesse _labours_, till the last. - However, I have still my _Hopes_ as faire - As hee, that hath no temptings to _Despaire_; - And, change I will not, my _last howres_ for theirs, - Whose _Fortune_, more desirable appeares; - Nor cease to _Hope_ and _Labour_, though, of most, - My _Hope_ and _Labour_ be adjudged lost: - For, though I lose the _shaddow_ of my _Paines_, - The _stubstance_ of it, still, in _God_, remaines. - - - _Man’s life, no =Temper=, more doth blesse, - Then =Simple-prudent-harmelessenesse=._ - -[Illustration: PRUDENTE SIMPLICITATE. - -ILLVSTR. XVII. _Book. 3_] - - When from the harmelesse _Turtle_, and the _Snake_, - Their most commended _properties_ wee take, - (And, mixe them well) they make a composition, - Which yeelds a _temper_ of the best condition. - Yet, _wickednesse_, or _sorrow_, doth abound, - Where, any _one_ of these, _alone_, is found: - For, whensoe’re the _Serpents-braine_ we find, - With which, there is no _Dove-like-meekenesse_ joyn’d, - (Without all peradventure) thence proceedes, - All harmefull fraud, and all injurious deedes. - And, where such _meekenesse_ as doth seeme to be - In harmelesse _Doves_, divided you shall see - From that _discretion_, and that _policie_, - Which in the _Serpents_ head, is thought to lie; - They liable to ev’ry wrong become; - And, to it selfe, make _Vertue_ burthensome. - But, where these two are ioyned, they procure - A life so sweet, so rich, and so secure, - That, all the pow’rs of _Malice_ cannot shake - Their _out-workes_, nor _within_ them, terrors make. - _Vouchsafe thou oh my God! vouchsafe, in me, - That these two =Vertues= may vnited be. - Such =Prudence= give, as never will disdaine - The =Dove-like Innocencie=, to retaine. - That =meekenesse=, grant me, which delighteth not, - It selfe, with =indiscretion=, to besot: - But, let these =two=, each other so defend, - And, so, in me continue, till my end, - That, =simple-prudence=, I may still possesse, - Although the World shall count it =foolishnesse=._ - - - _Where er’e we dwell, the =Heav’ns= are neere; - Let us but =fly=, and wee are there._ - -[Illustration: TRANSITUS CELER EST ET AVOLAMUS. - -ILLVSTR. XVIII. _Book. 3_] - - Why, with a trembling faintnesse, should we feare - The face of _Death_? and, fondly linger here, - As if we thought the _Voyage_ to be gone - Lay through the shades of _Styx_ or _Acheron_? - Or, that we either were to travell downe - To uncouth _Deapthes_, or up some _heights_ unknowne? - Or, to some place remote, whose nearest end - Is farther then Earths limits doe extend? - It is not by one halfe that distance, thither - Where _Death_ lets in, as it is any whither: - No not by halfe so farre, as to your bed; - Or, to that place, where you should rest your head, - If on the ground you layd your selfe (ev’n there) - Where at this moment you abiding are. - This _Emblem_ shewes (if well you looke thereon) - That, from your _Glasse of life_, which is to run, - There’s but one step to _Death_; and, that you tread - _At once_, among the _Living_, and, the _Dead_. - In whatsoever _Land_, we _live_ or _die_, - _God_ is the same; And, _Heav’n_ is, there, as nigh - As in that _place_, wherein, we most desire - Our _Soules_, with our last breathing, to expire. - Which things, well heeding; let us not delay - Our _Iourney_, when we summon’d are away, - (As those inforced _Pilgrims_ use to doe, - That know not whither, nor, how farre they goe) - Nor let us dreame that we in _Time_, or _Place_, - Are farre from ending our uncertaine _Race_. - But, let us fix on _Heav’n_, a faithfull eye, - And, still, be _flying thither_, till wee die. - - - _His =Pace=, must =wary= be, and =slow=, - That hath a =Slippery-way= to goe._ - -[Illustration: PEDETENTIM. - -ILLVSTR. XIX. _Book. 3_] - - A Travailer, when he must undertake - To seek his passage, o’re some _Frozen Lake_, - With _leisure_, and with _care_, he will assay - The glassy smoothnesse of that _Icie-way_, - Lest he may _slip_, by walking over-fast; - Or, breake the crackling _Pavement_, by his hast: - And, so (for want of better taking heed) - Incurre the mischiefes of _Vnwary-speed_. - We are all _Travellers_; and, all of us - Have many passages, as dangerous, - As _Frozen-lakes_; and, _Slippery-wayes_, we tread, - In which our Lives may soone be forfeited, - (With all our hopes of _Life-eternall_, too) - Unlesse, we well consider what we doe. - There is no private _Way_, or publicke _Path_, - But rubs, or holes, or slipp’rinesse it hath, - Whereby, wee shall with _Mischiefes_ meet; unlesse, - Wee walke it, with a _stedfast-warinesse_. - The steps to _Honour_, are on _Pinacles_ - Compos’d of melting Snow, and Isicles; - And, they who tread not nicely on their tops, - Shall on a suddaine slip from all their _hopes_. - Yea, ev’n that way, which is both sure and holy, - And, leades the Minde from Vanities and Folly, - Is with so many other _Path-wayes_ crost, - As, that, by Rashnesse, it may soone be lost; - Vnlesse, we well deliberate, upon - Those _Tracts_, in which our _Ancestours_ have gone: - And, they who with more _haste_, then _heed_, will runne, - May lose the way, in which they well begunne. - - - _Our =Pelican=, by bleeding, thus, - Fulfill’d the =Law=, and cured =Vs=._ - -[Illustration: PRO LEGE ET PRO GREGE. - -ILLVSTR. XX. _Book. 3_] - - Looke here, and marke (her sickly birds to feed) - How freely this kinde _Pelican_ doth bleed. - See, how (when other _Salves_ could not be found) - To cure their sorrowes, she, her selfe doth wound; - And, when this holy _Emblem_, thou shalt see, - Lift up thy soule to him, who dy’d for thee. - For, this our _Hieroglyphick_ would expresse - That _Pelican_, which in the _Wildernesse_ - Of this vast _World_, was left (as all alone) - Our miserable _Nature_ to bemone; - And, in whose eyes, the teares of pitty stood, - When he beheld his owne unthankfull _Brood_ - His _Favours_, and his _Mercies_, then, contemne, - When with his wings he would have brooded them: - And, sought their endlesse peace to have confirm’d, - Though, to procure his ruine, they were arm’d. - To be their _Food_, himselfe he freely gave; - His _Heart_ was pierc’d, that he their _Soules_ might save. - Because, they disobey’d the _Sacred-will_, - He, did the _Law of Righteousnesse_ fulfill; - And, to that end (though guiltlesse he had bin) - Was offred, for our _Vniversall-sinne_. - Let mee Oh _God_! for ever, fixe mine eyes - Vpon the Merit of that _Sacrifize_: - Let me retaine a due commemoration - Of those deare _Mercies_, _and_ that bloudy _Passion_, - Which here is meant; and, by true _Faith_, still, feed - Vpon the drops, this _Pelican_ did bleed; - Yea, let me firme unto thy _Law_ abide, - And, ever love that _Flocke_, for which he dy’d. - - - _Bee =Iust=; for, neither =Sea= nor =Land=, - Shall hide thee from the =Royall-hand=._ - -[Illustration: DISCITE IUSTITIAM. - -ILLVSTR. XXI. _Book. 3_] - - That, which wee call the _Sea-horse_, is a Creature, - Whereby the Priests of _Ægypt_, wonted were, - To typify an _Ill-disposed nature_; - And, such, as to their _Parents_, cruell are: - Because, this _Monster_ (as their _Authors_ write) - When strong he growes, becommeth so ingrate, - That he pursues, with violent despight, - His old and weakly _Sire_, which him begate. - Contrariwise, the _Storke_, they figur’d, then, - When they occasion had, to signifie - The good condition, of those honest men, - Who pleasure take, in workes of _Piety_: - Because, the _Storkes_, not onely harmed none, - But, holpe their aged _Parents_ in their need; - And, those offensive _Serpents_, prey’d upon, - Which, in the Fennes of _Ægypt_, yearely, breed. - The _Royall-Crowne_, therefore, supporting thus - That pious _Fowle_, and overtopping, here, - The wicked, and the fierce _Hyppotamus_, - May serve to _comfort_, and to keep in _feare_. - For, it informes, that, if we pious grow, - And love our _Princes_ (who those _Parents_ bee, - To whom all _Subjects_, filiall duties owe) - The blessings of their _Favours_, we shall see. - It shewes us, also, that, if we affect - _Vnrighteous-wayes_, no _Wit_, or _Strength_ of our, - Nor any _Vncouth-place_, shall us protect - From being reached, by the _Sov’raigne-power_. - The way of _Iustice_, therefore, learne thou still, - For love of _Goodnesse_, or for feare of _Ill_. - - - _Take wing, my =Soule=, and mount up higher; - For, =Earth=, fulfills not my =Desire=._ - -[Illustration: NON EST MORTALE QUOD OPTO. - -ILLVSTR. XXII. _Book. 3_] - - When _Ganymed_, himselfe was purifying, - Great _Iupiter_, his naked beauty spying, - Sent forth his _Ægle_ (from below to take him) - A blest Inhabitant, in Heav’n to make him: - And, there (as Poets feigned) he doth still, - To _Iove_, and other _God-heads_, Nectar fill. - Though this be but a _Fable_, of their feigning, - The _Morall_ is a _Reall truth_, pertayning - To ev’ry one (which harbours a desire - Above the Starry _Circles_, to aspire.) - By _Ganymed_, the _Soule_ is understood, - That’s washed in the _Purifying flood_ - Of sacred _Baptisme_ (which doth make her seeme - Both pure and beautifull, in _God’s_ esteeme.) - The _Ægle_, meanes that Heav’nly _Contemplation_, - Which, after Washings of _Regeneration_, - Lifts up the _Minde_, from things that earthly bee, - To view those _Objects_, which _Faith’s_ Eyes doe see. - The _Nectar_, which is filled out, and given - To all the blest _Inhabitants of Heaven_, - Are those _Delights_, which (_Christ_ hath sayd) they have, - When some _Repentant-soule_ beginnes to leave - Her foulnesse; by renewing of her _birth_, - And, slighting all the _Pleasures_ of the Earth. - I aske not, _Lord_, those Blessings to receive, - Which any Man hath pow’r to take, or give; - Nor, what this World affords; for, I contemne - Her Favours; and have seene the best of them: - Nay, _Heav’n_ it selfe, will unsufficient bee, - Vnlesse, _Thou_, also, give _Thy selfe_, to mee. - - - _Through many spaces, =Time= doth run, - And, =endeth=, where it first =begun=._ - -[Illustration: IN SE SUA PER UESTIGIA UOLUITUR. - -ILLVSTR. XXIII. _Book. 3_] - - Old _Sages_ by the Figure of the Snake - (Encircled thus) did oft expression make - Of _Annuall-Revolutions_; and of things, - Which wheele about in _everlasting-rings_; - There _ending_, where they first of all _begun_, - And, there _beginning_, where the _Round_ was _done_. - Thus, doe the _Planets_; Thus, the _Seasons_ doe; - And, thus, doe many other _Creatures_, too. - By minutes, and by houres, the _Spring_ steales in, - And, rolleth on, till _Summer_ doth begin: - The _Summer_ brings on _Autumne_, by degrees; - So ripening, that the eye of no man sees - Her Entrances. That _Season_, likewise, hath - To _Winter-ward_, as leasurely a path: - And, then, cold _Winter_ wheeleth on amaine, - Vntill it brings the _Spring_ about againe, - With all those _Resurrections_, which appeare, - To wait upon her comming, every yeare. - These _Roundells_, helpe to shew the _Mystery_ - Of that immense and blest _Eternitie_, - From whence the CREATURE sprung, and, into _whom_ - It shall, againe, with full perfection come, - When those _Additions_, it hath fully had, - Which all the sev’rall _Orbes_ of _Time_ can add. - It is a full, and fairely written _Scrowle_, - Which up into it selfe, it selfe doth rowle; - And, by _Vnfolding_, and, _Infolding_, showes - A _Round_, which neither _End_, nor _entrance_ knowes. - And (by this _Emblem_) you may partly see, - Tis that which _IS_, but, cannot uttred be. - - - _Each =Day= a =Line=, small =tasks= appeares: - Yet, much it makes in threescore Yeares._ - -[Illustration: NULLA DIES SINE LINEA. - -ILLVSTR. XXIV. _Book. 3_] - - Here’s but _one Line_; and, but _one Line a Day_, - Is all the _taske_ our _Motto_, seemes to lay: - And, that is thought, perhaps, a thing so small, - As if it were as good bee nought at all. - But, be not so deceiv’d; For, oft you see - _Small things_ (in time) _great matters_, rise to be: - Yea, that, which when the same was first begun, - A _Trifle_ seem’d, (and easie to be done) - By long nelect of time, will _burthensome_, - And, at the last, _impossible_, become. - Great _Clarkes_, there are, who shall not leave behinde them, - One good _Weekes_ worke, for _Future-Times_ to minde them, - (In _Callings_, either Humane, or Divine) - Who, by composing but _each Day a Line_, - Might _Authors_, of some famous _Workes_ appeare, - In sixtie, seventie, or in eightie yeare; - To which, ten hundred thousands have arrived - Of whom, we see no signe that ev’r they lived. - And, with much pleasure, wee might all effect, - Those needfull _Works_, which often we neglect, - (Vntill too late). If we but, now and then - Did spare one houre to exercise the penn. - For, still, _one-Line_, another draweth on, - And, _Line_ by _Line_, great _Workes_ at last are done. - Whereas, _dis-use_, and many dayes mispent, - Without their _Lines_, let in _discouragement_, - Or, bring _Despaire_; which doth so sottish make us, - That we, to no endeavour can betake us. - Marke this, and, labour in some honest _Way_, - As much as makes, at least, _One Line a Day_, - - - _Our outward =Hopes= will take effect, - According to the =King’s= aspect._ - -[Illustration: AD REGIS NUTUS. - -ILLVSTR. XXV. _Book. 3_] - - When _Phœbus_ with a cheerefull eye, beholds - The Flow’r-embroydred earth, and freely spreads - His beames abroad; behold, the _Marigolds_ - Beginne to reare their low-dejected heads: - The _Tulips_, _Daysies_, and the _Heliotropes_ - Of ev’ry kinde, their closed Leaves display; - And (as it were) with new-recover’d hopes, - Attend upon the _Ruler of the Day_. - Againe, when either in the _West_ he shrowds - His Rayes below this _Horizon_, or hides - His Face behinde the Curtaines of the _Cloudes_; - They lose their beauties, and abate their prides. - Thus fares it with a _Nation_, and their _King_, - 'Twixt whom there is a native Sympathy. - His _Presence_, and his _Favours_, like the _Spring_, - Doe make them sweetly thrive, and fructify: - Yea (like fresh _Groves_, or _Flow’rs_ of pleasing hew) - Themselves in all their jollity they showe; - But, they, if with displeasure, them he view, - Soone lose their Glory, and contemned growe. - All, are not _Heliotropes_ that favour’d growe, - In _Princes_ Courts; nor _Marigolds_, that beare - The golden blossomes; but some spring below, - Like _Daysie flow’rs_, that in the Pathwayes are: - Yet all shall feele it, when their _Sov’raignes_ eye - Doth frowne, or smile, regard, or else neglect: - Yea, it will finde them in _Obscurity_, - By some Disheartning, or some sweet _Effect_, - Vouchsafe to shine on Mee, my Gracious _King_, - And then my _Wither’d_ Leaves, will freshly spring. - - - _The =Right-hand way=, is =Vertues= Path, - Though rugged Passages it hath._ - -[Illustration: HAC VIRTUTIS ITER. - -ILLVSTR. XXVI. _Book. 3_] - - If any covet knowledge of that _Path_, - Which thither tends, where _Peace_ her dwelling hath, - This _Emblem_ (being well observ’d) will show - On whether side, it will be best to goe. - The _Left-hand-way_, seemes to be walk’d, at ease, - Through Lawnes, and Downes, and green-swath’d Passages; - And, much allures the _Traveller_, to trie - The many Pleasures, which doe that _Way_ lye. - The _Right-hand-course_, is through a _Pathlesse-mound_ - Of newly ploughed, and deep-furrow’d Ground; - Which, as uneasie seemeth, to be gone, - As, in appearance, rough to looke upon. - Yet, this is _Vertue’s Path_: This _Way_ uneven, - Is that, which unto ev’ry man is given, - To travaile in; and, hath a safer ending, - Then those, whereon more _Pleasures_ are attending: - And (though it leades us thither, where we see - Few promises of outward _Glories_ bee) - It brings (us when we passe the common sight) - Through easy _Tracts_, to gaine our _Hearts delight_. - The other _Way_ (though seeming streight, it lyes, - To _Pleasure’s_ Pallaces, before our eyes) - Hath many rubs, and perills, which betweene - Our _Hopes_, and _Vs_, will alwayes lurke unseene; - Till we are drawne so farre, that 'twill be vaine, - To seeke, with safety, to returne againe. - This, let us heed; and, still be carefull, too, - Which _Course_ it most concerneth us to goe. - And, though the _Left-hand-way_, more smoothnesse hath, - Let us goe forward, in the _Right-hand-path_. - - - _=I= was erected for a =Bound=, - And I resolve to =stand my ground=._ - -[Illustration: CONCEDO NULLI. - -ILLVSTR. XXVII. _Book. 3_] - - The _Bounder-Stones_, held sacred, heretofore, - Some did so superstitiously adore, - As, that they did not onely rev’rence doe them, - But, have ascrib’d a kinde of _God-head_, to them: - For, _Terminus_ had many a _Sacrifize_, - As well as other senslesse _Deities_. - I am not so prophane, as to desire - Such Ethnick zeale should set our hearts on fire: - But, wish I could, Men better did regard - Those _Bounders_, which _Antiquity_ hath rear’d; - And, that, they would not, with so much delight, - There, make _incroachments_, where they have no _right_. - That, ev’ry man might keep his owne _Possessions_, - Our Fathers, us’d in reverent _Processions_ - (With zealous prayers, and with praisefull cheere) - To walke their _Parish-limits_, once a yeare: - And, well knowne _Markes_ (which sacrilegious Hands - Now cut or breake) so bord’red out their Lands, - That, ev’ry one distinctly knew his owne; - And, many brawles, now rife, were then unknowne. - But, since neglected, sacred _Bounders_ were, - Most men _Incroachers_, and _Intruders_ are: - They grieve each other, and their _Dues_ they steale, - From _Prince_, from _Parent_, and from _Common-weale_. - Nay, more; these bold Vsurpers are so rude, - That, they, on _Christ’s_ Inheritance intrude. - But, that will be aveng’d; and (on his _right_) - Though such incroach, he will not lose it quite: - For, hee’s that _Bounder_, and that _Corner-stone_, - Who all _confines_, and is _confin’d_, of none. - - - _Where =Lovers= fitly matched be, - In =mutuall-duties=, they agree_. - -[Illustration: MANUS MANUM LAUAT. - -ILLVSTR. XXVIII. _Book. 3_] - - Would God, I could as feelingly infuse - A good effect of what this _Emblem_ shewes, - As I can tell in words, what _Moralls_ bee, - The life of that, which here you pictur’d see. - Most _Lovers_, minde their _Penny_, or their _Pleasure_; - Or, painted _Honors_; and, they all things measure, - Not as they are, but as they helpfull seeme, - In compassing those toyes, they most esteeme. - Though many wish to gaine a faithfull _Friend_, - They seldome seeke one, for the noblest end: - Nor know they (should they finde what they had sought) - How _Friendship_ should be manag’d, as it ought. - Such, as good _Husbands_ covet, or good _Wives_ - (The deare companions of most happy lives) - Wrong Courses take to gaine them; yet, contemne - Their honest love, who rightly counsell them: - And, lest, they unawares the Marke may hit, - They blinde their _judgements_, and befoole their _wit_. - He, that will finde a _Friend_, must seeke out one - To exercise unfeigned _love_ upon; - And, _mutuall-duties_, must both yield, and take, - Not for himselfe; but, for his _Friendship_ sake. - Such, as doe rightly _marry_, neither be - With _Dowries_ caught, nor wooe a _Pedigree_; - Nor, meerely come together, when they wed, - To reape the youthfull pleasures of the Bed: - But, seeke that fitnesse, and, that _Sympathy_, - Which maketh up the perfect’st _Amity_. - A _paire_, so match’d; _like Hands that wash each other_, - As _mutuall-helpes_, will sweetly live together. - - - _When =Law=, and =Armes=, together meet, - The =World= descends, to kisse their feet._ - -[Illustration: LEGIBUS ET ARMIS. - -ILLVSTR. XXIX. _Book. 3_] - - The Picture of a _Crowned-king_, here, stands - Upon a _Globe_; and, with outstretched hands, - Holds forth, in view, a _Law-booke_, and a _Sword_: - Which plaine and moderne _Figures_, may afford - This meaning; that, a _King_, who hath regard - To _Courts for pleading_, and _a Court of Guard_, - And, at all times, a due respect will carry, - To pious _Lawes_, and _Actions military_; - Shall not be _Monarch_, onely in those Lands, - That _are_, by _Birth right_, under his commands: - But, also, might (if just occasion were) - Make this whole _Globe_ of Earth, his power to feare; - Advance his _Favorites_; and, bring downe all - His _Opposites_, below his pedestall. - His conquering _Sword_, in forraigne Realmes, he drawes, - As oft, as there is just, or needfull cause: - At home, in ev’ry _Province_ of his Lands, - At all times, armed are his _Trayned bands_. - His _Royall fleets_, are terrours to the Seas; - At all houres, rigg’d, for usefull Voyages: - And, often, he his _Navy_ doth increase, - That _Warres_ Provisions, may prolong his _Peace_. - Nor, by the tenure of the _Sword_, alone, - Delighteth he to hold his awfull _Throne_, - But, likewise, labours, Mischiefes to prevent, - By wholsome _Lawes_, and rightfull _Goverment_. - For, where the _Sword_ commands, without the _Law_, - A _Tyrant_ keepes the Land in slavish awe: - And, where good _Lawes_ doe want an _Armed pow’r_, - Rebellious _Knaves_, their _Princes_, will devoure. - - - _=Faire-shewes=, we should not so much heed, - As the Vprightnesse of the =Deed=._ - -[Illustration: NON QUAM FORMOSA SED QUAM RECTA. - -ILLVSTR. XXX. _Book. 3_] - - When wee should use a _Ruler_, or a _Square_, - Or such like _Instruments_, as usefull are, - In forming other things; we prize not so - The carving, or the colourable show - (Which makes them beautifull in outward sight) - As when, for _Vsefulnesse_, we finde them right. - A warped _Bowe_, though strung with silken threads, - And, crooked _Arrowes_, tipt with Golden heads, - Delight not _Archers_; tyet, such uselesse Toyes - Be fit enough for Bunglers, and for Boyes. - A skilfull _Artist_ (in what Art soe’re, - He seekes, to make his ablenesse appeare) - Will give large Prices, with much more content, - To buy a plaine (if perfect) _Instrument_; - Then, take for nothing (or, for thankes alone) - An uselesse _Toole_, though, gay to looke upon. - From whence, observe; that, if there must be sought, - When meere _Mechanick-workes_ are to be wrought, - Such _Instruments_, as rather have esteeme - For their _true-being_, then for what they seeme. - Much more, should all those _Rules_ be such, whereby - Wee goe about, our selves to rectify; - And, build up, what in _Body_, or in _minde_, - We may defective, or impaired finde. - Else, peradventure, that we thinke to mend, - More faulty may become, at later end. - But, hence, I chiefly learne, to take a care, - My _Life_, and _Actions_, rather be _sincere_, - Then _seeming_ such: And, yet, Ile thinke no shame, - To _seeme_, to be as honest, as _I am_. - - - _My =Substance=, and my =Light=, are spent, - In seeking other mens content._ - -[Illustration: ALIIS INSERVIENDO CONSUMOR. - -ILLVSTR. XXXI. _Book. 3_] - - If this nigh-wasted _Candle_, you shall view, - And, heed it well, it may enlighten you - To looke with more compassion, on their paines, - Who rob themselves, to multiply your gaines. - The _Taper_ burnes, to give another light, - Ev’n till it selfe, it hath consumed quite; - And, all the profit, which it thence doth winne, - Is to be snufft, by ev’ry _Commer-in_. - This is the Lot of some, whom I have knowne, - Who, freely, all their life-time, have bestowne - In such industrious labour, as appeares, - To further others profits, more then theirs; - And, all their _Patrimonies_, well nigh spent, - The ruining of others, to prevent. - The _wit_, the _strength_, and all the _pow’r_ they had, - (Which might, by probability, have made - Good meanes to raise them, in this world, as high, - As most, who climbe to wealthy dignity) - Ev’n these, they have bestow’d, to better them, - Who their indeavours, for their paines, contemne. - These are those _Lamps_, whose _flames_, from time to time, - Have through each _Age_, and through-out ev’ry _Clime_, - To one another, that true _Light_ convey’d, - Which _Ignorance_, had, els, long since betray’d - To utter darknesse. These, despightfull _Pride_ - Oft snuffs; and, oft, to put them out, hath try’d. - But, from the brightnesse of such _Lights_, as they, - We got our _Light of knowledge_, at this day. - To _them_, God make us kinder; and to _Him_, - More thankfull, that we gain’d such light by _them_. - - - _The safest =Riches=, hee shall gaine, - Who alwayes =Faithfull= doth remaine._ - -[Illustration: DITAT SERVATA FIDES. - -ILLVSTR. XXXII. _Book. 3_] - - The _Horne-of-plenty_, which _Wealth_ signifies, - The _Hand-in-hand_, which _Plighted-faith_ implies, - (Together being painted) seeme to teach, - That, such as will be _honest_, shall be _rich_. - If this be so, why then for _Lucre-sake_, - Doe many breake the _Promises_ they make? - Why doe they cheat and couzen, lye, and sweare? - Why practise they all Villanies that are? - To compasse _Wealth_? And, how doe such as they - Inlarge their ill-got _Portions_, ev’ry day? - Or, whence proceedes it, that sometimes we see - Those men grow poore, who _faithfull_ seeme to bee? - Thus, oft it proves; and, therefore, _Falshood_ can, - In likelihood, much more inrich a man, - Then blamelesse _Faith_; and, then, the _Motto_ here - Improper to this _Emblem_, doth appeare. - But, well enough they sute; and, all is true, - Which these things (being thus united) shew. - Should it be then concluded, that all those, - Who poore and honest seeme, have made but showes - Of reall _Faith_? And, therfore, plagu’d have bin - With publicke lashes, for their private sin? - Indeed, sometime it hath succeeded so: - But, know you should, that, most who richest grow, - In _Outward-wealth_, are very poore in that, - Which brings true _Plentie_, and a blest Estate: - And, that, _Good men_, though poore they seeme to bee, - Have _Riches_, which the _Worldling_ cannot see. - Now He, who findes himselfe endow’d with such, - (Whate’re wee thinke him) is exceeding _rich_. - - - _=Poore-Theeves, in Halters= we behold, - And, =great-Theeves=, in their =Chaines of gold=._ - -[Illustration: FVRES PRIVATI IN NERVO PVBLICI IN AVRO - -ILLVSTR. XXXIII. _Book. 3_] - - If you, this _Emblem_, well have look’d upon, - Although you cannot helpe it, yet, bemone - The Worlds blacke Impudence; and, if you can, - Continue (or become) an honest man. - The poore, and petty _Pilferers_, you see - On _Wheeles_, on _Gibbets_, and the _Gallow-tree_ - Trust up; when they, that farre more guilty are, - Pearle, Silke, and costly Cloth of Tissue, weare. - Good _God_! how many hath each _Land_ of those, - Who, neither limbe, nor life, nor credit lose - (But, rather live befriended, and applauded) - Yet, have of all their livelihoods defrauded - The helplesse _Widowes_, in their great distresse? - And, of their Portions, robd the _Fatherlesse_? - Yet, censur’d others Errours, as if none - Had cause to say, that they amisse have done? - How many, have assisted to condemne - Poore soules, for what was never stolne by them? - And, persecuted others, for that Sin, - Which they themselves, had more transgressed in? - How many worthlesse men, are great become, - By that, which they have stolne, or cheated from - Their _Lords_? or (by some practices unjust) - From those, by whom they had beene put in trust? - How many _Lawyers_, wealthy men are growne, - By taking Fees, for _Causes_ overthrowne - By their defaults? How many, without feare, - Doe rob the _King_, and _God_, yet blamelesse are? - _God_ knowes how many! would I did so, too, - _So I had pow’r to make them better doe_. - - - _Whil’st thou dost, here, injoy thy breath, - Continue =mindfull= of thy =Death=._ - -[Illustration: MEMENTO MORI - -ILLVSTR. XXXIV. _Book. 3_] - - When thou beholdest on this _Burying-stone_, - The melancholly _Night-bird_, sitting on - The fleshlesse ruines of a _rotten-Skull_, - (Whose Face, perhaps, hath been more beautifull, - Then thine is now) take up a serious thought; - And, doe as thou art by the _Motto_ taught. - _Remember Death_: and, minde, I thee beseech, - How soone, these _Fowles_ may at thy window screech; - Or, call thee (as the common people deeme) - To dwell in _Graves_, and _Sepulchers_, by them, - Where nothing else, but _Bats_, and _Owles_, appeare; - Or, _Goblins_, form’d by _Fancies_, and, by _Feare_. - If thou shalt be advis’d, to meditate - Thy latter end, before it be too late, - (And, whil’st thy _friends_, _thy strength_, and _wits_ may bee - In likely case, to help and comfort thee) - There may be courses taken, to divert - Those _Frights_, which, else, would terrifie thy heart, - When _Death_ drawes neare; and helpe thee plucke away - That _Sting_, of his, which would thy Soule dismay. - But, if thou madly ramble onward, still, - Till thou art sinking downe that _darkesome-hill_, - Which borders on the _Grave_ (and dost beginne - To see the Shades of _Terrour_, and of _Sinne_ - To fly acrosse thy _Conscience_) 'twill be hard - To learne this _Lesson_; or, to be prepar’d - For that sad parting; which, will forced bee, - Betweene this much beloved _World_, and _thee_. - Consider this, therefore, while _Time_ thou hast, - And, put not off this _Bus’nesse_, till the last. - - - _Doe not the golden =Meane=, exceed, - In =Word=, in =Passion=, nor in =Deed=._ - -[Illustration: ERVA MODVM. - -ILLVSTR. XXXV. _Book. 3_] - - As is the head-strong _Horse_, and blockish _Mule_, - Ev’n such, without the _Bridle_, and the _Rule_, - Our _Nature_ growes; and, is as mischievous, - Till _Grace_, and _Reason_, come to governe us. - The _Square_, and _Bridle_, therefore let us heed, - And, thereby learne to know, what _helpes_ wee need; - Lest, else, (they fayling, timely, to bee had) - Quite out of _Order_, wee, at length, bee made. - The _Square_, (which is an usefull _Instrument_, - To shape foorth senselesse _Formes_) may represent - The _Law_: Because, _Mankind_, (which is by Nature, - Almost as dull, as is the _senselesse-creature_,) - Is thereby, from the _native-rudenesse_, wrought; - And, in the _Way_ of honest-living taught. - The _Bridle_, (which Invention did contrive, - To rule, and guide the _Creature-sensitive_) - May type forth _Discipline_; which, when the _Law_ - Hath school’d the _Wit_, must keepe the _Will_ in awe. - And, hee that can by these, his _Passions_ bound, - This _Emblems_ meaning, usefully, hath found. - Lord, let thy sacred _Law_, at all times, bee - A _Rule_, a _Master_, and a _Glasse_ to mee; - (A _Bridle_, and a _Light_) that I may, still, - Both know my _Dutie_, and obey thy _Will_. - Direct my _Feet_; my _Hands_, instruct thou so, - That I may neither _wander_, nor _mis-doe_. - My _Lookes_, my _Hearing_, and my _Wordes_ confine, - To keepe still firme, to ev’ry _Word_ of thine. - On thee, let also my _Desires_ attend: - And, let me hold this _temper_, till mine end. - - - _Wee then have got the surest =prop=, - When =God=, alone, becomes our =Hope=._ - -[Illustration: FVLCRVM TVTISSIMVM - -ILLVSTR. XXXVI. _Book. 3_] - - I Should not care how hard my _Fortunes_ were, - Might still my _Hopes_ be such, as now they are, - Of helpes divine; nor feare, how poore I bee, - If thoughts, yet, present, still may bide in mee. - For, they have left assurance of such _ayd_, - That, I am of no dangers, now afraid. - Yea, now I see, mee thinkes, what weake and vaine - _Supporters_ I have sought, to helpe sustaine - My fainting heart; when some injurious hand, - Would undermine the Station where I stand. - Me thinks, I see how scurvie, and how base, - It is to scrape for favours, and for grace, - To men of earthly minds; and unto those, - Who may, perhaps, before to morrow lose - Their Wealth, (or their abus’d Authoritie) - And, stand as much in want of helpe as I. - Me thinks, in this _new-rapture_, I doe see - The hand of _God_ from heaven supporting me, - Without those _rotten-Ayds_, for which I whinde, - When I was of my tother _vulgar-minde_: - And, if in some one part of me it lay, - I, now, could cut that _Limbe_ of mine away. - Still, might I keepe this mind, there were enough - _Within_ my selfe, (beside that cumbring stuffe - Wee seeke _without_) which, husbanded aright, - Would make mee _Rich_, in all the _Worlds_ despight. - And, I have hopes, that, had shee quite bereft mee, - Of those few _ragges_ and _toyes_, which, yet, are left me; - I should on _God_, alone, so much depend, - That, I should need, nor _Wealth_, nor other _Friend_. - - - _True =Vertue=, firme, will alwayes bide, - By whatsoever =suffrings= tride._ - -[Illustration: VIRTUS INEXPUGNABILIS. - -ILLVSTR. XXXVII. _Book. 3_] - - This is a well-knowne _Figure_, signifying, - A man, whose _Vertues_ will abide the trying: - For, by the nature of the _Diamond stone_, - (Which _Violence_, can no way worke upon) - That _Patience_, and _long-suffering_ is intended, - Which will not bee with _Injuries_ offended; - Nor yeeld to any base dejectednesse, - Although some bruising _Pow’r_, the same oppresse; - Or, such hard _streights_, as theirs, that hamm’rings feele, - Betwixt an _Anvile_, and a _Sledge_ of Steele. - None ever had a perfect _Vertue_, yet, - But, that most _Pretious-stone_, which God hath set - On his right hand, in _beaming-Majestie_, - Vpon the _Ring_ of blest _ETERNITIE_. - And, this, is that impenitrable _Stone_, - The _Serpent_ could not leave impression on, - (Nor signe of any _Path-way_) by temptations, - Or, by the pow’r of sly insinuations: - Which wondrous _Mysterie_ was of those _five_, - Whose depth King _Solomon_ could never dive. - Good _God_! vouchsafe, ev’n for that _Diamond_-sake, - That, I may of his _pretiousnesse_, partake, - In all my _Trialls_; make mee alwayes able - To bide them, with a minde impenitrable, - How hard, or oft so’ere, those _hamm’rings_ bee, - Wherewith, _Afflictions_ must _new fashion_ mee. - And, as the common _Diamonds_ polish’d are, - By their owne dust; so, let my _errours_ weare - Each other out; And, when that I am pure, - Give mee the _Lustre_, _Lord_, that will endure. - - - _=Truth=, oft =oppressed=, wee may see, - But, quite =supprest= it cannot bee._ - -[Illustration: VERITAS PREMITUR NON OPPRIMITUR. - -ILLVSTR. XXXVIII. _Book. 3_] - - This is that fruitfull _Plant_, which when it growes, - Where wholesome _Water_ in abundance flowes, - Was, by the _Psalmist_, thought a likely _Tree_, - The _Emblem_, of a _blessed-man_, to bee: - For, many wayes, it fitly typifies, - The _Righteous-man_, with his proprieties; - And, those true _Vertues_, which doe helpe increase - His growing, in the state of _Blessednesse_. - The _Palme_, (in this our _Emblem_, figur’d, thus) - Depressed with a _Stone_, doth shew to us - The pow’r of _Truth_: For, as this _Tree_ doth spread, - And thrive the more, when weights presse downe the head; - So, _Gods_ eternall _Truth_ (which all the pow’r - And spight of _Hell_, did labour to devoure) - Sprung high, and flourished the more, thereby, - When _Tyrants_ crush’d it, with their crueltie. - And, all inferiour _Truths_, the same will doe, - According as they make approaches to - The best _Perfection_; or, as they conduce - To _God’s_ due _praise_, or some such pious use. - _Lord_, still, preserve this _Truth’s_ integritie, - Although on ev’ry side, the wicked prie, - To spie how they may disadvantage it. - Yea, _Lord_, though _Sinners_ in high place doe sit, - (As _David_ saith) yet, let them not oppresse - Thy _Veritie_, by their imperiousnesse. - But, make both _Her_, and her _Professors_, bide - The _Test_, like _Silver seven times purifide_. - That, all _Truths_ lovers, may with comfort see, - Shee may _deprest_, but, not, _oppressed_ bee. - - - _They, who but =slowly-paced= are, - By =plodding= on, may travaile farre._ - -[Illustration: PAS A PAS. - -ILLVSTR. XXXIX. _Book. 3_] - - The big-bon’d _Oxe_, in pace is very slow, - And, in his travaile, _step_ by _step_, doth goe, - So leisurely, as if he tir’d had bin, - Before his painfull Iourney did beginne; - Yet, all the day, he stifly ploddeth on, - Vntill the labour of the day be done: - And, seemes as fresh (though he his taske hath wrought) - As when to worke he first of all was brought. - Meane-while, the _Palfray_, which more swiftnesse had, - Hath lost his breath, or proves a _Resty-jade_. - This _Emblem_, therefore, maketh it appeare, - How much it profiteth, to _persevere_; - And, what a little _Industry_ will doe, - If wee continue _constant_ thereunto. - For, meanest _Faculties_, discreetly us’d, - May get the start, of nobler _Gifts_, abus’d. - This, may obserued be in many a one: - For (when their course of life was first begunne) - Some, whose refined _wits_, aspi’rd as high, - As if above the _Sphæres_, they were to flie: - By _Sloth_, or _Pride_, or over-trusting to - Their owne Sufficiencies, themselves undoe. - Yea and those _forward-wits_, have liv’d to see - Themselves inferiours, unto those, to be, - Whom, they did in their jollity, contemne, - As blocks, or dunces, in respect of them. - Then, learne, _Great-wits_, this folly to prevent: - Let _Meane-wits_, take from hence, incouragement: - And, let us all, in our _Affaires_ proceed, - With timely _leisure_, and with comely _speed_. - - - _Vncertaine, =Fortunes= Favours, bee, - And, as the =Moone=, so changeth =Shee=._ - -[Illustration: FORTUNA UT LUNA. - -ILLVSTR. XL. _Book. 3_] - - Ovr _Author_, peradventure, giveth us - Dame _Fortune_ (for these Reasons) pictur’d, thus: - _She_ hath a _Comely-body_, to declare, - How pleasing shee doth usually appeare - To them, that love her Favours. She is _blinde_, - (Or, hath still closed eyes) to put in minde, - How blindly, and how heedlesly, she throwes - Her _Largesse_, where her _Bounty_, she bestowes. - She _stands upon a Ball_; that, wee may learne, - Of outward things, the _tottering_, to discerne: - Her _Ball_ hath _wings_; that it may signifie - How apt her _Favours_ are, away to _flie_. - A _Skarfe displayed by the wind_, she beares, - (And, on her _naked-Body_, nothing weares) - To shew, that what her _Favorite_ injoyes, - Is not so much for _Vsefulnesse_, as _toyes_. - Her _Head is hairelesse, all, except before_; - To teach thee, that thy care should be the more - To hold her _formost kindnesse_, alwayes fast; - Lest, she doe show thee slipp’ry tricks, at last. - And, lastly, that her _changing_ may be showne; - She beareth in her Hand a _Wayned-moone_. - By this Description, you may now descry - Her true conditions, full as well as I: - And, if you, still, suppose her, worth such honour, - You have my leave to _wooe_, and _wayt_ upon her. - Moreover (to her credit) I confesse, - This _Motto_ falsly saith, her _Ficklenesse_ - Is like the _Moones_: For, she hath frown’d on mee - Twelve _Moones_, at least; and, yet, no _Change_ I see. - - - _Vntill the =Steele=, the =Flint= shall smite, - It will afford nor =Heat=, nor =Light=._ - -[Illustration: ANTÈ FERIT QUÀM FLAMMA MICET. - -ILLVSTR. XLI. _Book. 3_] - - Whilst by the High-way-side, the _Flint-stone_ lies, - Drie, cold, and hardnesse, are the properties - We then perceive: But, when we prove it nigher, - We finde, that, _Coldnesse_ doth inclose a _Fire_; - And, that, though _Raine_, nor _cloudie-skie_ appeares, - It will be (many times) bedew’d with _teares_. - From hence, I mind, that many wronged are, - By being judg’d, as they, at first, appeare; - And, that, some should bee prais’d, whom wee despise, - If _inward-Grace_, were seene with _outward-Eyes_. - But, this is not that _Morall_ (wee confesse) - Which this our _Emblem_, seemeth to expresse: - For (if the _Motto_ speake the meaning right) - It shewes, that, _hard-afflictions_ first must smite - Our hardned hearts, before it will bee seene, - That any _light_ of _Grace_, in them, hath beene. - _Before the =Flint= will send forth shining Rayes, - It must bee strucken, by the =Steele=, (it sayes.)_ - Another _Morall_, adde we may to this, - (Which, to the _Figure_, sutes not much amisse.) - The _Steele_, and _Flint_, may fitly represent - _Hard-hearted men_, whose mindes will not relent: - For, when in _opposition_, such become, - The _fire_ of _Malice_, flames and sparkles from - Their threatning Eyes; which else, close hidden rests, - Within the closets of their flintie brests: - And, flame out-right it will not, (though it smokes) - Till _Strife_ breake passage, for it, by her _strokes_. - If any of these _Moralls_ may doe good, - The purpose of my paines is understood. - - - _My _Wit_ got _Wings_, and, high had flowne; - But, _Povertie_ did keepe mee downe._ - -[Illustration: PAUPERTATE PREMOR SUBLEUOR INGENIO. - -ILLVSTR. XLII. _Book. 3_] - - You little thinke, what plague it is to bee, - In plight like _him_, whom pictur’d here you see. - His _winged-Arme_, and his _up-lifted-eyes_, - Declare, that hee hath _Wit_, and _Will_, to rise: - The _Stone_, which clogs his other _hand_, may show - That, _Povertie_ and _Fortune_, keepe him low: - And, twixt these _two_, the _Bodie_ and the _Mind_, - Such labours, and such great vexations finde, - That, if you did not such mens wants contemne, - You could not chuse but helpe, or pitie them. - All Ages had (and, this I know hath some), - Such men, as to this misery, doe come: - And, many of them, at their _Lot_, so grieve, - As if they knew, (or did at least beleeve) - That, had their _Wealth_ suffiz’d them to aspire - (To what their _Witts_ deserve, and they _desire_). - The present Age, and future Ages too, - Might gaine have had, from what they thought to doe. - Perhaps I dream’d so once: But, God be prais’d, - The _Clog_ which kept me downe, from being rais’d, - Was chain’d so fast, that (if such _Dreames_ I had) - My _thoughts_, and _longings_, are not now so mad. - For, plaine I see, that, had my _Fortunes_ brought - Such _Wealth_, at first, as my small _Wit_ hath sought; - I might my selfe, and others, have undone, - Instead of _Courses_, which I thought to runne. - I finde my _Povertie_, for mee was fit; - Yea, and a _Blessing_, greater than my _Wit_: - And, whether, now, I _rich_ or _poore_ become, - Tis nor much _pleasing_, nor much _troublesome_. - - - _A =Mischiefe=, hardly can be done, - Where =many-pow’rs= are knit in one._ - -[Illustration: VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR. - -ILLVSTR. XLIII. _Book. 3_] - - Observe the _Sheafe of Arrowes_, figur’d here; - And, how the pow’r, and fury, of the _Beare_ - (Though hee attempt it) no device can finde - To breake one _slender-shaft_, while they are _joyn’d_: - Whereas, were they _divided_, strength but small, - Like rotten Kexes, would soone breake them all. - This _Emblem_, therefore, fitly doth imply - That Safeguard, which is found in _Vnity_; - And, shewes, that, when _Dis-union_ is begunne, - It breedeth dangers, where before were none. - The _Psalmist_, numerous _Off-springs_, doth compare - To _Quivers_, that with _Shafts_ replenish’d are. - When _Vnity_ hath knit them in her _bands_, - They prove like _Arrowes_ in a _Gyants_ hands. - And, though, for these, their Foes in wayt have layd, - They shall not be supriz’d, nor made afrayd. - Consider this, yee _Children of one Sire_, - 'Twixt whom, is kindled some contentious _fire_, - And, reconciled be, lest you, at length, - Consume away the marrow of your _strength_; - Or, by dividing, of your _joyned-pow’r_, - Make way for those, who studie to devoure. - Yea, let us all consider, as we ought, - What _Lesson_, by this _Emblem_, we are taught. - For, wee are _Brethren_ all; and (by a _Bloud_ - More precious, then our nat’rall _Brother-hood_) - Nor knit, alone, but, mingled, as it were, - Into a _League_; which is, by much, more deare, - And, much more dangerous, to be undone, - Then all the _Bands_, that can be thought upon. - - - _They, best injoy their Hearts desires, - In whom, =Love=, kindles =mutuall-fires=._ - -[Illustration: AMORE MUTUO. - -ILLVSTR. XLIV. _Book. 3_] - - What may the reason be, that, when Desire - Hath kindled in the brest, a _Loving-fire_, - The _Flame_, which burn’d awhile, both cleere & strong, - Becomes to be extinguished, ere long? - This _Emblem_ gives the reason; for, it showes, - That, when _Affection_, to perfection growes, - The _Fire_, which doth inlighten, first, the same, - Is made an _equall_, and a _mutuall-flame_. - These burning _Torches_, are alike in _length_; - To shew, _Love equall_, both in _time_, and _strength_. - They, to each otherward, their _Flames_ extend, - To teach us, that, _True-lovers_ have no end - Pertayning to _Selfe-love_; and, lo, betweene - These _Two_, one _Flaming-heart_, is to be seene; - To signifie, that, they, but _one_, remaine - In _Minde_; though, in their _Persons_, they are _twaine_. - He, doubtlesse, then, who _Lov’d_, and, giveth over, - Deserveth not the Title of a _Lover_; - Or, else, was unrequited in Affection, - And, was a _Lover_, with some imperfection. - For, _Love_, that loves, and is not lov’d as much, - May perfect grow; but, yet, it is not such, - Nor can be, till it may that _object_ have, - Which _gives_ a _Heart_, for what it would _receive_: - And, lookes not so much _outward_, as to heed - What seemes _within_, to _want_, or to _exceed_. - Whether our Emblem’s _Author_, thought of this, - You need not care; nor, will it be amisse, - If they who perfect _Lovers_, would be thought, - Doe mind, what by this _Morall_, they are taught. - - - _Where =many-Forces= joyned are, - _Vnconquerable-pow’r_, is there_ - -[Illustration: CONCORDIA INSUPERABILIS. - -ILLVSTR. XLV. _Book. 3_] - - An _Emblem’s_ meaning, here, I thought to conster; - And, this doth rather fashion out a _Monster_, - Then forme an _Hieroglyphicke_: but, I had - These _Figures_ (as you see them) ready made - By others; and, I meane to _morallize_ - Their Fancies; not to mend what they devise. - Yet, peradventure, with some vulgar praise, - This _Picture_ (though I like it not) displayes - The _Morall_, which the _Motto_ doth imply; - And, thus, it may be sayd to signifie. - He, that hath many _Faculties_, or _Friends_, - To keepe him safe (or to acquire his ends) - And, fits them so; and, keepes them so together, - That, still, as readily, they ayd each other, - As if so many _Hands_, they had been made; - And, in _One-body_, usefull being had: - That man, by their Assistance, may, at length, - Attaine to an _unconquerable-strength_; - And, crowne his honest _Hopes_, with whatsoever - He seekes for, by a warranted Endeavour. - Or, else, it might be sayd; that, when we may - Make our _Affections_, and, our _Sense_, obay - The will of _Reason_, (and, so well agree, - That, we may finde them, still, at peace to be) - They’l guard us, like so many _Armed-hands_; - And, safely keepe us, whatsoere withstands. - If others thinke this _Figure_, here, inferres - A better sense; let those _Interpreters_ - Vnriddle it; and, preach it where they please: - Their _Meanings_ may be good, and so are these. - - - _The =Hearts= of =Kings= are in =God’s= Hands; - And, as He lists, He Them commands._ - -[Illustration: IN MANU DEI COR REGIS. - -ILLVSTR. XLVI. _Book. 3_] - - Why doe men grudge at those, who raysed be, - By royall Favour, from a low degree? - Know this; _Hee should be honour’d, whom the King, - To place of Dignity, shall please to bring_. - Why should they blame their _Kings_, for fav’ring such, - Whom, they have thought, scarce meriting so much? - _God rules their Hearts; and, they, themselves deceive, - Who dreame, that Kings exalt, without Gods leave._ - Why murmure they at _God_, for guiding so - The Hearts of _Kings_, as oft they see him doe? - Or, at his _Workes_, why should they take offence, - As if their _Wit_, could teach his _Providence_? - _His just, and his all-seeing =Wisedome= knowes, - Both =whom=, and =why= he crownes, or overthrowes; - And, =for what cause=, the Hearts of =Princes=, bee - =Inlarg’d=, or =shut=; when we no cause can see;_ - We sometime know, what’s _well_, and what’s _amisse_; - But, of those _Truths_, the root concealed is; - And, False-hoods, and Uncertainties, there are, - In most of those things, which we _speake_, or _heare_. - Then, were not _Kings_ directed by _God’s_ hand, - They, who are best, and wisest in the Land, - Might oft misguide them, either by receiving - A _False report_, or, by some _wrong-believing_. - God’s _Grace_ it is, that _Good-men_ rays’d have bin: - If _Sinners_ flourish, we may thanke our _Sin_. - Both _Good_ and _Bad_, so like in _out-sides_ be, - That, _Kings_ may be deceiv’d, in what they see; - And, if _God_ had not rul’d their _Hearts_ aright, - The _World_, by this time, had been ruin’d quite. - - - _A =Vertue= hidden, or not us’d, - Is either =Sloth=, or =Grace= abus’d._ - -[Illustration: CELATA VIRTUS IGNAVIA EST. - -ILLVSTR. XLVII. _Book. 3_] - - The World hath shamelesse _Boasters_, who pretend, - In sundry matters, to be skill’d so well, - That, were they pleased, so their houres to spend, - They say, they could in many things excell. - But, though they make their hearers to beleeve, - That, out of _Modestie_ their _Gifts_ they hide, - In them wee very plainely may perceive, - Or _Sloth_, or _Envy_, _Ignorance_, or _Pride_. - When other mens endeavours they peruse, - They either carpe at what they cannot mend; - Or else of Arrogance doe those accuse, - Who, to the publike view, their _Workes_ commend. - If these men say, that they can _Poetize_, - But, will not; they are false in saying so: - For, he, whose _Wit_ a little that way lies, - Will _doing_ bee, though hee himselfe _undoe_. - If they, in other _Faculties_ are learned, - And, still, forbeare their _Talents_ to imploy; - The truest _Knowledge_, yet, is undiscerned, - And, that, they merit not, which they injoy. - Yea, such as hide the _Gifts_ they have received, - (Or use them not, as well as they are able) - Are like _fayre Eyes_, of usefull sight bereaved; - Or, _lighted-Candles_, underneath a _Table_. - Their glorioust part, is but a _Painted-cloath_, - Whose _Figures_, to the wall-ward, still are hung. - Their hidden _Vertues_, are apparant _Sloth_; - And, all their life, is to the publike wrong: - For, they doe reape the _Fruits_, by many sowne, - And, leave to others, nothing of their owne. - - - _The =Moone=, which is =decreasing= now, - When shee =returnes=, will =fuller=, grow._ - -[Illustration: REDIBO PLENIOR. - -ILLVSTR. XLVIII. _Book. 3_] - - I Never, yet, did murmuringly complaine, - Although those _Moones_ have long been in the _Waine_, - Which on their _Silver Shields_, my _Elders_ wore, - In _Battels_, and in _Triumphs_, heretofore. - Nor any mention have I ever made, - Of such _Eclipses_, as those _Crescents_ had; - Thereby, to move some _Comet_, to reflect - His _fading-light_, or daigne his _good-aspect_. - For, when I tell the _World_, how ill I fare, - I tell her too, how little I doe care, - For her _despights_: yea, and I tell it not, - That, helpe, or pitie, might from her be got; - But, rather, that her _Favourites_ may see, - I know my _Waynings_, yet, can pleased bee. - My _Light_, is from the Planet of the _Sunne_; - And, though the _Course_, which I obliquely runne, - Oft brings my outward _Fortunes_ to the _Waine_, - My _Light_ shall, one day, bee renew’d againe. - Yea, though to some, I quite may seeme to lose - My _Light_; because, my follies interpose - Their shadowes to eclipse it: yet, I know, - My _Crescents_, will increase, and _fuller_, grow. - Assoone as in the _Flesh_, I beeing had, - I mooved on in _Courses retrograde_, - And, thereby lost my _Splendor_: but, I feele - Soft motions, from that great _Eternall-Wheele_, - Which mooveth all things, sweetly mooving mee, - To gaine the _Place_, in which I ought to bee: - And, when to _Him_, I backe _returne_, from _whom_ - At first I came, I shall at _Full_ become. - - - _Bee warie, =wheresoe’re=, thou bee: - For, from _deceit_, no =place= is free._ - -[Illustration: NUSQUAM TUTA FIDES. - -ILLVSTR. XLIX. _Book. 3_] - - Some write (but, on what grounds, I cannot tell) - That they, who neere unto the _Deserts_ dwell, - Where _Elephants_ are found, doe notice take, - What trees they haunt, their sleeping-stocks to make; - That, when they rest against an halfe-sawne stemme, - It (falling) may betray those Beasts to them. - Now, though the part _Historicall_, may erre, - The _Morall_, which this _Emblem_ doth inferre, - Is overtrue; and, seemeth to imply, - The _World_ to bee so full of Treacherie, - As, that, no corner of it, found can be, - In which, from Falshoods Engines, wee are free. - I have observ’d the _Citie_; and, I finde - The _Citizens_, are civill, grave and kinde; - Yet, many are deluded by their showes, - And, cheated, when they trust in them repose. - I have been oft at _Court_; where I have spent, - Some idle time, to heare them _Complement_: - But, I have seene in _Courtiers_, such deceit, - That, for their Favours, I could never wait. - I doe frequent the _Church_; and, I have heard - Gods judgements, by the _Preachers_, there, declar’d, - Against mens falshoods; and, I gladly heare - Their zealous _Prayers_, and good _Counsells_ there; - But, as I live, I finde some such as they, - Will watch to doe a mischiefe, if they may. - Nay, those poore sneaking _Clownes_, who seeke their living, - As if they knew no manner of deceiving; - Ev’n _those_, their _witts_, can (this way) so apply, - That, they’l soone cousen, wiser men, than I. - - - _This =Day=, my =Houre-glasse=, forth is runne; - Thy =Torch=, to =Morrow=, may bee done._ - -[Illustration: HODIE MIHI CRAS TIBI: - -ILLVSTR. L. _Book. 3_] - - There is no Day, nor minute of the Day, - In which, there are not many sent away - From _Life_ to _Death_; or, many _drawing-on_, - Which, must within a little while, bee gone. - You, often, view the _Grave_; you, often, meet - The _Buriers_, and the _Mourners_, in the street, - Conveying of some Neighbour, to that home, - Which must, e’re long, your _dwelling-place_ become. - You see the _Race_, of many a youthfull _Sonne_ - Is finish’d, e’re his _Father’s_ Course is done; - And, that, the hand of _Death_, regardeth neither - Sexe, Youth, nor Age; but, mingleth all together. - You, many times, in your owne houses, heare - The groanes of _Death_, and, view your _Children_, there, - Your loving _Parents_, or, beloved _Wives_, - To gaspe for breath, and, labour for their _lives_. - Nay, you your selves, do sometime find the paines - Of _Sicknesse_, in your Bowels, and your Vaines. - The _Harbingers_ of _Death_, sometime, begin - To take up your whole _Bodie_, for their _Inne_. - You beare their heavie _Aches_, on your back; - You feele their _twinges_, make your heartstrings crack; - And, sometime, lye imprison’d, and halfe dead, - With _Age_, or with _Diseases_, on your bed: - Yet you deferre your ends; and, still contrive, - For temp’rall things; as if you thought to live - Sixe _Ages_ longer: or, had quite forgot, - That, you, and others, draw one _common-Lot_. - But, that, you might not, still, the same forget, - This _Emblem_, and this _Motto_, here were set. - - _Finis Libri tertij._ - - - - -[Illustration: Decoration] - -THE THIRD LOTTERIE. - - -1 - - The _Wreathes_ of GLORY, you affect, - But, _meanes_ to gaine them, you neglect; - And, (though in _doing_, you delight) - You _doe_ not, alwayes, what is _right_: - Nor are you growne, as yet, so wise, - To know, to whom the richest _Prize_ - Doth appertaine; nor what it is. - But, now, you are inform’d of _This_. - -See, _Emblem_ I. - - -2 - - Though you are _weake_, you much may doe, - If you will set your _Wits_ thereto. - For, meaner _Powres_, than you have had, - And, meaner _Wits_, good shift have made, - Both to contrive, and compasse that, - Which abler men have wondred at. - Your _Strength_, and _Wit_, unite, therefore, - And, both shall grow improov’d the more. - -See, _Emb._ II. - - -3 - - Perhaps, thou mayst be one of them, - Who, Civill _Magistrates_ contemne; - And sleighteth, or else, flouteth at - The _Ceremonies_ of Estate. - That, thou maist, therefore, learne to get, - Both better _Manners_, and more _Wit_, - The _Sword_, and _Mace_, (by some despiz’d) - Is, for thy sake, now _moralliz’d_. - -See, _Emb._ III. - - -4 - - By this thy _Lot_, wee may misdoubt, - Thou look’st not warily about; - But, hudlest onward, without heed, - What went _before_, or may _succeed_; - Procuring losse, or discontent, - Which, _Circumspection_, might prevent. - Therefore, with gratefulnesse, receive - Those counsells, which our _Moralls_ give. - -See, _Emb._ IV. - - -5 - - Thou hast, unworthily, repin’d, - Or, been displeased in thy mind, - Because, thy _Fortunes_ doe not seeme - To fit thy _Worth_ (in thy esteeme:) - And loe, to check thy discontent, - Thy _Lot_, a _Morall_, doth present; - And shewes, that, if thou _vertuous_ bee, - _Good-Fortune_, will attend on thee. - -See, _Emb._ V. - - -6 - - When thy Desires have good successe, - Thine owne _Endeavors_, thou dost blesse; - But, seldome unto _God_ thou giv’st - Due thanks, for that, which thou receiv’st. - Thine _Emblem_, therefore, tells from whom - The fruits of good _Endeavours_, come: - And, shewes (if thou to thrive intend) - On whom, thou, alwayes, must depend. - -See, _Emb._ VI. - - -7 - - It may bee, thou art one of those, - Whose _Faith_, more _bold_, than _fruitfull_ growes; - And (building on some false _Decree_) - Disheartnest those, that _Workers_ be - To gaine (with _awfull-joy_) that _PriZe_, - Which, unto no man, _God_ denies, - That workes in _Hope_; and, lives by _Faith_. - Marke, therefore, what thine _Emblem_ saith. - -See, _Emb._ VII. - - -8 - - Thou hast been willing, that thy _Name_, - Should live the life of _Honest-Fame_; - And, that, thy _labours_ (to thy praise) - Continue might, in future dayes. - Behold; the _Lot_, thou hapnest on, - Hath showne, how this may well bee done. - Pursue the _Course_, which there is taught, - And, thy desires to passe are brought. - -See, _Emb._ VIII. - - -9 - - Thou, many things, hast well begun; - But, little, to good purpose, done: - Because, thou hast a fickle _braine_, - And, _hands_ that love to take no paine. - Therefore, it chanceth not amisse, - That, thou hast such a _Chance_, as this: - For, if thou want not _Grace_, or _Wit_, - Thou maist, in time, have good of it. - -See, _Emb._ IX. - - -10 - - Whatev’r you seeme to others, now, - It was the _Harrow_, and the _Plough_, - By which, your _Predecessors_ got, - The fairest portion of your _Lot_: - And, (that, it may encrease your _Wit_) - They haunt you, in an _Emblem_, yet. - Peruse our _Morall_; and, perchance, - Your _Profit_, it will much advance. - -See, _Emb._ X. - - -11 - - Much labour, and much time you spend, - To get an able-constant _Friend_: - But, you have ever sought him, there, - Where, no such precious _Iewells_ are: - For, you, _without_ have searching bin, - To finde, what must be found _within_. - This _Friend_, is mention’d by this _Lot_, - But, _God_ knowes where he may be got. - -See, _Emb._ XI. - - -12 - - Thou seek’st for _Fame_; and, now art showne, - For what, her _Trumpet_ shall be blowne. - Thine _Emblem_, also, doth declare, - What _Fame_ they get, who _vertuous_ are, - For _Praise_ alone; and, what _Reward_, - For such like _Studies_, is prepar’d. - Peruse it; And, this _Counsell_ take; - _Bee vertuous, for meere Vertues sake_. - -See, _Emb._ XII - - -13 - - This _Lot_, those persons, alwayes finds, - That have high _thoughts_, and loftie _minds_; - Or, such as have an itch to learne, - That, which doth nothing them concerne; - Or, love to peepe, with daring eyes, - Into forbidden _Mysteries_. - If any one of these thou bee, - Thine _Emblem_, lessons hath for thee. - -See, _Emb._ XIII. - - -14 - - If all be true, these _Lots_ doe tell us, - Thou shouldst be of those _Fidling-fellowes_, - Who, better practised are growne, - In _others_ matters, than their _owne_: - Or, one, that covets to be thought, - A man, that’s ignorant of nought. - If it be so, thy _Morall_ showes - Thy _Folly_, and what from it flowes. - -See, _Emb._ XIV. - - -15 - - Thou hast some _Charge_, (who e’re thou be) - Which, _Tendance_ may expect from thee. - And, well, perhaps, it may be fear’d, - Tis often left, without regard: - Or, that, thou dost securely sleep, - When, thou should’st watch, more strictly, keep. - Thou knowest best, if it be so: - Take therefore heed, what is to doe. - -See, _Emb._ XV. - - -16 - - In secret, thou dost oft complaine, - That, thou hast _hop’d_, and _wrought_ in vaine; - And, think’st thy _Lot_, is farre more hard, - Than what for others is prepar’d. - An _Emblem_, therefore, thou hast got, - To shew, it is our _common-Lot_, - To _worke_ and _hope_; and, that, thou hast - A _Blessing_ by it, at the last. - -See, _Emb._ XVI. - - -17 - - That thou hast _Honestie_, we grant; - But, _Prudence_, thou dost often want: - And, therefore, some have injur’d thee, - Who farre more _Wise_, than _honest_ bee. - That, now, _Discretion_ thou mayst add, - To those _good-meanings_ thou hast had; - The _Morall_ of thine _Emblem_, view; - And, what it counsels, that, pursue. - -See, _Emb._ XVII. - - -18 - - To your _Long-home_, you nearer are, - Than you (it may bee) are aware: - Yea, and more easie is the _Way_, - Than you, perchance, conceive it may. - Lest, therefore, _Death_, should grim appeare, - And, put you in a causelesse feare; - (Or out of minding wholly passe) - This _Chance_, to you allotted was. - -See, _Emb._ XVIII. - - -19 - - In slippery _Paths_, you are to goe; - Yea, they are full of danger too: - And, if you heedfull should not grow, - They’l hazzard much, your overthrow. - But, you the mischiefe may eschew, - If wholsome Counsell, you pursue. - Looke, therefore, what you may be taught, - By that, which this your _chance_ hath brought. - -See, _Emb._ XIX. - - -20 - - This present _Lot_, concernes full neere, - Not you alone, but all men here; - For, all of us, too little heed - His _love_, who for our sakes, did _bleed_. - Tis true, that _meanes_, hee left behind him, - Which better teacheth how to minde him: - Yet, if wee both by _that_, and _this_, - Remember him, 'tis not amisse. - -See, _Emb._ XX. - - -21 - - Tis hop’d, you just, and pious are, - More out of _Conscience_, than for feare; - And, that you’l vertuous courses take, - For _Goodnesse_, and for _Vertue-sake_. - Yet, since the best men, sometimes may - Have need of helpes, in _Vertues_ way, - Those usefull _Moralls_, sleight you not, - Which are presented by this _Lot_. - -See, _Emb._ XXI. - - -22 - - This _Lot_ pertaineth unto those, - (And who they bee, _God_ onely knowes) - Who, to the world, have no desire; - But, up to heav’nly things aspire. - No doubt, but you, in some degree, - Indow’d with such _affections_ bee; - And, had this _Emblem_, that you might - Encourag’d bee, in such a _Flight_. - -See, _Emb._ XXII. - - -23 - - The state of _Temp’rall_ things to shew, - Yee have them, still, within your view; - For, ev’ry object that wee see, - An _Emblem_, of them, serves to bee. - But, wee from few things, helps doe finde, - To keepe _Eternitie_ in minde. - This _Lot_, an _Emblem_ brings, therefore, - To make you thinke upon it more. - -See, _Emb._ XXIII. - - -24 - - Vnlesse you better looke thereto, - _Dis-use_, and _Sloth_, will you undoe. - That, which of you despayred was, - With ease, might have bin brought to passe; - Had but so much bin done, as may - Bee equall’d with _One Line a day_. - Consider this; and, to that end, - The _Morall_ of your _Lot_ attend. - -See, _Emb._ XXIV. - - -_M_ 25 - - If wee mistake not, thou art one, - Who loves to court the _Rising-Sunne_; - And, if this _Lot_, thy nature finde, - Thou to _Preferment_ hast a minde: - If so; learne hence, by whose respect - (Next God) thou mayst thy hopes effect: - Then, seeke to winn his grace to thee, - Of what estate soe’re thou bee. - -See, _Emb._ XXV. - - -26 - - Thou to a _double-path_ art come; - And, peradventure, troublesome, - Thou findest it; for thee to know, - On whether hand thou oughtst to goe. - To put thee out of all suspect, - Of _Courses_ that are indirect; - Thy _Morall_ points thee to a path, - Which _hardship_, but, no perill hath. - -See, _Emb._ XXVI. - - -27 - - You warned are of taking heede, - That, never, you your _Bounds_ exceed; - And, also, that you be not found, - To come within your Neighbours _Bound_. - There may be some concealed Cause, - That, none but you, this _Emblem_ drawes. - Examine it; And, If you see - A fault, let it amended be. - -See, _Emb._ XXVII. - - -28 - - Your _Emblems_ morall doth declare, - When, _Lovers_ fitly matched are; - And, what the chiefest cause may be, - Why, _Friends_ and _Lovers_ disagree. - Perhaps, you somewhat thence may learne, - Which your _Affection_ doth concerne. - But, if it _Counsell_ you too late, - Then, preach it at your _Neighbours_ gate. - -See, _Emb._ XXVIII. - - -_M_ 29 - - Some, vrge their _Princes_ on to _Warre_, - And weary of sweet _Peace_, they are. - Some, seeke to make them, dote on _Peace_, - (Till publike Danger more encrease) - As if the World were kept in awe, - By nothing else but preaching _Law_. - Thy _Morall_ (if of those thou art) - Doth act a _Moderators_ part. - -See, _Emb._ XXIX. - - -30 - - Tis feared, thou dost lesse esteeme, - _Vpright_ to _bee_, than so to _seeme_; - And, if thine actions, faire _appeare_, - Thou carest not how foule they _are_. - Though this bee not thy fault alone, - Yet have a care of mending _One_: - And, study thou, _Vpright_ to grow, - As well in _Essence_, as in _Show_. - -See, _Emb._ XXX. - - -31 - - Some, all their _time_, and _wealth_ have spent, - In giving other men content; - And, would not grudge to waste their _Blood_, - To helpe advance the _Common-good_. - To such as these, you have been thought, - Not halfe so friendly as you ought. - This _Lot_ therefore befalls, to shew, - How great _respects_, to such, are due. - -See, _Emb._ XXXI. - - -32 - - You have been tempted (by your leave) - In hope of _Lucre_, to deceive: - But, much, as yet, you have not swerv’d - From _Faith_, which ought to be observ’d. - If well, hereafter, you would speed, - In _dealing-honestly_, proceed: - For, by your _Emblem_, you shall see, - That, _Honest-men_, the _richest_ bee. - -See, _Emb._ XXXII. - - -33 - - We hope, no person, here, beleeves, - That, you are of those wealthy _Theeves_, - Who, _Chaines_ of gold, and pearle doe weare. - And, of those _Theeves_, that, none you are, - Which weares a _Rope_, wee, plainly see; - For, you, as yet _unhanged_ bee: - But, unto God, for _Mercie_ crie, - Else _hang’d_ you may bee, e’re you die. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIII. - - -34 - - You, willing are, to put away, - The thinking on your _latter-day_: - You count the mention of it, _Folly_; - A meanes of breeding _Melancholly_; - And, newes unfit for men to heare, - Before they come to _sixtie-yeare_. - But, minde what Counsels now are sent, - And, mend, lest you too late repent. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIV. - - -35 - - Your _Wits_, your _Wishes_, and your _Tongue_, - Have run the _Wild goose-chase_, too long; - And (lest all Reason, you exceed) - Of _Rules_, and _Reines_, you now have need. - A _Bridle_, therefore, and a _Square_, - Prime _Figures_, in your _Emblem_, are. - Observe their _Morall_, and I pray, - Be _Wise_, and _Sober_, if you may. - -See, _Emb._ XXXV. - - -36 - - Because her _Ayd_ makes goodly showes, - You, on the _World_, your trust repose; - And, his _dependance_, you despise, - Who, meerly, on _God’s_ helpe, relies. - That, therefore, you may come to see, - How pleas’d, and safe, those men may bee, - Who have no ayd, but _God_, alone; - This _Emblem_, you have lighted on. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVI. - - -37 - - Some, thinke your _Vertue_ very much; - And, there is cause to thinke it such: - For, many wayes it hath been tride; - And, well the _Triall_ doth abide. - Yet, think not, but some _brunts_ there are, - Which, your owne _strength_ shall never beare. - And, by the _Morall_ of your _Lot_, - Learne, where, _Assistance_ may bee got. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVII. - - -38 - - Thou hast been grieved, and complain’d, - Because, the _Truth_ hath wrong sustain’d. - But, that, dismayd thou shouldst not be, - Thine _Emblem_ will declare to thee, - That, though the _Truth_ may suffer spite, - It shall not bee depressed quite; - But, by opposing, spread the more, - And, grow more pow’rfull than before. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVIII. - - -39 - - By _Rashnesse_, thou hast often err’d, - Or, else, thou hadst been more preferr’d. - But, future errours, to prevent, - Thou to the slow-pac’d _Oxe_ art sent, - To learne more _Staydnesse_; and, to doe - Thy _Workes_, with _Perseverance_, too. - Hee that this creatures _Vertue_ scornes, - May want it all, except his _Hornes_. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIX. - - -40 - - Dame _Fortunes_ favour seemes to bee - Much lov’d, and longed for, of thee; - As if, in what, her hand bestowes, - Thou mightst thy confidence repose. - But, that, her _manners_ may bee knowne, - This _Chance_, upon thee, was bestowne. - Consider well, what thou hast got, - And, on her flattrings, dote thou not. - -See, _Emb._ XL. - - -41 - - The _Steele_ and _Flint_, declare, in part, - The Temper of a _Stony-heart_; - And, shewe, that thence, no _Vertue_ flowes, - Till it be forced out, with blowes. - Some other, _Moralls_ thou maist learne, - Thereby, which will thy _good_, concerne: - Marke, therefore, what they doe declare, - And, minde it, as occasions are. - -See, _Emb._ XLI. - - -42 - - Thou thinkst thy _Witt_, had made thee great, - Had _Povertie_ not beene some _let_: - But, had thy _Wealth_ as ample beene, - As, thou thy _Witt_, didst overweene; - Insteed of thy desired _Height_, - Perhaps, thou hadst beene ruin’d quite. - Hereafter, therefore, be content, - With whatsoever _God_ hath sent. - -See, _Emb._ XLII. - - -43 - - To _Discord_, thou art somewhat prone, - And, thinkst thou mayst subsist alone; - Regarding not how safe they bide, - Who, fast, in _Concords_ bands are tide. - But, that thou mayst the better heed, - What _Good_, from _Vnion_ doth proceed, - An _Emblem_ is become thy _Lot_, - From which, good _Caveats_ may be got. - -See, _Emb._ XLIII. - - -44 - - Thou wouldst be lov’d; and, to that end, - Thou dost both _Time_, and _Labour_ spend: - But, thou expect’st (as wee beleeve) - More _Love_, than thou dost meane to give. - If so thou then, art much to blame: - For, _Love_ affects a _muturall-flame_; - Which, if it faile on either side, - Will never, long time, true abide. - -See, _Emb._ XLIV. - - -45 - - If all your _pow’rs_, you should unite, - Prevaile in your Desires, you might: - And, sooner should effect your ends, - If you should muster up your _Friends_. - But, since your _Genius_ doth suspect, - That, you such _Policie_ neglect, - Your _Lot_ presenteth to your view - An _Emblem_, which instructeth you. - -See, _Emb._ XLV. - - -46 - - Because, thou mayst be one of them, - Who dare the deeds of _Kings_ condemne; - (As if such eyes as theirs and yours - Could view the depth of _Sov’raigne pow’rs_; - Or, see, how in each _Time_, and _Place_, - _God_ rules their hearts, in ev’ry case.) - To check thy sawcinesse, in this, - An _Emblem_ comes not much amisse. - -See, _Emb._ XLVI. - - -47 - - Of many goodly parts thou vauntst; - And, much thou hast, though much thou wantst: - But, well it were, that, lesse, thou hadst, - Vnlesse more use thereof thou mad’st. - That, therefore, thou mightst come to see, - How vaine _unpractiz’d-vertues_ bee, - Peruse thine _Emblem_; and, from thence, - Take usefull heed of thy _Offence_. - -See, _Emb._ XLVII. - - -48 - - By this thy _Lot_, it may appeare, - Decayd thy _Hopes_, or _Fortunes_ are. - But, that, thou mayst no courage lose, - Thine _Emblem_, by example, showes, - That, as the _Moone_ doth from the _Waine_ - Returne, and fill her _Orbe_ againe: - So, thou thy _Fortunes_ mayst renew, - If, honest _Hopes_, thou shalt pursue. - -See, _Emb._ XLVIII. - - -49 - - Some _Foes_, for thee, doe lie in wait, - Where thou suspectest no _Deceit_; - Yea, many a one, thy harme intends, - Whom thou dost hope will be thy _Friends_: - Be, therefore, heedfull, whom to _trust_; - What _walke_ thou tak’st, and what thou _dost_; - For, by thine _Emblem_, thou shalt see, - That, _warinesse_, will needfull bee. - -See, _Emb._ XLIX. - - -50 - - It seemes, by drawing of this _Lot_, - The day of _Death_, is much forgot; - And, that, thou needst a faithfull _Friend_, - To minde thee of thy _latter-end_. - Vnheeded, therefore, passe not by, - What now thine _Emblem_ doth imply; - So, thou shalt heare (without affright) - _Death’s_ message, though it were to night. - -See, _Emb._ L. - - -51 - - Thou seek’st by fickle _Chance_, to gaine, - What thou by _Vertue_ might’st attaine. - Endeavour well, and, nothing shall - To thee, unfortunately fall: - For, ev’ry variable _Chance_, - Thy firme contentment, shall advance. - But, if thou, yet, remaine in doubt, - Turne _Fortunes-wheele_, once more, about. - - -52 - - Thy _Lot_, no Answere will bestow, - To that, which thou desir’st to know; - Nor canst thou, here, an _Emblem_ find, - Which to thy purpose is inclinde. - Perhaps, it is too late to crave, - What thou desirest, now, to have: - Or, but in vaine, to mention that, - Which thy _Ambition_ aymeth at. - Then, take it not in evill part, - That, with a _Blanck_, thou answer’d art. - - -53 - - Although you now refused not, - To trie the _Fortune_ of your _Lot_; - Yet, you, perhaps, unwilling are, - This company the same should heare, - Lest, some harsh _Morall_ should unfold - Such tricks, as you could wish untold. - But, loe, you need not stand in awe; - For, 'tis a _Blanck_, which now you draw. - - -54 - - It proves a _Blanck_; for, to what end, - Should wee a serious _Morall_ spend, - Where, _teachings_, _warnings_, and _advise_, - Esteemed are of little price? - Your onely purpose, is to looke - Upon the _Pictures_ of this _Booke_; - When, more discretion you have got, - An _Emblem_ shall attend your _Lot_. - - -55 - - You might have drawne an _Emblem_, here, - In which your _manners_ pictur’d were: - But, some will vexe, when they shall see - Themselves, so painted out to bee, - And, blame this _Booke_, as if it had - By some unlawfull _Art_ been made: - (Or, was contriv’d, that, to their shame, - Men, on themselves, might _Libels_ frame) - And, lest you may bee so unwise, - Your _Lot_, an _Emblem_, now, denies. - - -56 - - Because, _Good Chances_, others drew, - To trie these _Lots_, it pleased you. - But, had you such an _Emblem_ found, - As fits you rightly, you had froun’d; - Or, _inwardly_, you would have _chast_, - Although you _outwardly_ had laugh’d. - You, therefore, very glad may bee, - This proves a _Blanck_; and, so may wee. - - _FINIS._ - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - - - - A - COLLECTION - OF - EMBLEMES, - ANCIENT AND - MODERNE: - - Quickened - With METRICALL ILLVSTRATIONS, both - _Morall_ and _Divine_: And disposed into - LOTTERIES, - - That _Jnstruction_, and _Good Counsell_, may bee furthered - by an Honest and Pleasant _Recreation_. - - - _By_ GEORGE WITHER. - - _The fourth Booke._ - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - LONDON, - Printed by AVGVSTINE MATHEWES. - MDCXXXIV. - - - - - _=TO - THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE= - PHILLIP, _Earle of_ PEMBROOKE, and - MOVNTGOMERIE, &c. Lord =Chamberlaine= of the - Houshould, =Knight= of the most honourable Order of - the =Garter=, and one of his =Majesties= most Honourable - =Privie-Councell=._ - - -_My Honourable_ LORD, - - Though, _Worthlesse_ in my owne repute I am; - And, (though my _Fortune_, so obscures my Name - Beneath my _Hopes_; that, now, it makes me seeme - As little worth, in other mens esteeme, - As in mine owne;) yet, when my _Merits_ were - No better, than, to most, they now appeare, - It pleased some, ev’n some of those that had - The _Noblest Names_, (and, those of whom was made - The best Account) so lowly to descend, - As, my well-meaning _Studies_, to befriend. - Among those WORTHIES, I may both bemone - (My selfe in HIM) and memorize, for _One_, - Your much renowned BROTHER, as a _Chiefe_ - In bringing to my waned _Hopes_, reliefe; - And, in my _Faculties_, were I as able - To honour _Him_, as he was honourable, - I would have showne, how, all this _Emperie_ - Hath lost a _Friend_, in HIM, as much as I. - To MEE, so freely, of his owne accord - It pleased HIM, his _Favours_, to afford; - That, when our learned, and late _Sov’raigne-Prince_, - (By others mis-informed) tooke offence - At my Free _Lines_; HEE, foun’d such _Meanes_ and _Place_ - To bring, and reconcile mee to his _Grace_; - That, therewithall, his _Majestie_ bestow’d - A Gift upon mee, which his _Bountie_ show’d: - And, had inrich’d mee; if, what was intended, - Had not, by othersome, beene ill befriended. - But, as I long time, suffred have by those - Who labour’d much, my thrivings, to oppose: - So, _I my selfe_, (although not out of pride, - As many thinke it) have so much relide - Vpon the _Royall-Gift_, neglecting so - To fortifie the same, as others do - By making Friends; that my estate grew lesse - (By more than twice five hundred Marks decrease) - Through that, which for, my profit was bestowne. - And, I, ere this, had wholly been undone; - But, that the _Wealth_, which I relie on, most, - Consists in things, which never can be lost. - Yet, by his _Losse_, I have _Occasions_ had - To feele, why other men are often sad. - And, I, (who blushed, to be troublesome - To any Friend) therby, almost am come - To such a passe; that, what I wish to have, - I should grow impudent enough to _Crave_, - Had not impartiall _Death_, and wasting _Time_, - Of all my Friends quite worne away the _Prime_; - And, left mee none, to whom I dare present - The meanest suite without encouragement: - Although, the greatest _Boone_, I would implore, - Should cost them, but a _Word_, or little more. - Yet, some there are, no doubt, for whose respect - I might endeavour, with no vaine effect; - Had I but cause, to have as high esteeme, - Of mine owne _Merits_, as I have of them. - And, if your _Honour_ should be so inclin’d, - As I desire; I, now am sure to finde - Another _Pembrooke_, by whose ayde sustain’d, - I may preserve, what by the _Last_ I gain’d. - To make adventure, how it will succeed, - I now am come. And lo, my LORD, insteed - Of better _Advocates_, I first begin, - Mine EMBLEMS, by these _Lines_, to Vsher in; - That, _they_, by these admittance may effect - For _Mee_, and for _themselves_, your kinde respect. - That, which in _them_, best Worthy you shall find, - Is this; that, they are Symptomes of a _Minde_, - Affecting honestie: and of a _Heart_, - So truly honouring a true desert, - That, I am hopefull made, they will acquire - As much respect as I can well desire: - And, SIR, your _Candor_, your knowne _Courtesies_, - With other praisefull _Vertues_, make mee rise - To this Beliefe; that, YOV by fav’ring mee - Hereafter, may as highly honour’d be, - As by some former Bounties; and encrease - My Future _Merit_, by your _Worthinesse_. - However, what I _am_ or shall be knowne - To _Bee_, by _Your Deservings_, or mine _owne_, - You may command it; and, be sure to finde - (Though false my _Fortunes_ prove) a Faithfull _Mind_. - -_Thus, unfainedly, professeth_ - - _Your Honours_ - - _truest Honourer_, - - GEO: WITHER. - - - TO - THE RIGHT HONORABLE, - _HENRIE_, Earle of HOLLAND, &c. - _Captaine of the =Guard=; _Lord-chiefe-Iustice_ in Eyre - of all his Majesties Forrests, Parkes and Chases - =on this side= Trent; =Knight of the most noble Order - of the Garter, and one of his Majesties - most Honourable= Privie Counsell._ - -_Right Noble SIR_, - - _Having, of late, some =Cause=, to overlooke - That thankfull =Register=, wherein I booke - My noblest =Friends=; I found so many =Names= - Possessing nothing, but their honour’d =Fames=, - (Whose =living Persons=, wee injoyed, here, - A while agoe;) that, I began to feare, - I might grow =Friendlesse=; (having now so few) - Vnlesse I sought, their =Number= to renew._ - _By some =Disasters=, also, gaining proofe, - How much this =Course= would make for my behoofe; - I call’d my =Wits= to =Counsell=, =Where=, and HOW - I might, with hopefulnesse, begin to sow - The seeds of such =a Blessing=: And, me thought - =Within mee=, something said: =Where should be sought - What thou so gladly wouldst renewed finde, - But, from some BRANCHES of the selfe-same kinde; - Whose faire Aspects may seeme to promise fruit, - According to the Virtues of the= Roote?_ - _Assoone as Fancie had inform’d me so, - Your =Lordship=, came to my remembrance, too, - With what our =Soveraigne’s= Favour, =Vulgar Fame=, - Or, your owne =Merits=, addeth to your =Name=. - Which, having weigh’d, no doubts at all I had - Of =Worth= in =Yov=; But, rather, doubtings made - That, all my =Wits= would insufficient be, - To make that =Worth=, become a =Friend= to mee. - For, I have oft observ’d, that, =Favour= shunnes - The best =Desert=, if after =her=, it runnes._ - _Yet_, who can tell what may befall? thought I: - It is no great _Adventure_, if I try - Without successe: And, if, I gaine my _End_, - I am assured of a _Noble-Friend_. - His honourable FATHER, deem’d mee worth - So much respecting as to seeke me forth, - When, I was more _obscure_: And, MEE, for nought - But, onely to _Befriend mee_, forth HEE sought. - Then, wherefore, of his SONNE, should I suspect - That (feeling =Him=) hee can my love reject? - Since, _Courtesie_ doth alwaies, there, abound, - Where such a lovely _Personage_ is found? - _My LORD, these were my =Fancies=: But I take them - To be of no more worth, than, you shall make them - By your =Acceptance=: Nor, is’t my intent - To Court you, with fruitlesse =Complement=: - But, to attempt your =Favour= with a mind, - As readily, and really, inclinde - To =serve= you, when my services may steed; - As to expect your Favours, in my need. - For, had my =Fates= enabled me so much, - I should more willingly have sought out such - On whom I Courtesies might have bestowne, - Than, seeke to cure =Misfortunes= of mine =owne=. - No doubt, but, every day, your =Lordship= heares - =Inventions=, which may better please your eares - Than these I now present; And, yet you might - (For ought I knew) finde profit, or delight, - By our plaine EMBLEMS, or, some =uses= in them, - Which from your =Honour=, some respects may win them; - Ev’n for that good =Moralitie=, which they - To Vulgar Vnderstandings will convay. - But, Truth to speake, the chiefest cause which drew - My minde, to make them PRESENTS, for your view, - Was, but to take =Occasion= to professe, - That, I am =Servant=, to your WORTHINESSE. - In which, if YOV are pleased; All is got, - At which I aym’d: And, though you like it not, - It shall but teach Mee (for the time to come) - To take more heed, where I am troublesome._ - -And, I shall be, neverthelesse, - - your Honours to be commanded, - - as becommeth your Servant, - - GEO: WITHER. - - - - - _Whil’st I, the =Sunne’s= bright Face may view, - I will no meaner =Light= pursue._ - -[Illustration: NON INFERIORA SECUTUS. - -ILLVSTR. I. _Book. 4_] - - When, with a serious musing, I behold - The gratefull, and obsequious _Marigold_, - How duely, ev’ry morning, she displayes - Her open brest, when _Titan_ spreads his Rayes; - How she observes him in his daily walke, - Still bending towards him, her tender stalke; - How, when he downe declines, she droopes and mournes, - Bedew’d (as 'twere) with teares, till he returnes; - And, how she vailes her _Flow’rs_, when he is gone, - As if she scorned to be looked on - By an inferiour _Eye_; or, did contemne - To wayt upon a meaner _Light_, then _Him_. - When this I meditate, me-thinkes, the _Flowers_ - Have _spirits_, farre more generous, then ours; - And, give us faire Examples, to despise - The servile Fawnings, and Idolatries, - Wherewith, we court these earthly things below, - Which merit not the service we bestow. - But, oh my God! though groveling I appeare - Vpon the Ground, (and have a rooting here, - Which hales me downward) yet in my desire, - To that, which is above mee, I aspire: - And, all my best _Affections_ I professe - To _Him_, that is the _Sunne of Righteousnesse_. - Oh! keepe the _Morning_ of his _Incarnation_, - The burning _Noone-tide_ of his bitter _Passion_, - The _Night_ of his _Descending_, and the _Height_ - Of his _Ascension_, ever in my sight: - That imitating him, in what I may, - I never follow an inferiour _Way_. - - - _The =Earth= is God’s, and in his Hands - Are all the =Corners= of the Lands._ - -[Illustration: IN MANU DOMINI OMNES SUNT FINES TERRÆ. - -ILLVSTR. II. _Book. 4_] - - Long since, the sacred _Hebrew Lyrick_ sayd, - (A Truth, which never justly was denayd) - That, _All the world is God’s_; and that his _hands_ - Enclose the limits of the farthest _Lands_. - The selfe same _Truth_ affirmes, that likewise, there, - By him, their _clodds_, and _furrowes_ warred are, - And, that with _dewes_ and _showres_, he doth so blesse - The dwellings of the barren _Wildernesse_, - That, those Inhabitants (whom some conceiv’d, - Of usefull, and all pleasant things bereav’d) - Their labors, with advantage, doe employ, - And, fetch their yearely _Harvests_ home, with joy. - Why then should wee, that in God’s _Vineyard_ live, - Distrust that all things needfull hee will give? - Why should his _Garden_ doubt of what it needs, - Since hee oft waters barren _Rocks_ and _Weeds_? - Why should his _Children_, live in slavish feare, - Since hee is kind to those that strangers are? - Or, whither from his presence, can we flie, - To whom the furthest _hiding-place_ is nigh. - And, if I may, from lower objects clime, - (To questioning, in matters more sublime) - Why should I thinke, the _Soule_ shall not bee fed, - Where God affoords, to _Flesh_, her _daily Bread_? - Or, dreame, that hee, for some, provided none, - Because, on us, much _Mercie_ is bestowne? - 'Tis true enough, that _Hell_ devoureth all, - Who shall be found without the _Churches_ pale; - But, how farre that extends, no Eye can see, - Since, _in Gods hands, Earth’s farthest Corners bee_. - - - _By seeming other than thou art, - Thou dost performe a foolish part._ - -[Illustration: QUOD NON ES NE VIDEARE CAVE. - -ILLVSTR. III. _Book. 4_] - - The World is much for _Shewes_, and few there are - So diligent to _bee_, as to _appeare_; - Although a little travaile more, would make them - Those men, for which, the _lookers-on_ mistake them. - Some, have so toyled, and consum’d so much, - To get a false repute of being _Rich_, - That, they have spent farre more, than would have bought, - The _substance_ of the _shadow_, they have sought; - And, caused those, who deem’d them rich before, - To know them, to bee miserably _poore_. - Some others, would so faine be counted _Wise_, - That, they consume in _Curiosities_, - In _Sophistries_, and superficiall _showes_, - More pretious Time, than would have made them those, - They long to seeme, (had halfe that meanes been spent, - In seeking _Wisdome_, with a pure intent) - Whereas, the glorioust purchases of such, - (Though by their Peeres they seeme applauded much) - Are still so vaine, that little they possesse, - But fruitlesse _leaves_, of _learned foolishnesse_: - Yea, by affecting more than is their due, - They lose ev’n both the _substance_, and the _shew_; - And, so, instead of honours _Crowne_, have worne - The _Coxcombes_, of a well-deserved scorne. - But, of all _Fooleries_, the grossest _Folly_ - Is theirs, who weare those _garbes_ of _seeming-holy_, - Which paine them sore, yet make them still appeare, - To _God_ and _Men_, as wicked as they are. - Be, therefore, what, to be thou hast profest; - But, bee not of this last, of all the rest. - - - _Pursue thy =Workes=, without delay, - For, thy short =houres= runne fast away._ - -[Illustration: FESTINAT DECURRERE. - -ILLVSTR. IIII. _Book. 4_] - - Though this bee but the picture of that _Glasse_, - By which thou measur’st how thine _houres_ doe passe, - Yet, sleight it not; for, much 'twill profit thee, - To ponder what the _Morals_ of it bee. - And, 'tis an _Emblem_, whence the _Wise_ may learne, - That, which their persons, neerely doth concerne. - The brittle _Glasse_, serves fitly to expresse - The _Bodie’s_ frailtie, and much crasinesse. - Foure _Pillars_, which the glassie worke empale, - Instruct thee, that the _Vertues_ Cardinall, - To guard the _Manhood_, should bee still employ’d, - Lest else the feeble fabrick bee destroy’d. - The _Sand_, still running forth, without delay, - Doth shew, that _Life-time_, passeth fast away, - And, makes no stop: yea, and the _Motto_ too, - (Lest thou forgetfull prove) informes thee so. - By viewing this, Occasion, therefore, take, - Of thy fast-flying _Houres_, more use to make; - And, heedfull bee, to shunne their common crime, - Who take much care to trifle out the time; - As if it merited their utmost paine, - To lose the gemme, which most they seeke to gaine. - _Time-past_ is lost already: _Time-to-come_, - Belongs, as yet, thou knowst not unto whom. - The _present-houres_ are thine, and, onely those, - Of which thou hast _Commission_ to dispose; - And, they from thee, doe flye away so fast, - That, they are scarcely knowne, till they are past. - _Lord, give mee grace, to minde, and use =Time= so, - That, I may doe thy =worke=, before I goe._ - - - _Repent, or God will breake the thread, - By which, thy =doome= hangs o’re thy head._ - -[Illustration: ABRUMPAM. - -ILLVSTR. V. _Book. 4_] - - Marke well this _Emblem_; and, (when in a _thread_, - You see the _Globe_, there, hang above their head, - Who in securitie, beneath it sit) - Observe likewise, the _Knife_, that threatens it; - The smallnesse of the _Twine_; and, what a death - Would follow, should it fall on those beneath: - And (having well observ’d it) mind, I pray, - That, which the word about it, there, doth say: - For, it includes a _Caveat_, which wee need - To entertaine, with a continuall heed. - Though few consider it, wee finde it thus - (Throughout our lives) with ev’ry one of us. - _Destruction_ hangeth in a _single thread_, - Directly over every _Sinner’s_ head. - That _Sentence_ is gone forth, by which wee stand - Condemn’d to suffer death. The dreadfull hand, - Of God’s impartiall _Iustice_, holds a _Knife_, - Still ready, to cut off our _thread of life_; - And, 'tis his _mercie_, that keepes up the _Ball_ - From falling, to the ruine of us all. - Oh! let us minde, how often wee have bin, - Ev’n in the very act of _Deadly-sinne_, - Whilst this hung over us; and, let us praise, - And love him, who hath yet prolong’d our dayes: - Yea, let our thankfulnesse, bring forth such fruit, - As, to the benefit may somewhat suit: - For, though a _sudden-Death_ may not ensue, - Yet, (since _Times_ Axe, doth every minute hew - The _Root of Life_) the Tree, e’re long, must fall; - And, then perhaps, too late, repent wee shall. - - - _When =woe= is in our selves begun, - Then, whither from it, can wee run?_ - -[Illustration: HINC DOLOR INDE FUGA. - -ILLVSTR. VI. _Book. 4_] - - Poore _Hart_, why dost thou run so fast? and why, - Behind thee dost thou looke, when thou dost fly? - As if thou seem’dst in thy swift flight, to heare - Those _dangers_ following thee, w^{ch} thou dost feare? - Alas! thou labour’st, and thou runn’st in vaine, - To shunne, by _flight_, thy _terrors_, or thy _paine_; - For, loe, thy _Death_, which thou hast dreaded so, - Clings fast unto thee, wheresoere thou goe: - And while thou toyl’st, an _outward-ease_ to win, - Thou draw’st thine owne _destruction_ further _in_; - Making that _Arrow_, which but prickes thy hide, - To pierce thy tender entrailes, through thy side. - And, well I may this wounded _Hart_ bemoane; - For, here, me thinkes, I’m taught to looke upon - Mine owne condition; and, in him, to see - Those deadly wounds, my _Sinnes_ have made in mee. - I greatly feare the _World_, may unawares - Intangle mee, by her alluring snares: - I am afraid, the _Devill_ may inject - Some poys’nous fume, my _Spirit_ to infect, - With ghostly _Pestilence_; and, I assay, - To flie from these, with all the pow’rs I may. - But, oh my Flesh! this very _Flesh_ I weare, - Is worse to mee, than _Worlds_, and _Devils_ are: - For, without this, no pow’r on mee, they had. - This is that _Shirt_, which made _Alcides_ mad. - It is a _griefe_, which I shall never cure, - Nor flie from, whilst my life-time doth endure: - From thence, oh _Lord_, my greatest _sorrowes_ bee; - And, therefore, from my _Selfe_, I flie to _Thee_. - - - _When =Magistrates= confined are, - They revell, who were kept in feare._ - -[Illustration: CAPTIVUM IMPUNE LACESSUNT. - -ILLVSTR. VII. _Book. 4_] - - A Tyrannous, or wicked _Magistrat_, - Is fitly represented by a _Catt_: - For, though the _Mice_ a harmfull vermine bee, - And, _Cats_ the remedie; yet, oft wee see, - That, by the _Mice_, far lesse, some house-wives leese, - Then when they set the _Catt_ to keepe the _Cheese_. - A ravenous _Cat_, will punish in the _Mouse_, - The very same Offences, in the house, - Which hee himselfe commits; yea, for that _Vice_, - Which was his owne (with praise) he kills the _Mice_; - And, spoyleth not anothers life alone, - Ev’n for that very _fault_ which was his _owne_, - But _feeds_, and _fattens_, in the spoyle of them, - Whom hee, without compassion did condemne. - Nay, worse than so; hee cannot bee content, - To slaughter them, who are as innocent, - As hee _himselfe_; but, hee must also play, - And sport his wofull _Pris’ners_ lives away; - More torturing them, 'twixt fruitlesse _hopes_ and _feares_, - Than when their bowels, with his teeth he teares: - For, by much terrour, and much crueltie, - Hee kills them, ten times over, e’re they die. - When, such like _Magistrates_ have rule obtain’d, - The best men wish their powre might be restrain’d: - But, they who shun enormities, through _Feare_, - Are glad when _good-men_ out of Office are. - Yea, whether _Governours_ bee good or bad, - Of their displacings _wicked-men_ are glad; - And, when they see them brought into disgraces, - They boldly play the _Knaves_ before their faces. - - - _Loe, heere is all, that bee possest, - Which once was =Victor= of the =East=._ - -[Illustration: RESTAT DE VICTORE ORIENTIS. - -ILLVSTR. VIII. _Book. 4_] - - When hee, who by his conquering Arme, possest - The rich, and spacious Empires of the _East_, - Felt his approaching end; he bade them beare - A _Shirt_ throughout his _Armie_, on a _Speare_, - Proclaiming, that of all his large estate, - No more was left him, then, but only that: - Perhaps intending, thereby, to expresse, - A sorrow for his wilde _Ambitiousnesse_; - Or, hoping, by that _Spectacle_, to give - Some good _Instructions_ unto those that live. - However, let it serve us, to declare, - How vaine their toylings, and ambitions are, - Who rob themselves, and other men of rest, - For things that are so little while possest. - And, if that powerfull King, could nothing have, - That was of use, to carry to his _Grave_, - (Of all his conquered _Kingdomes_) but, one _Shirt_, - Or, _Winding sheet_, to hide his Royall durt; - Why should we pinch, and scrape, and vext become, - To heap up Riches, for we know not whom? - Or, macerate the _Flesh_, by raising strife, - For more, than will bee usefull during life? - Nay, ev’n for that, which sometimes shortens _breath_, - And makes us, also, wretched after _Death_. - _Let mee, oh God! my labour so employ, - That, I, a competencie may enjoy. - I aske no more, than may =Lifes= want supply, - And, leave their due to others, when I =die=. - If this thou grant, (which nothing doubt I can) - None ever liv’d, or dy’d a richer man._ - - - _When =Hopes=, quite frustrate were become, - The =Wither’d-branch= did freshly bloome._ - -[Illustration: INSPERATA FLORUIT. - -ILLVSTR. IX. _Book. 4_] - - T’is true, a _wither’d-branch_ I am, and seeme - To some, as voyd of _Hopes_, as of esteeme; - For, in their judgements, I appeare to be - A saplesse _Bough_, quite broken from the Tree, - (Ev’n such as that, in this our _Emblem_, here) - And, yet, I neither feele _Despaire_, nor _Feare_; - For, I have seene (e’re now) a little _Spray_, - (Rent from her _Stemme_) lye trodden by the way, - Three moneths together; which, when _Spring_ drew on, - To take an unexpected Root begun; - (Yea, grew to bee a Tree) and, growing, stood, - When those great _Groves_, were fell’d for firing-wood, - Which once had high esteeme; and sprung unhurt, - While that poore _Branch_, lay sleighted in the durt. - Nay, I have seene such _twiggs_, afford them shade, - By whom they were the meanest shrippings made, - Of all the _Wood_; And, you may live to see, - (For ought yet knowne) some such event in mee. - And, what if all who know mee, see me dead, - Before those _hopes_ begin to spring and spread? - Have therefore they that hate me, cause to boast, - As if mine expectations I had lost? - No sure: For, I, who by _Faith’s_ eyes have seene, - Old _Aarons_ wither’d _Rod_ grow fresh and greene; - And also viewed (by the selfe-same _Eyes_) - _Him_, whom that _Rod_, most rightly typifies, - _Fall_ by a shamefull _Death_, and _rise_, in spight - Of _Death_, and _Shame_, unto the glorioust _height_. - Ev’n I, beleeve my _Hope_ shall bee possest, - And, therefore, (ev’n in _Death_) in _Hope_ I’le rest. - - - _True =Vertue=, whatsoere betides, - In all =extreames=, unmoov’d abides._ - -[Illustration: NESCIT LABI VIRTUS. - -ILLVSTR. X. _Book. 4_] - - When, in this _Emblem_, here, you have espide, - The shape of a triangled _Pyramide_, - And, have observed well, those mightie _Rockes_, - Whose firme foundation bides the dreadfull shockes - Of angry _Neptune_; you may thereby see, - How firmly setled, _Vertues_ reall bee. - For, as the raging _Seas_, although they roare, - Can make no breach upon the Rockie shore; - And, as a true triangled _Pyramide_, - Stands fast, and shewes alike, on ev’ry side: - So, howsoever _Fortune_, turnes or winds, - Those men, which are indow’d with vertuous minds, - It is impossible, to drive them from - Those _Formes_, or _Stations_, which those minds become. - And, as the raging _Sea_, with foming threats, - Against the _Rockie-shore_, but vainely beats; - So, _Envie_ shall in vaine, loud blustrings make, - When vertuous resolutions they would shake. - For, _Vertue_, which receives an overthrow, - Was _Vertue_, not _indeed_, but in the _show_. - So farre am I, oh _Lord_! from laying claime - To have this _Vertue_, that, I doe but ayme - At such _perfection_; and, can come no nigher - As yet, than to obtaine it in _desire_. - But, fixe thou so, this weake desire of mine, - Vpon the _Vertues_ of thy _Rocke_ divine, - That _I_, and that invaluable _Stone_, - May bee incorporated into _One_: - And, then, it will bee neither shame, nor pride, - To say, my _Vertues_, will unmov’d abide. - - - _The =motion= of the =World=, this day, - Is mov’d the quite contrarie way._ - -[Illustration: HODIE SIC VERTITVR ORBIS. - -ILLVSTR. XI. _Book. 4_] - - What was this _Figures_ meaning, but to show, - That, as these kinde of _Shell-fish_ backward goe, - So now the _World_, (which here doth seeme to take - An arseward Iourney on the _Cancer’s_ backe) - Moves counterwise; as if delight it had, - To runne a race, in _Courses retrograde_: - And, that, is very likely to be true, - Which, this our _Emblem_, purposeth to shew. - For, I have now, of late, not onely seene, - What backward motions, in my _Friends_ have beene; - And, that my outward _Fortunes_ and _Affaires_, - Doe of themselves, come tumbling downe the staires: - But, I have also found, that other things, - Have got a wheeling in contrary _Rings_; - Which _Regresse_, holding on, 'tis like that wee, - To _Iewes_, or _Ethnicks_, backe shall turned bee. - Some punie _Clerkes_, presume that they can teach - The ancient holy _Doctors_, how to preach. - Some _Laicks_, learne their _Pastors_ how to pray. - Some _Parents_, are compelled to obay - Their _Sonnes_; and, so their Dignitie to lose, - As to be fed and cloth’d, at their dispose. - Nay, wee have some, who have assay’d to draw, - All backward, to the _Bondage_ of the _Law_; - Ev’n to those abrogated _Rites_ and _Dayes_, - By which, the wandring _Iew_ markes out his wayes. - And, to pursue this _Round_, they are so heady, - That, they have made themselves, and others giddy. - _Doe then, these froward =Motions=, LORD, restraine, - And, set the =World= in her due course againe._ - - - _=Invincibilitie= is there, - Where =Order=, =Strength=, and =Vnion= are._ - -[Illustration: VIS NESCIA VINCI. - -ILLVSTR. XII. _Book. 4_] - - From these well-order’d _Arrowes_, and the _Snake_, - This usefull Observation you may make; - That, where an able _Prudence_, doth combine - _Vnited-forces_, by good _Discipline_, - It maketh up a pow’r, exempted from - The feare, or perill, to be _overcome_: - And, if you covet _safetie_, you will seeke - To know this _Ward_, and to acquire the like. - For, doubtlesse, neither is it in the force, - Of iron _Charets_, or of armed _Horse_, - In which, the _King_, securitie may finde, - Unlesse the Riders bee well _Disciplinde_. - Nor, lyes it in the Souldiers common _Skill_ - In warlike _Postures_; nor in theirs, who drill - The _Rankes_ and _Fyles_, to order them aright, - According as _Occasion_ makes the _Fight_. - But, men must use a further _Prudence_ too, - Or else, those _vulgar-Arts_ will all undoe. - For, these, are onely _Sciences_ injoynd, - To order well the _Body_, not the _Mind_: - And, men best train’d in these (oft times) we see, - The _Hare-brain’dst-fooles_, in all our _Armies_ bee. - To _strength_, and _skill_, unite we must, therefore, - A manly _Prudence_, comprehending more, - Than all these _Powr’s_: ev’n such, as when shee please, - To all her ends, can use and mannage these; - And, shew us how to cure, or to prevent - All _HaZards_; or, withall to bee content. - Hee that’s thus arm’d, and trusts in _God_ alone, - May bee _oppos’d_, but, _conquered_ of none. - - - _When thou art shipwrackt in Estate, - Submit with patience, unto =Fate=._ - -[Illustration: QUO FATA TRAHUNT. - -ILLVSTR. XIII. _Book. 4_] - - When I beheld this Picture of a _Boat_, - (Which on the raging _Waves_ doth seeme to float) - Forc’d onward, by the current of the Tide, - Without the helpe of _Anchor_, _Oare_ or _Guide_, - And, saw the _Motto_ there, which doth imply, - That shee commits her selfe to _Destinie_; - Me thinkes, this _Emblem_ sets out their estate, - Who have ascribed ev’ry thing to _Fate_; - And dreame, that howsoe’re the businesse goe, - Their _Worke_, nor hinders, neither helpes thereto. - The leaking _Ship_, they value as the sound: - Hee that’s to hanging borne, shall ne’re bee drown’d; - And, men to happinesse ordain’d (say these) - May set their _Ship_ to float, as _Fate_ shall please. - This _Fancie_, springing from a mis-beleeving - Of God’s _Decrees_; and, many men deceiving, - With shewes of _Truth_, both causeth much offence - Against God’s _Mercies_, and his _Providence_; - And brings to passe, that some to ruine runne, - By their neglect of what they might have done. - For, _Meanes_ is to bee us’d, (if wee desire, - The blessing of our safetie to acquire) - Whose naturall effects, if God deny, - Vpon his _Providence_ wee must relye, - Still practising what naturall aydes may bee, - Vntill no likely ayd untride wee see. - And, when this _Non plus_ wee are forc’d unto, - _Stand still_, wee may, and wayt what God will do. - Hee that shall thus to _Fate_, his fortunes leave, - Let mee bee ruin’d, if Shee him deceive. - - - _The best, and fairest =House=, to mee, - Is that, where best I love to bee._ - -[Illustration: ΟΙΚΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΟΣ - -ILLVSTR. XIV. _Book. 4_] - - They are not _Houses_ builded large and high, - Seel’d all with _Gold_, and pav’d with _Porphyrie_, - Hung round with _Arras_, glaz’d with _Christall-glasse_, - And cover’d o’re with plates of shining _Brasse_, - Which are the best; but, rather, those where wee - In _safetie_, _health_, and best _content_, may bee; - And, where wee finde, though in a meane Estate, - That portion, which maintaines a quiet _Fate_. - Here, in a homely _Cottage_, thatcht with reed, - The _Peasant_ seemes as pleasedly to feed, - As hee, that in his _Hall_ or _Parlour_ dines, - Which Fret-worke Roofes, or costly Cedar Lines: - And, with the very same affections too, - Both to, and from it, hee doth come and goe. - The _Tortois_, doubtlesse, doth no house-roome lack, - Although his _House_ will cover but his back; - And, of his _Tub_, the _Cynicke_ seem’d as glad, - As _Alexander_ was of all hee had. - When I am setled in a place I love, - A shrubby _hedge-row_, seemes a goodly _Grove_. - My liking maketh _Palaces_ of _Sheds_, - And, of plaine _Couches_, carved Ivory _Beds_: - Yea, ev’ry _path_, and pathlesse _walke_, which lies - Contemn’d, as rude, or wilde, in others eyes, - To mee is pleasant; not alone in show, - But, truly such: For, liking makes them so. - As pleas’d in theirs, the _Snailes_, and _Cocles_ dwell, - As doth a _Scallop_ in his pearly shell: - For, that commends the _House_, which makes it fit, - To serve their turnes, who should have use of it. - - - _The =King=, his pow’r from God receives: - For, hee alone the =Scepter= gives._ - -[Illustration: DEUS DAT CUI VULT. - -ILLVSTR. XV. _Book. 4_] - - The Gift of _Kingdomes_, _Children_, and _good-Wives_, - Are three of God’s most choice _Prerogatives_, - In temp’rall Blessings; and, of all these three, - The gifts of _Kingdomes_, his rar’st Favours bee: - For, in five hundred Millions, there’s not one, - Whom this high _Honour_ is conferr’d upon; - Nor is there any knowne _Estate_ on earth, - (Whereto wee come, by _Merit_, or by _Birth_) - Which can, to any man assurance bring, - That, hee shall either _live_, or _die_ a _King_. - The _Morning-Starre_, that’s Heire unto a _Crowne_, - Oft sets, before the _shining-Sunne_ is downe; - And, some, that once a glorious _Empire_ swayd, - Did lose their _Kingdomes_, e’re their heads were layd. - The greatest earthly _Monarch_ hath no powre, - To keepe his Throne one minute of an houre, - (Vse all the meanes, and policies hee can) - If God will give it to another man. - _Hee_, when _Belshazzar_ was in high’st estate, - His _Kingdome_ to the _Persians_ did translate. - King _Saul_, and _Rehoboam_, could not stay - The _Royalties_, which God would give away; - And, _Hee_ that was the proudest of the rest, - God, changed from a _King_, into a Beast. - Nor is there any man so meane, but hee, - When God shall please, an _Emperour_ may bee. - Some, from the _Pot-kilne_, from the _Sheep-cote_, some, - Hee raised hath, great _Princes_ to become: - Yea, hee o’re heav’n and earth, hath rear’d his _Throne_, - That was on earth, the most _despised-one_. - - - _Her favours, =Fortune=, oft imparts, - To those that are of no deserts._ - -[Illustration: INDIGNUM FORTUNA FOVET. - -ILLVSTR. XVI. _Book. 4_] - - Would you not laugh, and thinke it beastly fine, - To see a durtie, and ill-favour’d _Swine_, - Weare on her snout, a _Diamond_, or a _Pearle_, - That might become the _Ladie_ of an _Earle_? - And hold it head, as if it meant to show - It were the _Pigg_ of some well-nurtur’d _Sow_? - Perhaps, you thinke there be not any where - Such _Antickes_, but in this our _Emblem_ here. - But, if you take these _Charmes_, and then goe forth - Among some troupes, which passe for folkes of worth, - You shall discover, quickly, if you please, - A thousand sights, as mimicall as these. - Here, you shall see a noble _Title_ worne, - (That had not mis-beseem’d one better borne) - By him, whose vertues are of little price, - And, whose estate, was gotten by his _Vice_. - You shall behold another _Mushrome_, there, - Walke with our _Lords_, as if hee were their _Peere_, - That was well knowne, to be but tother day, - No fit companion for such men as they; - And, had no other meanes to climbe this height, - But _Gaming_, or to play the _Parasite_. - Yet (though he neither hath his _Trade_, nor _Lands_, - Nor any honest _In-come_, by his _hands_) - Hee, oft consumes at once, in _Games_ or _Cheare_, - More than would keepe his _Better_ all the yeare. - Yea, many such as these, thou shouldst behold, - Which would bee vext, if I describe them should: - For, thus, unworthily, blind _Fortune_ flings, - To _Crowes_, and _Geese_, and _Swine_, her precious things. - - - _The best =good-turnes= that =Fooles= can doe us, - Proove disadvantages unto us._ - -[Illustration: STULTORUM ADIUMENTA NOCUMENTA. - -ILLVSTR. XVII. _Book. 4_] - - A _Foole_, sent forth to fetch the _Goslings_ home, - When they unto a Rivers brinck were come, - (Through which their passage lay) conceiv’d a feare - His Dames best _Brood_, might have been drowned there; - Which, to avoyd, hee thus did shew his wit, - And his good nature, in preventing it. - Hee, underneath his _girdle_, thrusts their heads, - And, then the Coxcombe through the water wades. - Here learne, that when a _Foole_ his helpe intends, - It rather doth a mischiefe, then befriends; - And, thinke, if there be danger in his _love_, - How harmefull his _Maliciousnesse_ may prove: - For, from his _kindenesse_, though no profit rise - To doe thee spight, his _Malice_ may suffise. - I could not from a _Prince_ beseech a boone - By suing to his _Iester_ or _Buffoone_: - Nor, any Fooles vaine humor, sooth or serve, - To get my bread, though I were like to starve. - For, to be _poore_, I should not blush so much, - As if a _Foole_ should raise me to be _rich_. - Lord, though of such a kinde my faults may be, - That sharpe _Affliction_ still must tutor mee, - (And give me due _Correction_ in her Schooles) - Yet, oh preserve me from the scorne of _Fooles_. - Those wicked _Fooles_, that in their hearts have sed - There is no God; and, rather give me _Bread_ - By _Ravens_, LORD, or in a _Lions_ Den, - Then by the Favours of such foolish men: - Lest, if their _dainties_ I should swallow downe, - Their smile might more undoe, me, than their _frowne_. - - - _Though =weaknesse= unto me belong, - In my =Supporter=, I am strong._ - -[Illustration: TE STANTE VIREBO. - -ILLVSTR. XVIII. _Book. 4_] - - Although there bee no Timber in the _Vine_, - Nor strength to raise the climbing _Ivie-twine_, - Yet, when they have a helper by their side, - Or, prop to stay them, like this _Pyramide_, - One roote sometime, so many _Sprayes_ will beare, - That, you might thinke, some goodly _Grove_ it were: - Their tender stalkes, to climbe aloft, are seene; - Their boughs are cover’d with a pleasant greene; - And, that, which else, had crept upon the ground, - Hath tops of loftie trees, and turrets crown’d. - This _Emblem_, fitly shadowes out the Natures - Of us, that are the _Reasonable-creatures_: - For, wee are truely by our _nat’rall-birth_, - Like _Vines_ undrest, and creeping on the earth; - Nor free from spoyling, nor in case to beare - Good _fruits_, or _leaves_, while we are groveling there. - But, if _new-borne_ by _Grace_, streight borne are wee, - From earthly creepings, by that _Living-tree_, - Which, here, was planted, meerely to this end, - That, by his _pow’r_, our _weaknesse_ might ascend. - And, hee our _frailtie_ to himselfe so takes, - So, of his _might_, the partners us hee makes; - That, hee, in us, doth seeme to hide his _pow’rs_, - And, make the _strength_ hee gives, appeare as ours. - Continue, _Lord_, this _Grace_, and grant wee may, - Firme hold, on our _Supporter_, alwayes lay: - So climbing, that wee nor neglect, nor hide - His _Love_; nor over-climbe it, by our _Pride_. - Thus, our yet staggering _weaknesse_, shall at length, - Bee fully changed into perfect _Strength_. - - - _Be wary, whosoe’re thou be, - For, from =Loves= arrowes, none are free._ - -[Illustration: FERIO. - -ILLVSTR. XIX. _Book. 4_] - - Good Folkes, take heede; for, here’s a wanton _Wagge_, - Who, having _Bowes_ and _Arrowes_, makes his bragg - That, he hath some unhappy trick to play; - And, vowes to shoot at all he meets to day. - Pray be not carelesse; for, the _Boy_ is blinde, - And, sometimes strikes, where most he seemeth kinde. - This rambling _Archer_ spares nor one, nor other: - Yea, otherwhile, the _Monkey_ shoots his Mother. - Though you be little _Children_, come not neere; - For, I remember (though’t be many a yeare - Now gone and past,) that, when I was a _Lad_, - My Heart, a pricke, by this young Wanton had, - That, pain’d me seven yeares after: nor had I - The grace (thus warn’d) to scape his waggery; - But many times, ev’n since I was a man, - He shot me, oftner then I tell you can: - And, if I had not bene the stronger-hearted, - I, for my over-daring, might have smarted. - You laugh now, as if this were nothing so; - But, if you meet this _Blinkard_ with his Bow, - You may, unlesse you take the better care, - Receive a _wound_, before you be aware. - I feare him not; for, I have learned how - To keepe my heart-strings from his Arrowes now: - And, so might you, and so might ev’ry one - That vaine _Occasions_, truely seekes to shunn. - But, if you sleight my Counsells, you may chance - To blame at last, your willfull ignorance: - For, some, who thought, at first, his wounds but small - Have dyed by them, in an _Hospitall_. - - - _On whether side soe’re I am, - I, still, appeare to bee the same._ - -[Illustration: QUOCUNQUE FERAR. - -ILLVSTR. XX. _Book. 4_] - - This _Cube_, which is an equall-sided-square, - Doth very well, in _Emblem_-wise, declare - The temper of that vertuous minded man, - Whose resolutions nothing alter can. - For, as the _Cube_, which way soever plac’t, - Stands ever in one _posture_, firmely fast, - And, still, appeares the same in forme and size, - Vpon what side or part soe’re it lyes: - So, men well formed by the _Word_ divine, - And, truly squar’d by vertuous _Discipline_, - Will keepe (though _changes_ them shall turne & wind) - The _forme_ and _firmnesse_ of an _honest-minde_. - If, digging deepe, his _Fortunes_ lay him, there, - Where he his owne, and others weights must beare, - (There, many yeares compelling him to lie, - Opprest with dis-respect or povertie) - Hee keepes the place to which hee stands enjoyn’d, - And brooks his chances with a constant mind. - If shee remoove him thence, and set him up - On temporall _Prosperities_ high top, - The _Squarenesse_ of _Plaine dealing_ hee retaines, - And, in the same integritie remaines: - Nor coveting vaine _Wealth_, or false _esteemes_; - Nor, being any other than he seemes. - Although by Nature, wee are wondrous hard, - _Lord_, let us into such like _Stones_ be squar’d: - Then, place us in thy spirituall _Temple_, so, - That, into one firme _Structure_, we may grow; - And, when we, by thy _Grace_, are fitted thus, - Dwell _Thou thy selfe_, for evermore, in us. - - - _=Deformitie=, within may bee, - Where outward =Beauties= we doe see._ - -[Illustration: BELLA IN VISTA DENTRO TRISTA. - -ILLVSTR. XXI. _Book. 4_] - - Looke well, I pray, upon this _Beldame_, here, - For, in her _habit_, though shee gay appeare, - You, through her youthfull _vizard_, may espy - Shee’s of an old _Edition_, by her _Eye_: - And, by her wainscot face, it may bee seene, - Shee might your _Grandams_ first _dry nurse_ have been. - This is an _Emblem_, fitly shaddowing those, - Who making faire, and honest outward showes, - Are inwardly deform’d; and, nothing such, - As they to bee suppos’d, have strived much. - They chuse their _words_, and play well-acted _parts_, - But, hide most loathsome projects in their hearts; - And, when you think sweet _Friendship_ to embrace, - Some ugly _Treason_, meets you in the face. - I hate a painted _Brow_; I much dislike - A Mayden-blush, dawb’d on a furrowed _Cheeke_: - And, I abhorre to see old _Wantons_ play, - And, suite themselves, like _Ladies of the May_. - But, more (yea, most of all) my soule despiseth - A _Heart_, that in _Religious formes_, disguiseth - Prophane intentions; and arrayes in white, - The coale-blacke conscience of an _Hypocrite_. - Take heed of such as these; and, (if you may) - Before you trust them, tract them in their way. - Observe their footsteps, in their private _path_: - For, these (as 'tis beleev’d, the _Devill_ hath) - Have _cloven feet_; that is, _two wayes_ they goe; - One for their _ends_, and tother for a _show_. - Now, you thus warned are, advise embrace; - And, trust nor gawdy _Clothes_, nor painted _Face_. - - - _My =Hand= and =Heart=, in one agree, - What can you more desire of mee?_ - -[Illustration: EN DEXTRA FIDESQUE. - -ILLVSTR. XXII. _Book. 4_] - - A _Heart_ with _Hand-in-hand_, united thus, - Makes here an _Emblem_ not unknowne to us; - And, 'tis not hard for any Vulgar wit, - Without a _Comment_, to interpret it. - But, though of ev’ry man confest it be, - That _Hand_ and _Heart_ together should agree; - And, that, what we in _outward-shew_ expresse, - Perform’d should be, with _inward-heartinesse_. - (Since, now the World, to such a passe is growne, - That, all is not consider’d, which is knowne) - I cannot thinke it altogether vaine, - To speake of that, which may appeare so plaine. - When thou dost reach thy _hand_ unto thy friend, - Take order, that thy _heart_ the same intend: - For, otherwise in _Hand_, or _Heart_, thou lyest, - And, cuttest off a _Member_, e’re thou dyest. - Some, give their _Hearts_ (as many _Lovers_ do) - Yet, are afraid, to set their _hands_ thereto. - Some give their _Hands_; and, then by many a deed, - To ratifie the _gift_, they dare proceede; - Yet, keep their _tongues_ from saying what they meant, - To helpe excuse their _hearts_, when they repent. - Yea, some can very cunningly expresse, - In outward shew, a winning heartinesse, - And, steale the deare _affections_ they have sought, - From those, to whom they meant, nor promis’d ought. - Then, will they, if _advantage_ come thereby, - Make all their _Deeds_, for want of _Words_, a ly. - Among _Dissemblers_, in things temporall, - These _Raskalls_ are the ver’est _Knaves_ of all. - - - _No =Emblem=, can at full declare, - How fickle, =Minds-unconstant= are._ - -[Illustration: VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER. - -ILLVSTR. XXIII. _Book. 4_] - - Some, thinke this _Emblem_ serveth to expresse - No more, but onely _Womens_ ficklenesse; - And, they will most desire to have it so, - Who, like those best, that most inconstant grow. - Although my _Fortunes_ were, in some things, bad, - I never in my life, experience had - Of an _inconstant woman_: Wherefore, then, - Should I condemne the _Females_, more than men? - I heare some talke, that _Women_ fickle be: - And so I thinke; and so I know are wee. - And (being put together) say I dare, - That, they and wee, in equall manner, share - A _giddinesse_, and _ficklenesse_ of minde, - More wavering, than a _Feather_, or the _Winde_. - The _Woman_, heere, is plac’d, to typifie - A minde distracted with much levitie: - Not, that the womans _Wav’rings_ are the more; - But, for this cause: Most _Vices_, heretofore, - And _Vertues_ too, our _Ancestors_ did render, - By words declined in the _female-gender_. - The _winged Ball_, (whose tottering Foundation, - Augments the causes of our _variation_) - Meanes, here, those uselesse, and vaine _temp’rall things_, - That come and goe, with never-staying _wings_; - And, which (if thereupon our hearts we set) - Make _Men_ and _Women_, the _Vertigo_ get. - Hereafter, then, let neither _Sexe_ accuse - Each other; but, their best endeavours use, - To cure this _Maladie_ in one another, - By living well, and lovingly together. - - - _Hee that enjoyes a =patient Minde=, - Can =Pleasures= in =Afflictions= finde._ - -[Illustration: GAUDET PATIENTIA DURIS. - -ILLVSTR. XXIV. _Book. 4_] - - What meanes this _Countrey-peasant_, skipping here - Through prickling _Thistles_ w^{th} such gamesom cheere? - And, plucking off their tops, as though for _Posies_, - He gather’d Violets, or toothlesse Roses? - What meaneth it, but onely to expresse - How great a joy, well-grounded _Patientnesse_ - Retaines in Suff’rings? and, what sport she makes, - When she her Iourney through _Affliction_ takes? - I, oft have sayd (and, have as oft, beene thought - To speake a _Paradox_, that favours nought - Of likely truth) that, some _Afflictions_ bring - A _Honey bag_, which cureth ev’ry Sting - (That wounds the _Flesh_) by giving to the _Mind_, - A pleasing taste of _Sweetnesses_ refin’d. - Nor can it other be, except in those, - Whose Better part, quite stupifyed growes, - By being Cauterized in the Fires - Of childish _Feares_, or temporall _Desires_. - For, as the _Valiant_ (when the _Coward_ swounds) - With gladnesse lets the _Surgion_ search his Wounds; - And, though they smart, yet cheerefully indures - The Plaisters, and, the Probe, in hope of Cures: - So, Men, assured that _Afflictions_ paine - Comes not for vengeance to them, nor in vaine; - But, to prepare, and fit them for the place, - To which, they willingly direct their pace; - In Troubles, are so farre from being sad, - That, of their _Suffring_, they are truely glad. - What ever others thinke, I thus beleeve; - And, therefore, _joy_, when they suppose I _grieve_. - - - _All is not =Gold=, which makes a show; - But, what the =Touchstone= findeth so._ - -[Illustration:SIC SPECTANDA FIDES. - -ILLVSTR. XXV. _Book. 4_] - - When Silver _Medalls_, or some coynes of _Gold_, - Are by the _Gold-smith_ either bought or sold, - Hee doth not only search them with his _Eye_, - But, by the _Scale_, their _weight_ will also trie; - Or, by the _Touchstone_, or the _Test_, assay - The truenesse of them, and their just _Alay_. - Now, by their warinesse, who thus proceed, - Wee fairely are admonished, to heed - The faithfulnesse of him wee make our _Friend_; - And, on whose love wee purpose to depend: - Or else, when wee a _Iewell_ thinke to get, - Wee may bee cheated by a _Counterfet_. - All is not _Gold_ that glisters: Otherwhile, - The _Tincture_ is so good, it may beguile - The cunningst eye: But, bring it to the _Touch_, - And, then, you find the value not so much. - Some, keepe the _Tincture_, brooking, likewise, well - An ordinarie _Touch_; but, yeeld a _Smell_, - Which will discover it, if you apply - Vnto your _Nose_, that piece of _Chymistrie_. - Sometime, when there’s enough to give content, - In _Colour_, in the _Touch_, and in the _Scent_; - The _Bulke_, is more than answers _Gold_ in _weight_, - And, proves it a sophisticall deceit. - Nay, some, is fully that which you desire, - In all these _Properties_; and, till the fire - Hath made _assayes_, you’l thinke you might be bold - To pawne your life, it had been _Ophir-gold_: - But, to bee false, the _Metall’s_ then descride; - And, such are many _Friends_, when they are tride. - - - _=Apollo= shoots not ev’ry day, - But, sometime on his =Harpe= doth play._ - -[Illustration: NON SEMPER ARCUM TENDIT. - -ILLVSTR. XXVI. _Book. 4_] - - There are a sort of people so severe, - That, _foolish_, and _injurious_ too, they are; - And, if the world were to bee rul’d by these, - Nor _Soule_, nor _Bodie_, ever should have ease. - The _Sixe dayes_, (as their wisdomes understand) - Are to bee spent in _Labour_, by command, - With such a strictnesse, that they quite condemne - All _Recreations_ which are us’d in them. - That, which is call’d the _Sabbath_, they confine - To _Prayers_, and all _Offices-divine_, - So wholly, that a little _Recreation_, - That _Day_, is made a marke of _Reprobation_: - And, (by this meanes) the reason is to seeke, - When their poore _Servants_ labour all the _weeke_, - (Of which, they’l bate them nothing) how it tyes - Them, to observe the sixe-fold _Sacrifice_ - By some injoyn’d; and gives them such due _Rest_, - As _God_ allowed, both to _Man_ and _Beast_. - Hee, gave the _Woods_, the _Fields_, and _Meddowes_, here, - A time to _rest_, as well as times to _beare_. - The _Forrest Beasts_, and _Heards_, have howres for _play_, - As well as time to _graze_, and hunt their prey: - And, ev’ry _Bird_ some leasure hath to sing, - Or, in the Aire, to _sport_ it on her wing. - And, sure, to _him_, for whom all these were made, - Lesse kindnesse was not meant, then these have had. - The _Flesh_ will faint, if pleasure none it knowes; - The Man growes madd, that alway muzing goes. - The _Wisest men_, will _sometimes merry_ bee: - And, this is that, this _Emblem_ teacheth me. - - - _=Live=, ever mindfull of thy =dying=; - For, =Time= is alwayes from thee flying._ - -[Illustration: VIVE MEMOR LETHI FUGIT HORA. - -ILLVSTR. XXVII. _Book. 4_] - - This vulgar _Figure_ of a _winged glasse_, - Doth signifie, how swiftly _Time_ doth passe. - By that leane _Scull_, which to this _houre-glasse_ clings, - We are informed what effect it brings; - And, by the _Words_ about it, wee are taught - _To keepe our latter ending still in thought_. - The common _houre-glasse_, of the _Life_ of _Man_, - Exceedeth not the largenesse of a _span_. - The _Sand_-like _Minutes_, flye away so fast, - That, _yeares_ are out, e’re wee thinke _months_ are past: - Yea, many times, our _nat’rall-day_ is gone, - Before wee look’d for _twelve a clocke at Noone_; - And, where wee sought for _Beautie, at the Full_, - Wee finde the _Flesh_ quite rotted from the _Skull_. - Let these Expressions of _Times_ passage, bee - _Remembrancers_ for ever, _Lord_, to mee; - That, I may still bee guiltlesse of their crime, - Who fruitlesly consume their precious _Time_: - And, minde my _Death_; not with a slavish feare, - But, with a thankfull use, of _life-time_, here: - Not grieving, that my _dayes_ away doe post; - But, caring rather, that they bee not lost, - And, lab’ring with Discretion, how I may - Redeeme the _Time_, that’s vainely slipt away. - So, when that _moment_ comes, which others dread, - I, undismay’d, shall climbe my _dying bed_; - With joyfull _Hopes_, my _Flesh_ to dust commend; - In _Spirit_, with a stedfast _Faith_ ascend; - And, whilst I _living_ am, to _sinne_ so _dye_, - That _dying_, I may live eternally. - - - _In ev’ry =Storme=, hee standeth fast, - Whose dwelling, on the =Rocke= is plac’d._ - -[Illustration: MEDIIS TRANQUILLUS IN UNDIS. - -ILLVSTR. XXVIII. _Book. 4_] - - What thing soever some will have exprest, - As typified by this _Halcyons-nest_, - I shall not thinke this _Emblem_ ill-appli’d, - If, by the same, the _Church_ bee signifi’d. - For, as it is (by some) affirm’d of these, - That, whilst they breed, the fury of the seas - Is through the world alayd; and, that their _Brood_ - Remaines in safetie, then, amidst the flood: - So, when the Christian _Church_ was in her birth, - There was a generall _Peace_ throughout the earth; - And, those tumultuous _Waves_, which after that - Began to rise, and bee enrag’d thereat, - Were calmed so, that _Hee_ was borne in peace, - From whom, the faithfull _Off-spring_ did encrease. - They, likewise, on a _Rocke_, their dwellings have, - As here you see; and, though the raging _Wave_, - Of dreadfull _Seas_, hath beaten, ever since, - Against the _Fortresse_ of their strong defence, - Yet, still it stands; and, safe, it shall abide, - Ev’n in the midst of all their foming pride. - Vpon this _Rocke_ so place me, oh my God! - That, whatsoever _Tempests_ bee abroad, - I may not feare the fury of my Foe; - Nor bee in danger of an overthrow. - My life is full of _Stormes_; the _Waters_ roule, - As if they meant to swallow up my soule. - The _Tides_ oppose; the furious winds doe roare; - My _Cable’s_ weake, my _tacklings_, Lord, are poore, - And, my fraile _vessell_ cannot long endure; - Yet, reach to mee thy hand, and I’m secure. - - - _That’s =Friendship=, and =true-love=, indeed, - Which firme abides, in time of need._ - -[Illustration: BONA FIDE. - -ILLVSTR. XXIX. _Book. 4_] - - That’s _Love in earnest_, which is constant found, - When Friends are in _Affliction_, or in _Bands_; - And, their _Affection_ merits to be _crown’d_, - Whose _hearts_ are fastned where they joyne their _hands_. - Tis easie to be friendly, where wee see - A _Complement_ or two will serve the turne; - Or, where the _kindnesse_ may required bee; - Or, when the charge is with a trifle borne. - It is as easie too, for him to spend - At once, the full Revenues of a yeare, - In Cates, for entertainment of his _Friend_, - Who thinkes his _glorie_, is _expensive-cheere_: - For, 'tis his pleasure; and, if none should come - Like _fashionable-Friends_, for him to court, - Hee would with _Rogues_, and _Canters_, fill the Roome, - Or, such as should abuse, and flout him for’t. - But, hard it is, to suffer, or to spend - For him (though worthy) that’s of meane estate, - Unlikely our occasions to befriend, - Or, one unable to remunerate. - Few men are liberall, whom neither _Lust_, - _Vaine glorie_, _Prodigalitie_, nor _Pride_, - Doth forward into foolish _Bountie_ thrust; - As may, by Observation bee espide. - For, when a slender _Bountie_ would relieve - Their vertuous _Friend_, whose wants to them are knowne, - To their _Buffoone_, a Knights estate they’l give, - And, thinke on t’other trifles ill-bestowne. - Yet, this Ile say; and, give the _Devill_ his due; - These _Friends_, are to their _lusts_, and _humours_, true. - - - _The =Sword= hath place, till =War= doth cease; - And, usefull is, in time of =Peace=._ - -[Illustration: PACISQUE BONUS BELLIQUE MINISTER. - -ILLVSTR. XXX. _Book. 4_] - - The _Sword_, to bee an _Emblem_, here, we draw, - Of that Authoritie, which keeps in awe - Our _Countries_ Enemies; and, those that are - The Foes of _Peace_, as well as those of _Warre_; - That, _Peace_ may give the _Law of Armes_ her due, - And, _Warre_, to _Civill-pow’rs_, respect may shew. - For, _Kingdomes_, nor in _Warre_ nor _Peace_, can stand, - Except the _Sword_ have alway some command: - Yea, that, for which our forraine _Spoylers_ come, - _Domesticke Foes_, will else devoure at home; - And, _stranger-drones_ the peacefull _Bees_ will harme, - Vnlesse with warlike stings, themselves they arme. - Considering this, let none bee so unwise, - The _Swords_ well-us’d protection to despise: - Or, thinke the practice of this _double-guard_, - In any place, or age, may well bee spar’d. - Let not the _Sword-man_ sleight the pow’rfull _Gowne_; - Nor _Gowne-men_ cast the _Sword_ out of their Towne, - Because it terrifies, or draweth Blood; - For, otherwhile Phlebotomy is good: - And, though to kill a Lowse, the _Banians_ feare; - (Though _Anabaptists_ love no _Sword_ to weare) - Yet, being drawne, to fright, or cut off _Sinne_, - It may bee brandish’d by a Cherubin. - However, from the _Sword_ divide not you - (In any case) the peacefull _Olive-bough_: - That is, let _Peace_, at all times, be that _End_, - For which, to draw the _Sword_ you doe intend; - And, for _well-doing_, bee as ready, still, - To give _rewards_, as _blowes_, for _doing-ill_. - - - _A =Fortune= is ordain’d for thee, - According as thy =Labours= bee._ - -[Illustration: PAR SIT FORTUNA LABORI. - -ILLVSTR. XXXI. _Book. 4_] - - The _Spade_, for _Labour_ stands. The _Ball with wings_, - Intendeth _flitting-rowling-wordly-things_. - This _Altar-stone_, may serve in setting foorth, - Things firmer, sollid, and of greater worth: - In which, and by the _words_ inclosing these, - You, there may read, your _Fortune_, if you please. - If you, your _labour_, on those things bestow, - Which _rowle_, and _flutter_, alwaies, to and fro; - It cannot be, but, that which you obtaine, - Must prove a _wavering_, and unconstant gaine: - For, he that soweth _Vanitie_, shall finde, - At _reaping-time_, no better fruit then _Winde_. - Your houres, in serions matters, if you spend, - Or, such, as to a lasting purpose tend, - The purchase of your paines will ever last; - And, bring you _Pleasure_, when the _Labour’s_ past. - Yea, though in teares, your _Seed-time_, you imploy, - Your _Harvest_ shall be fetched home, with ioy. - If _much_ be wrought, much profit will ensue; - If _little_, but a little meede is due. - Of _nothing_, nothing comes: On _evill deedes_ - An evill conscience, and, ill fame succeedes: - An _honest-life_, still findes prepared for’t, - Sweet _Hopes_ in Death; and, after, _good-report_. - Of _Sexe_, or of _Degree_, there’s no regard: - But, as the _Labour_, such is the _reward_. - To _worke-aright_, oh _Lord_, instruct thou mee; - And, ground my _Workes_, and _buildings_ all on thee: - That, by the fiery _Test_, when they are tride, - My _Worke_ may stand, and I may _safe_ abide. - - - _Let none in troublous times repine; - For, after =Stormes=, the =Sun= will shine._ - -[Illustration: POST NUBILA PHŒBUS. - -ILLVSTR. XXXII. _Book. 4_] - - Discourage not your selves, although you see - The weather blacke, and _stormes_ prolonged be. - What though it fiercely _raines_, and thunders loud? - Behold, there is a _Raine-bow_ in the _Cloud_, - Wherein, a trustfull promise may be found, - That, quite, your _little-worlds_, shall not be drown’d. - The _Sun-shine_, through the foggy mists appeare, - The lowring _Skie_, begins againe to cleare; - And, though the _Tempest_, yet, your eyes affright, - Faire weather may befall you, long ere night. - Such comfort speakes our _Emblem_, unto those, - Whom stormie _Persecution_ doth enclose; - And, comforts him, that’s for the present sad, - With hopes, that better seasons may bee had. - There is nor trouble, sorrow, nor distresse, - But mitigation hath, or some release. - Long _use_, or _time_, the storme away will turne, - Else, _Patience_ makes it better to be borne. - Yea, _sorrowes_ lowring dayes, will come and goe, - As well as prosp’rous houres of _Sunshine_ doe; - And, when 'tis past, the _paine_ that went before, - Will make the following pleasure seeme the more. - For, hee, hath promis’d, whom we may beleeve, - His blessing, unto those that _mourne_ and _grieve_; - And, that, though sorrow much dejects their head, - In ev’ry need, wee shall be comforted. - This promise I beleeve; in ev’ry griefe, - Performe it, _Lord_, and helpe my unbeliefe: - So, others viewing how thou cheerest mee, - Shall, in all _sorrows_, put their trust in thee. - - - _For whatsoever, =Man= doth strive, - The Conquest, =God= alone, doth give._ - -[Illustration: OMNIS VICTORIA A DOMINO. - -ILLVSTR. XXXIII. _Book. 4_] - - When on the _Sword_, the _Olive-branch_ attends, - (That is, when bloody _Warres_, have peacefull _Ends_) - And, whensoever _Victories_ are gained; - This _Emblem_ shewes, by whom they are obtained: - For, that all _Victorie_, doth onely from - The pow’rfull hand of _God-Almightie_, come, - The Boughes of _Bayes_ and _Olives_, doe declare, - Which round the _Tetragrammaton_ appeare. - Nor must we thinke, that God bestowes, alone, - The _Victories_ of Warre, on any one; - But, that, when we contend in other things, - From him, th’event that’s wisht for, also springs. - This being so, how dare wee, by the _Lawes_, - Or, by the _Sword_, pursue a wicked Cause? - How dare wee bring a matter that’s unjust, - Where hee (though few perceive him) judge it must? - Or, prosecute with fury, or despite, - Against the person of his _Favourite_? - What Fooles are they, who seeke the _Conquest_, by - Oppression, Fraud, or hellish Perjurie? - How mad are those, who to the _Warres_ prepare, - For nothing, but to spoyle and murther there? - Who, nor ingag’d by Faith to their _Alies_, - Nor urg’d by any private injuries, - (Nor sent, nor tolerated, by their _Prince_, - Nor caring whether side hath giv’n offence) - Run rambling through the World, to kill and slay, - Like needie Butchers, for two groats a day? - These men may side, where _Conquests_, God bestowes; - Yet, when the _Field_ is wonne, these men doe lose. - - - _Since overmuch, will over-fill, - Powre am enough; but =doe not spill=._ - -[Illustration: NE QUID NIMIS. - -ILLVSTR. XXXIV. _Book. 4_] - - It is this _Emblems_ meaning, to advance - The love and practise, of true _Temperance_. - For, by this _Figure_ (which doth seeme to fill, - Vntill the liquor overflow, and spill) - Wee are, as by example, taught to see - How fruitlesse our _Intemperancies_ bee: - Thus by the _Rule of Contrarieties_, - Some _Vertues_, best are showne to vulgar eyes. - To see a nastie _Drunkard_, reele and spew, - More moves to _Sobernesse_, than can the view - Of twentie civill men; and, to behold - One _Prodigall_, (that goodly lands hath sold) - Stand torne and louzie, begging at the dore, - Would make _Intemperance_ abhorred more, - (And, manly _Sobernesse_, much better, teach) - Than all that sixe _Philosophers_ can preach: - So, by the _Vessels_ overflowing, here, - True _Moderation_ doth more prais’d appeare, - Than by the _meane_ it selfe: And, without sinne, - That’s _pictur’d_, which to _doe_, had wicked bin, - For, though to vertuous ends; wee doe deny - The _Doing-ill_, that _Good_ may come thereby. - From hence, let us be taught, that carefull heed, - Whereby wee should both _Minde_ and _Bodie_, feed. - Let us, of our owne selves, observe the size; - How much wee want, how little will suffize; - And, our owne _longings_, rather leave unfill’d, - Than suffer any portion to bee spill’d: - For, what we _marre_, shall to account be layd, - And, what wee wisely _spend_, shall be repayd. - - - _They passe through many =stormes=, and =streights=, - Who rise to any glorious =heights=._ - -[Illustration: PER ANGUSTA AD AUGUSTA. - -ILLVSTR. XXXV. _Book. 4_] - - This _Tree_, which here doth largely seeme to grow, - (And spreads _above_, though streightned in _below_) - Through adverse _Winds_, and many a Winters blast, - Hath gain’d a faire proportion at the last; - And, from a lowly _shrub_, is growne to bee - A well-esteemed, and a goodly _Tree_. - Thus, hath it chanced unto many a man: - And, he that first in misery began, - (So poore and meane, that very few or none - Have judg’d him to be worth the looking on) - Ev’n he, through scornes, through wrongs, and povertie, - Hath crept, and screw’d, and rais’d himselfe so high, - That, he hath placed been among the prime, - Of those, who seem’d the _Worthies_ of the time; - Yea, overtopt and aw’d, the best of those, - Who sought to curbe him, when he first arose. - This, I have seene; And, as wee seldome find - A _Tree_ grow faire, that cannot brooke the _Wind_, - Or, must be hous’d at Winter; or, on whom - The _Gardners_ pruning-knife, did never come: - So, I have rarely knowne those men to rise - To any good, or noble qualities, - Who feele not, first some _hardship_, or some _storme_, - To prune, to discipline, and to reforme - Their wits and manners. For, prosperitie, - Ease, plentie, and too large a libertie, - Doth often blast them; and, somtime bereave them, - Of what their _Predecessors_ worth’s, did leave them. - Let, therefore, no man, feare when this he knowes, - Although in _tempests_, and through _streights_ he goes. - - - _=God=, ever will bee present, there, - Where, of one =Faith=, and =Mind= they are._ - -[Illustration: FIDUCIA CONCORS. - -ILLVSTR. XXXVI. _Book. 4_] - - A Fixed _Palme_, (whose _Fingers_ doe appeare, - As if displayed, and advanc’d they were) - Intended by our _Author_, here, wee see, - To shaddow out _agreeing-Minds_, that bee - Establish’d in one _Trust_. And, well it may, - That _Vertue_, of the holy _Church_ display. - For, as our _hands_, the better meanes can make, - To _gaine_, as well as to _retaine_, or _take_, - The _benefits_ we seeke; when wee intend, - Our differing _Fingers_, all, to worke one end: - So, when the _Church_ of _Christ_ (wherein wee finde - A diff’rence of _Degrees_) shall with one _minde_, - Pursue a faithfull hope; they’l soone obtaine, - That wished benefit, they seeke to gaine: - For, when but two or three shall in _Gods_ name, - Request a _blessing_, he will grant the same. - Let all thy sev’rall _Churches_, LORD (that stand - Like many _Fingers_, members of one _Hand_) - Thy _Will-Essentiall_ with joynt love obay, - Though circumstantially, they differ may. - Some have the larger _Circuit_, some are _stronger_, - Some are of short _continuance_, some of longer; - But, though their _Guifts_ may differ, yet provide, - That, still, on one _Foundation_, they may bide; - And, that, all those, who in one _Faith_ agree, - May, in one _Band_ of _Love_, united bee: - Till our confined _Wisdome_ comes to know, - That, many things, for which wee wrangle so, - Would further that, whose hindrance wee doe feare, - If more our _Faith_, and lesse our _Discord_ were. - - - _=Protect= mee, if I worthy bee; - If I =demerit=, punish mee._ - -[Illustration: PRO ME SI MEREOR IN ME. - -ILLVSTR. XXXVII. _Book. 4_] - - This _Emblem_, forth unto your view hath set, - A _Sword_, together with a _Coronet_; - To shew the prudent _Reader_, what Reward - For _ill_, and for _well doing_, is prepar’d; - That they, who heretofore, amisse have done, - May learne, their threatned punishments to shun: - That they, whose _Actions_ warrantable were, - May, in their honest _Courses_, persevere: - And, that those men, who great and pow’rfull bee, - Should punish and reward, as cause they see. - Men are of diff’ring tempers: Some, are wonne - By promises, and gentle meanes alone: - Some, moved are by shame; and, some through dread, - To bee in purse, or bodie punished. - And, some, their duties are allur’d to doe, - No way, but by a mixture of these two. - They, therefore, neither _Wise_, nor _Honest_ bee, - Who dandle all Offenders on their knee; - Or, punish onely with a _God-forbid_; - Or, _Doe not so, my sonnes_, as _Ely_ did. - Nor wiser ought, are they, nor honester, - Who alwayes fright, and threaten those that erre; - No mercie joyning, to the chastisement - Of them, whose faults are worthy to bee shent. - Nor are they lesse to blame, who carry _Swords_, - To punish errors; but, nor lookes, nor words, - To cherish well deservings: And, in this, - Most men, that punish others, doe amisse. - Sure, if the _Sword misdoing_, may pursue, - For _doing-well_, the _Coronet_ is due. - - - _The =Tongue=, which every secret speakes, - Is like a =Barrell= full of leakes._ - -[Illustration: HAC ATQUE ILLAC PERFLUIT. - -ILLVSTR. XXXVIII. _Book. 4_] - - The _Barrell_, from whose bottome, sides, and bung, - The liquor (as in this our _Emblem_) flowes, - May fitly typifie the babling _Tongue_, - Of him that utters ev’ry thing hee knowes. - For, such as are their taskes, who strive to fill - An ever-leaking _Vessell_, to the brim; - Ev’n such are his, who laboureth to still - A _tatlers_ tougue; for, paines are lost on him. - This _Figure_, also, serveth to expresse, - The trustlesse nature of a _whorish woman_; - For, shee to all displayes her wantonnesse, - And, cares to keepe her secresies, from no man. - Within her bosome, nothing long shee keeps, - But, whatsoever shee conceives or knowes, - Streight, from the heart, up to her tongue, it creeps; - And, round about the _Citie_, then, it goes. - Bee warned therefore, and commit thou not - Thy person, state, or fame, to such as these; - Lest, they thy _Reputation_ doe bespot, - Consume thy _Substance_, or thy _Minde_ disease. - But, most of all, bee wary, lest the crime, - Which here wee doe reproove, thy mind infect: - For, _Vice_, like _weeds_, will grow in little time, - And, out-grow _Vertues_, if Wee them neglect. - The surest way to keepe such errors out, - And, in our selves true _Vertnes_ to maintaine; - Is, to bee _hoopt_ with _Temp’rance_, round about, - And, our out-flowing humors to restraine. - If thus we practise, 'twill prevent the wrongs - Of our owne errors, and of others tongues. - - - _How ever thou the =Viper= take, - A dang’rous hazzard thou dost make._ - -[Illustration: UTCUNQUE. - -ILLVSTR. XXXIX. _Book. 4_] - - This _Figure_ warnes us, that wee meddle not - With matters, whereby nothing may bee got, - Save _harme_ or _losse_; and, such as once begun, - Wee may, nor safely _doe_, nor leave _undone_. - I should bee loath to meddle in the strife - Arising 'twixt a _Husband_, and his _Wife_; - For, _Truth_ conceal’d, or spoke, on either side, - May one or th’other grieve, or both divide. - I would not with my most familiar _Mate_, - Be _Partner_ in the whole of my estate; - Lest I, by others errors, might offend, - Or, wrong my Family, or, lose my _Friend_. - I would not, willingly, in my distresse, - From an unworthy hand, receive redresse; - Nor, when I need a _Suretie_, would I call - An _Vnthrift_, or a roaring _Prodigall_: - For, either these I thanklesly must shun, - Or, humour them, and be perhaps undone. - I would not heare my _Friend_ unwisely prate - Those things, of which I must informe the _State_: - And, seeme unfriendly; or, else leave to doe, - That, which a stronger _Band_ obligeth to. - Nor would I, for the world, my heart should bee - Enthrald by one, that might not _marry_ mee; - Or, such like _passions_, bee perplexed in, - As hang betwixt a _Vertue_, and a _Sinne_; - Or, such, as whether way soe’re I went, - Occasion’d guilt, or shame, or discontent: - For, howsoe’re wee mannage such like things, - Wee handle winding _Vipers_, that have stings. - - - _The gaining of a rich Estate, - Seemes, many times, restrain’d by =Fate=._ - -[Illustration: FATA OBSTANT. - -ILLVSTR. XL. _Book. 4_] - - Observe this _Wheele_, and you shall see how _Fate_ - Doth limit out to each man, that Estate - Which hee obtaines; Then, how hee doth aspire - To such a height; and, why hee mounts no higher: - For, whatsoere their _Authors_ understood, - These _Emblems_, now, shall speake as I thinke good. - The _Cornucopias_ fastned to a _Round_, - Thus fixt, may shew, that Riches have their _bound_; - And, can be raised, by mans pow’r or wits, - No higher than _Gods_ Providence permits. - The placing of them on that _Wheele_, doth show, - That, some waxe _Poore_, as others _Wealthy_ grow: - For, looke how much the higher, one doth rise, - So much the lower, still, the other lies; - And, when the height of one is at an end, - Hee sinkes againe, that others may ascend. - The many stops, which on this _Wheele_ you spie, - Those many _obstacles_ may typifie, - Which barre all those that unto _Wealth_ aspire, - From compassing the _Round_ of their desire. - The want of _Wit_, from _Riches_, barreth some; - Some, cannot rich, because of _Sloth_, become. - Some, that are _wise_, and _painefull_, are deny’d - Encrease of wealth, through _Pleasure_, or through _Pride_. - Some, lose much profit, which they else might make, - Because of _Conscience_, or for _Credit_ sake. - If none of these did hinder, wee have store, - That might bee _Rich_, who, yet, are very _Poore_. - And, these, indeed, doe come to be those _Fates_, - Which keepe most men, from getting large _Estates_. - - - _In all thine =Actions=, have a care, - That no =unseemlinesse appeare=._ - -[Illustration: VT NE QUID DEDECEAT. - -ILLVSTR. XLI. _Book. 4_] - - The _Virgine_, or the _Wife_, that much desires, - To please her _Lovers_, or her _Husband’s_ Eyes, - In all her costl’est _Robes_, her selfe attires; - And, seekes the coml’est _Dresse_, shee can devise. - Then, to her trustie _Looking-glasse_, shee goes, - (Where, often, shee her person turnes and winds) - To view, how seemely her attiring showes; - Or, whether ought amisse therein she finds. - Which praisefull _Diligence_, is figur’d thus - In this our _Emblem_; that, it may be made - A documentall signe, remembring us, - What care of all our _Actions_, must bee had. - For, hee that in _God’s_ presence would appeare - An acceptable _Soule_; or, gracious grow - With men, that of approv’d conditions are, - Must by some faithfull _Glasse_, be trimmed so. - The good Examples of those pious men, - Who liv’d in elder times, may much availe: - Yea, and by others evills, now and then, - Men see how grossely, they themselves, doe faile. - A wise Companion, and, a loving Friend, - Stands nearer, than those ancient glasses doe; - And, serveth well to such an usefull end: - For, hee may bee thy _Glasse_, and _Fountaine_ too. - His good _Example_, shewes thee what is fit; - His _Admonition_, checks what is awry; - Hee, by his _Good-advise_, reformeth it; - And, by his _Love_, thou mend’st it pleasedly. - But, if thou doe desire the perfect’st _Glasse_, - Ioyne to the _Morall-Law_, the _Law of Grace_. - - - _Wee, bring the _Hony_ to the _Hive_; - But, others, by our labours thrive._ - -[Illustration: NON NOBIS. - -ILLVSTR. XLII. _Book. 4_] - - The prettie _Bees_, with daily paines contrive - Their curious _Combes_, and from the flowry Fields, - Doe bring that pleasant sweetnesse to their Hive, - Which _Nectar_, and _Ambrosiack_ dainties, yeelds, - Yet, when themselves with labours they have tir’d, - The following Winters famine to prevent, - For their good service, either they are fir’d, - Or, forth into an emptie _Hive_ are sent: - And, there, with slender diet they are served, - To leave another _Summers_ worke, to those - Who take no care, though all the swarme be starved, - If weake, and quite past labour once it growes. - As with such _Bees_, it fares with many a one, - That, spends his youthfull time in honest thrift; - And, by the _Waspe_, the _Hornet_, or the _Drone_, - Of all their labours, they are soone bereft. - Sometime, the bordring _Flies_, much wrong this _brood_, - Through idle _visitings_; or, them despoyle, - By making friendly shewes of _neighbourhood_; - When, all their Complements, are nought but guile. - Sometime, their powerfull Foes do rob them quite; - Sometime, their _Lords_, or _Landlords_, with pretence, - Of claiming only what is just and right, - Oppresse them without _mercie_, or _defence_. - Thus, by one course or other, daily, some - (That are laborious in an honest way) - The prey of Pride, or Idlenesse become: - And, such as these, may therefore truely say, - That, whatsoever they to passe have brought, - _Not for themselves, but others, they have wrought_. - - - _=God=, by their Names, the =Stars= doth cal; - And, hee is =Ruler= of them all._ - -[Illustration: ASTRA DEUS REGIT. - -ILLVSTR. XLIII. _Book. 4_] - - Some say, (and many men doe these commend) - That, all our _deeds_, and _Fortunes_ doe depend - Vpon the motions of celestiall _Spheres_; - And, on the constellations of the _Starres_. - If this were true, the _Starres_, alone, have bin - Prime cause of all that’s _good_, and of all _sinne_. - And, 'twere (me thinkes) injustice to _condemne_, - Or, give rewards to any, but to _them_. - For, if they made mee _sinne_, why for that ill, - Should I be damn’d, and they shine brightly, still? - If they inforc’d my _goodnesse_, why should I - Bee glorified for their _Pietie_? - And, If they neither _good_ nor _ill_ constraine, - Why then, should wee of _Destinie_ complaine? - For, if it bee (as tis) absurd to say, - The starres enforce us (since they still obay - Their just _Commander_) 'twere absurder, farre, - To say, or thinke, that God’s _Decree_ it were, - Which did _necessitate_ the very same, - For which, we thinke the _starres_ might merit blame. - Hee made the _starres_ to bee an ayd unto us, - Not (as is fondly dream’d) to helpe undoe us: - (Much lesse, without our fault, to ruinate, - By doome of irrecoverable _Fate_) - And, if our good Endeavors, use wee will, - Those glorious creatures will be helpfull still - In all our honest wayes: For, they doe stand - To helpe, not hinder us, in God’s command; - And, hee not onely rules them by his pow’rs, - But, makes their Glory, servant unto ours. - - - _Who, =Patience= tempts, beyond her strength, - Will make it =Fury=, at the length._ - -[Illustration: FUROR FIT LÆSA SÆPIUS PATIENTIA. - -ILLVSTR. XLIIII. _Book. 4_] - - Although wee know not a more patient creature, - Than is the _Lambe_, (or, of lesse harmfull nature) - Yet, as this _Emblem_ shewes, when childish wrong, - Hath troubled, and provok’d him overlong, - Hee growes enrag’d; and makes the wanton _Boyes_, - Bee glad to leave their sports, and run their wayes. - Thus have I seene it with some Children fare, - Who, when their _Parents_ too indulgent were, - Have urg’d them, till their _Doting_ grew to _Rage_, - And, shut them wholly from their Heritage. - Thus, many times, a foolish man doth lose - His faithfull Friends, and justly makes them foes. - Thus, froward _Husbands_; and, thus, peevish _Wives_, - Doe foole away the comfort of their lives; - And, by abusing of a _patient-Mate_, - Turne dearest _Love_, into the deadliest _Hate_: - For, any wrong may better bee excused, - Than, _Kindnesse_, long and wilfully abused. - But, as an injur’d _Lambe_, provoked, thus, - Well typifies how much it moveth us, - To finde our _Patience_ wrong’d: So, let us make - An _Emblem_ of our selves, thereby to take - More heed, how God is moved towards them, - That, his _long suffring_, and his _Love_ contemne. - For, as wee somewhat have of every _Creature_, - So, wee in us, have somewhat of his _Nature_: - Or, if it bee not sayd _the same_ to bee, - His _Pictures_, and his _Images_ are wee. - Let, therefore, his _long-suffring_, well be weigh’d, - And, keepe us, to _provoke him_, still afraid. - - - _Hee that is =blind=, will nothing =see=, - What =light= soe’re about him bee._ - -[Illustration: CŒCUS NIL LUCE IUVATUR. - -ILLVSTR. XLV. _Book. 4_] - - It is by some supposed, that our _Owles_, - By Day-time, are no perfect-sighted _Fowles_; - And, that, the more you doe augment the _light_, - The more you shall deprive them of their _sight_. - Nor _Candles_, _Torches_, nor the _Sunne at noone_, - Nor _Spectacles_, nor all of these in one - Can make an _Owlet_ in the day-time see, - Though none, by _night_, hath better eyes than shee. - This _Emblem_, therefore, sets their _blindnesse_ forth, - Who cannot see, when an apparant _worth_ - Illustrates vertuous Men; yet, seeme to spie - Those faults, wherewith ill-willers them belie. - The _blindnesse_, also, well it may declare, - Of _Heretikes_, who Eagle-sighted are, - In _Sophistries_, and in the cloudie-night, - Of those darke _Errors_, which delude the _sight_; - Yet, cannot see the Rayes of _Truth_ divine, - Though, brighter than the _Day-light_, shee doth shine. - It, likewise, very fitly typifies, - Those, in our dayes, who spie out mysteries, - Beyond the _Moone_; yet, cannot gain the view - Of that, which common _Reason_ proveth true: - And, therefore, onely, crie it (madly) downe, - Because, by _Reasons_ light, it may be knowne. - These, when 'twas offred, first, the light refused; - And, they have now the darknesse which they chused. - Till, therefore, God shall offer _Grace_ againe, - Man strives to set up _Lights_, to these, in vaine: - For, what are _Lights_ to those who _blinded_ bee? - Or, who so _blinde_, as they that will not see? - - - _None knowes, untill the =Fight= be past, - Who shall bee =Victor=, at the last._ - -[Illustration: INTER UTRUMQUE VOLAT. - -ILLVSTR. XLVI. _Book. 4_] - - While, these two _Champions_ for the _Conquest_ fight, - Betwixt them both _Victoria_ takes her flight, - On doubtfull wings; and, till the _fray_ bee past, - None knowe, to whether, shee the _Wreath_ will cast. - Which _Emblem_ serves, not onely, to expresse - The danger, and the issues doubtfulnesse, - In all _Contentions_; but, may warne us too, - That, wee no strivings rashly undergoe; - Since they, who long with painfull skill have striv’d, - Of likely _Conquests_, are at length depriv’d. - _Force_, much prevailes; but _Sleight_ and _Wit_ hath pow’r, - Sometime, to hurle downe _Strength_ upon the floore. - Sometimes againe, our _Ingineeres_ doe faile; - And, _Blowes_, doe more than _Stratagems_, prevaile. - Though, I, upon mine _honest-Cause_ depend, - Another may o’rethrow it, by his _Friend_: - And, hee that boasteth of his _Patrons_ grace, - May lose his hopes, if Bribing come in place. - To say the Truth, in whatsoever Cause, - Wee by the _Sword_ contend, or by the _Lawes_, - There’s no event or issue more assured, - Than this, that, losse to both shall bee procured: - And, that, sometime, as well an _innocent_, - As _guilty-cause_, may finde an ill event. - Let, therefore, our endeavours be, to strive, - Who, shall hereafter, least occasion give - Of those _contentions_, and of those _debates_, - Which hurt our honor, safetie, or estates: - That, we, a _Conquest_, may be sure to gaine, - And, none repine, at that which we obtaine. - - - _Why should I feare the want of =Bread=? - If =God= so please, I shall bee =fed=._ - -[Illustration: SI DEUS VOLUERIT. - -ILLVSTR. XLVII. _Book. 4_] - - The faithlesse _Iewe’s_ repining currishnesse, - The blessed _Psalmist_, fitly did expresse, - By _grinning-dogs_, which howling roame by night, - To satisfie their grudging appetite. - Here, therefore, by an _Emblem_, wee are showne, - That, _God_, (who as hee lists, bestowes his owne) - Providing so, that none may bee unfed, - Doth offer to the _Dogges_, the _Childrens_ bread. - And, by this _Emblem_, wee advised are, - Of their presumptuous boldnesse to beware, - Who bound God’s _Mercie_; and, have shut out some - From hope of _Grace_, before the _Night_ is come: - Since, to the _Dogs_, his meat is not denide, - If they _returne_, (though not till _Evening-tide_.) - Moreover, wee, some notice hence may take, - That, if provision, _God_, vouchsafes to make, - For _Lyons_, _Dogs_, and _Ravens_, in their need, - Hee will his _Lambes_, and harmlesse _Turtles_ feed: - And, so provide, that they shall alwayes have - Sufficient, to maintaine the _Life_ hee gave. - I must confesse, I never merit shall, - The _Crummes_, which from thy _Childrens_ table fall: - Yet, thou hast oft, and freely fed mee, _Lord_, - Among thy _Children_, at thy _Holy-board_: - Nor have I, there, been fill’d with _Bread_ alone; - But, on the blessed _Bodie_ of thy _Sonne_, - My _Soule_ hath feasted. And, if thou dost grant - Such favours, _Lord_! what can I feare to want? - For, doubtlesse, if thy _Sonne_ thou please to give, - All other things, with him, I shall receive. - - - _All =Flesh=, is like the wither’d =Hay=, - And, so it springs, and fades away._ - -[Illustration: OMNIS CARO FŒNUM. - -ILLVSTR. XLVIII. _Book. 4_] - - This _Infant_, and this little Trusse of _Hay_, - When they are moralized, seeme to say, - That, _Flesh_ is but a tuft of Morning-_Grasse_, - Both greene, and wither’d, ere the day-light passe. - And, such we truly finde it; for, behold, - Assoone as Man is borne, hee waxeth old, - In Griefes, in Sorrowes, or Necessities; - And, withers ev’ry houre, untill hee dyes: - Now, flourishing, as _Grasse_, when it is growne, - Straight perishing, as _Grasse_, when it is mowne. - If, wee with other things, mans _Age_ compare, - His _Life_ is but a _Day_ (For, equall’d are - His _Yeares_ with _Houres_: His _Months_, with _Minutes_ bee - Fit parallels; and, ev’ry _breathing_, wee - May tearme a _Day_) yet, some, ev’n at the _Night_ - Of that short _Day_, are dead, and witherd quite. - Before the _Morning_ of our lives bee done, - The _Flesh_ oft fades: Sometime, it growes till _Noone_: - But, there’s no mortall _Flesh_, that will abide - Vnparched longer, than till _Evening-tide_. - For, in it selfe, it alwayes carries that, - Which helpeth so, it selfe to ruinate; - That, though it feele, nor _storme_, nor scorching _flame_, - An inbred _Canker_, will consume the same. - Considering well, and well remembring this, - Account the _Flesh_ no better than it is: - Wrong not thine everlasting _Soule_, to cherish - A _Gourd_, which in a moments time will perish. - Give it the tendance, fit for fading _Crops_; - But, for _Hay-harvest_, lose not better hopes. - - - _Make use of =Time=, that’s =comming on=; - For, that is perish’d, which is =gone=._ - -[Illustration: PERIT QUOD ELAPSUM EST. - -ILLVSTR. XLIX. _Book. 4_] - - This _Glasse_ declares, how _Time_ doth passe away; - And, if the _Words_, about it, rightly say, - Thy _Time that’s gone, is lost_: and, proofe will shew, - That, many find both _Words_, and _Emblem_, true. - How fast their _Time_ departs, they best perceive, - From whom it steales, before they take their leave, - Of what they love; and, whose last _houre_ is gone, - Before their chiefest businesses are done. - How fast it slides, ev’n they are also taught, - (Too late, perhaps) who never kept in thought - Their _ending-day_; but, alwayes did presume, - Or, largely hope upon the _Time to come_; - The _present-howres_, nor thankfully enjoying, - Nor, honestly, nor usefully employing. - That, _yeares expir’d, are lost_, they likewise find: - For, when their understanding brings to mind, - How fondly (or, how ill perchance) they spent - Their _passed age_; they see, with discontent, - The _Time_, not onely _lost_, but, worse than so; - _Lost_, with a thousand other Losses moe: - And, that, when they shall need it, _wealth_ nor _pow’r_, - Can purchase them, one _minute_ of an _howre_. - Consider this, all ye that spend the _prime_, - The _noone tide_, and the _twilight_ of your _Time_, - In childish play-games, or meere worldly things; - As if you could, at pleasure, clip _Times_ wings, - Or turne his _Glasse_, or, had a _Life_, or twaine - To live, when you had fool’d out _this_ in vaine. - Short is the _present_; lost _Times-passed_ bee; - And, _Time to come_, wee may not live to see. - - - _The =Garland=, He alone shall weare, - Who, to the =Goale=, doth persevere._ - -[Illustration: PERSEVERANTI DABITUR. - -ILLVSTR. L. _Book. 4_] - - An _Arme_ is with a _Garland_ here extended; - And, as the _Motto_ saith, it is intended, - _To all that persevere_. This being so; - Let none be faint in heart, though they be _slow_: - For, he that _creepes_, untill his _Race_ be done, - Shall gaine a _Wreath_, aswell as they that _runne_. - This being so; let no man walke in doubt, - As if Gods _Arme_ of _Grace_ were stretched out - To some small number: For, whoe’re _begins_ - And _perseueres_, the profer’d _Garland_ winns: - And, God respects no persons; neither layes - A stumbling blocke in any of our Waies. - This being so, let no man think’t enough - To set his hand, a little, to the Plough, - And, then desist; but, let him still pursue, - To doe that _Worke_, to which that _Wreath_ is due: - For, nor on _Good-beginners_, nor on those - That, _walke halfe-way_, (much lesse on him, that goes - No stepp at all) will God this _gift_ conferre; - But, onely, unto those that _persevere_. - LORD, by thy _Grace_, an entrance I have made - In honest _Pathes_; and, thy assistance had, - To make in them, some slow _proceedings_ too. - Oh grant me, full abilitie, to doe - Thy sacred _Will_; and, to _beginn_, and _end_ - Such _Workes_, as to thy _glory_, still, may tend. - That (_Walking_, and _continuing_ in the _Path_, - Which evermore, thine approbation hath) - I may that _Garland_, by thy _grace_, obtaine, - Which, by mine owne _desert_, I cannot gaine. - _Glory be to God._ - - - - -[Illustration: Decoration] - -THE FOVRTH LOTTERIE. - - -1 - - Thou, of a noble minde, art thought, - Which, heav’nly things, hath chiefly sought. - And, scorn’st thy vertue to debase, - By loving those of lower place. - If so, thine _Emblom_ doth expresse - Thy _Wisdome_, and thy _worthynesse_. - But, if to earthward thou incline; - Thence, learne _Affections_ more Divine. - -See, _Emb._ I. - - -2 - - Some _words_ or _thoughts_, perhaps, of your - Have wrong’d Gods _providence_, or _Pow’re_: - Els, you (it may be) to some _place_, - Confine his unconfined _Grace_; - Or, thinke, he never taketh care, - Of any _Realme_, but where you are. - Your _Lot_, now, therefore, doth provide, - To have your _Iudgement_ rectifide. - -See, _Emb._ II. - - -3 - - Thou maist be _wise_, but, there is, yet, - Some crack, or, failing in thy _wit_: - For, thou dost _personate_ a _part_, - That, showes thee other, then thou _art_. - Thine _Emblem_, therefore, doth declare, - What _Habit_, such deserve to weare; - And, that, he merits _Asses_ eares, - Who _is not_, that, which he _appeares_. - -See, _Emb._ III. - - -4 - - You have, as yet, much _worke_ to doe, - But, yoo have _little time_ thereto: - That, _little_, flyes away with speed, - And, you the _Losse_, as little heed. - Lest, therefore, all your time be gone, - Before you duely thinke thereon, - A _memorandum_ you have got, - By drawing, of this luckie _Lot_. - -See, _Emb._ IV. - - -5 - - Though you, perhaps, no _perill_ dread, - A _mischiefe_ hangs above your head; - By which, you (taking little care) - May perish ere you be aware. - To minde you, therefore, to eschew - Such Miseries as may ensue; - Your L_ot_, this warning _Emblem_ sent; - Observe it, and your _harmes_ prevent. - -See, _Emb._ V. - - -6 - - Thou _fly’st_, in hope, to shun thy griefe; - Thou _changest place_, to seeke releefe; - And, many blamelesse things are shent - As, causers of thy discontent. - But trouble, now, no more thy minde, - The root of thy disease to finde; - For, by thine _Emblem_, thou shalt see, - The _Fountaine_, whence thy torments bee. - -See, _Emb._ VI. - - -_M_ 7 - - Thou art, or els thou wert, of late, - Some great, or petty, _Magistrate_; - Or, _Fortune_ thereunto, perchance, - In time to come, will thee advance. - But, by thine _Emblem_, thou shalt see, - That, when restrein’d, thy _pow’r_ shall be, - Offenders, thereof will be glad, - And skoffe the pow’re which thou hast had; - Observe it; and be so _upright_, - That, thou maist laugh at their _despight_. - -See, _Emb._ VII. - - -8 - - _Promotion_ thou dost much desire, - And, spacious _Fortunes_ to acquire; - As, if thou thoughtst, thou mightst attaine, - True _Blessednesse_, by such a _gaine_: - To shew thee, therefore, what event, - What _happinesse_, and what _content_, - Such things, will bring vs, at the last, - An usefull _Object_, now, thou hast. - -See, _Emb._ VIII. - - -9 - - Disheartned be not, though thou see, - Thy _Hopes_, quite frustrate seeme to be; - For, many _Hopes_, appearing past, - Have, beene renew’d againe, at last; - And, grew far greater, then before, - When, they seem’d lost, for evermore. - _Examples_, therefore, now are brought, - That, still, to _Hope_, thou mayst be taught. - -See, _Emb._ IX. - - -_M_ 10 - - Most men desire to gaine the _Fate_, - Which keepes them safe, in ev’ry state; - And, you, no doubt, would faine provide, - A _Station_, which might firme abide. - If so you meane; your _Lot_ hath brought, - Some newes of that, which you have sought: - For, by your _Emblem_, you may see, - What men shall most unmooved be. - -See, _Emb._ X. - - -11 - - You seeme, to wonder, much of late, - That, some goe _backward_ in _Estate_, - Who seeme to thrive; and, why, we finde, - Those _Friends_, who seemed very kinde, - (And, forward good respects to show) - Doe now unkinde, and froward grow. - But, when your _Emblem_ you shall see, - No wonder, then, such things will be. - -See, _Emb._ XI. - - -12 - - Thou seek’st a _Conquest_; or, (at least) - Of such a Pow’re to be possest, - As none can conquer; And, bohold, - Thou, in an _Emblem_, shalt be told - The meanes to get thy hearts desire. - Yet, know, that if thou come no nigher, - Then but to _know_ the meanes of _blisse_, - The farther off, the _blessing_ is. - -See, _Emb._ XII. - - -13 - - Thou liv’st, as one who thinks, that, _Fate_ - All Actions did _nesessitate_; - And, that to _doe_, or leave _undone_, - Thy Businesses, came all to one. - If, thus thou thinke, perhaps, this _Chance_; - May helpe to cure thine _Ignorance_; - And, show, when 'twill be, wholly, fit - To _Fate_, our matters, to commit. - -See, _Emb._ XIII. - - -14 - - Thy Neighbors _house_ when thou dost view, - _Welfurnisht_, _pleasant_, _large_, or _new_, - Thou thinkst good LARES, alwaies dwell, - In Lodgings that are trimm’d so well. - But, by thine _Emblem_, thou art showne, - That (if thou lov’dst what is thine _owne_) - _Thatcht Roofes_, as true Contentments yeeld, - As those, that are with _Cedar_ seeld. - Vaine _Fancies_, therefore, from thee cast; - And, be content with what thou hast. - -See, _Emb._ XIV. - - -15 - - Thou seek’st _Preferment_, as a thing, - Which _East_, or _Westerne-winds_ might bring; - And, thinkst to gaine a temp’rall _Crowne_, - By _Powres_ and _Vertues_ of thine owne: - But, now, thy _Lot_ informes from whom, - The _Scepter_, and _preferments_ come; - Seeke, thence, thy lawfull _hopes_ fruition, - And, cherish not a vaine _ambition_. - -See, _Emb._ XV. - - -16 - - This _Lot_, though rich, or poore, thou bee, - Presents an _Emblem_, fitt for thee. - If _Rich_, it warnes, not to be _proud_; - Since, _Fortunes_ favours are allow’d - To _Swinish-men_: If thou be _poore_, - Deject thou not thy selfe, the more; - For, many worthy men, there are, - Who, doe not _Fortunes_ Iewels weare. - -See, _Emb._ XVI. - - -17 - - Thou, dost not greatly care, by whom - Thy _wealth_, or thy _Preferments_, come: - So, thou maist get them, _Foole_ or _Knave_, - Thy _prayers_, and thy _praise_ may have; - Because, thou dost nor feare, nor dreame, - What disadvantage comes by them: - But, by thine _Emblem_, thou shalt see, - That, _Mischieves_, in their _favours_ bee. - -See, _Emb._ XVII. - - -18 - - You boast, as if it were, unknowne - The power you have were not your owne: - But, had you not an able _Prop_, - You could not beare so high a _Top_; - And, if that _Ayde_ forsake you shall, - Downe to the ground, you soone will fall. - Acknowledge this; and, humble grow, - You may be, still, supported so. - -See, _Emb._ XVIII. - - -19 - - This _Lot_ of yours doth plainely show, - That, in some danger now you go. - But, _wounds_ by _Steele_, yet, feare you not; - Nor _Pistoling_, nor _Cannon-shot_; - But, rather, dread the _shafts_ that fly, - From some deepe-wounding _wantons_ eye. - Your greatest perills are from thence; - Get therefore, Armour of defence. - -See, _Emb._ XIX. - - -20 - - Thy Vertues, often, have beene tride, - To finde what proofes they will abide: - Yet, thinke not all thy _Trialls_ past, - Till thou on ev’ry side art cast; - Nor, feare thou, what may chance to thee, - If truely, square, thy dealings be: - For, then, what ever doth befall, - Nor _harme_, nor _shame_, betide thee shall. - -See, _Emb._ XX. - - -21 - - Fine _Clothes_, faire _Words_, entising _Face_, - With _Maskes_ of _Pietie_ and _Grace_, - Oft, cheat you, with an outward show, - Of that, which prooveth nothing so. - Therefore, your _Emblems_ Morall read; - And, ere too farre you doe proceed, - Thinke, whom you deale withall, to day, - Who, by faire shewes, deceive you may. - -See, _Emb._ XXI. - - -22 - - You, are accus’d of no man, here, - As, if to any, false, you were - In _word_, or _Deed_; and, wish, we doe, - Your _Conscience_ may acquit you too, - But, if your selfe you guilty finde, - (As, unto such a fault inclin’d) - The crime, already _past_, repent; - And, what is yet _undone_, prevent. - -See, _Emb._ XXII. - - -23 - - You haue delighted much, of late, - Gainst _Womens_ ficklenesse, to prate; - As if this frailety you did find, - Entail’d, alone, on _Womankind_: - But, in your selfe, ther’s now and then, - Great proofes, of wav’ring minds, in men: - Then, jugde not faults which are unknown; - But, rather learne to mend your owne. - -See, _Emb._ XXIII. - - -24 - - At your _Afflictions_, you repine, - And, in all troubles, cry, and whine; - As if, to _suffer_, brought no _Ioy_; - But, quite, did all contents destroy. - That, you might, therefore, _patient_ grow, - And, learne, that Vertues pow’re, to know, - This _Lot_, unto your view, is brought: - Peruse, and practise what is taught. - -See, _Emb._ XXIV. - - -25 - - On out side _Friends_, thou much reli’st, - And, _trustest_, oft, before thou try’st; - By which, if _Cousnage_ thou escape, - Thy _Wit_ wee praise not, but thy _Hap_: - But, lest by _trust_, (e’re _triall due_) - Thou, overlate, thy _Trusting_ rue; - Observe the _Morall_ of thy _Lot_, - And, looke that thou forget it not. - -See, _Emb._ XXV. - - -26 - - By this your _Lot_, it should appeare, - That, you your selfe are too severe; - Or, have, by some, perswaded bin, - That, ev’ry _Pleasure_ is a _sinne_. - That, wiser therefore, you may grow, - You have an _Emblem_, now, to show, - That, _Hee_, whose wisdome all men praise, - Sometime, layes downe his _Bow_, and _playes_. - -See, _Emb._ XXVI. - - -27 - - Thou little heedst how _Time_ is lost, - Or, how thine _Howres_ away doe post; - Nor art thou mindfull of the day, - In which thy life, will breath away. - To thee this _Lot_, now, therefore, came, - To make thee heedfull of the same. - So, of thy Dutie, let it mind thee, - That, thou maist _live_, when _Death_ shall finde thee. - -See, _Emb._ XXVII. - - -28 - - A safe-abiding, wouldst thou know, - When _Seas_ doe rage, and _winds_ doe blow? - If so; thine _Emblem_ shewes thee, where - Such _Priviledges_ gained are. - Observe it well; then, doe thy best, - To bee a _Yongling_, in that nest - There _Moraliz’d_; and, mocke thou not - At what is taught thee, by this _Lot_. - -See, _Emb._ XVIII. - - -29 - - Beleeve not, alwayes, as thy _Creed_, - That, _Love-profest_, is _Love-indeed_; - But, their _Affections_ entertaine, - Who in thy _need_, firme _Friends_ remaine. - Perhaps, it much may thee concerne, - This _Lesson_, perfectly, to learne. - Thine _Emblems_ morall, therefore, view, - And, get true _Friends_, by being, _true_. - -See, _Emb._ XXIX. - - -30 - - The _Consciences_, of some, afford - No Lawfull use unto the _Sword_: - Some dreame, that, in the time of peace, - The practise of all _Armes_ may cease; - And, you, perhaps, among the rest, - With such like fancies are possest. - However, what your _Morall_ sayes - Observe; and, walke in blamelesse _waves_. - -See, _Emb._ XXX. - - -31 - - A better _Fortune_ you might gaine, - If you, could take a little _paine_: - If you have _Wealth_, you should have more, - And, should be Rich, (though you are _poore_) - If to the _longings_ you have had, - A true _endevour_ you would adde: - For, by your _Emblem_, you may see, - Such, as your _Paines_, your _Gaines_ will be. - -See, _Emb._ XXXI. - - -32 - - When any troublous Time appeares, - Your _Hope_ is ouercome, with _feares_, - As, if with every _Floud_ of _Raine_, - The _World_ would quite be drownd againe. - But, by your _Emblem_, you shall see, - That, _Sunshine_, after _Stormes_ may be: - And, you this _Lot_, (it may be) drew, - In times of neede, to comfort _you_. - -See, _Emb._ XXXII. - - -33 - - When, you to ought, pretend a right, - You thinke to winne it by your _might_. - Yea, by your strength, your purse or friends, - You boast to gaine your wished _Endes_. - But, such _Presumptions_ to prevent - You to an _Emblem_ now are sent - That, showes, by whom he _Victor_ growes, - That winnes, by giving overthrowes. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIII. - - -34 - - If, truely _temperate_, thou be, - Why should this _Lot_, be drawne by thee? - Perhaps, thou either dost exceed, - In costly Robes; or, drinke, or feede, - Beyond the _meane_. If this thou finde, - Or, know’st, in any other kinde, - How thou offendest by _excesse_, - Now, leave off, that _intemp’ratnesse_. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIV. - - -35 - - Thou hop’st, to climbe, to honor’d _heights_, - Yet, wouldst not passe through stormes or _streights_; - But, shun’st them so, as if there were - No way to _blisse_, where _troubles_ are. - Lest, then, thou lose thy hop’d-for praise, - By, seeking wide, and easie wayes; - See what thine _Emblem_ doth disclose. - And, feare not ev’ry _winde_ that blowes. - -See, _Emb._ XXXV. - - -36 - - Sometimes, it may be, thou dost finde, - That, God, thy _prayers_, doth not minde, - Nor, heede, of those _Petitions_ take, - Which, men and _Congregations_ make. - Now, why they take so ill effect, - Thou, by our _Morall_, maist collect: - And, by the same, shalt also see, - When, all thy _suits_ will granted be. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVI. - - -37 - - Thou, hast been very forward, still, - To _punish_ those, that merit ill; - But, thou didst never, yet, regard - To give _Desert_, her due _Reward_. - That, therefore, thou maist now have care, - Of such _Injustice_, to beware, - Thine _Emblem_, doth to thee present, - As well _Reward_, as _punishment_. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVII. - - -38 - - Thou, either hast a _babling tongue_, - Which, cannot keepe a _secret_, long; - Or, shalt, perhaps, indanger’d growe, - By such, as utter all they know. - In one, or other, of the twaine, - Thou maist be harm’d; and, to thy gaine, - It may redound, when thou shalt see, - What, now, thine _Emblem_, counsels thee. - -See, _Emb._ XXXVIII. - - -39 - - By this, thy _Lot_, we understand, - That, somewhat, thou hast tooke in hand, - Which, (whether, further, thou _Proceed_ - Or quite _desist_) will danger breed. - Consider, then, what thou hast done, - And, since the _hazzard_ is begun, - Advised be to take the _Course_, - Whrch may not make the danger worse. - -See, _Emb._ XXXIX. - - -40 - - The _Destinies_, thou blamest, much, - Because, thou canst not be so rich, - As others are: But, blame no more. - The _Destinies_, as heretofore; - For, if it please thee to behold, - What, by thine _Embleme_, shall be told, - Thou, there, shalt find, which be those _Fates_, - That, keepe men low, in their _estates_. - -See, _Emb._ XL. - - -41 - - Thou thinkst, that thou from _faults_ art free; - And, here, unblamed thou shalt be. - But, if to all men, thou wilt seeme - As faire, as in thine owne esteeme, - Presume thou not abroad to passe, - Vntill, by ev’ry _Looking-Glasse_, - Which, in thy _Morall_, is exprest, - Thou hast, both _Minde_, and _Body_ drest. - -See, _Emb._ XLI. - - -42 - - Some, _labour_ hardly, all their daies, - In painefull-profitable wayes; - And, others taste the sweetest _gaine_, - Of that, for which these tooke the _paine_: - Yet, these, they not alone undo, - But, having _robd_, they _murther_ too. - The wrongs of such, this _Emblem_ showes, - That, thou mayst helpe, or pitty those. - -See, _Emb._ XLII. - - -43 - - Thou, often hast observ’d with feares, - Th’_aspects_, and _motions_ of the _Starres_, - As if, they threatned _Fates_ to some, - Which, _God_ could never save them from. - If this, thy dreaming Error be, - Thine _Emblems_ Morall shewes to thee, - That, _God_ restraines the _Starry-Fates_, - And, no mans harme, _necessitates_. - -See, _Emb._ XLIII. - - -44 - - Thou, hast provoked, over long, - Their _patience_, who neglect the wrong; - And, thou dost little seeme to heede, - What _harme_ it threats, if thou proceed. - To thee, an _Emblem_, therefore, showes, - To what, _abused-Patience_ growes. - Observe it well; and, make thy _Peace_, - Before to _Fury_, _Wrath_ increase. - -See, _Emb._ XLIV. - - -45 - - Thou hast the helps of _Natures_ light; - _Experience_ too, doth ayde thy sight: - Nay more, the _Sun_ of _Grace-divine_, - Doth round about thee daylie shine; - Yet, _Reasons_ eye is blind in thee, - And, clearest _Objects_ cannot see. - Now, from what cause, this _Blindnesse_ growes - The _Morall_ of thine _Emblem_ showes. - -See, _Emb._ XLV. - - -46 - - Thy _cause_, thy _Money_, or thy _Friend_, - May make thee forward to _contend_; - And, give thee Hopes, that thy intents, - Shall bring thee prosperous events. - But view thy _Lot_; then, marke thou there, - That _Victories_ uncertaine are; - And rashly venture not on that - Whose End may be, _thou knowest not what_. - -See, _Emb._ XLVI. - - -47 - - To them who grudgingly repine, - Assoone as their estates decline, - This _Lot_ pertaines; or, unto those, - Who, when their neighbour needy growes, - Contemne him; as if he were left, - Of God; and, of all hopes bereft. - If this, or that, be found in thee, - Thou, by thy _Morall_, taught shalt be, - That, there is none so ill besped; - But may have hope, he shall be fed. - -See, _Emb._ XLVII. - - -48 - - Thy _Flesh_ thou lov’st, as if it were, - The chiefest _Object_, of thy _Care_; - And of such value, as may seeme, - Well meriting, thy best esteeme. - But, now, to banish that conceit, - Thy _Lot_ an _Emblem_ brings to sight, - Which, without flattery, shewes to thee - Of what regard it ought to be. - -See, _Emb._ XLVIII. - - -49 - - It may suspected be, thou hast, - Mispent the _Time_, that’s gone and past; - For, to an _Emblem_ thou art sent, - That’s made, such folly to prevent: - The _morall_ heed; Repent thy _Crime_; - And, Labour, to _Redeeme the Time_. - -See, _Emb._ XLIX. - - -50 - - With good applause thou hast begunne, - And, well, as yet, proceedest on: - But, e’re the _Lawrell_, thou canst weare, - Thou to the End must _persevere_. - And, lest this dutie, be so got, - Thou hast a Caveat, by this _Lot_. - -See, _Emb._ L. - - -51 - - Although, this time, you drew it not, - _Good Fortune_, for you, may be got. - Perhaps, the _planets_ ruling now, - Have cast no good _Aspects_ on you. - For, many say, that, now and then, - The _Starres_ looke angerly on men: - Then, try your Chance againe, anon; - For, their displeasure soone is gone. - - -52 - - If, by your _Lot_ you had beene prais’d - Your minde, perchance, it would have rais’d, - Above the _meane_. Should you receive - Some check, thereby, It would bereave - Your _Patience_: For, but few can beare, - _Reproofes_, which unexpected are. - But, now prepared you have beene, - To draw your _Lot_ once more begin; - And, if another _Blancke_ you get, - Attempt your _chance_, no more, as yet. - - -53 - - To crosse your hopes, _Misfortune_ sought; - And, by your _Lot_, a _Blanck_ hath brought: - But, he who knew her ill intent, - Hath made this _Blanke_ her spight prevent; - For, if that _Number_ you shall take, - Which these two _fignres_, backward, make, - And view the place to which they guide; - An _Emblem_, for you, they provide. - - -54 - - These _Lots_ are almost _Ten_ to _One_ - Above the _Blankes_; yet, thou hast none. - If thus thy _Fortune_ still proceed, - Tis _Ten_ to _One_ if well thou speed. - Yet, if thou doe not much neglect, - To doe, as _Wisdome_ shall direct, - It is a _Thousand_ unto _ten_ - But all thy Hopes will prosper, then. - - -55 - - It seemes, Dame _Fortune_, doth not know, - What _Lot_, on thee, she should bestow; - Nor, canst thou tell, (if thou mightst have - The choice) what _Fortune_, thou shouldst crave. - For, _one thing_, now, thy minde requires; - Anon, _another_ it desires. - When Resolution thou hast got, - Then, come againe, and draw thy _Lot_. - - -56 - - The _Chance_, which thou obtained hast, - Of all our _Chances_, is the last; - And, casting up the totall _summes_, - We finde thy _Gaine_, to _Nothing_ comes. - Yet if it well be understood, - This _Chance_ may chance to doe thee good; - For, it inferres what _Portion_ shall, - To ev’ry one, (at last) befall; - And warnes, while _something_, is enjoyd, - That, well it (alwaies) be imployd. - - _FINIS._ - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - - - -[Illustration: Decoration] - -_A Table for the better finding out of the principall things and -matters, mentioned in these Foure Bookes._ - - -_A._ - -Adversitie. pag. 16. 17. 26. 30. 240. 243 - -Ægle. 6. 3. 111. - -Affection. 7. 33. 34. 83. 162. - -Affliction. 16. 17. 44. 47. 70. 81. 108. 240. - -Agreement in Desire. 34. - -Age. 44. - -Ambitions emptines. 216. - -Ambition. 69. - -Anchor. 39. 72. - -Annuall revolutions. 157. - -Anvils and Hammer. 17. - -Appearances deceive. 175. - -Apollo. 234. - -Archer. 25. - -Armour. 111. - -Arrs. 1. 80. - -Action. 9. - -Armes. 3. 32. 80. - -Authoritie. 137. - - -_B._ - -Ball. 7. - -Beginning. 102. - -Best men not best favour’d. 224. - -Bear. 23. - -Bees. 23. 90. 250. - -Beautie. 40. - -Blabs. 246. - -Blessings long enjoyed. 70. - -Bounds. 161. - -A Bore. 110. - -Borrowed worth. 14. - -A Bowe bended. 39. - -Bridle. 169. - -A Broken-heart 77. - -Busy-bodies. 148. - -Butterfly and Spider. 18. - - -_C._ - -Candle and Flie. 40. - -Carnal affections. 43. - -Caduceus. 9. 88. - -Ceremonies of estate. 137. - -Centaure. 103. - -A Childe. 45. - -Christian confidence. 81. - -Church. 111. 136. - -Christ the true Pellican. 154. - -The Circular motion of things. 45. - -Circumspection. 138. - -Clamor. 63. - -Cleargie-men. 149. - -Constancie. 2. 81. 143. - -Cock. 71. - -Comlinesse. 249. - -Good Companions. 249. - -Constant resolution 24. - -Consideration. 9. - -Contempt of earthly things. 12. - -Contention. 34. 71. - -Contention hazzardous. 254. - -Contemplation. 45. 105. 156. - -Corcord. 63. - -Consolation. vid. Comfort. - -Comfort. 70. - -Comfort sweetned by troubles. ibid. - -Constellations. 31. 74. 251. - -Contentment. 86. - -Cornerstone. 161. - -Coronet. 255. - -Cornucopia 9 88. 166. 248. - -Corporeall vertues. 80. - -Covetousnesse. 216. - -Crocadile. 112. - -Craft. 136. - -Crowne. 47. 78. 81. - -Crosse. 47 75 81 - -Crosses 47. - -Curiositie 147. - -Cupid 227. - -Cynthia 24. - - -_D._ - -Danger hangs over all 213 - -Death 1. 21. 45. 48. 94. 168. 184. 235. - -Deaths head 21 - -Deliberation 72 - -Delay 18 - -Degrees. 29. 49 117. - -Deceit in all places. 180. - -Despaire is not to be admitted. 217. 221. 240. - -Destinie. vid. Fate. - -Decrees of God. 95. - -Our Destruction is of our selves. 214. - -Desires best object. 209. - -Devotion. 41. - -Diamond. 171. - -Diana. 24. - -Divine assistance. 170. - -Dissimulation, 211, 228, 230 - -Discord. 177. - -Discretion. 151. - -Doggs. 255. - -Dolphin. 72. - -Dove. 150. - -Drowsinesse. 9. - -Drones. 250. - - -_E._ - -Earthly things. 85. - -Endurance 23. 26. - -Endeavour continued. 29. - -Envy 97. - -End. 102. - -Equalitie. 34. 48. - -Equivocation. 38. - -Estridge. 36. - -Eternitie. 102. 157. - -Everlasting. 102. - -Excesse. 68. - -Externall Blessings. 88. - - -_F._ - -Faith 13. 66 - -Faith infringed. 38. 99. - -Fate 74. 95. 221. 251 - -Fatall necessity 251 - -Falshood 99 - -Fame 146. - -Faire shewes deceitfull 233. 229 - -Face 39 - -Fighters 71 - -Ficklenesse vid. Inconstancy - -Filial pietie 155. - -Fire on an Altar 15. - -Fierie-triall 30 - -Flesh is hay 256 - -Flying-Ball 71. 101 - -Flie and the Candle 40 - -Flower of the Sunne 159. - -Fooles, who the greatest 211 - -Fooles favours mischievous 225 - -Fortune 6. 88. 101. 109. 139 174. 224 - -Fraud in all professions 183 - -Friendship 75. 99. 162. 237. - -Friends 75, 145 - -Frequencie 45 - -Fullnesse 64. - -Furie begotten by abused patience 252. - - -_G._ - -Ganimed 156. - -Light Gaines 50. - -Glory 5. 92. - -God 140, 152, 170, 210, 223 255 - -Gods prerogatives 223 - -Gods decrees 95. 141 - -Gospell preached 89 - -Good works 135 - -Governours 37 - -Government 238 - -Goblins about Graves 43 - -Grace 31, 74, 104, 226 - -Grave 21 - -Greefe 26 - -Groves 35 - -Great things from small beginnings 46. 50 - -Gryphon 139 - -Guile vid. Fraud and Deceit - -Guiltinesse 66, 69. - - -_H._ - -Hast 19, 49 153 - -Hammer and Anvile, 17 - -Halter 66, Halcyon, vid. Kings Fisher - -Harvest 44 - -Harlots 27, 246 - -Harmlesnes vid. Innocency - -Hazzardous enterprises 247 - -Harmony vid. Musick - -Hard-hearted men 175 - -Hardship 243 - -Heed 19. 49, 153 - -Heliotrope 159 - -Heaven 152 - -Hellen 27 - -Hyppocrisy 20, 77, 211, 229 - -Hyppocrite 229 - -Honour 5, 153 - -Hope 13, 16, 39, , 44, 73. 106 150, 217 - -Houses which are best 222 - -Hony 23 - -Howreglasse 21, 212 - -Hunger 64 - -Husbands 162 - -Humility 147 - -Hyppotamus 155 - - -_I._ - -Ianus 138 - -Idlenesse 5. 92 - -Innocence 9. 111, 151 - -Infant 45 - -Incroachments 161 - -Invincibility 220 - -Inconstancy 231 - -Intemperance 242 - -Industry 5 - -Impiety. 155 - -Imprsonmēt better than a worse mischiefe 96 - -Ioys sweetned by afflictions 70 - -Iteration 29 - -Iustice 66. 69, 155 - -Iust dealing. 100 - -Ixion 69 - - -_K._ - -Kingsfisher 236 - -Kings 32, 37, 78, 137, 159 163, 180 - -Kingdomes 67 - -A Kingdomes glorie 78 - -Knowledge 1, 79, 103 - - -_L._ - -Labour 5, 29, 143, 150, 229, - -Labour in vaine 11. - -Lambe 252. - -Lawe 3. 163. 169 - -Leasure and heed 19. 49 107 - -Learne to die 94 - -Learning 87 - -A Line a day. 158 - -Liking makes indifferent things excellent 222 - -A Little and little makes a mickle 50. 158 - -Life 21. 45 - -Love the best Musitian, 82 - -Love 7, 33. 34. 38. - -Losses 50. - -Losses may be recovered 182 - -Looking-glasses 241. - - -_M._ - -Malefactors 66 - -Mars 80. - -Marriages. 83. - -Magistrates out of office 215. - -A Mace. 137 - -Man his owne enemie 214 - -Mercy, offred to all 255 - -Merit 139 - -Measures 100 - -Medlers, _vid._ Busie-bodies. - -Meditation best in the night 9 - -Meanes, not to be neglected 221 - -Meanes, not the onely ground of Hope 13 - -Mercurie 9 - -The Meane 169 - -Military exercise 32 - -Mis-fortune may be profitable. 96 - -Mortalitie 8 45 - -Moone 111. 182 - -Monuments 142 - -Mutuall affection. 34. 163. 781. - -Musicke 65 - - -_N._ - -Nature and Grace 104. 144 - -Nature needes a supporter. 226 - -Necessitie 64 - -Night helpfull to Meditation 9 - - -_O._ - -Oathes 38 - -Obscuritie profitable 73 - -Occasion 4 - -Offenders 215 - -Old men may learne 87 - -Opportunitie 4 - -Oppression 28 - -Opposition 63 - -Order 220 - -Outward appearances 175 - -Owle 9. 63. 79. 168 - -Oxe 173 - - -_P._ - -Paine 23 - -Palmetree 172 - -Patience 28. 63. 252 - -Patriots 165 - -Pallas 9. 80 - -Parents 15 - -A Pastorall charge 149 - -Peace 9 238 - -Perjurie 38 - -Pegasus 105 - -Perseverance 19. 143. 175. 258 - -Pelican 154 - -Pietie 8. 41. 155 - -Pigmey Spirits 14 - -Planets 31 - -Planting 35 - -Pleasure 22. 23. 38. 68 - -Plenty 64 - -Plaine-dealing 228 - -Poeticall Libertie 148 - -Poets Horse, _vid._ Pegasus - -Power 103. 179 - -Power divine 210. - -Policie 80 - -Posterity 35 - -Poore Theeves 167. - -Povertie 176 - -Cause of povertie. 248 - -Praise 146 - -Practise 66. 158 - -Preaching 89 - -Preferment 68 - -Prelats 41 - -Priests. ibid. - -Pride to be avoyed 8 - -Princes 155 - -Profit causeth contention 71. - -Processions 165. - -Prosperitie 12. 16 - -Protection divine 245 - -Promotion is of God 223. - -Prudence 74. 142. 151 - -Puritie 41 - -Punishment and reward 245 - -Pyramus 33. - - -_Q._ - -Qvarrellers 71. - - -_R._ - -Rashnesse 9. 19 - -Redeeme the time 23. 257 - -Recreation 234 - -A well Resolved man 228 - -Restraints from being Rich 248 - -Resolute constancy 24 - -Repine not at misfortunes 96 - -Reputation 140 - -Repentance to be hastned 213 - -Retirednesse 73. 79 - -Revolutions of things 45 - -Reward 135. 139 141. 229. 258 - -Reward and punishment 243 - -Riches 1. 98 - -Rich Theeves 197 - -Rod. 93. - -Royall favour. 159. - - -_S._ - -Sacred callings 41 - -The best Sacrifice 77. - -Salamander 30 - -Scepter 79 - -Scepter and Spade 48 - -Sea-horse 155. - -Selfe perdition 68. 214 - -Selfe love 35 - -Shepherds crooke 149 - -Ship 13. 37 - -Sisyphus 11 - -Sinne 66. 69. - -Silence 73 - -Simplicity 151 - -Sincerity 228, 230 - -Sive 20 - -A Skeleton 8 - -Sloath 9. 181. - -Slownesse 19 - -Slow pace goes farre 173 - -Small beginnings 46. 50 - -Snake 5. 9. 45. 47. 74. 101. 102 142. - -Snaile 19 - -Sophisters 38 - -Sober knowledge 147 - -Sorrow 24 79 - -Soveraigntie is of God, 21. 22 - -Spade 5 - -Spider 18 - -Squirrell 26. 136 - -Staiednesse 72 153 - -Starrs 31. 74. 251 - -States-men 15 - -Steresman 37 - -Stedfastnesse. _vid._ Constancy. - -Stewes 27 - -Storke 149 155 - -Strength 80. 103. 136 - -Students 15 - -Studiousnesse 146 - -Suffering 23. 47. 81. 171. 232 - -Sufficiencie 86 - -Sunnshine after stormes 240 - -Swearing. 38. - -Swine 38. 110. - -Sword 66. 137. 163. 238. 245 - - -_T._ - -Talents hidden 76. 181 - -A Tatler, 246. - -Tennis-ball, 16 - -Terrene pompe 98 - -Temperance 169. 242 - -Terminus 161 - -Theeves 167 - -Thisbe 33 - -Time. 4. 102. 157. 212. 235 257 - -Titles, ill placed 224. - -Tongue 42 - -Tortois 86 - -Touchstone 229 - -Transitorie things 85 - -Triall 30 - -Trie e’re thou trust. 84. 233 - -Truth 172 - -Turtle. _vid._ Dove. - - -_V._ - -Vanitie of earthly things 98 - -Vaine hopes. 69 - -Vaine shewes 20 - -Vengeance 66 - -Vertue. 1. 5. 6. 22. 30. 88. 97. 101. 109. 111. 139. 171. 218. - -Vice 22. 104. 224. - -Victorie vncertaine 252 - -Victorie is of God 241. - -Viper 247 - -Vnanymitie 67 - -Vnchastitie 15 - -Vnitie 67. 177 - -Vnitie of faith 244 - -Vniversall Grace 210. 258 - -Vnprofitable gifts 76 - -Vprightnesse of heart 91 - - -_W._ - -Wanton women 7 - -Warre 90, 238 - -Wast 35 - -Wearinesse 9 84 153 - -Watchfulnesse 79 - -Watchmen 149 - -Way of Uertue 160 - -Weapons 111 - -Wealth 68. 166. - -Weights 110. - -Welldoing 135 - -Weaknesse needes a suporter 222 - -Wisedome 1. 2, 31. 103. 142. 145. - -Witt 1. 64. 136. 167 - -Wives 172 - -Whoredome. 27 - -Whore. _vid._ Harlot - -Woods decayed 35 - -Woman 93. 231 - -World goes backeward 219. - - -_Y._ - -Youth. 22. 44. - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - - - - A _Supersedeas_ to all them, whose custome - it is, without any deserving, to importune - _Authors_ to give unto them their - _Bookes_. - - - It merits nor your Anger, nor my Blame, - That, thus I have inscrib’d this _Epigram_: - For, they who know me, know, that, _Bookes_ thus large, - And, fraught with _Emblems_, do augment the Charge - Too much above my _Fortunes_, to afford - A _Gift_ so costly, for an _Aierie-word_: - And, I have prov’d, your _Begging-Qualitie_, - So forward, to oppresse my _Modestie_; - That, for my future ease, it seemeth fit, - To take some Order, for preventing it. - And, peradventure, other Authors may, - Find Cause to thanke me for’t, another day. - These many years, it hath your _Custom_ bin, - That, when in my possession, you have seene - A _Volume_, of mine owne, you did no more, - But, _Aske_ and _Take_; As if you thought my store - Encreast, without my Cost; And, that, by _Giving_, - (Both _Paines_ and Charges too) I got my living; - Or, that, I find the _Paper_ and the _Printing_, - As easie to me, as the _Bookes_ Inventing. - If, of my _Studies_, no esteeme you have, - You, then abuse the _Courtesies_ you crave; - And, are _Vnthankfull_. If you prize them ought, - Why should my _Labour_, not enough be thought, - Vnlesse, I adde _Expenses_ to my paines? - The _Stationer_, affoords for little Gaines, - The _Bookes_ you crave: And, He, as well as I - Might give away, what you repine to buy: - For, what hee _Gives_, doth onely _Mony_ Cost, - In mine, both _Mony_, _Time_, and _Wit_ is lost. - What I shall Give, and what I have bestow’d - On Friends, to whom, I _Love_, or _Service_ ow’d, - I grudge not; And, I thinke it is from them, - Sufficient, that such _Gifts_ they do esteeme: - Yea, and, it is a _Favour_ too, when they - Will take these _Triflles_, my large _Dues_ to pay; - (Or, Aske them at my hands, when I forget, - That, I am to their _Love_, so much in debt.) - But, this inferres not, that, I should bestow - The like on all men, who, my _Name_ do know; - Or, have the Face to aske: For, then, I might, - Of _Wit_ and _Mony_, soone be begger’d, quite. - So much, already, hath beene _Beg’d_ away, - (For which, I neither had, nor looke for pay) - As being valu’d at the common Rate, - Had rais’d, _Five hundred Crownes_, in my Estate. - Which, (if I may confesse it) signifies, - That, I was farre more _Liberall_, than _Wise_. - But, for the time to come, resolv’d I am, - That, till without denyall (or just blame) - I may of those, who _Cloth_ and _Clothes_ do make, - (As oft as I shall need them) _Aske_, and _Take_; - You shall no more befoole me. Therfore, _Pray_ - _Be Answer’d_; And, henceforward, keepe away. - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - - - - A _Direction_, shewing how they who are so - _disposed_, _shall find out their =Chance=, in the - =Lotteries= aforegoing_. - - -Turne about one of the _Indexes_ in the Figures, which are in the -following Page, without casting your eyes thereupon, so observe where -it stayeth untill your hand ceaseth to give it motion. If it be the -upper _Figure_, whose _Index_ you moved; than, that _Number_ whereupon -it resteth, is the number of your _Lot_, or Blancke. - -This being knowne, move the other _Index_ in like manner, and that -_Quarter_ of the said _Figure_ whereon the same standeth (when -your hand is taken away) sheweth in which of the foure Bookes, or -_Lotteries_, that _Chance_ is to be expected, whereunto your _Number_ -doth send you, whether it be _Lot_, or _Blancke_. If it be any Number -above Fifty, it is a _Blancke Chance_, and you are to looke no further. -If it be any of the other _Numbers_, it sends you to the _Emblem_ -answering to the same _Number_, in the _Booke_ next before the same -_Lotterie_. - -If the letter _M._ be placed before the alotted _Number_; then, that -Lot is proper onely to a _Man_: If _W._ stand before it, it is proper -onely to a _Woman_: if there be no letter, it is indifferent to both -_Sexes_: And, therefore, when a _Man_ or _Woman_ happneth on a _Chance_ -impertinent to their proper _Sexe_, they are then, to take the next -_Chance_ which pertaineth properly to their _Sexe_, whether it be -_Blancke_ or _Lot_; the triall whereof, I have thus contrived, without -the use of _Dice_; lest by bringing them into sight, they might, -sometimes, occasion worse _Gaming_. - - _If =King=, =Queene=, =Prince=, or any one that springs - From Persons, knowne to be deriv’d from =Kings=, - Shall seeke, for =Sport sake=, hence to draw their =Lot=; - Our =Author= sayes; that, hee provided not - For such as =those=: Because, it were too much - For him, to find out =Fortunes=, fit for such, - Who, (as hee thinkes) should, rather, =Ayde= supply - For him, to mend his evill =Fortunes= by. - To =them=, hee, therefore pleased is to give - This noble, and this large =Prerogative=; - That, they shall chuse from hence, what =Lots= they please, - And make them better, if they like not =these=. - All other =Personages=, of =High degree=, - That, will professe our Authors friends to be, - This =Freedome=, likewise, have; that till, they find - A =Lot=, which is agreeing to their mind, - They shall have libertie, anewe, to try - Their fought-for Chance: And, ev’rytime-apply - The =Morrals= they disliked, unto those, - Which are, ill-quallifide, among their =Foes=. - All others, who this =Game=, adventure will, - Must beare their =Fortunes=, be they Good, or Ill._ - -[Illustration: Lottery Wheels] - - - - -Transcriber's notes: - -In the text version italics are represented with _underscore_ and small -caps with ALL CAPS. Upright text in italic sections, has been marked -with =equals=. - -As noted at the start of the text, inconsistencies and apparent errors -in the text have been left. The only changes that have been made are to -unclear or missing punctuation marks (e.g. where a gap in the text is -seen). In these cases, consistent punctuation has been used. - -A list of inconsistencies and problems found in the text:-- - - -Introduction - -Sheet 6 "A Writ of Prevention". STRVCTVRFS should probably read -STRVCTVRES. - -Sheet 13 "To The Reader". A closing bracket should be added after -"Graver" (whether hee were the Versifier or the Graver. - -Sheet 14 "To The Reader". A closing bracket should be added after -Hieroglyphicks (as in the Tetragrammaton; in the Figure of Arîon; and -in the Proprieties due to some other Hieroglyphicks. - - -Book I - -In Book 1, The first illustration is labelled "Illvstratio", subsequent -ones are labelled "Illvstr." - -Embleme 21. "And by our Death, our Life is new-begnnne", should -probably read "new-begunne." - -Embleme 27. "Some, I have knowne, by Harlots Wiles undone", the italic -"n" seems out of place. - -Embleme 30. "And shine like purest Gold, and Pretious-Stones", Pretious -and Precious are both found in the text. - -Embleme 45. "Made entrance to it owne Destruction, hath", it could be -its. - -The First Lotterie, No. 19. "Of much more Warinesse, then Speed", "more -then" is used throughout the text. - - -Book 2. - -Illvstr. 2. "The Crowe, when deepe within a close-mouth'd-Pot.", should -end with a comma. - -"Illvstr. IIII.", IV is used in Book 1. IIII used in Book 4. XIIII, -XXIIII and are used in Books 1 and 2. XLIIII in B4 - -Illvstr. XLV. "And, view the well-grown Trees, the wel-trimm'd Bowers", -perhaps "wel" should be "well". - -The Second Lotterie. Verses after 54 are labelled 5 and 6, but should -be 55 and 56. - -p.120 has been mislabelled as 118 and corrected by hand. - -Book 2 ends at page 124, book 3 starts at page 135. - - -Book 3. - -Illvstr XIII. "But, with Sobrietie, be wise," should end with period. - -Illvstr. XV. "But, when one Foote, thus grasp'd a Peple-stone", -"Peble-stone" is used a few lines down. - -Illvstr. XVI. "The stubstance of it, still, in God, remaines", -"stubstance" should probably be "substance". - -Illvstr. XX. "Of those deare Mercies, and that bloudy Passion", "and" -may be italicised in error. - -Illvstr. XXIV. "By long nelect of time, will burthensome", "nelect" -should probably be "neglect" - -Illvstr. XXIV. "As much as makes, at least, One Line a Day," should end -with period. - -Illvstr. XXVI. "It brings (us when we passe the common sight)", Opening -bracket should be placed after "us". - -Illvstr. XXX. "Delight not Archers; tyet, such uselesse Toyes", "tyet" -should probably be "yet". - - -Book 4. - -Book 3 ends with page 196, Book 4 starts with page 109. The next page -is 210 so 109 should be 209 - -Illvstr. XXXI. "Your houres, in serions matters, if you spend", -"serions" should probably be "serious" - -Illvstr. XXXVIII. "A tatlers tougue; for, paines are lost on him", -"tougue" should probably be "tongue". "And, in our selves true Vertnes -to maintaine;", "Vertnes" should probably be "Vertues". - -The Fourth Lotterie. Verse 1. "If so, thine Emblom doth expresse", -"Emblom" should probably be Emblem". - -Verse 12. "As none can conquer; And, bohold", "bohold" should probably -be "behold". - -Verse 39. "Whrch may not make the danger worse", "Whrch" should -probably be "Which". - -Verse 53. "Which these two fignres, backward, make", "fignres" should -probably be "figures". - - -Index. (Punctuation has been left as printed). - -"Christ the true Pellican. 154." is spelt Pelican on p.154. - -"Ganimed 156." Ganymed is used on p.156. - -"Greefe 26." Griefe is used on p26 - -"Halter 66, Halcyon, vid. Kings Fisher." Requires a line break between -the two entries. - -"Mutuall affection 34. 163. 781." p.781 doesn't exist, a link has been -made to p.178. - -"Rich Theeves 197" p.197 doesn't exist, a link has been made to p.191. - - - - -=Transcriber's Addendum= - - -Transcriptions and translations of the mottoes engraved around each -emblem are provided as a convenience to the reader. Each transcription -is shown as written (with any notes), followed by the text normalised -to modern standards of punctuation and spelling (u/v, æ/ae, --cunque/-cumque, oe/ae etc.) and its translation. - - Portrait EFFIGIES GEORGII WITHERI POETÆ. - Effigies Georgii Witheri poetae - Portrait of the poet George Wither - - Ill 1 Bk 1 - VIVITVR INGENIO CÆTERA MORTIS ERṼT - Vivitur ingenio; caetera mortis erunt - We live by our genius; the rest will belong to death - - Ill 2 Bk 1 - SAPIENTIA CONSTANS - Sapientia constans - Wisdom is constant - - Ill 3 Bk 1 - LEX REGIT ET ARMA TVENTVR. - Lex regit et arma tuentur - Law directs and arms protect - - Ill 4 Bk 1 - NE TENEAR - Ne tenear - Lest I be held back - - Ill 5 Bk 1 - LABORE VIRTVS, VIRTVTE GLORIA PARATVR - Labore virtus, virtute gloria paratur - Virtue is acquired through labour, glory through virtue - - Ill 6 Bk 1 - NON OBEST VIRTVTI SORS. - Non obest virtuti sors - Chance is no hindrance to virtue - - Ill 7 Bk 1 - NON SCEPTRO SED PLECTRO DVCITVR - Non sceptro sed plectro ducitur - She is led by the plectrum, not by the sceptre - - Ill 8 Bk 1 - IN HVNC INTVENS PIVS ESTO - In hunc intuens pius esto - Look on this and be pious - - Ill 9 Bk 1 - IN NOCTE CONSILIṼ - In nocte consilium - Deliberation at night - - Ill 10 Bk 1 - SPERNIT PERICVLA VIRT[VS] - Spernit pericula virtus - Virtue scorns danger - - Ill 11 Bk 1 - AD SCOPVM LICET ÆGRE ET FRVSTRA - Ad scopum licet aegre et frustra - Towards the goal, but painfully and unsuccessfully - - Ill 12 Bk 1 - ΠΑΝΤΑ ΛΕΛΟΙΠΑ - πάντα λέλοιπα - I have left all things - - Ill 13 Bk 1 - REMIGIO VENTISQ[VE] SECVNDIS - Remigio ventisque secundis - By rowing and favourable winds - - Ill 14 Bk 1 - QVID SI SIC - Quid si sic - What if so? - - Ill 15 Bk 1 - DVM NVTRIO CONSVMOR - Dum nutrio consumor - As I nourish I am consumed - - Ill 16 Bk 1 - CONCVSSVS SVRGO - Concussus surgo - When struck I rise - - Ill 17 Bk 1 - DVM EXTENDAR - Dum extendar - Until I am stretched - - Ill 18 Bk 1 - MATVRA - Matura - Hurry! - - Ill 19 Bk 1 - LENTE SED ATTENTE - Lente sed attente - Slowly but carefully - - Ill 20 Bk 1 - TRANSEAT - Transeat - Let it pass - - Ill 21 Bk 1 - MORS VITÆ INITIVM. - Mors vitae initium - Death is the beginning of life - - Ill 22 Bk 1 - QVO ME VERTĀ NESCIO - Quo me vertam nescio - I know not where to turn - - Ill 23 Bk 1 - PATIOR VT POTIAR - Patior ut potiar - I suffer to obtain - - Ill 24 Bk 1 - CONSEQVITVR QVODCVNQ[VE] PETIT - Consequitur quodcumque petit - She attains whatever she aims at - - Ill 25 Bk 1 - NON QVAM CREBRO SED QVĀ BĒE - Non quam crebro sed quam bene - Not how often, but how well - - Ill 26 Bk 1 - DVRABO - Durabo - I shall endure - - Ill 27 Bk 1 - VBI HELENA IBI TROIA - Ubi Helena, ibi Troia - Where Helen is, there is Troy - - Ill 28 Bk 1 - VICTRIX PATIENTIA DVRI. - Victrix patientia duri - Patience victorious over hardship - - Ill 29 Bk 1 - NON VNO STERNITVR ICTV. - Non uno sternitur ictu - It is not felled with one blow - - Ill 30 Bk 1 - NVDRISCO IL BVONO ET SPENGO IL REO - Nudrisco il buono et spengo il reo - I nourish the good and destroy the malefactor - - Ill 31 Bk 1 - SAPIENS DOMINABITVR ASTRIS. - Sapiens dominabitur astris - The wise man shall rule over the stars - - Ill 32 Bk 1 - EX VTROQVE CÆSAR - Ex utroque Caesar - A Caesar either way - - Ill 33 Bk 1 - PERSEQVAR EXSTINCTṼ - Persequar exstinctum - I will follow him into death - - Ill 34 Bk 1 - FLAMMESCIT VTERQVE - Flammescit uterque - Each catches fire - - Ill 35 Bk 1 - POSTERITATI - Posteritati - For posterity - - Ill 36 Bk 1 - NIL PENNA, SED VSVS - Nil penna, sed usus - Not the plume, but its use - - Ill 37 Bk 1 - DVM CLAVVM RECTAM TENEAM - Dum clavum rectam teneam - As long as I hold the tiller steady - - Ill 38 Bk 1 - SI SCIENS FALLO. - Si sciens fallo - If I knowingly deceive - - Ill 39 Bk 1 - SPEQVE METVQVE PAVET - Speque metuque pavet - It trembles with hope and fear - - Ill 40 Bk 1 - COSI VIVO PIACER CONDVCE A MORTE - Così vivo piacer conduce a morte - So lively pleasure leads to death - - Ill 41 Bk 1 - PVRIS MANIBVS. - Puris manibus - With clean hands - - Ill 42 Bk 1 - LINGVA QVO TENDIS - Lingua, quo tendis? - Tongue, where are you going? - - Ill 43 Bk 1 - original reads "ΟΥΜE ΒΛLΨΟΝ ΑΝΩ" - which has been corrected to "ΘΥΜΕ ΒΛΕΨΟΝ ΑΝΩ" - θυμέ, βλέψον ἄνω - Look up, my soul - - Ill 44 Bk 1 - FLAVESCENT - Flavescent - They shall turn golden - - Ill 45 Bk 1 - FINIS AB ORIGINE PĒDET - Finis ab origine pendet - The end depends on the beginning - - Ill 46 Bk 1 - TANDEM FIT ARBOR - Tandem fit arbor - At last it becomes a tree - - Ill 47 Bk 1 - SVPERATA CRVCE CORONOR - Superata cruce coronor - I rise above the cross and am crowned - - Ill 48 Bk 1 - MORS SCEPTRA LIGONIB[VS] ÆQVAT - Mors sceptra ligonibus aequat - Death levels sceptres and spades - - Ill 49 Bk 1 - PAVLATIM NON IMPETV. - Paulatim non impetu - Gradually, not by force - - Ill 50 Bk 1 - DE PARVIS GRANDIS ACERVVS ERIT. - De parvis grandis acervus erit - From small things a great heap will grow - - Ill 1 Bk 2 - NEQVEO COMPESCERE MVLTOS - Nequeo compescere multos - I cannot restrain so many - - Ill 2 Bk 2 - INGENII LARGITOR VENTER. - Ingenii largitor venter - The belly is the bestower of genius - - Ill 3 Bk 2 - MVSICA SERVA DEI - Musica serva dei - Music is the handmaid of God - - Ill 4 Bk 2 - DISCITE IVSTICIAM. - Discite iusticiam - Learn justice - - Ill 5 Bk 2 - CONSENSV POPVLI REGNṼ SVBSISTIT. - Consensu populi regnum subsistit - The kingdom is sustained by the consent of the people - - Ill 6 Bk 2 - QVI ME ALIT ME EXTINGVIT. - Qui me alit me extinguit - He who feeds me extinguishes me - - Ill 7 Bk 2 - SEQVITVR SVA PŒNA NOCENTEM - Sequitur sua poena nocentem - His punishment follows the evildoer - - Ill 8 Bk 2 - POST TENTATIONEM CONSOLATIO. - Post tentationem consolatio - After temptation, consolation - - Ill 9 Bk 2 - PRO GALLINIS - Pro gallinis - For the hens - - Ill 10 Bk 2 - TVTIVS VT POSSIT FIGI. - Tutius ut possit figi - To be fixed more securely - - Ill 11 Bk 2 - IN SILENTIO ET SPE. - In silentio et spe - In silence and hope - - Ill 12 Bk 2 - FATO PRVDENTIA MAIOR. - Fato prudentia maior - Prudence is greater than fate - - Ill 13 Bk 2 - CONIVNCTIS VOTIS - Coniunctis votis - Joined in prayer - - Ill 14 Bk 2 - CVI BONO? - Cui bono? - For whose benefit? (This is what the phrase usually means. But our - author understands it as: For what benefit?) - - Ill 15 Bk 2 - SACRIFICIVM DEO COR CONTRIBVLATIM - Sacrificium deo cor contribulatum - A contrite heart is a sacrifice to God - - Ill 16 Bk 2 - REGNI CORONA REX - Regni corona rex - The king is the crown of the kingdom - - Ill 17 Bk 2 - STVDIO ET VIGILANTIA. - Studio et vigilantia - By study and watchfulness - - Ill 18 Bk 2 - ARTE ET MARTE - Arte et marte - By art and by arms - - Ill 19 Bk 2 - CONSTANTE FIDVCIA - Constante fiducia - By art and by arms - - Ill 20 Bk 2 - AMOR DOCET MVSICAM - Amor docet musicam - Love teaches music - - Ill 21 Bk 2 - NON TE SED NVMMOS - Non te sed nummos - Not you but your money - - Ill 22 Bk 2 - FIDE SED CVI VIDE - Fide sed cui vide - Trust, but be careful whom - - Ill 23 Bk 2 - HVMANA FVMVS - Humana fumus - All things human are smoke - - Ill 24 Bk 2 - OMNIA MEA MECVM PORTO - Omnia mea mecum porto - All that is mine I carry with me - - Ill 25 Bk 2 - TAMEN DISCAM. - Tamen discam - Yet I shall learn - - Ill 26 Bk 2 - VIRTVTI FORTVNA COMES. - Virtuti fortuna comes - Fortune is the companion of virtue - - Ill 27 Bk 2 - DEVS NOBIS HÆC OTIA FECIT. - Deus nobis haec otia fecit - God has granted us this ease - - Ill 28 Bk 2 - EX BELLO PAX - Ex bello pax - From war, peace - - Ill 29 Bk 2 - COR RECTṼ INQVIRIT SCIENTIĀ. - Cor rectum inquirit scientiam - An upright heart seeks knowledge - - Ill 30 Bk 2 - ΕΚ ΠΟΝΟΥ ΚΛΕΟΣ. - ἐκ πόνου κλέος - From labour, glory - - Ill 31 Bk 2 - PVEROS CASTIGO VIROSQ[VE] - Pueros castigo virosque - I chastise boys and men - - Ill 32 Bk 2 - VITA MORTALIVM VIGILIA. - Vita mortalium vigilia - The life of mortals is watchfulness - - Ill 33 Bk 2 - MANET IMMVTABILE FATVM. - Manet immutabile fatum - Fate remains unalterable - - Ill 34 Bk 2 - DETERIVS FORMIDO. - Deterius formido - I fear something worse - - Ill 35 Bk 2 - ADVERSIS CLARIVS ARDET. - Adversis clarius ardet - It burns brighter in adversity - - Ill 36 Bk 2 - SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MVNDI. - Sic transit gloria mundi - So passes the world's glory - - Ill 37 Bk 2 - IVSQVE A LA MORT - Jusqu'à la mort - Until death - - Ill 38 Bk 2 - SVVM CVIQVE TRIBVE - Suum cuique tribue - Allow each his own - - Ill 39 Bk 2 - IN VIRTVTE ET FORTVNA. - In virtute et fortuna - In virtue and fortune - - Ill 40 Bk 2 - ΑΙΩΝΙΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΣΚΑΙΡΟΝ. - αἰώνιον καὶ πρόσκαιρον - Eternal and temporal - - Ill 41 Bk 2 - VIRIBVS IVNGENDA SAPIENTIA. - Viribus iungenda sapientia - Wisdom should be joined to strength - - Ill 42 Bk 2 - SOLVM A SOLE - Solum a sole - The soil from the sun - - Ill 43 Bk 2 - RECTO CVRSV - Recto cursu - On a steady course - - Ill 44 Bk 2 - SPES ALIT AGRICOLAS:· - Spes alit agricolas - Hope nourishes farmers - - Ill 45 Bk 2 - POCO A POCO. - Poco a poco - Little by little - - Ill 46 Bk 2 - TRIBVLATIO DITAT. - Tribulatio ditat - Affliction enriches - - Ill 47 Bk 2 - VICTRIX FORTVNÆ SAPIENTIA. - Victrix fortunae sapientia - Wisdom victorious over fortune - - Ill 48 Bk 2 - AVT MORS AVT VITA DECORA - Aut mors aut vita decora - Either death or life with honour - - Ill 49 Bk 2 - DONEC TOTṼ IMPLEAT ORBĒ. - Donec totum impleat orbem - Until it fills the whole world - - Ill 50 Bk 2 - VIRTVS LORICA FIDELIS - Virtus lorica fidelis - Virtue is a trusty coat of mail - - Ill 1 Bk 3 - SI RECTE FACIES. - Si recte facies - If you act rightly - - Ill 2 Bk 3 - SUPERAT SOLERTIA VIRES. - Superat solertia vires - Cleverness outdoes strength - - Ill 3 Bk 3 - NON SINE CAUSA. - Non sine causa - Not without cause - - Ill 4 Bk 3 - PANDO RECONDITA. - Pando recondita - I disclose what is hidden - - Ill 5 Bk 3 - VIRTUTE DUCE COMITE FORTUNA - Virtute duce comite fortuna - With virtue as guide and fortune as companion - - Ill 6 Bk 3 - FLOREBO PROSPICIENTE DEO. - Florebo prospiciente deo - Under God's gaze I shall flourish - - Ill 7 Bk 3 - FAC ET SPERA. - Fac et spera - Do and hope - - Ill 8 Bk 3 - RERUM SAPIENTIA CUSTOS. - Rerum sapientia custos - Wisdom is the guardian of all things - - Ill 9 Bk 3 - LABORE ET CONSTANTIA. - Labore et constantia - By labour and constancy - - Ill 10 Bk 3 - EVERTIT ET AEQUAT. - Evertit et aequat - He overturns and levels - - Ill 11 Bk 3 - SCIENTIA IMMUTABILIS. - Scientia immutabilis - Knowledge is immutable - - Ill 12 Bk 3 - VIRTUTE AC STUDIO PER ORBEM FAMA PERPETUA COMPARATUR. - Virtute ac studio per orbem fama perpetua comparatur - By virtue and zeal everlasting worldwide fame is obtained - - Ill 13 Bk 3 - NOLI ALTUM SAPERE. - Noli altum sapere - Be not over-wise - - Ill 14 Bk 3 - TRACTANT FABRILIA FABRI. - Tractant fabrilia fabri - Workmen wield their own tools - - Ill 15 Bk 3 - NON DORMIT QUI CUSTODIT. - Non dormit qui custodit - He who is on guard does not sleep - - Ill 16 Bk 3 - IN SPE ET LABORE TRANSIGO VITAM. - In spe et labore transigo vitam - I spend my life in hope and labour - - Ill 17 Bk 3 - PRUDENTE SIMPLICITATE. - Prudente simplicitate - In prudent simplicity - - Ill 18 Bk 3 - TRANSITUS CELER EST ET AVOLAMUS. - Transitus celer est et avolamus - The passage is swift, then we fly away - - Ill 19 Bk 3 - PEDETENTIM. - Pedetentim - Step by step - - Ill 20 Bk 3 - PRO LEGE ET PRO GREGE. - Pro lege et pro grege - For the law and for the flock - - Ill 21 Bk 3 - DISCITE IUSTITIAM. - Discite iustitiam - Learn justice - - Ill 22 Bk 3 - NON EST MORTALE QUOD OPTO. - Non est mortale quod opto - What I choose is no mortal thing - - Ill 23 Bk 3 - IN SE SUA PER UESTIGIA UOLUITUR. - In se sua per vestigia volvitur - It rolls round on its own tracks onto itself - - Ill 24 Bk 3 - NULLA DIES SINE LINEA. - Nulla dies sine linea - No day without a line - - Ill 25 Bk 3 - AD REGIS NUTUS. - Ad regis nutus - At the king's pleasure - - Ill 26 Bk 3 - HAC VIRTUTIS ITER. - Hac virtutis iter - This way is the path of virtue - - Ill 27 Bk 3 - CONCEDO NULLI. - Concedo nulli - I yield to no-one - - Ill 28 Bk 3 - MANUS MANUM LAUAT. - Manus manum lavat - One hand washes another - - Ill 29 Bk 3 - LEGIBUS ET ARMIS. - Legibus et armis - By laws and arms - - Ill 30 Bk 3 - NON QUAM FORMOSA SED QUAM RECTA. - Non quam formosa sed quam recta - Not how beautiful, but how straight - - Ill 31 Bk 3 - ALIIS INSERVIENDO CONSUMOR. - Aliis inserviendo consumor - I am consumed in the service of others - - Ill 32 Bk 3 - DITAT SERVATA FIDES. - Ditat servata fides - Keeping faith brings riches - - Ill 33 Bk 3 - FVRES PRIVATI IN NERVO PVBLICI IN AVRO - Fures privati in nervo, publici in auro - Private thieves in fetters, public thieves in gold - - Ill 34 Bk 3 - MEMENTO MORI - Memento mori - Remember you will die - - Ill 35 Bk 3 - SERVA MODVM. - Serva modum - Observe due measure - - Ill 36 Bk 3 - FVLCRVM TVTISSIMVM - Fulcrum tutissimum - The safest support - - Ill 37 Bk 3 - VIRTUS INEXPUGNABILIS. - Virtus inexpugnabilis - Impregnable virtue - - Ill 38 Bk 3 - VERITAS PREMITUR NON OPPRIMITUR. - Veritas premitur non opprimitur - Truth is oppressed but not suppressed - - Ill 39 Bk 3 - PAS A PAS. - Pas a pas - Step by step - - Ill 40 Bk 3 - FORTUNA UT LUNA. - Fortuna ut luna - Fortune like the moon - - Ill 41 Bk 3 - ANTÈ FERIT QUÀM FLAMMA MICET. - Ante ferit quam flamma micet - It strikes before the flame kindles - - Ill 42 Bk 3 - PAUPERTATE PREMOR SUBLEUOR INGENIO. - Paupertate premor sublevor ingenio - I am borne down by poverty, and uplifted by genius - - Ill 43 Bk 3 - VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR. - Virtus unita fortior - Virtue is stronger when united - - Ill 44 Bk 3 - AMORE MUTUO. - Amore mutuo - By mutual love - - Ill 45 Bk 3 - CONCORDIA INSUPERABILIS. - Concordia insuperabilis - Unconquerable harmony - - Ill 46 Bk 3 - IN MANU DEI COR REGIS. - In manu dei cor regis - The heart of the king is in God's hand - - Ill 47 Bk 3 - CELATA VIRTUS IGNAVIA EST. - Celata virtus ignavia est - Virtue concealed is worthlessness - - Ill 48 Bk 3 - REDIBO PLENIOR. - Redibo plenior - I shall return more full - - Ill 49 Bk 3 - NUSQUAM TUTA FIDES. - Nusquam tuta fides - Nowhere is trust secure - - Ill 50 Bk 3 - HODIE MIHI CRAS TIBI: - Hodie mihi cras tibi - Today for me, tomorrow for you - - Ill 1 Bk 4 - NON INFERIORA SECUTUS. - Non inferiora secutus - Following no lesser things - - Ill 2 Bk 4 - IN MANU DOMINI OMNES SUNT FINES TERRÆ. - In manu domini omnes sunt fines terrae - All the ends of the earth are in the hand of the Lord - - Ill 3 Bk 4 - QUOD NON ES NE VIDEARE CAVE. - Quod non es ne videare cave - Take care lest you seem what you are not - - Ill 4 Bk 4 - FESTINAT DECURRERE. - Festinat decurrere - Swiftly it runs through - - Ill 5 Bk 4 - ABRUMPAM. - Abrumpam - I will break it off - - Ill 6 Bk 4 - HINC DOLOR INDE FUGA. - Hinc dolor inde fuga - Hence my pain; thence my flight - - Ill 7 Bk 4 - CAPTIVUM IMPUNE LACESSUNT. - Captivum impune lacessunt - They provoke the prisoner without fear of harm - - Ill 8 Bk 4 - RESTAT DE VICTORE ORIENTIS. - Restat de victore orientis - This remains of the conqueror of the east - - Ill 9 Bk 4 - INSPERATA FLORUIT. - Insperata floruit - It flourished unhoped-for - - Ill 10 Bk 4 - NESCIT LABI VIRTUS. - Nescit labi virtus - Virtue knows no failure - - Ill 11 Bk 4 - HODIE SIC VERTITVR ORBIS. - Hodie sic vertitur orbis - So the world turns today - - Ill 12 Bk 4 - VIS NESCIA VINCI. - Vis nescia vinci - A power that knows no defeat - - Ill 13 Bk 4 - QUO FATA TRAHUNT. - Quo fata trahunt - Where the fates lead - - Ill 14 Bk 4 - ΟΙΚΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΟΣ - οἴκος φίλος οἴκος ἄριστος - The best house is the house you love - - Ill 15 Bk 4 - DEUS DAT CUI VULT. - Deus dat cui vult - God gives to whom he wishes - - Ill 16 Bk 4 - INDIGNUM FORTUNA FOVET. - Indignum fortuna fovet - Fortune cherishes the unworthy - - Ill 17 Bk 4 - STULTORUM ADIUMENTA NOCUMENTA. - Stultorum adiumenta nocumenta - The assistance of fools is a hindrance - - Ill 18 Bk 4 - TE STANTE VIREBO. - Te stante virebo - While you stand I shall flourish - - Ill 19 Bk 4 - FERIO. - Ferio - I hit - - Ill 20 Bk 4 - QUOCUNQUE FERAR. - Quocumque ferar - Wherever I am carried - - Ill 21 Bk 4 - BELLA IN VISTA DENTRO TRISTA. - Bella in vista dentro trista - Fair without, foul within - - Ill 22 Bk 4 - EN DEXTRA FIDESQUE. - En dextra fidesque - See, the right hand and the pledged faith - - Ill 23 Bk 4 - VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER. - Varium et mutabile semper - Always inconstant and changeable - - Ill 24 Bk 4 - GAUDET PATIENTIA DURIS. - Gaudet patientia duris - Patience rejoices in hardships - - Ill 25 Bk 4 - SIC SPECTANDA FIDES. - Sic spectanda fides - So good faith should be examined - - Ill 26 Bk 4 - NON SEMPER ARCUM TENDIT. - Non semper arcum tendit - He does not always draw the bow - - Ill 27 Bk 4 - VIVE MEMOR LETHI FUGIT HORA. - Vive memor leti; fugit hora - Live mindful of death; time flies - - Ill 28 Bk 4 - MEDIIS TRANQUILLUS IN UNDIS. - Mediis tranquillus in undis - Calm amid the waves - - Ill 29 Bk 4 - BONA FIDE. - Bona fide - In good faith - - Ill 30 Bk 4 - PACISQUE BONUS BELLIQUE MINISTER. - Pacisque bonus bellique minister - A good servant in peace and in war - - Ill 31 Bk 4 - PAR SIT FORTUNA LABORI. - Par sit fortuna labori - Let fortune be a match for labour - - Ill 32 Bk 4 - POST NUBILA PHŒBUS. - Post nubila Phoebus - After clouds, the sun - - Ill 33 Bk 4 - OMNIS VICTORIA A DOMINO. - Omnis victoria a domino - All victory is from the Lord - - Ill 34 Bk 4 - NE QUID NIMIS. - Ne quid nimis - Nothing to excess - - Ill 35 Bk 4 - PER ANGUSTA AD AUGUSTA. - Per angusta ad augusta - Through difficulties to greatness - - Ill 36 Bk 4 - FIDUCIA CONCORS. - Fiducia concors - United in faith - - Ill 37 Bk 4 - PRO ME SI MEREOR IN ME. - Pro me; si mereor, in me - For me, or if I deserve it, against me - - Ill 38 Bk 4 - HAC ATQUE ILLAC PERFLUIT. - Hac atque illac perfluit - It leaks in all directions - - Ill 39 Bk 4 - UTCUNQUE. - Utcumque - However - - Ill 40 Bk 4 - FATA OBSTANT. - Fata obstant - The fates oppose - - Ill 41 Bk 4 - VT NE QUID DEDECEAT. - Ut ne quid dedeceat - So there may be nothing unseemly - - Ill 42 Bk 4 - NON NOBIS. - Non nobis - Not for us - - Ill 43 Bk 4 - ASTRA DEUS REGIT. - Astra deus regit - God rules the stars - - Ill 44 Bk 4 - FUROR FIT LÆSA SÆPIUS PATIENTIA. - Furor fit laesa saepius patientia - Patience too often offended turns to fury - - Ill 45 Bk 4 - CŒCUS NIL LUCE IUVATUR. - Caecus nil luce iuvatur - A blind man is not helped by light - - Ill 46 Bk 4 - INTER UTRUMQUE VOLAT. - Inter utrumque volat - She flies between the two - - Ill 47 Bk 4 - SI DEUS VOLUERIT. - Si deus voluerit - If God wishes - - Ill 48 Bk 4 - OMNIS CARO FŒNUM. - Omnis caro faenum - All flesh is grass - - Ill 49 Bk 4 - PERIT QUOD ELAPSUM EST. - Perit quod elapsum est - That which has gone by is lost - - Ill 50 Bk 4 - PERSEVERANTI DABITUR. - Perseveranti dabitur - It will be given to the persevering - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Collection of Emblemes, Ancient and -Moderne, by George Wither - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A COLLECTION OF EMBLEMES *** - -***** This file should be named 50143-0.txt or 50143-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/1/4/50143/ - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Chris Jordan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net with -transcriptions from Stephen Rowland and Louise Hope - 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