Emblems Ancient and Modern, Emblem 28 – Emblem 50

Emblems Ancient and Modern · Emblem 28 – Emblem 50

p. 28No Inward Griefe, nor outward Smart,

Can overcome a Patient-Heart.

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 Aegypt 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 Mares;

They grow victorious, in their Hardeſt-Fates.

p. 29By many Strokes, that Worke is done,

Which cannot be perform'd at One.

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.

p. 30Afflictions Fire conſumeth Sinne;

But, Vertue taketh Life therein.

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

Th…ſe, 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 Endleſſe-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.

p. 31Hee, over all the Starres doth raigne,

That unto Wiſdome can attaine.

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 Sphares, 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 Sphaeres;

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.

p. 32A Princes moſt ennobling Parts,

Are Skill in Armes, and Love to Arts.

EX VTROQVE CAESAR

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 onelyonly 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.

p. 33True-Lovers Lives, in one Heart lye,

Both Live, or both together Dye.

PERSEQVAR EXSTINCTV̄

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'…ous Thisbe to her Pyramus,

On all occaſions, it continues true:

Nor Night, nor Danger, makes it timorous;

But, through all Pe…ills, it will him purſue.

Thus, both in Life, in Death, in all eſtates,

True-Lovers will be true Aſſociates.

p. 34When Two agree in their Deſire,

One Sparke will ſet them both on Fire.

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

VponUpon 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 Pe…re 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.

p. 35He that delights to Plant and Set,

Makes After-Ages in his Debt.

POST ERITATI

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, onelyonly, 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.

p. 36To Have, and not to Vſe the ſame;

Is not our Glory, but our Shame.

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 Sphaeres;

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.

p. 37He, that his Courſe directly Steeres,

Nor Stormes, nor Windy-Cenſures feares.

DVM CLAVVM RECTVM 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.

p. 38A ſudden Death, with Shame, is due

To him, that, ſweares What is untrue.

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 Aequivocation.

And, this, let ev'ry Man end…avour 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.

p. 39Where ſtrong Deſires are entertain'd,

The Heart 'twixt Hope, and Feare, is pain'd.

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.

p. 40Thoſe Fooles whom Beauties Flame doth blinde,

Feele, Death, where Life they thought to finde.

COSI VIVO PIACER CONDVCEA 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 Hea…th,

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.

p. 41Let him, that at GODS Altar ſtands,

In Innocencie, waſh his Hands.

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 fi…ſt 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.

p. 42No Heart can thinke, to what ſtrange ends,

The Tongues unruely Motion tends.

LINGVA OVO 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.

p. 43The Minde ſhould have a fixed Eye

On Objects, that are plac'd on High.

ΟΥ ΜΕ ΒΛLΨΟΝ ΑΝΩ

ILLVSTR. XLIII. Book. 1.

A …eart, 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 Sphaeres,

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.

p. 44Thoſe Fields, which yet appeare not ſo,

When Harveſt comes, will yellow grow.

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 hop full 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 l…ke 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 Mare appeares;

The Du…ty 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 appea…e.

p. 45As ſoone, as wee to bee, begunne;

We did beginne, to be Vndone.

FINIS ABORIGINE 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 Tatle 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,

Do…h 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.

p. 46Though very ſmall, at firſt, it be,

A Sprout, at length, becomes a Tree.

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, imperf…ct 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.

p. 47When we above the Croſſe can riſe,

A Crowne, for us, prepared lies.

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.

p. 48In Death, no Difference is made,

Betweene the Scepter, and the Spade.

MORS SCEPTRA LIGONIB US AEQVAT

ILLVSTR. XLVIII. Book. 1.

LEt no man be ſo ſottiſh as to dreame,

Though all Men in their Déath 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 …ay him as fully happy make,

As h…, that doth a Crowne Imperiall weare.

For, when his Fatall-blow Death comes to ſtrike,

He, makes the Beggar, and the King, alike.

p. 49What cannot be by Force attain'd,

By Leiſure, and Degrees, is gain'd.

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.

p. 50Of Little-Gaines, let Care be had; For, of ſmall Eares, great Mowes are made.

DE PARVIS GRANDIS A CERVVS 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.