Emblems Ancient and Modern, Dedicatory poem 4 – Emblem 33

Emblems Ancient and Modern · Dedicatory poem 4 – Emblem 33

TO THE MOST ILLVSTRIOVS Princeſſe, FRANCIS, Dutcheſſe Dowager of RICHMOND, and LENNOX, &c.

FAME ſayes (great PRINCESSE) that the Pow'rs-above,

Will ſoone forgive; which, I deſire to prove:

For, I am guiltie of a Venial-ſinne

Againſt your GRACE; and, have remain'd therein

Without an Abſolution, ſo long time,

That, now, my Conſcience checks me for the Crime;

And, to reprove me for it, will not ceaſe

Till I have, ſomeway, ſought to make my Peace.

To palliate my Fault, I could produce

Enough, perhaps, to ſtand for an Excuſe.

But, when I mind what Favours, and what Fame

I might have purchaſed unto my Name,

(By taking Courage, to have done my beſt)

I dare not make Excuſes; but, requeſt

Your pardon, rather, and, that ſome Oblation

May gaine my Perſon, future acceptation.

To that intent, this humble Offring, here,

Within your gracious preſence, doth appeare.

And, that it may the more content your eye;

Well-graven Figures, help to beautifie

My lowly Gift: And, vailed are in theſe,

A Treaſury of Golden Sentences;

By my well-meaning Muſe, interpreted,

That, with your NAME, their Morals may be ſpread,

And ſcattred, Largeſſe-like, (at your commanding)

To helpe inrich the Poore in Vnderſtanding.

If YOV accept the Tender, I ſhall know,

Your GRACE is pleaſed with your Servant, ſo,

As, that there may be hope, my future Actions,

Will give the more contenting Satisfactions:

And, your Encouragements, my Pow'rs may raiſe,

To make the BEAVTIES of your Later dayes,

More glorious, far, than your freſh YOVTH's perfection,

Though, knowne to be, the Load-ſtone of Affection.

For, like the loving TVRTLE, you have ſtood

So conſtant, in your vowed Widdow-hood;

So ſtrictly, kept a ſolitarie ſtate;

So faithfull beene, to your deceaſed MATE;

So firmly true, and truly kinde, to them,

Which are the Branches of his Princely-ſtemme;

And, perſonated in ſo high a Straine,

The parts of HONOVR; that, my ruſticke vaine,

Muſt raiſed be, before it can aſcend

To ſay, how much, your Fame, doth you commend.

Yet, if theſe Lines, (or, that they Vſher in)

For me, ſome Paſſage may, anew, begin

To your Eſteeme; I, may ſo happily,

Illuſtrate forth, the Golden-Hiſtory

Of thoſe Affections, which within your Breſt,

Have to the world remained unexpreſt.

That, future times, to your applauſe may reade,

The matchleſſe Paterne of a Widdowed-bed,

Which you have drawne, for thoſe to imitate

Who can; and, for the reſt to wonder at.

For, what (thereto) yet wanteth, in my Muſe,

Your GRACE, as my Minerva, may infuſe.

Nor, will it be in vaine, to ſhew the worth

Of thoſe Perfections, truly blazed forth,

Which you may perſonate: Nor, ſhall it be

To your Content unuſefull, when you ſee

The Beſt part of your ſelfe, (as in a Glaſſe)

Diſcloſed, and ſet up, before your GRACE,

To repreſent thoſe Beauties, wherein lurkes,

More ſweetneſſe, than in Picture-drawers Workes;

And ſhew, how temp'rall Glor…es, and Affections,

Have hourely ripened you, for thoſe Perfections

That, make Immortall; and, which are that End,

Whereto, all Earthly Graces, ought to tend.

Then, if your EXCELLENCE, deſire to heare,

Thoſe MVSES, honour you, whoſe prayſes; are

Attending Vertue; and, ſhall pleaſe to live

That Life of Glory, which my Verſe can give;

Your GRACES favour, (when you pleaſe) hath pow'rs

To make both MEE, and all my Muſes yours.

And, wee are hopefull, that, ſo well wee know

Your Merits, and thoſe Duties, which wee owe,

That, wee ſhall raiſe, your HONOVR'S Trophies high,

Though, Wee our ſelves, upon the pavement lie.

Thus, I have made mine Offring; and I ſtand

Attending, now, to kiſſe your GRACES hand.

Your GRACES in all humilitie, GEO: WITHER.

TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY Prince, JAMES, Duke of LENNOX, &c.

VVHen Richmond, your, beloved, Vnkle, liv'd,

(For whoſe departure, all this Empire griev'd,

And, yet laments) his GRACE did not refuſe

To deigne reſpects, to my obſcured MVSE;

Nor ſcorne, from Higheſt-worth, to ſtoope ſo low,

As, mee, in my deſpiſedneſſe, to know:

And, had not Baſhfulneſſe reſtrain'd my Wit,

From preſſing-on, (when he incourag'd it,)

My PEGASVS, had learn'd, e're now, to riſe,

Which, yet, with lame, and ſickly Feathers flies.

But, HEE hath left us; and, I thought not on

The loſſe I had of HIM, till he was gone;

Nor could I dreame, till he did hence aſcend,

What t'was to want an Honourable-friend:

Nor, what they feele, whom Fate conſtraines, to tarry

On ſtormy Plaines, without a SANCTVARIE.

Aſſoone, as from among us, he made wing,

My Hopes did waine, and, I began to ſing

A Mournfull-ſong, not eaſie to forget;

Becauſe, I beare the burthen of it, yet.

Nor was I ſilent (though my Epicede

Appear'd not, for the publike eye to reade)

But, griev'd in private, as one wanting Art,

To give, the Life of praiſe, to his deſart:

Which, if I could have equall'd with his Name,

His Death had gain'd my Verſe, a living-Fame.

And, why expreſſe I this? except it give

Your GRACE, a fit occaſion to perceive,

That, my decayed Hopes I would renew,

And, faine derive them downe, from HIM to YOV?

That, as you branched from his Princely Stemme;

(Are, honour'd with his Ducall-Diadem)

And, imitate his Vertue; So, you might

Be Lord, in mee, of that, which was his right:

And, for his Noble ſake, vouchſafe to own

A Servant, which, to you, is yet unknowne.

As Prologue, to the ſervice I intend,

This PRESENT comes; and, without Hope, or End,

Of gaining further Grace, or more Eſteeme,

Than may, with humbleſt modeſtie, beſeeme

His Love, and Honeſt-meaning, to expect,

Whoſe, Merits have, no viſible effect,

Conducing to your profit; and, from whom

The beſt of his intents, are yet to come.

I cannot thinke, theſe Lots, or Emblems, are

So worthy in themſelves, as they'l appeare

In your acceptance; Or, that they can give,

Such Grace to YOV, as they'l from you receive.

Yet, if YOV pleaſe, they may be, otherwhile,

A profitable Meanes, to help beguile

A Melancholy thought; And, have the pow'r

To ſhorten (without loſſe) a tedious howre.

Sometime (no doubt) content you are in walke

In Artleſſe Groves; Or, to admit the talke

Of Ruſtick Swaines (though ev'ry day you might

Your ſelf in well-trim'd garden-bowr's, delight,

Or, heare the learnedſt Muſes, when you pleaſe;)

Ev'n ſo, for change you may, perhaps, in theſe

A Recreation finde; and, in ſome meaſure,

A Profit, intermixed with your Pleaſure.

I will not make my Promiſes too large,

Leſt, my Performances, they overcharge

With Expectation: but, I leave them, SIR,

To Bee, and to be thought, the ſame they are.

And, if your EXCELLENCE, (when you behold

The Ground whereon I firſt became ſo bold,

To make this Entrance) ſhall vouchſafe to daigne

Thoſe Favours, which, I dare not thinke to gaine

By Meer-deſerving; you may then, perchance,

My Willingneſſe, to Ableneſſe advance:

And reap in Mee (when ripened they are grown)

Some timely fruits, of that, which you have ſown.

Till then, let it ſuffice, that I profeſſe

A cheerefull, and a thankfull Readineſſe

To honour YOV; and, openly to ſhow

The Dutie, which, it may appeare, I owe

To HIM that's gone. And, let your GRACE deſcend

To take this Pledge, of what I more intend.

Who am in all humilitie Your GRACES to be commanded, GEO: WITHER.

If well thou doſt, and well intend,

Thou ſhalt be crowned, in the end.

SI RECTE FACIES.

ILLVSTR. I. Book. 3

WHen, many, for the chiefeſt Garland runne,

That height of Glory, can befall but one;

Yet, Wreaths there are, for ev'ry man prepar'd,

According as he meriteth reward:

And, though the Worke deſerveth little meed,

Grace, prints a worth, on ev'ry willing-deed,

Which formes it currant; and, doth gratious make

Man's weake endeavours, for GOD's promiſe ſake.

All ſeeke the ſelfe-ſame prize; but, doe not ſeeke,

With mendes, and, with endeavours, all alike.

Moſt, with the Wreath; but, few thoſe things will doe,

That may be helpfull to attaine thereto:

And, ſome (that will be doing) more delight

In doing their owne will, then doing right.

One, thinkes by airie titles, to atchieve

The Palme he ſeekes; Another, doth believe

Tis gain'd, by giving to his Appetite,

The fulneſſe of his Bodies vaine delight:

To reach their aime, ſome others nouriſh hopes,

By ſcrambling up unto the dunghill-tops;

Of temp'rall Riches: and, of all the wayes,

Moſt thinke this courſe deſerves the greateſt praiſe.

But, this our Emblem's Motto, doth implie,

That, nothing Man poſſeſſeth outwardly

Can purchaſe him the Crowne, that ſhould be ſought,

Like rightly-doing, what is rightly-taught.

And, that, God never paſſed any doome.

To barre their bleſſe, who righteous would become:

For, ev'n to Cain he ſaid (of ſinne detected)

If well thou doſt, thou ſhalt be well reſpected.

p. 136A little Wit, may ſtand in ſtead,

When Strength doth faile, in time of need.

SUPERAT SOLERTIA VIRES.

ILLVSTR. II. Book. 3

THe Squirrell, when ſhee muſt goe ſeeke her food,

By making paſſage through ſome neighb'ring flood,

(And feares to be devoured by the Streame)

Thus, helpes her weakneſſe, by a Stratagem.

On blocks, or chips, which on the waves doe flote,

She nimbly leaps; and, making them her boate

(By helpe of Windes, of Current, and of Tide)

Is wafred over to the further ſide.

Thus, that, which for the Body proves unfit,

Muſt often be acquired by the Wit.

And, what our ou…ward Fortu…es ſhall denye,

Our providence muſt labour to ſupply.

Thoſe Caſualties, which may our need befriend,

We ſhould with heedfull diligence attend;

And, watch to ſeize thoſe oppurtunities,

Which, men of abler fortunes may deſpiſe.

Some Birds, when they an Oyſter would unlock,

Mount up, and let it fall upon a Rock;

And, when the Cockles on the Shores lye gaſping,

(At ev'… Tides approach their Shells unclaſping)

Crowes caſt in Pebles, and ſo take that meat

By craft, which by their force they could not get.

Wee, by indeav'ring thus, may gaine, at length,

That, which at firſt appeares above our ſtrength.

By little Scr…wes an entrance we may make,

Where Barres of Iron cannot paſſage breake.

Small Engines lift huge weights; and, we have heard,

That one Wiſe-man (though poore without regard)

May ſave a City, when the Men of Warre,

And, all their Captaines, at a non plus are.

p. 137To Kings, both Sword and Mace pertaine;

And, theſe they doe not beare in vaine.

NON SINE CAUSA.

ILLVSTR. III. Book. 3

WHen thou behold'ſt, upon a Day of State,

The King (or, ſome inferiour Magiſtrate)

Walke forth in publicke, and the royall Mac…,

The Sword, or Scepter borne before his face:

Suppoſe thou not, that thoſe are carried, ſo,

In oſtentation, or for idle ſhow.

Theſe vulgar Emblems, are ſignificant;

And, that authority, which Princes grant

To Bodies politicke, was, heretofore

Declared, by thoſe Enſignes, which they bore.

The bruzing Mace (although, perhaps, with us,

It be not in theſe times, reſtrained thus)

That branch of Royall-power did ſignifie,

Which doth by Fines, or loſſe of liberty,

Correct Offenders. By the Sword, they meant,

That larger branch of pow'r, to repreſent,

Which takes the Malefactors life away;

And, armes itſelfe; when Rebells diſobay.

As often, therefore, as thou ſhalt eſpie

Such Hieroglyphickes of Authority;

Be mindefull, and advis'd (how meane ſoere

The Perſons, or the Places may appeare,

Who get this pow'r) that ſtill thou honour them:

Leſt, thou in thoſe, the pow'r of God contemne.

If not for theirs, yet for thy Sov'raignes cauſe,

Whom theſe doe perſonate; Or, for the Lawes,

(Which threaten puniſhment) thy ſelfe ſubmit;

And, ſuffer what Authority thinkes fit:

For, whatſoere they be that guide the Reyne,

He, gave the pow'r, who gave it, not, in vaine.

p. 138He, that concealed things will finde,

Muſt looke before him, and behinde.

PANDO RECONDITA.

ILLVSTR. IV. Book. 3

THat Head, which in his Temple, heretofore,

The well-knowne figure of old Ianus bore,

Retain'd the forme, which pictur'd here you finde;

A Face before him, and a Face behinde.

And this old Hieroglyphicke doth comprize

A multitude of Heatheniſh Myſteries;

Which, wee omitting, will inſiſt on what

This Emblem's Motto, chiefely poynteth at.

In true Divinity, 'tis God alone,

To whom, all hidden things are truely knowne.

Hee, onelyonly, is that ever-preſent-being,

Who, by the vertue of his pow'r all-ſeeing,

Beholds, at one aſpect, all things that are,

That ever ſhall be, and that ever were.

But, in a Morall-ſenſe, we may apply

This double-face, that man to ſignifie,

Who (whatſoere he undertakes to doe)

Lookes, both before him, and behinde him, too.

For, he ſhall never fruitfully forecaſt

Affa… to come, who mindes not what is paſt:

And, ſuch as doe not, oft, before them looke,

May loſe the labour, that's already tooke.

By, ſometimes, looking backward, we behold

Thoſe things, which have been done in times of old;

By looking wiſely forward, we foreſee

Such matters, as in future-times will bee:

And, thus, we doe not onelyonly fruits receive,

From that ſhort ſpace of time, in which we live;

But, by this meanes, we likewiſe have a ſhare,

In times to come, and, times that paſſed are.

p. 139Good Fortune will with him abide,

That hath true Vertue, for his guide.

VIRTUTE DUCE COMITE FORTUNA

ILLVSTR. V. Book. 3

THe Gryphon, is the figure of a creature,

Not found within the Catalogues of Nature:

But, by thoſe Wits created, who, to ſhew

Internall things, externall Figures drew:

The Shape, in which this Fiction they expreſt,

Was borrow'd from a Fowle, and, from a Beaſt;

Importing (when their parts were thus combin'd)

The Vertues, both of Body, and of minde:

And, Men are ſayd on Gryphons backes to ride,

When thoſe mixt Vertues, them have dignify'd.

The Stone (this Brute ſupporting) may expreſſe

The firme abiding, and the ſolidneſſe

Of all true Vertues. That, long-winged Ball,

Which doth appeare faſt-linked therewithall,

The gifts of changing Fortune, doe implye:

And, all thoſe things together, ſignifie,

That, when by ſuch-like Vertues Men are guided,

Good Fortune cannot be from them divided.

If this be true (as true I this believe)

Why ſhould wee murmure, why repine, or grieve,

As if our Studies, or our honeſt paines,

Deprived were of ſome deſerved gaines?

Why ſhould we thinke the world hath done us wrong,

Becauſe wee are not regiſter'd among

Thoſe thriving men, who purſe up evr'y day,

For twelve houres labour more then twelve months pay?

If wee our paines rewarded cannot ſee,

Wee count our Merits greater then they be.

But if we bide content, our worth is more;

And rich we are, though others think us poore.

p. 140When proſperous our Affaires doe growe;

God's Grace it is, that makes them ſo.

FLOREBO PROSPICIENTE DEO.

ILLVSTR. VI. Book. 3

SVch pleaſant Flowres, as here are ſhadow'd out

(Full-grown, well trim'd, and ſtrongly fenc'd about)

At firſt, perchance, had planting (where they ſtand)

And, husbanding, by ſome good Gard'ners hand:

But, when to perfect ripeneſſe, they are grown,

(And, ſpread forth leaves, and bloſſomes, fully blowne)

They draw it from the Vertue of the Sunne,

Which worketh, when the Gard'ners worke is done:

For, loſt were all his Travaile, and his praiſe,

Vnleſſe that Planet cheare them with his rayes.

In this our Pilgrimage, it fares with us

(In all our hopes, and all our labours) thus.

For, whatſoever bus'neſſe wee intend,

On God, our good ſucceſſes doe depend.

Our Hands may build; but, ſtructures vaine we make,

Till God, to be Chiefe builder, undertake.

To wall a City, wee may beare the coſt;

But, he mu…t guard it, or, the Towne is loſt:

The Plow-man uſeth diligence to ſowe;

But, God muſt bleſſe it, or, no Corne will grow:

Yea, though Paul plant, and, though Apollo water,

They ſpend their ſweat, upon a fruitleſſe matter,

Till God, from heaven, their labours pleaſe to bleſſe,

And crowne their travailes, with a good increaſe.

Let, therefore, thoſe that flouriſh, like this Flowre,

(And, may be wither'd, e're another houre)

Give God the praiſe, for making of their Seeds

Bring forth ſweet Flowres, that, elſe, had proved Weeds:

And, me deſpiſe not, though I thrive not ſo;

For, when, God pleaſeth, I ſhall flouriſh too.

p. 141If thou thy Duties truely doe,

Of thy Reward, be hopefull too.

FAC ET SPERA.

ILLVSTR. VII. Book. 3

SOme Sects are found, who ſo believing be,

They thinke themſelves from legall-workings free;

And, ſo they live, as if they ſtood in feare

That, with Good-works, their God offended were.

Another ſort we know, who credit not,

That any hope of MercieMercy can be got,

Till they themſelves, by their externall-deed,

Have merited the favours they ſhall need:

And, ſo they prize their workings; that, for Grace,

They ſeeme to diſallow all uſefull place.

Both ſorts, their errours may be purged from,

When to the Fiery-tryall they ſhall come.

So, likewiſe, may another Faction too,

That erre more deadly then theſe former doe.

Theſe doe (forſooth) affirme, that God's decree

Before all Worlds (what Words can fouler be?)

D…barr'd the greateſt part of humane-race,

Without reſpecting ſinne, from hope of Grace;

And, that, howere this number ſhall indeaver,

They muſt continue Reprobates, for ever.

The firſt, are errours of Impiety;

But, this, aſcends the top of blaſphemy;

Diſpoyles Religion wholly of her fruits;

And, wrongeth God in all his Attributes.

Theſe Errours, therefore ſhunne; and, ſo believe,

That wee thy Faith, may by thy Workes perceive.

So worke, that thy believing may approve

Thou wrought'ſt not for thy Wages; but, for love.

For (whatſoe're thou be) if thus thou doe,

Thou mayſt have hopes, and, God will grant them too.

p. 142By Wiſedome, things which paſſe away,

Are beſt preſerved from decay.

RERUM SAPIENTIA CUSTOS.

ILLVSTR. VIII. Book. 3

THe Laurell, which is given for a Crowne

(To men deſerving Glory, and renowne)

Is figur'd here, thoſe noble deeds to ſhow,

For which, the Wreaths of Honour, we beſtow.

Two Serpents (WISDOME'S Emblems) twiſted are

About this branch of Lawrell, to declare,

That, Wiſdome is the ſu…eſt meanes to ſave

Our Names and Actions, from Oblivion's Grave.

The Snakes are two, perhaps, to ſignifie

That Morall-wit, and Chriſtian policie

(Vnited both together) doe contrive

The ſafeſt guard, and beſt preſervative.

Conſider this, all yee, that truſt your Names

To Marble Monuments; or, mount your Fames

By thoſe poore meanes, which Fooles and Knaves purſue;

And, may effect as eaſily as you:

Nay, with more eaſe; and, overtop you too,

When you have done the beſt, your wits can doe.

I ſay, conſider this; and, let the Pen

Of learned, wiſe, and underſtanding men,

Renowne your worths, and regiſter the ſtory

Of your deſerved, and, well-gotten glory;

L…ſt, elſe, it ſuffer cloſe-impriſonments,

Within the walls of ſuch poore Monuments,

As oft are built, to leave it quite forgotten,

Whoſe bones they cover'd, e're thoſe bones be rotten.

But, you ſhall beſt preſerve your Honeſt-fame,

Your Workes, your Hopes, and Honours of your Name,

If you your ſelves be wiſe; and, ſo provide

That Prudence, all your Workes, and Speeches guide.

p. 143Good Hopes, we beſt accompliſh may,

By lab'ring in a conſtant-Way.

LABORE ET CONSTANTIA.

ILLVSTR. IX. Book. 3

SOme Folkes there are, (and many men ſuppoſe,

That I my ſelfe, may paſſe for one of thoſe)

Who many likely Buſineſſes intend,

Yet, bring but very few, unto an end.

Which folly to prevent, this Emblem, here,

Did in a luckie houre, perhaps, appeare.

For, as to draw a Circle, with our hand,

We cauſe the brazen Compaſſes to ſtand

With one foot firmely fixed one the ground;

And move the other in a Conſtant-round:

Right ſo, when we ſhall purpoſe to proceed

In any ju…t, and profitable deed,

We firſt, ſhould by a conſtant-reſolution,

Stand firme, to what we put in execution:

And, then, with perſeverance, labour out

Thoſe workings, which we are employ'd about.

For, we with conſtant-liking, muſt elect

Thoſe Buſineſſes, we purpoſe to effect:

Or els, our time, our labour, and our coſt,

Will, oft, be much in vaine, or wholly loſt.

With conſtant-labour, we muſt follow, too,

Thoſe things, which we reſolved are to do;

Or, els, our hopes will never be effected,

How warily ſoe're we have projected.

Long Iourneys I abhorre; yet, otherwhile

I meane a Furlong, and performe a Mile.

I greatly feare Long-labours to begin;

Yet, ſome I finiſh, when I'me entred in:

And, if in Labour, I more conſtant grow,

How I improve, hereafter, you ſhall know.

p. 144Ere thou a fruitfull-Cropp ſhalt ſee,

Thy ground muſt plough'd and harro'wd be.

EVERTIT ET AEQUAT.

ILLVSTR. X. Book. 3

BEfore the Plowman hopefull can be made,

His untill'd earth good Hay or Corne will yeeld,

He breakes the hillocks downe, with Plough or Spade;

And, harrowes over, all the cloddie Field.

Then, from the leaveld-ground, at laſt, he mowes

That Cropp of graſſe, which he had hope to gaine;

Or, there, doth reape the fruit of what he ſowes,

With profit, which contents him for his paine.

Our craggle-Nature muſt be tilled, thus,

Before it will, for Herbes of Grace, be fit.

Our high-conceit, muſt downe be broke in us;

Our heart is proud, and God muſt humble it.

Before good Seed, in us will rooting take,

Afflictions ploughes and harrowes, muſt prepare us:

And, that the truer levell, he may make,

When we are ſunck too low, Gods hand muſt reare us.

Then, neither ſtormings of Adverſitie,

Shall drowne the Seedes of Hope, which we have ſowne;

Nor ſhall the Sunne-beames of Proſperitie,

Drie up their moiſture, ere they ripe are growne.

Oh Lord, thou know'ſt the nature of my minde;

Thou know'ſt my bodyes tempers what they are;

And, by what meanes, they ſhall be beſt inclin'de

Such Fruits to yeeld, as they were made to beare.

My barren Soule, therefore, manure thou ſo;

So, harrow it; ſo emptie, and ſo fill;

So raiſe it up, and bring it downe, ſo low

As beſt may lay it levell to thy Will.

In this Deſire, the worke is well begunne;

Say thou the Word, and all is fully …one.

p. 145True Knowledge is a conſtant Friend,

Whoſe Friendſhip, never ſhall have end.

SCIENTIA IMMUTABILIS.

ILLVSTR. XI. Book. 3

BY viewing this fixt-Head, enwreath'd with Bayes,

(And, what the Motto round about it ſayes)

Your Apprehenſion's, eye, may partly ſee

What conſtant Vertues, in true Knowledge be.

For, if right plac'd it be, it ever will

Continue in the ſame condition, ſtill:

And, though it make mens manners to be chang'd;

Yet, never is it, from it ſelfe, eſtrang'd:

Nor doth, nor can it, ceaſe to be a Friend,

What Fate ſoever, ſhall on us attend.

When Wealth is loſt, or faileth to beſteed us;

Shee findes out honeſt meanes to cloath and feede us.

In farre, and forraigne Lands, ſhee will become,

As kinde, and as familiar, as at home;

And, travelleth, without the coſtly cumber,

Of Carriages, or Clokebagges full of Lumber.

No Place can from our preſence, her encloſe;

Nor is ſhe frighted from us by our Foes.

No Pickthankes, of her Favours, can bereave us;

No Promiſes, can woo her to deceive us.

In Youth, in Age, in Sickeneſſe, and in Griefe,

Shee bringeth Conſolation and reliefe:

And, is in all eſtates, a bleſſing to us,

So conſtant (and ſo apt, all helpes to doe us)

That, he for whom, ſuch Knowledge, God provideth,

Enjoyes a Friend, that alwaies firme abideth.

Lord, I am friendleſſe left; therefore, to me,

This Knowledge, and this Friend, vouchſafe to bee:

For, thou that Wiſdome art, (from heav'n deſcending)

Which, neither hath beginning, change, nor ending,

p. 146By Studiouſneſſe, in Vertue's waies

Men gaine an univerſall-praiſe.

VIRTUTE AC STUDIO PER ORBEM FAMA PERPETUA COMPARATUR.

ILLVSTR. XII. Book. 3

WHen Emblems, of too many parts conſiſt,

Their Author was no choice Emblematiſt:

But, is like thoſe, that waſt whole howres, to tell

What, in three minutes, might be ſaid as well.

Yet, when each member is interpreted,

Out of theſe vulgar Figures, you may read

A Morall, (altogether) not unfit

To be remembred, ev'n, by men of wit.

And, if the Kernell proove to be of worth,

No matter from what ſhell we drew it forth.

The Square whereon the Globe is placed, here,

Muſt Vertue be; That Globe upon the Square,

Muſt meane the World; The Figure, in the Round,

(Which in appearance doth her Trumpet ſound)

Was made for Fame; The Booke ſhe beares, may ſhow,

What Breath it is, which makes her Trumpet blow:

The Wreath, incloſing all, was to intend

A glorious Praiſe, that never ſhall have end:

And, theſe, in one ſumm'd up, doe ſeeme to ſay;

That, (if men ſtudy in a vertuous-way)

The Trumpet of a never-ceaſing Fame,

Shall through the world proclaime their praiſefull Name.

Now Reader, if large Fame, be thy ambition,

This Emblem doth informe, on what condition

She may be gain'd. But, (herein, me beleeve)

Thy ſtudie for meere-praiſe, will thee deceive:

And, if thy Vertues, be, but onelyonly, thoſe

For which the vulgar Fame, her Trumpet blowes,

Thy Fame's a blaſt; Thy Vertues, Vices be;

Thy Studie's vaine; and, ſhame will follow thee.

p. 147Above thy Knowledge, doe not riſe,

But, with Sobrietie, be wiſe,

NOLI ALTUM SAPERE.

ILLVSTR. XIII. Book. 3

EXalt thou not thy ſelfe, though, plac'd thou be,

VponUpon the topp of that old Olive-tree,

From whence the nat'rall branches prun'd have bin,

That, thou, the better, mightſt be grafted in.

Be not ſo over-wiſe, as to preſume

The Gard'ner, for thy goodneſſe, did aſſume

Thy ſmall Crab-Olive, to inſert it, there,

Where, once, the ſweeteſt-berries, growing were:

Nor let thy Pride thoſe few old-boughes contemne,

Which, yet, remaine upon their ancient Stemme;

Becauſe, thy new-incorporated Sprayes,

Doe more enjoy the Sunnes refreſhing raies:

But, humbled rather, and, more awfull bee;

Leſt, hee that cut off them, doe breake downe thee.

Be wiſe, in what may to thy good, belong;

But, ſeeke not Knowledge, to thy neighbours wrong:

Be thankefull for the Grace thou haſt receiv'd,

But, judge not thoſe, who ſeeme thereof bereav'd;

Nor into thoſe forbidden ſecrets peepe,

Which God-Almighty, to himſelfe doth keepe.

Remember what our Father Adam found,

When he for Knowledge, ſought beyond his bound.

For, doubtleſſe, ever ſince, both good and ill

Are left with Knowledge, intermingled ſtill;

And, (if we be not humble, meeke, and warie)

We are in daily danger, to miſcary.

Large, proves the fruit which on the Earth doth lie;

Windes, breake the twigge, that's grafted over-high;

And, he that will, beyond his bounds, be wiſe,

Becomes a very Foole, before he dies.

p. 148When each man keepes unto his Trade,

Then, all things better will be made.

TRACTANT FABRILIA FABRI.

ILLVSTR. XIV. Book. 3

WE more ſhould thrive, and erre the ſeldomer,

If we were like this honeſt Carpenter,

Whoſe Emblem, in reproofe of thoſe, is made,

That love to meddle, farther then their Trade.

But, moſt are now exceeding cunning growne

In ev'ry mans affaires, except their owne:

Yea, Coblers thinke themſelves not onelyonly able,

To cenſure; but, to mend Apelles Table.

Great-Men, ſometime, will gravely undertake

To teach, how Broomes and Morter, we ſhould make.

Their Indiſcretions, Peaſants imitate,

And boldly meddle with affaires of State.

Some Houſwives teach their Teachers how to pray,

Some Clarks, have ſhew'd themſelves, as wife as they;

And in their Callings, as diſcreet have bin,

As if they taught their Grandames how to ſpinne:

And, if theſe Cuſtomes, laſt a few more Ages,

All Countries will be nothing els, but Stages

Of evill-acted, and miſtaken parts;

Or, Gallemaufries, of imperfect Arts.

But, I my ſelfe (you'l ſay) have medlings made,

In things, that are improper to my Trade.

No; for, the MVSES are in all things free;

Fit ſubject of their Verſe, all Creatures be;

And, there is nothing nam'd ſo meane, or great,

Whereof they have not Liberty to treat.

Both Earth and Heav'n, are open unto theſe;

And (when to take more libertie they pleaſe)

They Worlds, and things, create, which never were;

And, when they liſt, they play, and meddle, there.

p. 149A Shepherd carefull of the Sheepe,

At all times, faithfull Watch doth keepe.

NON DORMIT QUI CUSTODIT.

ILLVSTR. XV. Book. 3

THe Figure of a Storke in elder dayes,

Was us'd in Hieroglyphick, many wayes:

But, when one Foote, thus graſp'd a Peple-ſtone,

The other being firmely fixed on

The Staffe Epiſcopall; in that poſition,

It makes an Emblem, of a late edition:

By ſome, thought not improper, to expreſſe

Their painefull, and their ſerious, watchfulneſſe,

Who take upon themſelves, the Paſtorall care;

And, in that Function, truely watchfull are.

The Shepherds-Crooke, doth ſome expreſſion make

Of that regard, which, of their Flocks, they take.

The Peble in the Foote, doth ſeeme to ſhowe,

That, theſe muſt farther diligence beſtowe,

(And, uſe their utmoſt pow…r) themſelves to keepe

From ſlothfull Eaſe; and from intemp'rate ſleepe:

For, he that hath ſuch Duties undertooke,

(And, muſt the lives of others overlooke)

Shall finde himſelfe, unto himſelfe become

A burthen, and a Charge more troubleſome

Th…n all his Flocke, unles, he ſtill provide

His owne, aſwell as others waies, to guide.

Now, though this Emblems Morall doth concerne

The Clergie moſt; yet, hence we all may learne

Strict watch to keepe; ſince, unto all that bee,

A Watchmans place belongs, in ſome degree.

Which, to diſcharge, if wee endeavour, ſtill,

Our univerſall Shepherd aide us will,

And us from harmes and error he will keepe,

For, Hee that guardeth Iſr'ell doth not ſleepe.

p. 150Our Dayes, untill our Life hath end,

In Labours, and in Hopes, wee ſpend.

IN SPE ET LABORE TRANSIGO VITAM.

ILLVSTR. XVI. Book. 3

AS ſoone as our firſt Parents diſobey'd,

Forthwith a Curſe, for their offence, was layd,

Inforcing them, and their ſucceeding race,

To get their Food, with ſweatings of the Face.

But, afterward, this Doome to mitigate,

(And eaſe the miſeries of their eſtate)

God gave them Hope, that ſhe might helpe them beare

The burthens of their Travaile, and their care.

A Woman with an Anchor, and a Spade,

An Emblem of that Myſtery is made:

And, this Eſtate, wee all continue in,

By God's free MercieMercy, and our proper Sinne.

By Sinne, the Labour is on us intail'd;

By Grace, it is, that Hoping hath not fail'd;

And, if in Hope, our Labours wee attend,

That Curſe will prove a Bleſsing, in the end.

My Lot is Hope, and Labour; and, betweene

Theſe Two, my Life-time hath prolonged beene:

Yet, hitherto, the beſt of all my Paine,

With moſt of all my Hopes have beene in vaine;

And to the VVorld-ward, I am like to waſt

My time in fruitleſſe labours, till the laſt.

However, I have ſtill my Hopes as faire

As hee, that hath no temptings to Deſpaire;

And, change I will not, my laſt howres for theirs,

Whoſe Fortune, more deſirable appeares;

Nor ceaſe to Hope and Labour, though, of moſt,

My Hope and Labour be adjudged loſt:

For, though I loſe the ſhaddow of my Paines,

The ſtubstance of it, ſtill, in God, remaines.

p. 151Man's life, no Temper, more doth bleſſe,

Then Simple-prudent-harmeleſſeneſſe.

PRUDENTE SIMPLICITATE.

ILLVSTR. XVII. Book. 3

WHen from the harmeleſſe Turt…e, and the Snake,

Their moſt commended properties wee take,

(And, mixe them well) they make a compoſition,

Which yeelds a temper of the beſt condition.

Yet, wickedneſſe, or ſorrow, doth abound,

Where, any one of theſe, alone, is found:

For, whenſoe're the Serpents-braine we find,

With which, there is no Dove like-mockeneſſe joyn'd,

(Without all peradventure) thence proceedes,

All harmefull fraud, and all injurious deedes.

And, where ſuch meekeneſſe as doth ſeeme to be

In harmeleſſe Doves, divided you ſhall ſee

From that diſcretion, and that policie,

Which in the Serpents head, is thought to lie;

They liable to ev'ry wrong become;

And, to it ſelfe, make Vertue burthenſome.

But, where theſe two are ioyned, they procure

A life ſo ſweet, ſo rich, and ſo ſecure,

That, all the pow'rs of Malice cannot ſhake

Their out-workes, nor within them, terrors make.

Vouchſafe thou oh my God! vouchſafe, in me,

That theſe two Vertues may vnited be.

Such Prudence give, as never will diſdaine

The Dove-like Innocencie, to retaine.

That meekeneſſe, grant me, which delighteth not,

It ſelfe, with indiſcretion, to beſot:

But, let theſe two, each other ſo defend,

And, ſo, in me continue, till my end,

That, ſimple p…udence, I may ſtill poſſeſſe,

Although the World ſhall count it fooliſhneſſe.

p. 152Where er'e we dwell, the Heav'ns are neere;

Let us but fly, and wee are there.

TRANSITUS CELER EST ET AVOLAMUS.

ILLVSTR. XVIII. Book. 3

WHy, with a trembling faintneſſe, ſhould we feare

The face of Death? and, fondly linger here,

As if we thought the Voyage to be gone

Lay through the ſhades of Styx or Acheron?

Or, that we either were to travell downe

To uncouth Deapthes, or up ſome heights unknowne?

Or, to ſome place remote, whoſe neareſt end

Is farther then Earths limits doe extend?

It is not by one halfe that diſtance, thither

Where Death, lets in, as it is any whither:

No not by halfe ſo farre, as to your bed;

Or, to that place, where you ſhould reſt your head,

If on the ground you layd your ſelfe (ev'n there)

Where at this moment you abiding are.

This Emblem ſhewes (if well you looke thereon)

That, from your Glaſſe of life, which is to run,

There's but one ſtep to Death; and, that you tread

At once, among the Living, and, the Dead.

In whatſoever Land, we live or die,

God is the ſame; And, Heav'n is, there, as nigh

As in that place, wherein, we moſt deſire

Our Soules, with our laſt breathing, to expire.

Which things, well heeding; let us not delay

Our Iourney, when we ſummon'd are away,

(As thoſe inforced Pilgrims uſe to doe,

That know not whither, nor, how farre they goe)

Nor let us dreame that we in Time, or Place,

Are farre from ending our uncertaine Race.

But, let us fixe on Heav'n, a faithfull eye,

And, ſtill, be flying thither, till wee die.

p. 153His Pace, muſt wary be, and ſlow,

That hath a Slippery-way to goe.

PEDE TENTIM.

ILLVSTR. XIX. Book. 3

A Travailer, when he muſt undertake

To ſeek his paſſage, o're ſome Frozen Lake,

With leiſure, and with care, he will aſſay

The glaſſy ſmoothneſſe of that Icie-way,

Leſt he may ſlip, by walking over-faſt;

Or, breake the crackling Pavement, by his haſt:

And, ſo (for want of better taking heed)

Incurre the miſchiefes of Vnwary-ſpeed.

We are all travellers; and, all of us

Have many paſſages, as dangerous,

As Frozen lakes; and, Slippery-wayes, we tread,

In which our Lives may ſoone be forfeited,

(With all our hopes of Life-eternall, too)

Unleſſe, we well conſider what we doe.

There is no private Way, or publicke Path,

But rubs, or holes, or ſlipp'tineſſe it hath,

Whereby, wee ſhall with Miſchiefes meet; unleſſe,

Wee walke it, with a ſtedfaſt-wartneſſe.

The ſteps to Honour, are on Pinacles

Compos'd of melting Snow, and Iſicles;

And, they who tread not nicely on their tops,

Shall on a ſuddaine ſlip from all their hopes.

Yea, ev'n that way, which is both ſure and holy,

And, leades the Minde from Vanities and Folly,

Is with ſo many other Path-wayes croſt,

As, that, by Raſhneſſe, it may ſoone be loſt;

Vnleſſe, we well deliberate, upon

Thoſe Tracts, in which our Anceſtours have gone:

And, they who with more haſte, then heed, will runne,

May loſe the way, in which they well begunne.

p. 154Our Pelican, by bleeding, thus,

Fulfill'd the Law, and cured VsUs.

PRO LEGE ET PRO GREGE.

ILLVSTR. XX. Book. 3

LOoke here, and marke (her ſickly birds to feed)

How freely this kinde Pelican doth bleed.

See, how (when other Salves could not be found)

To cure their ſorrowes, ſhe, her ſelfe doth wound;

And, when this holy Emblem, thou ſhalt ſee,

Lift up thy ſoule to him, who dy'd for thee.

For, this our Hieroglyphick would expreſſe

That Pelican, which in the Wilderneſſe

Of this vaſt World, was left (as all alone)

Our miſerable Nature to bemone;

And, in whoſe eyes, the teares of pitty ſtood,

When he beheld his owne unthankfull Brood

His Favours, and his Mercies, then, contemne,

When with his wings he would have brooded them:

And, ſought their endleſſe peace to have confirm'd,

Though, to procure his ruine, they were arm'd.

To be their Food, himſelfe he freely gave;

His Heart was pierc'd, that he their Soules might ſave.

Becauſe, they diſobey'd the Sacred-will,

He, did the Law of Righteouſneſſe fulfill;

And, to that end (though guiltleſſe he had bin)

Was offred, for our Vniverſall-ſinne.

Let mee Oh God! for ever, fixe mine eyes

VponUpon the Merit of that Sacrifize:

Let me retaine a due commemoration

Of thoſe deare Mercies, and that bloudy Paſsion,

Which here is meant; and, by true Faith, ſtill, feed

VponUpon the drops, this Pelican did bleed;

Yea, let me firme unto thy Law abide,

And, ever love that Flocke, for which he dy'd.

p. 155Bee Iuſt; for, neither Sea nor Land,

Shall hide thee from the Royall-hand.

DISCITE IUSTITIAM.

ILLVSTR. XXI. Book. 3

THat, which wee call the Sea-horſe, is a Creature,

Whereby the Prieſts of Aegypt, wonted were,

To typify an Ill-diſpoſed nature;

And, ſuch, as to their Parents, cruell are:

Becauſe, this Monſter (as their Authors write)

When ſtrong he growes, becommeth ſo ingrate,

That he purſues, with violent deſpight,

His old and weakly Sire, which him begate.

Contrariwiſe, the Storke, they figur'd, then,

When they occaſion had, to ſignifie

The good condition, of thoſe honeſt men,

Who pleaſure take, in workes of Piety:

Becauſe, the Storkes, not onelyonly harmed none,

But, holpe their aged Parents in their need;

And, thoſe offenſive Serpents, prey'd upon,

Which, in the Fennes of Aegypt, yearely, breed.

The Royall-Crowne, therefore, ſupporting thus

That pious Fowle, and overtopping, here,

The wicked, and the fierce Hyppotamus,

May ſerve to comfort, and to keep in feare.

For, it informes, that, if we pious grow,

And love our Princes (who thoſe Parents bee,

To whom all Subjects, filiall duties owe)

The bleſsings of their Favours, we ſhall ſee.

It ſhewes us, alſo, that, if we affect

Vnrighteous-wayes, no Wit, or Strength of our,

Nor any Vncouth-place, ſhall us protect

From being reached, by the Sov'raigne-power.

The way of Iuſtice, therefore, learne thou ſtill,

For love of Goodneſſe, or for feare of Ill.

p. 156Take wing, my Soule, and mount up higher;

For, Earth, fulfills not my Deſire.

NON EST MORTALE QUOD OPTO.

ILLVSTR. XXII. Book. 3

WHen Ganymed, himſelfe was purifying,

Great Iupiter, his naked beauty ſpying,

Sent forth his Aegle (from below to take him)

A bleſt Inhabitant, in Heav'n to make him:

And, there (as Poets feigned) he doth ſtill,

To Iove, and other God heads, Nectar fill.

Though this be but a Fable, of their feigning,

The Morall is a Reall truth, pertayning

To ev'ry one (which harbours a deſire

Above the Starry Circles, to aſpire.)

By Ga…ymed, the Soule is underſtood,

That's waſhed in the Purifying flood

Of ſacred Baptiſme (which doth make her ſeeme

Both pure and beautifull, in God's eſteeme.)

The Aegle, meanes that Heav'nly Contemplation,

Which, after Waſhings of Regeneration,

Lifts up the Minde, from things that earthly bee,

To view thoſe Objects, which Faith's Eyes doe ſee.

The Nectar, which is filled out, and given

To all the bleſt Inhabitants of Heaven,

Are thoſe Delights, which (Chriſt hath ſayd) they have,

When ſome Repentant ſoule beginnes to leave

Her foulneſſe; by renewing of her birth,

And, ſlighting all the Pleaſures of the Earth.

I aske not, Lord, thoſe Bleſsings to receive,

Which any Man hath pow'r to take, or give;

Nor, what this World affords; for, I contemne

Her Favours; and have ſeene the beſt of them:

Nay, Heav'n it ſelfe, will unſufficient bee,

Vnleſſe, Thou, alſo, give Thy ſelfe, to mee.

p. 157Through many ſpaces, Time doth run,

And, endeth, where it firſt begun.

IN SE SUA PER UESTIGIA UOLUITUR.

ILLVSTR. XXIII. Book. 3

OLd Sages by the Figure of the Snake

(Encircled thus) did oft expreſſion make

Of Annuall-Revolutions; and of things,

Which wheele about in everlaſting-rings;

There ending, where they firſt of all begun,

And, there beginning, where the Round was done.

Thus, doe the Planets; Thus, the Seaſons doe;

And, thus, doe many other Creatures, too.

By minutes, and by houres, the Spring ſteales in,

And, rolleth on, till Summer doth begin:

The Summer brings on Autumne, by degrees;

So ripening, that the eye of no man ſees

Her Entrances. That Seaſon, likewiſe, hath

To Winter ward, as leaſurely a path:

And, then, cold Winter wheeleth on amaine,

Vntill it bring: the Spring about againe,

With all thoſe Reſurrections, which appeare,

To wait upon her comming, every yeare.

Theſe Roundells, helpe to ſhew the Myſtery

Of that immenſe and bleſt Eternitie,

From whence the CREATVRE ſprung, and, into whom

It ſhall, againe, with full perfection come,

When thoſe Additions, it hath fully had,

Which all the ſev'rall Orbes of Time can add.

It is a full, and fairely written Scrowle,

Which up into it ſelfe, it ſelfe doth rowle;

And, by Vnfolding, and, Infolding, ſhowes

A Round, which n…ither End, nor entrance knowes.

And (by this Emblem) you may partly ſee,

Tis that which IS, but, cannot uttred be.

p. 158Each Day a Line, ſmall tasks appeares:

Yet, much it makes in threeſcore Yeares.

NULLA DIES SINE LINEA.

ILLVSTR. XXIV. Book. 3

HEre's but one Line; and, but one Line a Day,

Is all that taske our Motto, ſeemes to lay:

And; that is thought, perhaps, a thing ſo ſmall,

As if it were as good bee nought at all.

But, be not ſo deceiv'd; For, oft you ſee

Small things (in time) great matters, riſe to be:

Yea, that, which when the ſame was firſt begun,

A Trifle ſeem'd, (and eaſie to be done)

By long nelect of time, will burthenſome,

And, at the laſt, impoſsible, become.

Great Clarkes, there are, who ſhall not leave behinde them,

One good Weekes worke, for Future Times to minde them,

(In Callings, either Humane, or Divine)

Who, by compoſing but each Day a Line,

Might Authors, of ſome famous Workes appeare,

In ſixtie, ſeventie, or in eightie yeare;

To which, ten hundred thouſands have arrived

Of whom, we ſee no ſigne that ev'r they lived.

And, with much pleaſure, wee might all effect,

Thoſe needfull Works, which often we neglect,

(Vntill too late) if we but, now and then

Did ſpare one houre to exerciſe the penn.

For, ſtill, one-Line, another diaweth on,

And, Line by Line, great Workes at laſt. are done.

Whereas, diſ uſe, and many dayes miſpent,

Without their Lines, let in diſcouragement,

Or, bring Deſpaire; which doth … ſot…iſh make us,

That we, to no endeavour can berake us.

Marke this, and, labour in ſome honeſt Way,

As much as makes, at leaſt, One Line a Day,

p. 159Our outward Hopes will take effect,

According to the King's aſpect.

AD REGIS NUTUS.

ILLVSTR. XXV. Book. 3

WHen Phoebus with a cheerefull eye, beholds

The Flow'r-embroydred earth, and freely ſpreads

His beames abroad; behold, the Marigolds

Beginne to reare their low-dejected heads:

The Tulips, Dayſies, and the Heliotropes

Of ev'ry kinde, their cloſed Leaves diſplay;

And (as it were) with new-recover'd hopes,

Attend upon the Ruler of the Day.

Againe, when either in the Weſt he ſhrowds

His Rayes below this Horizon, or hides

His Face behinde the Curtaines of the Cloudes;

They loſe their beauties, and abate their prides.

Thus fares it with a Nation, and their King,

'Twixt whom there is a native Sympathy.

His Preſence, and his Favours, like the Spring,

Doe make them ſweetly thrive, and fructity:

Yea (like freſh Groves, or Flow'rs of pleaſing hew)

Themſelves in all their jollity they ſhowe;

But, they, if with diſpleaſure, them he view,

Soone loſe their Glory, and contemned growe.

All, are not Heliotropes that favour'd growe,

In Princes Courts; nor Marigolds, that beare

The golden bloſſomes; but ſome ſpring below,

Like Dayſie, flow'rs, that in the Pathwayes are:

Yet all ſhall feele it, when their Sov'radgues eye

Doth frowne, or ſmile, regard, or elſe neglect:

Yea, it will finde them in Obſcurity,

By ſome Diſheartning, or ſome ſweet Effect.

Vouchſafe to ſhine on Mee, my Gracious King,

And then my Wi…her'd Leaves, will freſhly, ſpring.

p. 160The Right-hand. way, is Vertues Path,

Though rugged Paſſages it hath.

HAC VIRTUTIS ITER.

ILLVSTR. XXVI. Book. 3

I Fany covet knowledge of that Path,

Which thither tends, where Peace her dwelling hath,

This Emblem (being well obſerv'd) will ſhow

On whether ſide, it will be beſt to goe.

The Left▪ hand way, ſeemes to be walk'd, at eaſe,

Through Lawnes, and Downes, and green-ſwath'd Paſſages;

And, much allures the Traveller, to trie

The many Pleaſures, which doe that Way lye.

The Right-hand-courſe, is through a Pathleſſe-mo…nd

Of newly ploughed, and deep-furrow'd Ground;

Which, as uneaſie ſeemeth, to be gone,

As, in appearance, rough to looke upon.

Yet, this is Vertue's Path: This Way uneven,

Is that, which unto ev'ry man is given,

To travaile in; and, hath a ſafer ending,

Then thoſe, whereon more Pleaſures are attending:

And (though it leades us thither, where we ſee

Few promiſes of outward Glories bee)

It brings (us when we paſſe the common fight)

Through eaſy Tracts, to gaine our Hearts delight.

The other Way(though ſeeming ſtreight, it lyes,

To Pleaſure's Pallaces, before our eyes)

Hath many rubs, and perills, which betweene

Our Hopes, and VsUs, will alwayes lurke unſeene;

Till we are drawne ſo farre, that 'twill be vaine,

To ſeeke, with ſafety, to returne againe.

This, let us heed, and, ſtill, be carefull, too,

Which Courſe is moſt concerneth us to goe.

And, though the Left-hand-way, more ſmoothneſſe hath,

Let us goe forward, in the Right-hand-path.

p. 161I was erected for a Bound,

And I reſolve to ſtand my ground.

CONCEDO NULLI.

ILLVSTR. XXVII. Book. 3

THe Bounder-Stones, held ſacred, heretofore,

Some did ſo ſuperſtitiouſly adore,

As, that they did not onelyonly rev'rence doe them,

But, have aſcrib'd a kinde of God-head, to them:

For, Terminus had many a Sacrifize,

As well as other ſenſleſſe Deities.

I am not ſo prophane, as to deſire

Such Ethnick zeale ſhould ſet our hearts on fire:

But, wiſh I could, Men better did regard

Thoſe Bounders, which Antiquity hath rear'd;

And, that, they would not, with ſo much delight,

There, make incroachments, where they have no righ… ▪

That, ev'ry man might keep his owne Poſſeſsions,

Our Fathers, us'd in reverent Proceſsions

(With zealous prayers, and with praiſefull cheere)

To walke their Pariſh▪ limits, once a yeare:

And, well knowne Markes (which ſacrilegious Hands

Now cut or breake) ſo bord'red out their Lands,

That, ev'ry one diſtinctly knew his owne;

And, many brawles, now riſe, were then unknowne.

But, ſince neglected, ſacred Bounders were,

Moſt men Incroachers, and Intruders are:

They grieve each other, and their Dues they ſteale,

From …rince, from Parent, and from Common-weale.

Nay, more; theſe bold Vſurpers are ſo rude;

That, they, on Chriſt's Inheritance intrude.

But, that will be aveng'd; and (on his right)

Though ſuch incroach, he will not loſe it quite:

For, hee's that Bounder, and that Corner-ſtone,

Who all confines, and is confin'd, of none.

p. 162Where Lovers fitly matched be,

In mutuall-duties, they agree

MANUS MANUM LAUAT.

ILLVSTR. XXVIII. Book. 3

WOuld God, I could as feelingly infuſ… ▪

A good effect of what this Emblem ſhewes,

As I can tell in words, what Moralls bee,

The uſe of that, which here you pictur'd fee.

Moſt Lovers, minde their Penny, or their Pleaſure;

Or, painted Honors; and, they all things meaſure,

Not as they are, but as they helpfull ſeeme,

In compaſſing thoſe toyes, they moſt eſteeme.

Though many wiſh to gaine a faithfull Friend,

They ſeldome ſeeke one, for the nobleſt end:

Nor know they (ſhould they finde what they had ſought)

How Friendſhip ſhould be manag'd, as it ought.

Such, as good Huſbands covet, or good Wives

(The deare companions of moſt happy lives)

Wrong Courſes take to gaine them; yet, contemne

Their honeſt love, who rightly counſell them:

And, leſt, they unawares the Marke may hit,

They blinde their judgements, and befoole their wit.

He, that will finde a Friend, muſt ſeeke out one

To exerciſe unfeigned love upon;

And, mutuall-duties, muſt both yield▪ and take,

Not for himſelfe, but, for his Friendſhip ſake.

Such, as doe rightly marry, neither be

With Dowries caught, nor wooe a Pedigree;

Nor. meerely come together, when they wed,

To reape the youthfull pleaſures of the Bed:

But, ſeeke that fitneſſe, and, that Sympathy,

Which maketh up the perfect'ſt Amity.

A paire, ſo match'd; l…ke Hands that waſh each other,

As mutuall helpes, will ſweetly live together.

p. 163When Law, and Armes, together meet,

The World deſcends, to kiſſe tho… feet.

LEGIBUS ET ARMIS.

ILLVSTR. XXIX. Book. 3

THe Picture of a Crowned king, here, ſtands

Upon a Globe; and, with outſtretched hands,

Holds forth, in view, a Law booke, and a Sword:

Which plaine and moderne Figures, may afford

This meaning; that, a King, who hath regard

To Courts for pleading, and a Court of Guard,

And, at all times, a due reſpect will carry,

To pious Lawes, and Actions military;

Shall not be Monarch, onelyonly in thoſe Lands,

That are, by Birth right, under his commands:

But, alſo, might (if juſt occaſion were)

Make this whole Globe of Earth, his power to feare;

Advance his Favorites; and, bring downe all

His oppoſites, below his pedeſtall.

His conquering Sword, in forraigne Realmes, he drawes,

As oft, as there is juſt, or needfull cauſe:

At home, in ev'ry Province of his Lands,

At all times, armed are his Trayned bands.

His Royall fleets, are terrours to the Seas;

At all houres, rigg'd, for uſefull Voyages:

And, often, be his Navy doth increaſe,

That Warres Proviſions, may prolong his Peace.

Nor, by the tenure of the Sword, alone,

Delighteth he to hold his awfull Throne,

But, likewiſe, labours, Miſchiefes to prevent,

By wholſome Lawes, and rightfull Goverment.

For, where the Sword commands, without the Law,

A Tyrant keepes the Land in ſlaviſh awe:

And, where good Lawes doe want an Armed pow'r,

Rebellious Knaves, their Princes, will devoure.

p. 164Faire-ſhewes, we ſhould not ſo much heed,

As the Vprightneſſe of the Deed.

NON QUAM FORMOSA SED QUAM RECTA.

ILLVSTR. XXX. Book. 3

WHen wee ſhould uſe a Ruler, or a Square,

Or ſuch like Inſtruments, as uſefull are,

In forming other things; we prize not ſo

The carving, or the colourable ſhow

(Which makes them beautifull in outward ſight)

As when, for Vſefulneſſe, we finde them right.

A warped Bowe, though ſtrung with ſilken threads,

And, crooked Arrowes, tipt with Golden heads,

Delight not Archers; tyet, ſuch uſeleſſe Toyes

Be fit enough for Bunglers, and for Boyes.

A skilfull Artiſt (in what Art ſoe're,

He ſeekes, to make his ableneſſe appeare)

Will give large Prices, with much more content,

To buy a plaine (if perfect) Inſtrument;

Then, take for nothing (or, for thankes alone)

An uſeleſſe Toole, though, gay to looke upon.

From whence, obſerve; that, if there muſt be ſought,

When meere Mechanick-workes are to be wrought,

Such Inſtruments, as rather have eſteeme

For their true-being, then for what they ſeeme.

Much more, ſhould all thoſe Rules be ſuch, whereby

Wee goe about, our ſelves to rectify;

And, build up, what in Body, or in minde,

We may defective, or impaired finde.

Elſe peradventure, that we thinke to mend,

More faulty may become, at later end.

But, hence, I chiefly learne, to take a care,

My Life, and Actions, rather be ſincere,

Then ſeeming ſuch: And, yet, Ile thinke no ſhame,

To ſeeme, to be as honeſt, as I am.

p. 165My Subſtance, and my Light, are ſpent,

In ſeeking other mens content.

ALIIS IN SERVIENDO CONSUMOR.

ILLVSTR. XXXI. Book. 3

IF this nigh-waſted Candle, you ſhall view,

And, heed it well, it may enlighten you

To looke with more compaſſion, on their paines,

Who rob themſelves, to multiply your gaines.

The Taper burnes, to give another light,

Ev'n till it ſelfe, it hath conſumed quite;

And, all the profit, which it thence doth winne,

Is to be ſnufft, by ev'ry Commer-in.

This is the Lot of ſome, whom I have knowne,

Who, freely, all their life-time, have beſtowne

In ſuch induſtrious labour, as appeares,

To further others profits, more then theirs;

And, all their Patrimonies, well nigh ſpent,

The ruining of others, to prevent.

The wit, the ſtrength, and all the pow'r they had,

(Which might, by probability, have made

Good meanes to raiſe them, in this world, as high,

As moſt, who climbe to wealthy dignity)

Ev'n theſe, they have beſtow'd, to better them,

Who their indeavors, for their paines, contemne.

Theſe are thoſe Lamps, whoſe flames, from time to time,

Have through each Age, and through-our ev'ry Clime,

To one another, that true Light convey'd,

Which Ignorance, had, els, long ſince betray'd

To utter darkneſſe. Theſe, deſpightfull Pride

Oft ſnuffs; and, oft, to put them out, hath try'd.

But, from the brightneſſe of ſuch Lights, as they,

We got our Light of knowledge, at this day.

To them, God make us kinder; and to Him,

More thankfull, that we gain'd ſuch light by them.

p. 166The ſafeſt Riches, hee ſhall gaine,

Who alwayes Faithfull doth remaine.

DITAT SERVATA FIDES.

ILLVSTR. XXXII. Book. 3

THe Horne-of-plenty, which Wealth ſignifies,

The Hand-in-hand, which Plighted faith implies,

(Together being painted) ſeeme to teach,

That, ſuch as will be honeſt, ſhall be rich.

If this be ſo, why then for Lucre-ſake,

Doe many breake the Promiſes they make?

Why doe they cheat and couzen, lye, and ſweare?

Why practiſe they all Villanies that are?

To compaſſe Wealth? And, how doe ſuch as they

Inlarge their ill-got Portions, ev'ry day?

Or, whence proceedes it, that ſometimes we ſee

Thoſe men grow poore, who faithfull ſeeme to bee?

Thus, oft it proves; and, therefore, Falſhood can,

In likelihood, much more inrich a man,

Then blameleſſe Faith; and, then, the Motto here

Improper to this Emblem, doth appeare.

But, well enough they ſute; and, all is true,

Which theſe things (being thus united) ſhew.

Should it be then concluded, that all thoſe,

Who poore and honeſt ſeeme, have made but ſhowes

Of reall Faith? And, therfore, plagu'd have bin

With publicke laſhes, for their private ſin?

Indeed, ſometime it hath ſucceeded ſo:

But, know you ſhould, that, moſt who richeſt grow,

In Outward-wealth, are very poore in that,

Which brings true Plentie, and a bleſt Eſtate:

And, that, Good men, though poore they ſeeme to bee,

Have Riches, which the Worldling cannot ſee,

Now He, who findes himſelfe endow'd with ſuch,

(What e're wee thinke him) is exceeding rich.

p. 167Poore-Theeves, in Halters, we behold,

And, great-Theeves, in their Chaines of gold.

FVRES PRIVATI IN NERVO PVBLICI IN AVRO

ILLVSTR. XXXIII. Book. 3

IF you, this Emblem, well have look'd upon,

Although you cannot helpe it, yet, bemone

The Worlds blacke Impudence; and, if you can,

Continue (or become) an honeſt man.

The poore, and petty Pilferers, you ſee

On Wheeles, on Gibbets, and the Gallow tree

Truſt up; when they, that farre more guilty are,

Pearle, Silke, and coſtly Cloth of Tiſſue, weare.

Good God! how many hath each Land of thoſe,

Who, neither limbe, nor life, nor credit loſe

(But, rather live befriended, and applauded)

Yet, have of all their livelihoods defrauded

The helpleſſe Widowes, in their great diſtreſſe?

And, of their Portions, robd the Fatherleſſe?

Yet, cenſur'd others Errours, as if none

Had cauſe to ſay, that they amiſſe have done?

How many, have aſſi…ted to condemne

Poore ſoules, for what was never ſtolne by them?

And, perſecuted others, for that Sin,

Which they themſelves, had more tranſgreſſed in?

How many worthleſſe men, are great become,

By that, which they have ſtolne, or cheated from

Their Lords? or (by ſome practices unjuſt)

From thoſe, by whom they had beene put in truſt?

How many Lawyers, wealthy men are growne,

By taking Fees, for Cauſes overthrowne

By their defaults? How many, without feare,

Doe rob the King, and God, yet blameleſſe are?

God knowes how many! would I did ſo, too,

So I had pow'r to make them better doe.