Emblems Ancient and Modern, Dedicatory poem 1 – Emblem 27

Emblems Ancient and Modern · Dedicatory poem 1 – Emblem 27

To the MAJESTIE of Great Britaine, France, and Jreland, the Moſt Illuſtrious King, CHARLES; And his excellently beloved, the moſt gratious Queene MARY.

SEv'n yeares are full expired, Royall SIR,

Since laſt I kneel'd, an offring to preferre

Before your feete… where, now, my ſelfe I throw

To pay once more, the Tributes which I owe.

As many yeares are paſt, moſt beauteous QVEENE,

Since witneſſes, mine eares and eyes, have beene

Of thoſe Perfections; which the generall Fame

Hath ſounded forth, in honour of your Name.

And, both your beaming-ſplendors (oh yee faire,

Thrice bleſſed, and moſt fitly-matched PAIRE)

VponUpon each other, make ſuch bright reflections;

And have ſo ſweetly mingled your affections,

Your Praiſe, your Pow're, your Vertues, and your Beautie:

That, (if preſerving of my Soveraigne dutie,

This may be ſaid) you doe appeare, to me,

TWO PERSONS, in One MAIESTY, to be;

To whom, there, appertaines (in veneration

Of your large Worth) the right of ſome Oblation:

And, beſt, I thought, my Homage would be done,

If, thus, the tender were to BOTH-in-ONE.

Which, in this humble GVIFT, my Love preſents;

And, wiſheth it may adde to your Contents.

Perhaps it ſhall: For, though I dare not ſhew

Theſe Figures, as well meriting your view;

Nor boaſt, as if their Moralls couched ought,

By which your ſacred Wiſdomes may be taught:

Yet, I have humble Hopings, that, they might

Prove, ſome way, an occaſion of delight;

Since meane and common Objects, now and then,

Beget contentments in the greateſt-men.

But, that before this Booke, I ſhould propoſe

Your praiſefull NAMES, there is (as I ſuppoſe)

A faire inducement: For, conſidering theſe

Are EMBLEMS, whoſe intention is to pleaſe

And profit vulgar Iudgements (by the view,

Of what they ought to follow, or eſchew.)

And, I well knowing, that your MAIESTIES

Set foorth before my Booke, in Emblem-wiſe,

Throughout your Lands, more Vertues might convay,

Than many Volumes, of theſe Emblems, may;

It ſeemed Petty-treaſon, to omit

This good occaſion of endeavouring it.

For, (if your MAIESTIES, well heeded, were)

Yov, double-treble-foure-fold Emblems are;

Which, fully to illuſtrate, would require

The Wit I want; or, meanes to raiſe, that, higher

Which I have gain'd; (and, which, as yet, hath flowne

By no incouragements, but by her owne.)

Of all the Vertues OECONOMICAL,

Of Duties MORAL and POLITICALL,

Your Lives are Patternes, and faire EMBLEMS; whether

Conſidered apart, or both together.

Your CHILDHOODS were bright Mirrours, which did ſhow

What Duties Children, to their Parents owe:

And, by the ſequele, we now underſtand,

That, they who beſt obay'd, can beſt command.

The glorious Vertues of your NVPTIALL-ſtate,

Your Courtiers, find ſo hard to imitate,

That, they admire them, rather; and, would ſweare,

(Had others told, what, now they ſee and heare)

That, all the former Times, were not acquainted,

With ſuch a Paire, when Kings and Queenes were Sainted.

The chaſteſt Cupids, and the gameſom'ſt Graces,

Are alwaies mingled in your Deare-embraces.

The mutuall enterchanges of your loves,

May teach affection to the Turtle doves:

And, ſuch as are with goodly ſights, delighted,

May ſee in You, all Excellence uni…ed.

You, SIR, who beare Ioves Thunders in your Fiſt,

And, (ſhake this Ilands EMPIRE when You liſt)

Did never in your Orbe, a Tempeſt move

But, by the Beautious Miſtreſſe of your Love

It might be calm'd. And, in your lofty Spheare,

Moſt lovely QVEENE, Your Motions ever mere

So ſmoath, and, ſo direct; that none can ſay,

They have withdrawne his Royall-heart awa…

From Iuſt Deſignes; Which, lo…dly ſpeakes your Praiſe,

And, intimates much … than, yet …t ſa…es.

Yea, both Your Splendors … glorious growe,

And, You, each other have out-vyed ſo,

In theſe, and other Vertues, that, on You,

Should I conferre what praiſe I thinke is due,

My Lines, (which from that ſtune have, yet, beene cleare)

Would Flatt'ry ſeeme, unto an envious eare.

But, what needs Flatt'ry, where the Truth may teach

To praiſe, beyond immodeſt Flatt'ries reach?

Or, what needs he to feare a ſlandrous-mouth,

Who ſeekes no meed, nor utters more than Truth?

Your Princely Vertues, what can better ſhow,

Than Peace, and Plenty, which have thrived ſo,

Whilſt You have raign'd that, yet, no people ſee,

A Richer, or more Peacefull time, than wee?

Your Civill Actions (to the publike eye)

Are faire examples of Moralitie,

So manifeſt; That, if he Truth did ſing,

Who ſaid. The World doth imitate the King;

My Muſes dare, with boldneſſe to preſage,

A Chaſt, a Pious, and a Proſperous Age:

And, that, the ſtormes which, late, theſe Realmes deterr'd,

Shall all be quite removed, or deferr'd

Till you Aſcend; And, future times have ſeene,

That, your Examples have not followed beene.

Thus, you are living Emblems, to this Nation:

Which being mark'd with heedefull ſpeculation,

May ſerve, as well, to helpe us how to ſee

Our Happineſſe, As, what our Duties be.

And, if I might unlocke all Myſteries,

Which doe declare, how in a foure-fold-wiſe,

Your Lives are uſefull EMBLEMS; I, perchance,

Should vexe blind Zeale, or anger Ignorance;

And, teach well-temper'd Spirits, how to ſee,

That, we, for Bleſſings, oft, Vnthankefull be.

For, as you, Both, Prime Children are of thoſe

Two Siſter-Churches, betwixt whom, yet, growes

Vnſeemely ſtrife; So, You; perhaps, may be

An Emblem, how thoſe MOTHERS may agree.

And, not by your Example, onelyonly, ſhow,

How wrought it may be; but, effect it ſo.

Yea, peradventure, GOD, united You,

That, ſuch a bleſſed VNION might enſue:

And, that, Your living-lovingly, together;

Your Chriſtian hopefullneſſe, of one another;

Your milde forbearance, harſh attempts to proove;

Your mutuall waiting, untill God ſhall move

By ſome calme-voice, or peacefull inſpiration,

That Heart Which needeth better Information;

And, that, your Charities, might give a ſigne,

How, …ll the Daughters, of the SPOVSE Divine

Might reconciled be; And ſhew, that, Swords,

Flames, Threats, and Furie, make no true Accords.

GOD grant a better VNION may appeare:

Yet, wi…h I not the tollerating here,

Of Politicke-Agreements; (further than

Our wholſome Lawes▪ and, Civill-vowes to man,

With Piety, approve) but, ſuch, as may

Make up a bleſſed CONCORD, every way:

Might it be ſo; your Vertues, would become

A Glorious Bleſsing, to all CHRISTENDOME:

Your EMBLEM ſhould, by future Generations;

Be plac'd among the famous Conſtellations,

And, after-times (though, Mee, this Age deſpiſe)

Would thinke, theſe Verſes, had beene Prophecies.

What ever may ſucceed, my Pray'rs and Powr's

Are this way bent; with Hope, that You or Yours

Shall Helps (at leaſt) become, that Breach to cloſe,

Which, in the SEAMLES-ROBE, yet, wider growes.

SO BE IT: And, let bright your Glories bee,

For ever, though You never ſhine on MEE.

Your MAIESTIES moſt Loyall Subject, GEO: WITHER.

p. 1By Knowledge onelyonly, Life wee gaine,

All other things to Death pertaine.

VIVITVR INGENIO CAETERA MORTIS ERV̄T

ILLVSTRATIO I. Book. 1.

HOw Fond are they, who ſpend their pretious Time

In ſtill purſuing their deceiving Pleaſures?

And they, that unto ayery Titles clime

Or tyre themſelves in hoording up of Treaſures?

For, theſe are Death's, who, when with wearineſſe

They have acquired moſt, ſweepes all away;

And leaves them, for their Labors, to poſſeſſe

Nought but a raw-bon'd Carcaſſe lapt in clay.

Of twenty hundred thouſands, who, this houre

Vaunt much, of thoſe Poſſeſsions they have got;

Of their new purchac'd Honours, or, the Power,

By which, they ſeeme to have advanc't their Lott:

Of this great Multitude, there ſhall not Three

Remaine, for any Future age to know;

But periſh quite, and quite forgotten bee,

As Beaſts, devoured twice ten yeares agoe.

Thou, therefore, who deſir'ſt for aye to live,

And to poſſeſſe thy Labors maugre Death,

To needfull Arts and honeſt Actions, give

Thy Spanne of Time, and thy ſhort blaſt of Breath.

In holy Studies, exerciſe thy Mind;

In workes of Charity, thy Hands imploy;

That Knowledge, and that Treaſure, ſeeke to find,

Which may enrich thy Heart with perfect Ioy.

So, though obſcured thou appeare, awhile,

Deſpiſed, poore, or borne to Fortunes low,

Thy Vertue ſhall acquire a nobler ſt…le,

Then greateſt Kings are able to beſtow:

And, gaine thee thoſe Poſſeſsions, which, nor They,

Nor Time, nor Death, have power to take away.

p. 2The Man that hath true Wiſdome got,

Continues firme, and wavers not.

SAPIENTIA CONSTANS

ILLVSTR. II. Book. 1.

STill fixt, and with triumphant Laurell crown'd,

Is trueſt Wiſdome; whom, expreſſed thus,

Among the old Impreſa's, we have found;

And, much, this Emblem hath inſtructed us.

For, hence we learne; that, Wiſdome doth not flow

From thoſe unconſtant men, whom ev'ry Blaſt,

Or ſmall Occaſion, turneth to and fro;

But, from a Settled-head that ſtandeth faſt.

Who'ever ſhoulders, him, he gives no place;

What Storme ſoe're, his Times or Fortunes, breath,

He neither hides his Brow, nor turnes his Face;

But, keepes his Lookes undaunted, ev'n in Death.

The Laureat-head, upon the Pillar ſet,

Thus ſignifies; And that Bay-wreath doth ſhow

That conſtant Wiſdome will the conqueſt get,

When giddy Policie prevailes not ſo.

If, therefore, thou deſireſt to be taught,

Propoſe good Ends with honeſt Meanes thereto,

And therein Conſtant be, till thou haſt brought

To perfect end, that Worke, thou haſt to doe.

Let neither flatt'ring Pleaſures, nor Diſgrace,

Nor ſcoffing Cenſures, nor the cunning Sleigh…s

Of glozing Sycophants, divert that Race

To which, a harmeleſſe Prudence, thee invites.

Though others plot, conſpire, and undermine,

Keepe thou a plaine right Path; and let their Courſe,

For no advantage, make thee change from thine,

Although it (for the preſent) ſeemes the worſe.

He, thus that workes, puts Policie to Schoole,

And makes the Machavilian prove a foole.

p. 3The Law is given to direct;

The Sword, to puniſh and protect.

LEX REGIT ET ARMA TVENTVR.

ILLVSTR. III. Book. 1.

WHen God-Almighty firſt engrav'd in ſtone

His holy Law; He did not give the ſame

As if ſome common Act had then beene done;

For, arm'd with Fires and Thunders, forth it came.

By which, that great Law-maker, might inferre

What d…eadfull Vengeance would on thoſe attend,

Who did againſt thoſe holy Precepts erre;

And, that, his Power, well-doers could defend.

Thereto, this Emblem, alſo doth agree;

For, loe, before the Tables of the Lawe,

A naked Sword is borne, whoſe uſe may bee

As well to keepe in Safety, as in Awe.

Whence, Princes (if they pleaſe) this note may take,

(And it ſhall make them happily to raigne)

That, many good and wholſome Lawes to make

Without an Executioner, is vaine.

It likewiſe intimates, that ſuch as are

In Soveraigne place, as well obliged be

Their zeale for true Religion to declare,

As, what concerneth Manners, to foreſee.

It laſtly, ſhowes that Princes ſhould affect

Not onelyonly, over others to Command,

But Swords to weare, their Subjects to protect;

And, for their Guard, extend a willing hand.

For, Lawes, or Peace to boaſt of; and, the whiles,

The Publique-weale, to weaken or diſarme,

Is nor the way to hinder Civill-Broyles,

Nor to ſecure it from a Forraigne-harme.

For, As by Lawes a Land is kept in f…ame;

So, Armes is that, which muſt protect the ſame.

p. 4Occaſions-paſt are ſought in vaine;

But, oft, they wheele-about againe.

NE TENEAR

ILLVSTR. IV. Book. 1.

UNwiſe are they that ſpend their youthfull Prime

In Vanities; as if they did ſuppoſe

That men, at pleaſure, might redeeme the Time;

For, they a faire advantage fondly loſe.

As ill-advis'd be thoſe, who having loſt

The firſt Occaſions, to Deſpa…ring runne:

For, Time hath Revolutions; and, the moſt,

For their Affaires, have Seaſons more, then one.

Nor is their Folly ſmall, who much depend

On Tranſitorie things, as if their Powre

Could bring to paſſe what ſhould not have an End;

Or compaſſe that, which Time will not devoure.

The firſt Occaſions, therefore, ſee thou take

(Which offred are) to bring thy hopes about;

And, minde thou, ſtill, what Haſte away they make,

Before thy ſwift-pac't houres are quite runne out.

Yet, if an Opportunity be paſt,

Deſpaire not thou, as they that hopeleſſe be;

Since, Time may ſo revolve againe, at laſt,

That New-Occaſions may be offred thee.

And ſee, thou truſt not on thoſe fading things,

Which by thine owne Endeavours thou acquir'ſt:

For, Time (which her owne Births to ruine brings)

Will ſpare, nor thee, nor ought which thou deſir'ſt.

His Properties, and Vſes, what they are,

In vaine obſerv'd will be, when he is fled:

That, they in ſeaſon, therefore, may appeare,

Our Emblem, thus, hath him deciphered;

Balde ſave before, and ſtanding on a Wheele;

A Razor in his Hand, a Winged-Heele.

p. 5By Labour, Vertue may be gain'd;

By Vertue, Glorie is attain'd.

LABORE VIRTVS, VIRTVTE GLORIA PARATVR

ILLVSTR. V. Book. I,

SVppoſe you Sirs, thoſe mimicke Apes you meet

In ſtrange fantaſticke habits? or the Rabble,

That in gay clothes embroyder out the ſtreet,

Are truely of Worſhipfull or Honorable?

Or can you thinke, that, To be borne the Sonne

Of ſome rich Alderman, or ancient Peere,

Or that the Fame our Predeceſſors wonne

May claime thoſe Wreathes which true Deſerving weare?

Is Honour due to thoſe, who ſpend their dayes

In courting one another? or conſuming

Their Fortunes and themſelves, on Drabbs and Playes?

In ſl…eping, drinking, and Tobacco-fuming?

Not ſo. For, (though ſuch Fooles, like children, place

Gay Titles on each other) Wiſe-men know

What ſlaves they be; how miſerably-baſe;

And, where ſuch Attributes would better ſhow.

An idle Body clothes a vitious Minde;

And, what (at beſt) is purchac'd by the ſame,

Is nothing elſe, but ſtinking Smoke and Winde;

Or froth…e Bubbles of an empty Fame.

True Glory, none did ever purchaſe, yet,

T…ll, to be Vertuous they could firſt attaine,

Nor ſhall thoſe men fai…e Vertues favour get,

Who labour not, ſuch Dignities to gaine.

And, this Impreſa doth inferre no leſſe:

For, by the Spade, is Labour here implide;

The Snake, a vertuous Prudence, doth expreſſe;

And, Glorie, by the Wreath is Typiſide.

For, where a vertuous Induſtry is found,

She, ſhall with Wreaths of G…ory, thus be crown'd.

p. 6Though Fortune prove true Vertues Foe,

It cannot worke her Overthrowe.

NON OBEST VIRTVTI SORS.

ILLVSTR. VI. Book. 1.

UNhappy men are they, whoſe Ignorance

So ſlaves them to the Fortunes of the Time,

That they (attending on the Lot of Chance)

Neglect by Vertue, and Deſerts, to clime.

Poore Heights they be which Fortune reares unto;

And, fickle is the Favour ſhe beſtowes:

To-day, ſhe makes; to-morrow, doth undoe;

Builds up, and in an inſtant overthrowes.

On eaſie Wheeles, to Wealth, and Honours high,

She windes men oft, before they be aware;

And, when they dreame of moſt Proſperitie,

Downe, headlong, throwes them lower then they were.

You, then, that ſeeké a more aſſur'd eſtate,

On good, and honeſt Objects, fixe your Minde,

And follow Vertue, that you may a Fate

Exempt from feare of Change, or Dangers, finde.

For, he that's Vertuous, whether high or low

His Fortune ſeemes (or whether foule or faire

His Path he findes) or whether friend, or foe,

The World doth prove; regards it not a haire.

His Loſſe is Gaine; his Poverty is Wealth;

The Worlds Contempt, he makes his Diadem;

In Sickneſſe, he rejoyceth, as in Health:

Yea, Death it ſelfe, becommeth Life, to him.

He feares no diſreſpect, no bitter ſcorne,

Nor ſubtile plottings, nor Oppreſſions force;

Nay, though the World ſhould topſie-turvie turne,

It cannot fright him, nor divert his Courſe.

Above all Earthly powres his Vertue reares him;

And, up with Eglets wings, to Heav'n it beares him.

p. 7A fickle Woman wanton growne,

Preferres a Crowd, before a Crowne.

NON SCEPTRO SED PLECTRO DVCITVR

ILLVSTR. VII. Book. 1.

FOole! Doſt thou hope, thine Honours, or thy Gold,

Shall gaine thee Love? Or, that thou haſt her heart

Whoſe hand upon thy tempting Bay… layes hold?

Alas! fond Lover, thou deceived art.

She that with Wealth, and Titles, can be wonne,

Or woo'd with Vanities, will way ring bee;

And, when her Love, thou moſt dependeſt on,

A Fiddle-ſticke ſhall winne her heart from thee.

To Youth and Muſicke, Venus leaneth moſt;

And (though her hand ſhe on the Scepter lay)

Let Greatneſſe, of her Favours never boaſt:

For, Heart and Eye, are bent another way.

And lo, no glorious Purchace that Man gets,

Who hath with ſuch poore Trifles, woo'd, and wonne:

Her footing, on a Ball, his Miſtreſſe ſets,

Which in a moment ſlips, and ſhe is gone.

A Woman, meerely with an Out ſide caught,

Or tempted with a Galliard, or a Song,

Will him forſake (whom ſhe moſt lovely thought)

For Players and for Tumblers, ere't be long.

You, then, that wiſh your Love ſhould ever laſt,

(And would enjoy Affection without changing)

Love where your Loves may worthily be plac…t;

And, keepe your owne Affection, ſtill from ranging.

Vſe noble Meanes, your Longings to attaine;

Seeke equall Mindes, and well beſeeming Yeares:

They are (at beſt) vaine Fooles, whom Follie gaine;

But, there is Bliſſe, where, Vertue moſt endeares:

And, whereſoe're, Affection ſhee procures,

In ſpight of all Temptations, it endures.

p. 8This Ragge of Death, which thou ſhalt ſee,

Conſider it; And Pious bee.

IN HVNC INTVENS PIVS ESTO

ILLVSTR. VIII. Book. I.

WHy, ſilly Man! ſo much admireſt thou

Thy preſent Fortune? overvaluing ſo

Thy Perſon, or the beauty of thy Brow?

And Cloth'd, ſo proudly, wherefore doſt thou goe?

Why doſt thou live in riotous Exceſſe?

And Boaſt, as if thy Fleſh immortall were?

Why doſt thou gather ſo? Why ſo oppreſſe?

And, o're thy Fellow-creatures, Domineere?

Behold this Emblem, ſuch a thing was hee

Whom this doth repreſent as now thou art;

And, ſuch a Fleſhleſſe Raw-bone ſhalt thou bee,

Though, yet, thou ſeeme to act a comelier part.

Obſerve it well; and marke what Vglineſſe

Stares through the ſightleſſe Eye holes, from within:

Note thoſe leane Craggs, and with what Gaſtlineſſe,

That horrid Countenance doth ſeeme to grin.

Yea, view it well; and having ſeene the ſame

Plucke downe that Pride which puffs thy heart ſo high;

Of thy Proportion boaſt not and (for ſhame)

Repent thee of thy ſinfull Vanity.

And, having learn'd, that, all men muſt become

Such bare Anatomies; and, how this Fate

No mortall Powre, nor Wit, can keepe thee from;

Live ſo, that Death may better thy eſtate.

Conſider who created thee; and why:

Renew thy Spirit, ere thy Fleſh decayes:

More Pious grow; Affect more Honeſtie;

And ſeeke hereafter thy Creatours praiſe.

So though of Breath and Beauty Time deprive thee,

New Life, with endleſſe Glorie, God will give thee.

p. 9Before thou bring thy Workes to Light,

Conſider on them, in the Night.

IN NOCTE CONSILIV̄

ILLVSTR. IX. Book. 1.

AN Owle (the Hieroglyphicke us'd for Night)

Twixt Mercury and Pallas, here takes place,

VponUpon a crown'd Caduceus fixt upright;

And, each a Cornucopia doth imbrace.

Through which darke Emblem, I this Light perceive;

That, ſuch as would the Wit and Wealth acquire,

Which may the Crowne of approbation have,

Muſt wake by Night, to compaſſe their deſire.

For, this Mercurian-Wand, doth Wit expreſſe;

The Cornu-copia, Wealthineſſe implies;

Both gained by a ſtudious Watchfulneſſe;

Which, here, the Bird of Athens ſignifies.

Nor, by this Emblem, are we taught alone,

That, (when great Vndertakings are intended)

We Sloth, and lumpiſh Drowſineſſe muſt ſhunne;

But, Raſhneſſe, alſo, here is reprehended.

Take Counſell of thy Pillow, (ſaith our Sawe)

And, ere in waighty Matters thou proceede,

Conſider well upon them; leſt they draw

Some Afterclaps, which may thy Miſchiefe breede.

I, for my ſeriou'ſt Muſes, chuſe the Night;

(More friend to Meditation, then the Day)

That neither Noyſe, nor Objects of the Sight,

Nor bus'neſſes, withdraw my Thoughts away,

By Night, we beſt may ruminate upon

Our Purpoſes; Then, beſt, we may enquire

What Actions wee amiſſe, or well, have done;

And, then, may beſt into our Selves retire:

For, of the World-without, when moſt we ſee,

Then, blindeſt to the World-within, are wee.

p. 10An Innocent no Danger feares,

How great ſoever it appeares.

SPERNIT PERICULA VIRT US

ILLVSTR. X. Book. I.

WHen ſome did ſeeke Arion to have drown'd,

He, with a dreadleſſe heart his Temples crown'd;

And, when to drench him in the Seas they meant,

He playd on his melodious-Inſtrument;

To ſhew, that Innocence diſdayned Feare,

Though to be ſwallow'd in the Deeps it were.

Nor did it periſh: For, upon her Backe

A Dolphin tooke him, for his Muſick's ſake:

To intimate, that Vertue ſhall prevaile

With Bruitiſh Creatures, if with Men it faile.

Moſt vaine is then their Hope, who dreame they can

Make wretched, or undoe, an Honeſt-Man:

For, he whom Vertuous Innocence adornes,

Inſults o're Cruelties; and, Perill ſcornes.

Yea, that, by which, Men purpoſe to undoe him,

(In their deſpight) ſhall bring great Honours to him.

Arion-like, the Malice of the World,

Hath into Seas of Troubles often hurl'd

Deſerving Men, although no Cauſe they had,

But that their Words and Workes ſweet Muſicke made.

Of all their outward Helps it hath bereft them;

Nor means, nor hopes of Comfort have beene left them;

But ſuch, as in the Houſe of Mourning are,

And, what Good-Conſcience can afford them there.

Yet, Dolphin-like, their Innocence hath rear'd

Their Heads above thoſe Dangers that appear'd.

God hath vouchſaf'd their harmeleſſe Cauſe to heed,

And ev'n in Thraldome, ſo their Hearts hath freed,

That, whil'ſt they ſeem'd oppreſſed and forlorne;

They Ioyd, and Sung, and Laugh'd the World to ſcorne.

p. 19When thou a Dangerous-Way doſt goe,

Walke ſurely, though thy pace be ſlowe.

AD SCOPVM LICET AEGRE ET FRVSTRA

ILLVSTR. X…. Book. 1.

EXperience proves, that Men who truſt upon

Their Nat'rall parts, too much, oft loſe the Day,

And, faile in that which els they might have done,

By vainely trifling pretious Time away.

It alſo ſhewes, that many Men have fought

With ſo much Raſhneſſe, thoſe things they deſir'd,

That they have brought moſt likely Hopes to nought;

And, in the middle of their Courſes, tir'd.

And, not a few, are found who ſo much wrong

Gods Gratiouſneſſe, as if their thinkings were,

That (ſeeing he deferres his Iudgements long)

His Vengeance, he, for ever, would forbeare:

But, ſuch as theſe may ſee wherein they faile,

And, what would fitter be for them to doe,

If they would contemplate the ſlow-pac'd Snaile;

Or, this our Hieroglyphicke looke into:

For, thence we learne, that Perſeverance brings

Large Workes to end, though ſlowly they creepe on;

And, that Continuance perfects many things,

Which ſeeme, at firſt, unlikely to be done.

It warnes, likewiſe, that ſome Affaires require

More Heed then Haſte: And that the Courſe we take,

Should ſuite as well our Strength, as our Deſire;

Elſe (as our Proverbe ſaith) Haſte, Waſte may make.

And, in a Myſticke-ſenſe, it ſeemes to preach

Repentance and Amendment, unto thoſe

Who live, as if they liv'd beyond Gods reach;

Becauſe, he long deferres deſerved Blowes:

For, though Iust-Vengeance moveth like a Snaile,

And ſlowly comes; her comming will not faile.

p. 12As, to the World I naked came,

So, naked-ſtript I leave the ſame.

ΠΑΝΤΑ ΛΕΛΟΙΠΑ.

ILLVSTR. XII. Book. 1.

Thrice happy is that, Man whoſe Thoughts doe reare

His Minde above that pitch the Worldling flies,

And by his Contemplations, hovers where

He viewes things mortall, with unbleared eyes.

What Trifles then doe Villages and Townes

Large Fields or Flockes of fruitfull Cattell ſeeme?

Nay, what poore things are Miters, Scepters, Crownes,

And all thoſe Glories which Men moſt eſteeme?

Though he that hath among them, his Delight,

Brave things imagines them (becauſe they blinde

With ſome falſe Luſtre his beguiled fight)

He that's above them, their meane-Worth may finde.

Lord, to that Bleſſed-Station me convey

Where I may view the World, and view her ſo,

That I her true Condition may ſurvey;

And all her Imperfections rightly know.

Remember me, that once there was a Day

When thou didſt weane me from them with content,

Ev'n when ſhut up within thoſe Gates I lay

Through which the Plague-inflicting Angel went.

And, let me ſtill remember, that an Houre

Is hourely comming on, wherein I ſhall

(Though I had all the World within my powre)

Be naked ſtript, and turned out of all.

But minde me, chiefely, that I never cleave

Too cloſely to my Selfe; and cauſe thou me,

Not other Earthly things alone to leave,

But to forſake my Selfe for love of Thee:

That I may ſay, now I have all things left,

Before that I of all things, am bereſt.

p. 13To him a happy Lot befalls

That hath a Ship, and proſ'prous Gales.

REMIGIO VENTIS QUE SECVNDIS

ILLVSTR. XIII. Book. 1.

NO wonder he a proſp'rous Voyage findes

That hath both Sailes and Oares to ſerve his turne,

And, ſtill, through meanes of ſome propitious Winds

Is to his wiſhed Harbour, ſwiftly borne.

Nor is it much admir'd, if they that lacke

Thoſe aydes (on which the Common faith depends)

Are from their hoped aymes repelled backe,

Or made to labour for unfruitfull ends.

Yet neither in the Ship, Wind, Oares, or Sailes,

Nor in the want of Outward meanes, alone,

Conſiſts it, that our Hope ſucceedes or failes;

But, moſt in that, which Men leaſt thinke upon.

For, ſome endeavour, and their Paines are bleſt

With Gales which are ſo fortunate, that they

Fly ſafe, and ſwiftly on, among the beſt,

Whil'ſt others labour, and are caſt away.

Some others, on this Worlds wide Ocean floate,

And neither Wind, nor Tide aſſiſtant have,

Nor Saile, nor Oare, nor Anchor, nor ſound Boate,

Nor take ſo much as heede themſelves to ſave;

And yet are ſafe: A third ſort, then, there are

Who neither want fit Meanes, nor yet neglect

The painefull-Induſtrie, or honeſt Care,

Which Need requires; yet find ſmall good effect.

Therefore, let that which you propoſe, be Iuſt;

Then, uſe the faireſt Meanes, to compaſſe it:

And, though Meanes faile, yet foſter no miſtruſt;

But feareleſly, to God, your Courſe commit:

For, Hee, to Faithfull Hearts, and Honeſt-Mindes

Turnes Loſſe to Gaine; and Stormes to proſp'rous Windes.

p. 22When Vice and Vertue Youth ſhall wooe,

Tis hard to ſay, which way 'twill goe.

QVID SI SIC

ILLVSTR. XXII. Book. 1.

MY hopefull Friends at thrice five yeares and three,

Without a Guide (into the World alone)

To ſeeke my Fortune, did adventure mee;

And, many hazards, I alighted on.

Firſt, Englands greateſt Rendevouz I ſought,

Where VICE and VERTVE at the higheſt ſit;

And, thither, both a Minde and Bodie brought,

For neither of their Services unfit.

Both, woo'd my Youth: And, both perſwaded ſo,

That (like the Young man in our Emblem here)

I ſtood, and cry'd, Ah! which way ſhall I goe?

To me ſo pleaſing both their Offers were.

VICE, Pleaſures beſt Contentments promiſt mee,

And what the wanton Fleſh deſires to have:

Quoth VERTVE, I will Wiſdome give to thee,

And thoſe brave things, which noblest Mindes doe crave.

Serve me ſaid VICE, and thou ſhalt ſoone acquire

All thoſe Atchievements which my Service brings:

Serve me ſaid VERTVE, and Ile raiſe thee higher,

Then VICES can, and teach thee better things.

Whil'ſt thus they ſtrove to gaine me, I eſpyde

Grim Death attending VICE; and, that her Face

Was but a painted Vizard, which did hide

The foul'ſt Deformity that ever was.

LORD, grant me grace for evermore to view

Her Vglineſſe: And, that I viewing it,

Her Falſehoods and allurements may eſchew;

And on faire VERTVE my Affection ſet;

Her Beauties contemplate, her Love embrace,

And by her ſafe Direction, runne my Race.

p. 15I pine, that others may not periſh,

And waſte my Selfe, their Life to cheriſh.

DVM NVTRIO CONSVMOR

ILLVSTR. XV. Book. 1.

OBſerve I pray you, how the greedy Flame

The Fewell, on an Altar doth conſume.

How it deſtroyeth that which feedes the ſame,

And how the Nouriſher away doth fume.

For, ſo it fares with Parents that uphold

Their thriftleſſe Children in unlawfull Pleaſures:

With Cares, it weares them out, ere they are old;

And ere their Lives conſume, conſumes their Treaſures.

So fares it with ſuch Wantons as doe feede

Vnchaſt Deſires; for, ev'ry day they grow

Vntill their Longing's, their Supplies exceede,

And, quite devoure thoſe men that fed them ſo.

So fares it with all thoſe that ſpend their Youth

In lab'ring to enrich ungratefull Men,

Who, growing Great, and Wealthy, by their Truth,

Returne them Smoke and Aſhes backe agen.

So fa…es it with good Stateſ-men, who to keepe

A thankeleſſe Common-wealth in happy Peace,

Deprive their Mindes of Reſt, their Eyes of Sleepe,

And, waſte themſelves, that others may encreaſe.

And, ſo it fares with Men that paſſe away

Their time in Studies, (and their Healths impaire)

That helps to other men become they may,

And, their defective Knowledges, repaire.

But, let my Fleſh, my Time, and my Eſtate,

Be ſo conſum'd; ſo ſpent; ſo waſted bee,

That they may nouriſh Grace, and pe…fit that

For which all theſe were firſt beſtowd'd on me:

So when I quite am vaniſh'd out of ſeeing,

I ſhall enjoy my Now-concealed-Being.

p. 16When to ſuppreſſe us, Men intend,

They make us higher to aſcend.

CONCVSSVS SVRGO

ILLVSTR. XVI. Book. 1.

WHen we obſerve the Ball, how to and fro

The Gameſters force it; we may ponder thus:

That whil'ſt we live we ſhall be playd with ſo,

And that the World will make her Game of us.

Adverſities, one while our hearts conſtraine

To ſtoope, and knock the Pavements of Deſpaire;

Hope, like a Whirle-wind mounts us up againe,

Till oft it loſe us in the empty ayre.

Sometimes, above the Battlements we looke;

Sometimes, we quite below the Line are toſt:

Another-while, againſt the Hazard ſtrooke,

We, but a little want, of being loſt.

Detraction, Envie, Miſchief, and Deſpight,

One Partie make, and watchfully attend

To catch us when we riſe to any Height;

Leſt we above their hatred ſhould aſcend.

Good-Fortune, Praiſes, Hopes, and Induſtries,

Doe ſide-together, and make Play to pleaſe us;

But, when by them we thinke more high to riſe,

More great they make our Fall, and more diſeaſe us.

Yea, they that ſeeke our Loſſe, advance our Gaine;

And to our Wiſhes, bring us oft the nigher:

For, we that elſe upon the Ground had laine,

Are, by their ſtriking of us lifted higher.

When Balls againſt the Stones are hardeſt throwne,

Then higheſt up into the Aire they fly;

So, when men hurle us (with moſt fury) downe,

Wee hopefull are to be advanc'd thereby:

And, when they ſmite us quite unto the Ground,

Then, up to Heav'n, we truſt, we ſhall rebound.

p. 17Till God hath wrought us to his Will,

The Hammer we ſhall ſuffer ſtill.

DVM EXTENDAR

ILLVSTR. XVII. Book. 1.

WHy ſhould the fooliſh World diſcourage Men,

In juſt endurances? or bid them ſhunne

Good Actions, 'cauſe they ſuffer now and then,

For Doing well, as if ſome Ill were done?

Ere Plates extended are, they muſt abide

A thouſand hamm'rings; And, then that which fill'd

So little roome, it ſcarce your Hand could hide,

Will ſerve a goodly Monument to gild.

So, he that hopes to winne an honeſt Name,

Muſt many blowes of Fortune undergoe,

And hazard, oft, the blaſt of Evill-Fame,

Before a Good-Report her Trumpe will blow.

A thouſand Worthies had unworthily

Been raked up in Aſhes and in Clay,

Vnknowne and bury'd in Obſcurity,

If Malice had not fil'd their Ruſt away.

But, lo…; their laſting prayſes now are ſpread,

And rais'd, by Adverſe-Chance, to ſuch a height,

That they moſt glorious are, now they are dead;

And live in Injuries, and Deaths, deſpight.

For, by Afflictions, man refined growes,

And, (as the Gold prepared in the Fire)

Receiveth ſuch a Forme by wrongs and blowes,

That hee becomes the Iewell we deſire.

To thee therefore, Oh God! Mv Prayers are

Not to be freed from Griefes and Troubles quite:

But, that they may be ſuch as I can beare;

And, ſerve to make me precious in thy Sight.

This pleaſe me ſhall, though all my Life time, I

Betweene thine Anvill and the Hammer, lie.

p. 18From thence, where Nets and Snares are layd,

Make-haſt; leſt els you be betray'd.

MATVRA

ILLVSTR. XVIII. Book. 1.

THe nimble Spider from his Entrailes drawes

A ſuttle Thread, and curious art doth ſhow

In weaving Nets, not much unlike thoſe Lawes

Which catch Small-Thieves, and let the Great-ones goe.

For, as the Cob-web takes the leſſer Flyes,

When thoſe of larger ſize breake through their Snares;

So, Poore men ſmart for little Injuries,

When Rich-men ſcape, whoſe Guilt is more then theirs.

The Spider, alſo repreſenteth ſuch

Who very curious are in Trifling things,

And neither Coſt, nor Time, nor Labour grutch,

In that which neither Gaine nor Pleaſure brings.

But thoſe whom here that Creature doth implye

Are chiefely ſuch, who under cunning ſhewes

Of ſimple-Meanings (or of Curteſie)

Doe ſilly Men unwarily abuſe.

Or elſe, it meanes thoſe greedy-Cormorants

Who without touch, of Conſcience or Compaſſion,

Seeke how to be enricht by others wants,

And bring the Poore to utter Deſolation.

Avoyd them therefore, though compell'd by need,

Or if a Storme inforce, (yee lab'ring Bees)

That yee muſt fall among them; Flie with ſpeed

From their Commerce, when Calmes your paſſage frees.

Much more, let waſtfull Gallants haſte from theſe;

Elſe, when thoſe Idling-painted-Butterflies,

Have flutter'd-out their Summer-time, in eaſe,

(And ſpent their Wealth in fooliſh Vanities)

The Blaſts of Want may force them to be brought

For ſhelter thither, where they ſhall be caught.

p. 19When thou a Dangerous-Way doſt goe,

Walke ſurely, though thy pace be ſlowe.

LENTE SED ATTENTE

ILLVSTR. XXI. Book. 1.

EXperience proves, that Men who truſt upon

Their Nat'rall parts, too much, oft loſe the Day,

And, faile in that which els they might have done,

By vainely trifling pretious Time away.

It alſo ſhewes, that many Men have ſought

With ſo much Raſhneſſe, thoſe things they deſir'd,

That they have brought moſt likely Hopes to nought;

And, in the middle of their Courſes, tir'd.

And, not a few, are found who ſo much wrong

Gods Gratiouſneſſe, as if their thinkings were,

That (ſeeing he deferres his Iudgements long)

His Vengeance, he, for ever, would forbeare:

But, ſuch as theſe may ſee wherein they faile,

And, what would fitter be for them to doe,

If they would contemplate the ſlow-pac'd Snaile;

Or, this our Hieroglyphicke looke into:

For, thence we learne, that Perſeverance brings

Large Workes to end, though ſlowly they creepe on;

And, that Continuance perfects many things,

Which ſeeme, at firſt, unlikely to be done.

It warnes, likewiſe, that ſome Affaires require

More Heed then Haſte: And that the Courſe we take,

Should ſuite as well our Strength, as our Deſire;

Elſe (as our Proverbe ſaith) Haſte, Waſte may make.

And, in a Myſticke-ſenſe, it ſeemes to preach

Repentance and Amendment, unto thoſe

Who live, as if they liv'd beyond Gods reach;

Becauſe, he long deferres deſerved Blowes:

For, though Iust-Vengeance moveth like a Snaile,

And ſlowly comes; her comming will not faile.

p. 20A Sive, of ſhelter maketh ſhow;

But ev'ry Storme will through it goe.

TRANSEAT

ILLVSTR. XX. Book. 1.

SOme Men, when for their Actions they procure

A likely colour, (be it nere ſo vaine)

Proceede as if their Projects were as ſure,

As when Sound Reaſon did their Courſe maintayne:

And theſe not much unlike thoſe Children are,

Who through a Storme advent'ring deſp'rately,

Had rather on their Heads, a Sive to beare,

Then Cov'rings, that may ſerve to keepe them drye.

For, at a diſtance that perchance is thought

A helpfull Shelter; and, yet, proves to thoſe

Who neede the ſame, a Toy, which profits nought;

Becauſe, each drop of Ra…ne quite through it, goes.

So, they, whoſe fooliſh Projects, for a while,

Doe promiſe their Projectors hopefull ends,

Shall finde them, in the Tryall, to beguile;

And, that both Shame and Want, on them attends.

Such like is their eſtate, who, (to appeare

Rich-men to others) doe, with Inward-payne,

A gladſome out-ward Port deſire to beare;

Though they at laſt nor Wealth nor Credit gaine.

And, ſuch are all thoſe Hypocrites, who ſtrive

Falſe Hearts beneath Faire ſpoken Words to hyde:

For, they o'…evaile themſelves but with a Sive,

Through which, their purpoſes at length are ſpyde.

And, then, they either woefully-lament

Their Bruitiſh-folly, or ſo hardned grow

In Sinning, that they never can repent,

Nay, jeſt and ſcoffe at their owne Overthrow.

But no falſe Vaile can ſerve (when God will ſmite)

To ſave a Scorner, or an Hypocrite.

p. 21Death is no Loſſe, but rather, Gaine;

For wee by Dying, Life attaine.

MORS VITAE INITIVM.

ILLVSTR. XXI. Book. 1.

I Will not blame thoſe grieved Hearts that ſhed

Becoming-teares, for their departed Friends;

Nor thoſe who ſigh out Paſsions for the Dead;

Since, on Good-natures, this Diſeaſe attends.

When Sorrow is conceiv'd, it muſt have Vent

(In Sighes or Moyſture) or the Heart will breake;

And, much they aggravate our Diſcontent,

Who, out of Seaſon, Reaſon ſeeme to ſpeake.

Yet, ſince our Frailty may require we ſhould

Remembrances admit to keepe us from

Exceſſe in Griefe: this Emblem here behold,

And take ſuch Hope as may our Teares become.

The Wheat, although a while it lyes in Earth,

(And ſeemeth loſt) conſumes not quite away;

But, from that Wombe receives another Birth,

And, with Additions, riſeth from the Clay.

Much more ſhall Man revive, whoſe worth is more:

For, Death, who from our Droſſe will us refine,

VntoUnto that other Life, becomes the Doore,

Where, we in Immortalitie ſhall ſhine.

When once our Glaſſe is runne, we preſently

Give up our Soules to Death; So Death muſt give

Our Bodies backe againe, that we, thereby,

The Light of Life eternall, may receive.

The Venom'd Sting of Death is tooke away;

And, now, the Grave, that was a Place of Feare,

Is made a Bed of Reſt, wherein we may

Lye downe in Hope, and bide in ſafety, there.

When we are Borne, to Death-ward ſtraight we runne;

And by our Death, our Life is new-begunne.

p. 22When Vice and Vertue Youth ſhall wooe,

Tis hard to ſay, which way 'twill goe.

QVO ME VERTĀ NESCIO

ILLVSTR. XXII. Book. 1.

MY hopefull Friends at thrice five yeares and three,

Without a Guide (into the World alone)

To ſeeke my Fortune, did adventure mee;

And, many hazards, I alighted on.

Firſt, Englands greateſt Rendevouz I ſought,

Where VICE and VERTVE at the higheſt ſit;

And, thither, both a Minde and Bodie brought,

For neither of their Services unfit.

Both, woo'd my Youth: And, both perſwaded ſo,

That (like the Young man in our Emblem here)

I ſtood, and cry'd, Ah! which way ſhall I goe?

To me ſo pleaſing both their Offers were.

VICE, Pleaſures beſt Contentments promiſt mee,

And what the wanton Fleſh deſires to have:

Quoth VERTVE, I will Wiſdome give to thee,

And thoſe brave things, which noblest Mindes doe crave.

Serve me ſaid VICE, and thou ſhalt ſoone acquire

All thoſe A…chievements which my Service brings:

Serve me ſaid VERTVE, and Ile raiſe thee higher,

Then VICES can, and teach thee better things.

Whil'ſt thus they ſtrove to gaine me, I eſpyde

Grim Death attending VICE; and, that her Face

Was but a painted Vizard, which did hide

The foul'ſt Deformity that ever was.

LORD, grant me grace for evermore to view

Her Vglineſſe; And, that I viewing it,

Her Falſehoods and allurements may eſchew;

And on faire VERTVE my Affection ſet;

Her Beauties contemplate, her Love embrace,

And by her ſafe Direction, runne my Race.

p. 23By Paine, on Pleaſures we doe ſeize;

And, we by Suff'rance, purchaſe Eaſe.

PATIOR VT POTIAR

ILLVSTR. XXIII. Book. 1.

THe lick'riſh Beare to rob the Honey-Bees

Among their ſtinging-Swarms thruſts in his pawes;

Adventureth to climbe up hollow Trees,

And from their Cells, the well fill'd Combes he drawes:

Right ſo, the Senſuall Man that he may gaine

His bruitiſh Luſt, a thouſand perills dares;

And, that his Lawleſſe-will he may attaine,

Nor Conſcience, Credit, Coſt, nor Labour ſpares.

'Twere ſhamefull baſeneſſe, therefore, if that he

Who knoweth Vertue, and is thought her Lover,

Should ſo by any Perills frighted bee,

To make him ſuch Affections to give-over.

For, why ſhould that Vaine-Crew whoſe Valour ſprings

From beaſtly Fury, or inflamed-Paſsion,

Enabled be to compaſſe bolder things,

Then Sober-Wit, and Grave-Conſideration?

Or, why ſhould liſping Wantons, for their Luſt

So much adventure as one finger, there,

Where we our Lives in hazard would not thruſt

For Vertues Glory, if it needfull were?

For, though her Sweetneſſe faſt is cloſed in

With many Thornes, and ſuch a Prickling-guard,

That we muſt ſmart, before that Prize we winne,

The Paine is follow'd, with a Rich Reward.

By Suff'ring, I have more Contentment had,

Then ever I acquir'd by Slothfull Eaſe;

And, I by Griefe, ſo joyfull have beene made,

That I will beare my Croſſe, while God ſhall pleaſe.

For, ſo at laſt my Soule may Ioy procure,

I care not, in my Fleſh what I endure.

p. 24Who by good Meanes, good things would gaine,

Shall never ſeeke, nor aske in vaine.

CONSEQVITUR QVODCVN QUE PETIT

ILLVSTR. XXIIII. Book. 1.

IN vaine faire Cynthia never taketh paines,

Nor faints in foll'wing her deſired Game;

And, when at any Marke her Bowe ſhe ſtraines,

The winged Arrow ſurely hits the ſame.

Her Picture, therefore, in this place doth ſhew

The Nature of their Mindes who Cynthia like,

With Conſtancie their Purpoſes purſue,

And faint not till they compaſſe what they ſeeke.

For, nought more God-like in this World is found,

Then ſo Reſolv'd a man, that nothing may

His Reſolution alter or confound,

When any taske of Worth, he doth aſſay.

Nor, is there greater Baſeneſſe, then thoſe Mindes

That from an Honeſt-purpoſe can be wrought

By Threatnings, Bribes, Smooth-Gales or Boyſt'rous-Windes,

What ever colour or excuſe be brought.

You then, that would, with Pleaſure, Glory gaine,

Diana like, thoſe modeſt things require,

Which truely may beſeeme you to attaine;

And ſtou…ly follow that which you deſire:

For, changing though the Mo…ne to us appeare,

She holds a firme Dependence on the Sunne;

And, by a Conſtant-Motion, in her Sphaere

With him▪ doth in Conjunction often runne:

So, Conſtant-men, ſtill move their hopes to winne;

But, never by a Motion-indirect;

Nor, will they ſtop the Courſe that they are in,

Vntill they bring their purpoſe to effect.

For, whoſoever Honeſt things requires,

A Promiſe hath of all that he deſires.

p. 25Oft Shooting, doth not Archers make;

But, hitting right the Marke they take.

NON QVAM CREBRO SED QVĀ BĒE

ILLVSTR. XXV. Book. 1.

WHen to the Fields we walke to looke upon

Some skilfull Mark-man; ſo much heede we not

How many Arrowes from his Bowe are gone,

As we obſerve how nigh the Marke he ſhot:

And, juſtly we deride that Man who ſpends

His Time and Shafts, but never ayme doth take

To hit the White; or fooliſhly pretends,

The number of the Shots, doth Archers make.

So, God, who marketh our Endeavours, here,

Doth not by tale, account of them receive;

But, heedeth rather how well meant they were,

And, at his Will how rightly aym'd we have.

It is not mumbling over thrice a day

A Set of Ave Maries, or of Creeds,

Or many houres formally to pray;

When from a dull Devotion it proceedes:

Nor is it, up and downe the Land to ſeeke

To finde thoſe well breath'd Lecturers, that can

Preach thrice a Sabbath, and ſixe times a weeke,

Yet be as freſh, as when they firſt beganne:

Nor, is it, ſuch like things perform'd by Number

Which God reſpects: Nor doth his Wiſdome crave

Thoſe many Vanities, wherewith ſome cumber

Their Bodies, as if thoſe their Soules could ſave.

For, not Much-doing, but Well-doing, that

Which God commands, the Doer▪ juſtifies▪

To pray without Devotion, is to Prate;

And, Hearing is but halfe our Exerciſe.

We ought not, therefore, to regard, alone,

How often, but how Well, the Worke be done.

p. 26With Patience, I the Storme ſuſtaine;

For, Sun-ſhine ſtill doth follow Raine.

DVRABO

ILLVSTR. XXVI. Book. 1.

THe little Squirrell, hath no other Food

Then that which Natures thrifty hand provides;

And, in purveying up and downe the Wood,

She many cold wet Stormes, for that, abides.

She lyes not heartleſſe in her Moſſie Dray,

Nor feareth to adventure through the …aine;

But skippeth out, and beares it as ſhe may,

Vntill the Seaſon waxeth calme againe.

Right thus, have I and others, often far'd;

For, when we firſt into the World were brought,

We found but little, for our Vſe prepar'd,

Save that, which by Hard-Labour, muſt be ſought.

In many Stormes, unheeded, we are faine

To ſeeke out needfull things; and, ſmilingly

To jeſt, at what ſome others would complaine:

That, none might laugh at our Neceſsity.

Yea, ſome have liv'd on Huskes, whil'ſt others fed

On that which was their Labours due Reward;

And, were purſu'd (till they almoſt were dead)

Without the Worlds Compaſſion or Regard.

Yet, by Enduring, they out-liv'd the Blaſt

Of Adverſe-Fortune; and, with good ſucceſſe,

(Expecting calmer Seaſons) at the laſt,

Arrived at the Port of Happineſſe.

Their Suffring-much, hath made their Suffrings none;

And brought forth Hopes, by which, perceive they may,

That Nights have but their Turnes; and (they once gone)

Their Darkeneſſe, makes much welcomer, the Day.

All Griefe ſhall have an ending, I am ſure;

And, therefore, I with Patience, will Endure.

p. 27Where Hellen is, there, will be Warre;

For, Death and Luſt, Companions are.

VBI HELENA IBI TROIA

ILLVSTR. XXVII. Book. 1.

THeir fooliſh Guiſe, I never could affect,

Who dare, for any cauſe, the Stewes frequent:

And, thither, where I juſtly might ſuſpect

A Strumpet liv'd, as yet, I never went.

For, when (as Fooles pretend) they goe to ſeeke

Experience, where more Ill then Good, they ſee;

They venture for their Knowledge, Adam like;

And, ſuch as his, will their Atchievements bee.

Let, therefore, thoſe that would looſe Trulls deteſt,

Converſe with none, but thoſe that modeſt are;

For, they that can of Whoredome make a Ieſt,

Will entertaine it, ere they be aware.

Chaſt-Company, and Chaſt-Diſcourſe, doth make

The Minde more pleaſed with it, ev'ry day;

And, Frequent viewes of Wantonneſſe, will take

The Senſe and Hatred, of the Vice away.

Some, I have knowne, by Harlots Wiles undone,

Who, but to ſee their Faſhions, firſt pretended;

And, they that went for Company, alone,

By ſuddaine Quarrells, there, their Dayes have ended.

For, in the Lodgings of a Luſtfull Woman,

Immodeſt Impudence hath ſtill her Being;

There, Furie, Fraud, and Cruelties are common:

And, there, is Want, and Shame, and Diſagreeing.

Ev'n Beauty, of it ſelfe, ſtirres looſe Deſires,

Occaſioning both Iealouſies, and Feares;

It kindleth in the Breſt, concealed Fires,

Which burne the Heart, before the Flame appeares:

And, ev'ry day, experienced are wee;

That, there, where Hellen is, Troyes Fate will bee.