Emblems Ancient and Modern, Emblem 4 – Emblem 48

Emblems Ancient and Modern · Emblem 4 – Emblem 48

p. 66Marke, what Rewards, to Sinne, are due,

And, learne, upri…tneſſe to purſue.

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 onelyonly, 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.

p. 67That Kingdome will eſtabliſh'd bee,

Wherein the People well agree.

CONSENSV POPVLI REGNV̄ 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,

Leads, 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 publicke-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.

p. 68From that, by which I ſomewhat am,

The Cauſe of my Deſtruction came.

MVSICA SERVA DEI

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.

p. 69By Guiltines, Death entred in,

And, Miſchiefe ſtill purſueth Sinne.

SEQVITVR SVA POENA 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 … 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 f…eſt Hope,

May, bring them (in concluſion of the …)

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.

p. 70When wee have greatest Griefes and Feares,

Then, Conſolation ſweet'ſt appeares.

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 Oppoſ… 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.

p. 71To brawle for Gaine, the Cocke doth ſleight;

But, for his Females, he will fight.

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 appeal'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.

p. 72If Safely, thou deſire to goe,

Bee nor too ſwift, nor overſlow.

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.

p. 73They that in Hope, and Silence, live,

The best Contentment, may atchive.

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 riſe,

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.

p. 74Let none deſpaire of their Eſtate,

For, Prudence, greater is, than Fate.

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.

p. 75Their Friendſhip firme will ever bide,

Whoſe hands unto the Croſſe are tide.

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.

p. 76A Candle that affords no light,

What profits it, by Day, or Night?

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.

p. 77The Sacrifice, God loveth beſt,

Are Broken-hearts, for Sin, oppreſt.

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.

p. 78A King, that prudently Commands,

Becomes the glory of his Lands.

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, Caeſar 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.

p. 79By Studie, and by Watchfulneſſe,

The Jemme of Knowledge, we poſſeſſe.

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.

p. 80When Mars, and Pallas, doe agree,

Great workes, by them, effected bee.

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.

p. 81They, after ſuffring, ſhall be crown'd,

In whom, a Conſtant-faith, is found.

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.

Here by, 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 Cap 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.

p. 82Love, a Muſician is profeſt,

And, of all Muſicke, is the beſt.

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.

p. 83Thy ſeeming-Lover, falſe will bee,

And, love thy Money, more than Thee.

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 Pol…tician, 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 reſpects, 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 Counſeller:

For, I have ſaid my mind; which, if thou ſlight,

Goe, and repent it, on thy wedding night.

p. 84Give Credit; but, first, well beware,

Before thou truſt them, who they are.

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.

p. 85Hee, that on Earthly-things, doth truſt,

Dependeth, upon Smoake, and Duſt.

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-ſoyſt 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.

p. 86I beare, about mee, all my ſtore;

And, yet, a King enjoyes not more.

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, by 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.

p. 87To Learning, J a love ſhould have,

Although one foot were in the Grave.

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 m…kes 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.

p. 88Good-fortune, will by thoſe abide,

In whom, True-vertue doth reſide.

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

(Caducaeus 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.

p. 89The Goſpel, thankefully imbrace;

For, God, vouchſafed us, this Grace.

DEVS NOBIS HAEC 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 MercieMercy, 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.

p. 90The Bees, will in an Helmet breed;

And, Peace, doth after Warre, ſucceed.

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.

p. 91The Heart of him, that is upright,

In Heavenly-knowledge, takes delight.

COR RECTV̄ 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.

p. 92Where, Labour, wiſely, is imploy'd,

Deſerved Glory, is injoy'd.

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.

p. 93Behold, you may, the Picture, here,

Of what, keepes Man, and Childe, in feare.

PVEROS CASTIGO VIROS QUE

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,

(VVhichWhich, 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.

p. 94Death's one long-Sleepe; and, Life's no more,

But one ſhort-Watch, an houre before.

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.

p. 95What ever God did fore-decree,

Shall, without faile, fulfilled be.

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 Cloſer, 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 MercieMercy; 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.

p. 96My Fortune, I had rather beare;

Then come, where greater perills are.

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.

p. 97The more contrary Windes doe blow,

The greater Vertues praiſe will grow.

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 Caeleſtiall-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.

p. 98Even as the Smoke doth paſſe away;

So, ſhall all Worldly-pompe decay.

SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI.

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.

p. 99Death, is unable to divide

Their Hearts, whoſe Hands True-love hath tyde.

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.

p. 100Falſe Weights, with Meaſures falſe eſchew,

And, give to ev'ry man, their Due.

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 fell, 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.

p. 101He needs not feare, what ſpight can doe,

Whom Vertue friends, and Fortune, too.

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!

p. 102Time, is a Fading-flowre, that's found

Within Eternities wide round.

ΑΙΩΝΙΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΣ ΚΑΙΡΟΝ.

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 Materiall, 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 Scaene,

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.

p. 103When great Attempts are undergone,

Ioyne Strength and Wiſedome, both in one.

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.

p. 104The Ground brings forth all needfull, things;

But, from the Sunne, this vertue ſprings.

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.

p. 105No paſſage can divert the Courſe,

Of Pegaſus, the Muſes Horſe.

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 Ideas 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.

p. 106The Husbandman, doth ſow the Seeds;

And, then, on Hope, till Harveſt, feeds.

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 onelyonly 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.

p. 107Things, to their beſt perfection come,

Not all at once▪ but, ſome and ſome

POCO A POCO.

ILLVSTR. XLV. Book. 2

WHen, thou ſhalt viſit, in the MonethMonth 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 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, g…eat Honours, and, great Hopes, are loſt.

p. 108Affliction, doth to many adde

More value, then, before, they had.

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 Wordly-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 not, 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 Wordly-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.

p. 109Though Fortune, hath a powerfull Name,

Yet, Vertue overcomes the ſame.

VICTRIX FORTVNAE 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 Wiſd…me, 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.

p. 110A Life, with good-repute, Jle have,

Or, winne an honourable Grave.

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 onelyonly 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.