Emblems Ancient and Modern, Dedicatory poem 6 – Emblem 23

Emblems Ancient and Modern · Dedicatory poem 6 – Emblem 23

TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE PHILLIP, Earle of PEMBROOKE, and M…VNTGOMERIE, &c. Lord Chamberlaine of the Houſhould, Knight of the moſt honourable Order of the Garter, and one of his Majeſties moſt Honourable Privie-Councell.

My Honourable LORD,

THough, Worthleſſe in my owne repute I am;

And, (though my Fortune, ſo obſcures my Name

Beneath my Hopes; that, now, it makes me ſeeme

As little worth, in other mens eſteeme,

As in mine owne;) yet, when my Merits were

No better, than, to moſt, they now appeare,

It pleaſed ſome, ev'n ſome of thoſe that had

The Nobleſt Names, (and, thoſe of whom was made

The beſt Account) ſo lowly to deſcend,

As, my well-meaning Studies, to befriend.

Among thoſe WORTHIES, I may both bemone

(My ſelfe in HIM) and memorize, for One,

Your much renowned BROTHER, as a Chiefe

In bri…ging to my waned Hopes, reliefe;

And, in my Faculties, were I as able

To honour Him, as he was honourable,

I would have ſhowne, how, all this Emperie

Hath loſt a Friend, in HIM, aſmuch as I.

To MEE, ſo freely, of his owne accord

It pleaſed HIM, his Favours, to afford;

That, when our learned, and late Sov'raigne-Prince,

(By others miſ-informed) tooke offence

At my Free Lines; HEE, foun'd ſuch Meanes and Place

To bring, and reconcile mee to his Grace;

That, therewithall, his Majeſtie beſtow'd

A Gift upon mee, which his Bountie ſhow'd:

And, had inrich'd mee; if, what was intended,

Had not, by otherſome, beene ill befriended.

But, as I long time, ſuffred have by thoſe

Who labour'd much, my thrivings, to oppoſe:

So, I my ſelfe, (although not out of pride,

As many thinke it) have ſo much relide

VponUpon the Royall-Gift, neglecting ſo

To fortifie the ſame, as others do

By making Friends; that my eſtate grew leſſe

(By more than twice five hundred Marks decreaſe)

Through that, which for, my profit was beſtowne.

And, I, ere this, had wholly been undone;

But, that the Wealth, which I relie on, moſt,

Conſiſts in things, which never can be loſt.

Yet, by this Loſſe, I have Occaſions had

To feele, why other men are often ſad.

And, I, (who bluſhed, to be troubleſome

To any Friend) therby, almoſt am come

To ſuch a paſſe; that, what I wiſh to have,

I ſhould grow impudent enough to Crave,

Had not impartiall Death, and waſting Time,

Of all my Friends quite worne away the Prime;

And, left mee none, to whom I dare preſent

The meaneſt ſuite withom encouragement:

Although, the greateſt Boone, I would implore,

Should coſt them, but a Word, or little more.

Yet, ſome there are, no doubt, for whoſe reſpect

I might endeavour, with no vaine effect;

Had I but cauſe, to have as high eſteeme,

Of mine owne Merits, as I have of them.

And, if your Honour ſhould be ſo inclin'd,

As I deſire; I, now am ſure to finde

Another Pembrooke, by whoſe ayde ſuſtain'd,

I may preſerve, what by the Laſt I gain'd.

To make adventure, how it will ſucceed,

I now am come. And lo, my LORD, inſteed

Of better Advocates, I firſt begin,

Mine EMBLEMS, by theſe Lines, to Vſher in;

That, they, by their admittance may effect

For Mee, and for themſelves, your kinde reſpect.

That, which in them, beſt Worthy you ſhall find,

Is this; that, they are Symptomes of a Minde,

Affecting honeſtie: and of a Heart,

So truly honouring a true deſert,

That, I am hopefull made, they will acquire

As much reſpect as I can well deſire:

And, SIR, your Candor, your knowne Courteſies,

With other praiſefull Vertues, make mee riſe

To this Beliefe; that, YOV by fav'ring mee

Hereafter, may as highly honour'd be,

As by ſome former Bounties; and encreaſe

My Future Merit, by your Worthineſſe.

However, what I am or ſhall be knowne

To Bee, by Your Deſervings, or mine owne,

You may command it; and, be ſure to finde

(Though falſe my Fortunes prove) a Faithfull Mind.

Thus, unfainedly, profeſſeth Your Honours trueſt Honourer, GEO: WITHER.

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, HENRIE, Earle of HOLLAND, &c. Captaine of the Guard; Lord-chiefe-Iuſtice in Eyre of all his Majeſties Forreſts, Parkes and Chaſes on this ſide Trent; Knight of the moſt noble Order of the Garter, and one of his Majeſties moſt Honourable Privie Counſell.

Right Noble SIR,

HAving, of late, ſome Cauſe, to overlooke

That thankfull Regiſter, wherein I booke

My nobleſt Friends; I found ſo many Names

Poſſeſsing nothing, but their honour'd Fames,

(Whoſe living Perſons, wee injoyed, here,

A while agoe;) that, I began to feare,

I might grow Friendleſſe; (having now ſo few)

Vnleſſe I ſought, their Number to renew.

By ſome Diſaſters, alſo, gaining proofe,

How much this Courſe would make for my behoofe;

I call'd my Wits to Counſell, Where, and How

I might, with hopefulneſſe, begin to ſow

The ſeeds of ſuch a Bleſſing: And, me thought

Within mee, ſomething ſaid: Where ſhould be ſought

What thou ſo gladly wouldſt renewed finde,

But, from ſome BRANCHES of the ſelfe-ſame kinde;

Whoſe faire Aſpects may ſeeme to promiſe fruit,

According to the Virtues of the Roote?

Aſſoone as Fancie had inform'd me ſo,

Your Lordſhip, came to my remembrance, too,

With what our Soveraigne's Favour, Vulgar Fame,

Or, your owne Merits, addeth to your Name.

Which, having weigh'd, no doubts at all I had

Of Worth in YOV; But, rather, doubtings made

That, all my Wits would inſufficient be,

To make that Worth, become a Friend to mee.

For, I have oft obſerv'd, that, Favour ſhunnes

The beſt Deſert, if after her, it runnes.

Yet, who can tell what may befall? thought I:

It is no great Adventure, if I try

Without ſucceſſe: And, if, I gaine my End,

I am aſſured of a Noble-Friend.

His honourable FATHER, deem'd mee worth

So much reſpecting as to ſeeke me forth,

When, I was more Obſcure: And, MEE, for nought

… to Befriend mee, forth HEE ſought.

… wherefore, of his SONNE, ſhould I ſuſpect

… ſeeking HIM) hee can my love reject?

… Cou…teſie doth alwaies, there, abound,

… ſuch a lovely Perſonage is found?

My LORD, theſe were my Fancies: But I take them

To be of no more worth, than, you ſhall make them

By your Acceptance: Nor, is't my intent

To Court you, with a fruitleſſe Complement:

But, to attempt your Favour with a mind,

As readily, and really, inclinde

To ſerve you, when my ſervices may ſteed;

As to expect your Favours, in my need.

For, had my Fates enabled me ſo much,

I ſhould more willingly have ſought out ſuch

On whom I Courteſies might have beſtowne,

Than, ſeeke to cure Misfortunes of mine owne.

No doubt, but, every day, your Lordſhip heares

Inventions, which may better pleaſe your eares

Than theſe I now preſent; And, yet you might

(For ought I knew) finde profit, or delight,

By our plaine EMBLEMS, or ſome uſes in them,

Which from your Honour, ſome reſpects may win them;

Ev'n for that good Moralitie, which they

To Vulgar Vnderſtandings will convay.

But, Truth to ſpeake, the chiefeſt cauſe which drew

My minde, to make them PRESENTS, for your view,

Was, but to take Occaſion to profeſſe,

That, I am Servant, to your WORTHINESSE.

In which, if YOV are pleaſed; All is got

At which I aym'd: And, though you like it not,

It ſhall but teach Mee (for the time to come)

To take more heed, where I am troubleſome.

And, I ſhall be, nevertheleſſe, your Honours to be commanded, as becommeth your Servant, GEO: WITHER.

p. 209Whil'ſt I, the Sunne's bright Face may view,

I will no meaner Light purſue.

NON INFERIORA SECUTUS.

ILLVSTR. I. Book. 4

WHen, with a ſerious muſing, I behold

The gratefull, and obſequious Marigold,

How duely, ev'ry morning, ſhe diſplayes

Her open breſt, when Titan ſpreads his Rayes;

How ſhe obſerves him in his daily walke,

Still bending towards him, her tender ſtalke;

How, when he downe declines, ſhe droopes and mournes,

Bedow'd (as 'twere) with teares, till he returnes;

And, how the vailes her Flow'rs, when he is gone,

As if ſhe ſcorned to be looked on

By an inf…riour Eye; or, did contemne

To wayt upon a meaner Light, then Him.

When this I meditate, me-thinkes, the Flowers

Have ſpirits, farre more generous, then ours;

And, give us faire Examples, to deſpiſe

The ſervile Fawnings, and Idolatries,

Wherewith, we court theſe earthly things below,

Which merit not the ſervice we beſtow.

But, oh my God! though groveling I appeare

VponUpon the Ground, (and have a rooting here,

Which hales me downward) yet in my deſire,

To that, which is above mee, I aſpire:

And, all my beſt Affections I profeſſe

To Him, that is the Sunne of Righteouſneſſe.

Oh! keepe the Morning of his Incarnation,

The burning Noone-tide of his bitter Paſsion,

The Night of his Deſcending, and the Height

Of his Aſcenſion, ever in my ſight:

That imitating him, in what I may,

I never follow an inferiour Way.

p. 210The Earth is God's, and in his Hands

Are all the Corners of the Lands.

IN MANU DOMINI OMNES SUNT FINES TERRAE.

ILLVSTR. II. Book. 4

LOng ſince, the ſacred Hebrew Lyrick ſayd,

(A Truth, which never juſtly was denayd)

That, All the world is God's; and that his hands

Encloſe the limits of the fartheſt Lands.

The ſelfe ſame Truth affirmes, that likewiſe, there,

By him, their clodds, and furrowes watred are,

And, that with dewes and ſhowres, he doth ſo bleſſe

The dwellings of the barren Wilderneſſe,

That, thoſe Inhabitants (whom ſome conceiv'd,

Of uſefull, and all pleaſant things bereav'd)

Their labors, with advantage, doe employ,

And, fetch their yearely Harveſts home, with joy.

Why then ſhould wee, that in God's Vineyard live,

Diſtruſt that all things needfull hee will give?

Why ſhould his Garden doubt of what it needs,

Since hee oft waters barren Rocks and Weeds?

Why ſhould his Children, live in ſlaviſh feare,

Since hee is kind to thoſe that ſtrangers are?

Or, whither from his preſence, can we flie,

To whom the furtheſt hiding-place is nigh.

And, if I may, from lower objects clime,

(To queſtioning, in matters more ſublime)

Why ſhould I thinke, the Soule ſhall not bee fed,

Where God affoords, to Fleſh, her daily Bread?

Or, dreame, that hee, for ſome, provided none,

Becauſe, on us, much MercieMercy is beſtowne?

'Tis true enough, that Hell devoureth all,

Who ſhall be found without the Churches pale;

But, how farre that extends, no Eye can ſee,

Since, in Gods hands, Earth's fartheſt Corners bee.

p. 211By ſeeming other than thou art,

Thou doſt performe a fooliſh part.

QUOD NON ES NE VIDEARE CAVE.

ILLVSTR. III. Book. 4

THe World is much for Shewes, and few there are

So diligent to bee, as to appeare;

Although a little travaile more, would make them

Thoſe men, for which, the lookers on miſtake them.

Some, have ſo toyled, and conſum'd ſo much,

To get a falſe repute of being Rich,

That, they have ſpent farre more, than would have bought,

The ſubſtance of the ſhadow, they have ſought;

And, cauſed thoſe, who deem'd them rich before,

To know them, to bee miſerably poore.

Some others, would ſo faine be counted Wiſe,

That, they conſume in Curioſities,

In Sophistries, and ſuperficiall ſhowes,

More pretious Time, than would have made them thoſe,

They long to ſeeme, (had halfe that meanes been ſpent,

In ſeeking Wiſdome, with a pure intent)

Whereas, the gloriouſt purchaſes of ſuch,

(Though by their Peeres they ſeeme applauded much)

Are ſtill ſo vaine, that little they poſſeſſe,

But fruitleſſe leaves, of learned fooliſhneſſe:

Yea, by affecting more than is their due,

They loſe ev'n both the ſubstance, and the ſhew;

And, ſo, inſtead of honours Crowne, have worne

The Coxcombes, of a well-deſerved ſcorne.

But, of all Fooleries, the groſſeſt Folly

Is theirs, who weare thoſe garbes of ſeeming-holy,

Which paine them ſore, yet make them ſtill appeare,

To God and Men, as wicked as they are.

Be, therefore, what, to be, thou haſt profeſt;

But, bee not of this laſt, of all the reſt.

p. 212Purſue thy Workes, without delay,

For, thy ſhort houres runne faſt away.

FESTINAT DECURRERE.

ILLVSTR. IIII. Book. 4

THough this bee but the picture of that Glaſſe,

By which thou meaſur'ſt how thine houres doe paſſe.

Yet, ſleight it not; for, much 'twill profit thee,

To ponder what the Morals of it bee.

And, 'tis an Emblem, whence the Wiſe may learne,

That, which their perſons, neerely doth concerne.

The brittle Glaſſe, ſerves fitly to expreſſe

The Bodie's frailtie, and much craſineſſe.

Foure Pillars, which the glaſſie worke empale,

Inſtruct thee, that the Vertues Cardinall,

To guard the Manhood, ſhould bee ſtill employ'd,

Leſt elſe the feeble fabrick bee deſtroy'd.

The Sand, ſtill running forth, without delay,

Doth ſhew, that Life-time, paſſeth faſt away,

And, makes no ſtop: yea, and the Motto too,

(Leſt thou forgetfull prove) informes thee ſo.

By viewing this, Occaſion, therefore, take,

Of thy faſt-flying Houres, more uſe to make;

And, heedfull bee, to ſhunne their common crime,

Who take much care to trifle out the time;

As if it merited their utmoſt paine,

To loſe the gemme, which moſt they ſeeke to gaine.

Time-paſt is loſt already: Time-to-come,

Belongs, as yet, thou knowſt not unto whom.

The preſent-houres are thine, and, onelyonly thoſe,

Of which thou haſt Commiſsion to diſpoſe;

And, they from thee, doe flye away ſo faſt,

That, they are ſcarcely knowne, till they are paſt.

Lord, give mee grace, to minde, and uſe Time ſo,

That, I may doe thy worke, before I goe.

p. 213Repent, or God will breake the thread,

By which▪ thy doome hangs o're thy head.

ABRUMPAM.

ILLVSTR. V. Book. 4

MArke well this Emblem; and, (when in a thread,

You ſee the Globe, there, hang above their head,

Who in ſecuritie, beneath it ſit)

Obſerve likewiſe, the Knife, that threatens it;

The ſmallneſſe of the Twine; and, what a death

Would follow, ſhould it fall on thoſe beneath:

And (having well obſerv'd it) mind, I pray,

That, which the word about it, there, doth ſay:

For, it includes a Caveat, which wee need

To entertaine, with a continuall heed.

Though few conſider it, wee finde it thus

(Throughout our lives) with ev'ry one of us.

Destruction hangeth in a ſingle thread,

Directly over every Sinner's head.

That Sentence is gone forth, by which wee ſtand

Condemn'd to ſuffer'd d…ath. The dreadfull hand,

Of God's imp…rtiall Iuſtice, holds à Knife,

Still ready, to cut off our thread of life;

And, 'tis his merciemercy, that keepes up the Ball

From falling, to the ruine of us all.

Oh! let us minde, how often wee have bin,

Ev'n in the very act of Deadly-ſinne,

Whilſt this hung over us; and, let us praiſe,

And love him, who hath yet prolong'd our dayes:

Yea, let our thankfulneſſe, bring forth ſuch fruit,

As, to the benefit may ſomewhat ſuit:

For, though a ſudden Death may not enſue,

Yet, (ſince Times Axe, doth every minute hew

The Root of Life) the Tree, e're long, muſt fall;

And, then perhaps, too late, repent wee ſhall.

p. 214When woe is in our ſelves begun,

Then, whither from it, can wee run?

HINC DOLOR INDE FUGA.

ILLVSTR. VI. Book. 4

POore Hart, why doſt thou run ſo faſt? and why,

Behind thee doſt thou looke, when thou doſt fly?

As if thou ſeem'dſt in thy ſwift flight, to heare

Thoſe dangers following thee, w^ch thou doſt feare?

Alas! thou labour'ſt, and thou runn'ſt in vaine,

To ſhunne, by flight, thy terrors, or thy paine;

For, loe, thy Death, which thou haſt dreaded ſo,

Clings faſt unto thee, whereſoere thou goe:

And while thou toyl'ſt, an outward-eaſe to win,

Thou draw'ſt thine owne deſtruction further in;

Making that Arrow, which but prickes thy hide,

To pierce thy tender entrailes, through thy ſide.

And, well I may this wounded Hart bemoane;

For, here, me thinkes, I'm taught to looke upon

Mine owne condition; and, in him, to ſee

Thoſe deadly wounds, my Sinnes have made in mee.

I greatly feare the World, may unawares

Intangle mee, by her alluring ſnares:

I am afraid, the Devill may inject

Some poyſ'nous fume, my Spirit to infect,

With ghoſtly Peſtilence; and, I aſſay,

To flie from theſe, with all the pow'rs I may.

But, oh my Fleſh! this very Fleſh I weare,

Is worſe to mee, than Worlds, and Devils are:

For, without this, no pow'r on mee, they had.

This is that Skirt, which made Alcides mad.

It is a griefe, which I ſhall never cure,

Nor flie from, whilſt my life-time doth endure:

From thence, oh Lord, my greateſt ſorrowes bee;

And, therefore, from my Selfe, I flie to Thee.

p. 215When Magiſtrates confined are,

They revell, who were kept in feare.

CAPTIVUM IMPUNE LACES SUNT.

ILLVSTR. VII. Book. 4

A Tyrannous, or wicked Magiſtrat,

Is fitly repreſented by a Catt:

For, though the Mice a harmfull vermine bee,

And, Cats the remedie; yet, oft wee ſee,

That, by the Mice, far leſſe, ſome houſe-wives leeſe,

Then when they ſet the Catt to keepe the Cheeſe.

A ravenous Cat, will puniſh in the Mouſe,

The very ſame Offences, in the houſe,

Which hee himſelfe commits; yea, for that Vice,

Which was his owne (with praiſe) he kils the Mice;

And, ſpoyleth not anothers life alone,

Ev'n for that very fault which was his owne,

But feeds, and fattens, in the ſpoyle of them,

Whom hee, without compaſſion did condemne.

Nay, worſe than ſo; hee cannot bee content,

To ſlaughter them, who are as innocent,

As hee himſelfe; but, hee muſt alſo play,

And ſport his wofull Pris'ners lives away;

More torturing them, 'twixt fruitleſſe hopes and feares,

Than when their bowels, with his teeth he teares:

For, by much terrour, and much crueltie,

Hee kills them, ten times over, e're they die,

When, ſuch like Magiſtrates have rule obtain'd,

The beſt men wiſh their powre might be reſtrain'd:

But, they who ſhun enormities, through Feare,

Are glad when good-men out of Office are.

Yea, whether Governours bee good or bad,

Of their diſplacings wicked-men are glad;

And, when they ſee them brought into diſgraces,

They boldly play the Knaves before their faces.

p. 216Loe, heere is all, that hee poſſeſt,

Which once was Victor of the Eaſt.

RESTAT DE VICTORE ORIENTIS.

ILLVSTR. VIII. Book. 4

WHen hee, who by his conquering Arme, poſſeſt

The rich, and ſpacious Empires of the East,

Felt his approaching end; he bade them beare

A Shirt throughout his Armie, on a Speare,

Proclaiming, that of all his large eſtate,

No more was left him, then, but only that:

Perhaps intending, thereby, to expreſſe,

A ſorrow for his wilde Ambitiouſneſſe;

Or, hoping, by that Spectacle, to give

Some good Inſtructions unto thoſe that live.

However, let it ſerve us, to declare,

How vaine their toylings, and ambitions are,

Who rob themſelves, and other men of reſt,

For things that are ſo little while poſſeſt.

And, if that powerfull King, could nothing have,

That was of uſe, to carry to his Grave,

(Of all his conquered Kingdomes) but, one Shirt,

Or, Winding ſheet, to hide his Royall durt;

Why ſhould we pinch, and ſcrape, and vext become,

To heap up Riches, for we know not whom?

Or, macerate the Fleſh, by raiſing ſtrife,

For more, than will bee uſefull during life?

Nay, ev'n for that, which ſometimes ſhortens breath,

And mak…s us, alſo, wretched after Death.

Let mee, oh God! my labour ſo employ,

That, I, a competencie may enjoy.

I aske no more, than may Lifes want ſupply,

And, leave their aue to others, when I die.

If this thou grant, (which nothing doubt I can)

None ever liv'd, or dy'd a richer man.

p. 217When Hopes, quite fruſtrate were become,

The Wither'd-branch did freſhly bloome.

INSPERATA FLORUIT.

ILLVSTR. IX. Book. 4

T'is true, a wither'd-branch I am, and ſeeme

To ſome, as voyd of Hopes, as of eſteeme;

For, in their judgements, I appeare to be

A ſapleſſe Bough, quite broken from the Tree,

(Ev'n ſuch as that, in this our Emblem, here)

And, yet, I neither feele Deſpaire, nor Feare;

For, I have ſeene (e're now) a little Spray,

(Rent from her Stemme) lye trodden by the way,

Three moneths together; which, when Spring drew on,

To take an unexpected Root begun;

(Yea, grew to bee a Tree) and, growing, ſtood,

When thoſe great Groves, were fell'd for firing-wood,

Which once had high eſteeme; and ſprung unhurt,

While that poore Branch, lay ſleighted in the durt.

Nay, I have ſeene ſuch twiggs, afford them ſhade,

By whom they were the meaneſt ſhrippings made,

Of all the Wood; And, you may live to ſee,

(For ought yet knowne) ſome ſuch event in mee.

And, what if all who know mee, ſee me dead,

Before thoſe hopes begin to ſpring and ſpread?

Have therefore they that hate me, cauſe to boaſt,

As if mine expectations I had loſt?

No ſure: For, I, who by Faith's eyes have ſeene,

Old Aarons wither'd Rod, grow freſh and greene;

And alſo viewed (by the ſelfe-ſame Eyes)

Him, whom that Rod, moſt rightly typifies,

Fall by a ſhamefull Death, and riſe, in ſpight

Of Death, and Shame, unto the gloriouſt height.

Ev'n I, beleeve my Hope ſhall bee poſſeſt,

And, therefore, (ev'n in Death) in Hope I'le reſt.

p. 218True Vertue, whatſoere betides,

In all extreames, unmoov'd abides.

NESCIT LABI VIRTUS.

ILLVSTR. X. Book. 4

WHen, in this Emblem, here, you have eſpide,

The ſhape of a triangled Pyramide,

And, have obſerved well, thoſe mightie Rockes,

Whoſe firme foundation bides the dreadfull ſhockes

Of angry Neptune; you may thereby ſee,

How firmly ſetled, Vertues reall bee.

For, as the raging Seas, although they roare,

Can make no breach upon the Rockie ſhore;

And, as a true triangled Pyramide,

Stands faſt, and ſhewes alike, on ev'ry ſide:

So, howſoever Fortune, turnes or winds,

Thoſe men, which are indow'd with vertuous minds,

It is impoſſible, to drive them from

Thoſe Formes, or Stations, which thoſe minds become.

And, as the raging Sea, with foming threats,

Againſt the Rock…e-ſhore, but vainely beats;

So, Envie ſhall in vaine, loud bluſtrings make,

When vertuous reſolutions they would ſhake.

For, Vertue, which receives an overthrow,

Was Vertue, not indeed, but in the ſhow.

So farre am I, oh Lord! from laying claime

To have this Vertue, that, I doe but ayme

At ſuch perfection; and, can come no nigher

As yet, than to obtaine it in deſire.

But, fixe thou ſo, this weake deſire of mine,

VponUpon the Vertues of thy Rocke divine,

That I, and that invaluable Stone,

May bee incorporated into One:

And, then, it will bee neither ſhame, nor pride,

To ſay, my Vertues, will unmov'd abide.

p. 219The motion of the World, this day,

Is mov'd the quite contrarie way.

HODIE SIC VERTITVR ORBIS.

ILLVSTR. XI. Book. 4

WHat was this Figures meaning, but to ſhow,

That, as theſe kinde of Shell-fiſh backward goe,

So now the World, (which here doth ſeeme to take

An arſeward Iourney on the Cancer's backe)

Moves counterwiſe; as if delight it had,

To runne a race, in Courſes retrograde:

And, that, is very likely to be true,

Which, this our Emblem, purpoſeth to ſhew.

For, I have now, of late, not onelyonly ſeene,

What backward motions, in my Friends have beene;

And, that my outward Fortunes and Affaires,

Doe of themſelves, come tumbling downe the ſtaires:

But, I have alſo found, that other things,

Have got a wheeling in contrary Rings;

Which Regreſſe, holding on, 'tis like that wee,

To Iewes, or Ethnicks, backe ſhall turned bee.

Some punie Cl…rkes, preſume that they can teach

The ancient holy Doctors, how to preach.

Some Lucks, learne their Pastors how to pray.

Some Parents, are compelled to obay

Their Sonnes; and, ſo their Dignitie to loſe,

As to be fed and cloth'd, at their diſpoſe.

Nay, wee have ſome, who have aſſay'd to draw,

All backward, to the Bondage of the Law;

Ev'n to thoſe abrogated Rites and Dayes,

By, which, the wandring Iew markes out his wayes.

And, to purſue this Round, they are ſo heady,

That, they have made themſelves, and others giddy.

Doe thou, theſe froward Motions, LORD, reſtraine;

And, ſet the World in her due courſe againe.

p. 220Invincibilitie is there,

Where Order, Strength, and Vnion are.

VIS NESCIA VINCI.

ILLVSTR. XII, Book. 4

FRom theſe well-order'd Arrowes, and the Snake,

This uſefull Obſervation you may make;

That, where an able Prudence, doth combine

Vnited-forces, by good Diſcipline,

It maketh up a pow'r, exempted from

The feare, or perill, to be overcome:

And, if you covet ſafetie, you will ſeeke

To know this Ward, and to acquire the like.

For, doubtleſſe, neither is it in the force,

Of iron Charets, or of armed Horſe,

In which, the King, ſecuritie may finde,

Unleſſe the Riders bee well Diſciplinde.

Nor, lyes it in the Souldiers common Skill

In warlike Poſtures; nor in theirs, who drill

The Rankes and Fyles, to order them aright,

According as Occaſion makes the Fight.

But, men muſt uſe a further Prudence too,

Or elſe, thoſe vulgar-Arts will all undoe.

For, theſe, are onelyonly Sciences injoynd,

To order well the Body, not the Mind:

And, men beſt train'd in theſe (oft times) we ſee,

The Hare-brain'dſt-fooles, in all our Armies bee.

To ſtrength, and skill, unite we muſt, therefore,

A manly Prudence, comprehending more,

Than all theſe Powr's: ev'n ſuch, as when ſhee pleaſe,

To all her ends, can uſe and mannage theſe;

And, ſhew us how to cure, or to prevent

All Hazards; or, withall to bee content.

Hee that's thus arm'd, and truſts in God alone,

May bee oppoſ'd, but, conquered of none.

p. 221When thou art ſhipwrackt in Eſtate,

Submit with patience, unto Fate.

QUO FATA TRAHUNT.

ILLVSTR. XIII. Book. 4

WHen I beheld this Picture of a Boat,

(Which on the raging Waves doth ſeeme to float)

Forc'd onward, by the current of the Tide,

Without the helpe of Anchor, Oare or Guide,

And, ſaw the Motto there, which doth imply,

That ſhee commits her ſelfe to Deſtinie;

Me thinkes, this Emblem ſets out their eſtate,

Who have aſcribed ev'ry thing to Fate;

And dreame, that howſoe're the buſineſſe goe,

Their Worke, nor hinders, neither helpes thereto.

The leaking Ship, they value as the ſound:

Hee that's to hanging borne, ſhall ne're bee drown'd;

And, men to happineſſe ordain'd (ſay theſe)

May ſet their Ship to float, as Fate ſhall pleaſe.

This Fancie, ſpringing from a miſ-beleeving

Of God's Decrees; and, many men deceiving,

With ſhewes of Truth, both cauſeth much offence

Againſt God's Mercies, and his Providence;

And brings to paſſe, that ſome to ruine runne,

By their neglect of what they might have done.

For, Meanes is to bee us'd, (if wee deſire,

The bleſſing of our ſafetie to acquire)

Whoſe naturall effects, if God deny,

VponUpon his Providence wee muſt relye,

Still practiſing what naturall aydes may bee,

Vntill no likely ayd untride wee ſee.

And, when this Non plus wee are forc'd unto,

Stand ſtill, wee may, and wayt what God will do.

Hee that ſhall thus to Fate, his fortunes leave,

Let mee bee ruin'd, if Shee him deceive.

p. 222The beſt, and faireſt Houſe, to mee,

Is that, where beſt I love to bee.

ΟΙΚΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΟΣ.

ILLVSTR. XIV. Book. 4

THey are not Houſes builded large and high,

Seel'd all with Gold, and pav'd with Porphyrie,

Hung round with Arras, glaz'd with Chriſtall-glaſſe,

And cover'd o're with plates of ſhining Braſſe,

Which are the beſt; but, rather, thoſe where wee

In ſafetie, health, and beſt content, may bee;

And, where wee finde, though in a meane Eſtate,

That portion, which maintaines a quiet Fate.

Here, in a homely Cottage, thatcht with reed,

The Peaſant ſeemes as pleaſedly to feed,

As hee, that in his Hall or Parlour dines,

Which Fret-worke Roofes, or coſtly Cedar Lines:

And, with the very ſame affections too,

Both to, and from it, hee doth come and goe.

The Tortois, doubtleſſe, doth no houſe-roome lack,

Although his Houſe will cover but his back;

And, of his Tub, the Cynicke ſeem'd as glad,

As Alexander was of all hee had.

When I am ſetled in a place I love,

A ſhrubby hedge-row, ſeemes a goodly Grove.

My liking maketh Palaces of Sheds,

And, of plaine Couches, carved Ivory Beds:

Yea, ev'ry path, and pathleſſe walke, which lies

Contemn'd, as rude, or wilde, in others eyes,

To mee is pleaſant; not alone in ſhow,

But, truly ſuch: For, liking makes them ſo.

As pleas'd in theirs, the Snailes, and Cocles dwell,

As doth a Scallop in his pearly ſhell:

For, that commends the Houſe, which makes it fit,

To ſerve their turnes, who ſhould have uſe of it.

p. 223The King, his pow'r from God receives:

For, hee alone the Scepter gives.

DEUS DAT CUI VULT.

ILLVSTR. XV. Book. 4

THe Gift of Kingdomes, Children, and good-Wives,

Are three of God's moſt choice Prerogatives,

In temp'rall Bleſſings; and, of all theſe three,

The gifts of Kingdomes, his rar'ſt Favours bee:

For, in five hundred Millions, there's not one,

Whom this high Honour is conferr'd upon;

Nor is there any knowne Eſtate on earth,

(Whereto wee come, by Merit, or by Birth)

Which can, to any man aſſurance bring,

That, hee ſhall either live, or die a King.

The Morning-Starre, that's Heire unto a Crowne,

Oft ſets, before the ſhining-Sunne is downe;

And, ſome, that once a glorious Empire ſwayd,

Did loſe their Kingdomes, e're their heads were layd.

The greateſt earthly Monarch hath no powre,

To keepe his Throne one minute of an houre,

(Vſe all the meanes, and policies hee can)

If God will give it to another man.

Hee, when Belſhazzar was in high'ſt eſtate,

His Kingdome to the Perſians did tranſlate.

King Saul, and Rehoboam, could not ſtay

The Royalties, which God would give away;

And, Hee that was the proudeſt of the reſt,

God, changed from a King, into a Beaſt.

Nor is there any man ſo meane, but hee,

When God ſhall pleaſe, an Emperour may bee.

Some, from the Pot kil…e, from the Sheep cote, ſome,

Hee raiſed hath, great Princes to become:

Yea, hee o're heav'n and earth, hath rear'd his Throne,

That was on earth, the moſt deſpiſed one.

p. 224Her favours, Fortune, oft imparts,

To thoſe that are of no deſerts.

INDIGNUM FORTUNA FOVET.

ILLVSTR. XVI. Book. 4

WOuld you not laugh, and thinke it beaſtly fine,

To ſee a durtie, and ill-favour'd Swine,

Weare on her ſnout, a Diamond, or a Pearle,

That might become the Ladie of an Earle?

And hold it head, as if it meant to ſhow

It were the Pigg of ſome well-nurtur'd Sow?

Perhaps, you thinke there be not any where

Such Antickes, but in this our Emblem here.

But, if you take theſe Charmes, and then goe forth

Among ſome troupes, which paſſe for folkes of worth,

You ſhall diſcover, quickly, if you pleaſe,

A thouſand ſights, as mimicall as theſe.

Here, you ſhall ſee a noble Title worne,

(That had not miſ-beſeem'd one better borne)

By him, whoſe vertues are of little price,

And, whoſe eſtate, was gotten by his Vice.

You ſhall behold another Muſhrome, there,

Walke with our Lords, as if hee were their Peere,

That was well knowne, to be but tother day,

No fit companion for ſuch men as they;

And, had no other meanes to climbe this height,

But Gaming, or to play the Paraſite.

Yet (though he neither hath his Trade, nor Lands,

Nor any honeſt In come, by his hands)

Hee, oft conſumes at once, in Games or Cheare,

More than would keepe his Better all the yeare.

Yea, many ſuch as theſe, thou ſhouldſt behold,

Which would bee vext, if I deſcribe them ſhould:

For, thus, unworthily, blind Fortune flings,

To Crowes, and Geeſe, and Swine, her precious things.

p. 225The best good-turnes that Fooles can doe us,

Proove diſadvantages unto us.

STULTORUM ADIUMENTA NOCUMENTA.

ILLVSTR. XVII. Book. 4

A Foole, ſent forth to fetch the Goſlings home,

When they unto a Rivers brinck were come,

(Through which their paſſage lay) conceiv'd a feare

His Dames beſt Brood, might have been drowned there;

Which, to avoyd, hee thus did ſhew his wit,

And his good nature, in preventing it.

Hee, underneath his girdle, thruſts their heads,

And, then the Coxcombe through the water wades.

Here learne, that when a Foole his helpe intends,

It rather doth a miſchiefe, then befriends;

And, thinke, if there be danger in his love,

How harmefull his Maliciouſneſſe may prove:

For, from his kindeneſſe, though no profit riſe

To doe thee ſpight, his Malice may ſuffiſe.

I could not from a Prince beſeech a boone

By ſuing to his Ieſter or Buffoone:

Nor, any Fooles vaine humor, ſooth or ſerve,

To get my bread, though I were like to ſtarve.

For, to be poore, I ſhould not bluſh ſo much,

As if a Foole ſhould raiſe me to be rich.

Lord, though of ſuch a kinde my faults may be,

That ſharpe Affliction ſtill muſt tutor mee,

(And give me due Correction in her Schooles)

Yet, oh preſerve me from the ſcorne of Fooles.

Thoſe wicked Fooles, that in their hearts have ſed▪

There is no God; and, rather give me Bread

By Ravens, LORD, or in a Lions Den,

Then by the Favours of ſuch fooliſh men:

Leſt, if their dainties I ſhould ſwallow downe,

Their ſmile might more undoe, me, then their frowne.

p. 226Though weakneſſe unto mee belong,

In my Supporter, I am ſtrong.

TE STANTE VIREBO.

ILLVSTR. XVIII. Book. 4

ALthough there bee no Timber in the Vine,

Nor ſtrength to raiſe the climbing Ivie-twine,

Yet, when they have a helper by their ſide,

Or, prop to ſtay them, like this Pyramide,

One roote ſometime, ſo many Sprayes will beare,

That, you might thinke, ſome goodly Grove it were:

Their tender ſtalkes, to climbe aloft, are ſeene;

Their boughs are cover'd with a pleaſant greene;

And, that, which elſe, had crept upon the ground,

Hath tops of loftie trees, and turrets crown'd.

This Emblem, fitly ſhadowes out the Natures

Of us, that are the Reaſonable-creatures:

For, wee are truely by our nat'rall-birth,

Like Vines undreſt, and creeping on the earth;

Nor free from ſpoyling, nor in caſe to beare

Good fruits, or leaves, while we are groveling there.

But, if new-borne by Grace, ſtreight borne are wee,

From earthly creepings, by that Living-tree,

Which, here, was planted, meerely to this end,

That, by his pow'r, our weakneſſe might aſcend.

And, hee our frailtie to himſelfe ſo takes,

So, of his might, the partners us hee makes;

That, hee, in us, doth ſeeme to hide his pow'rs,

And, make the ſtrength hee gives, appeare as ours.

Continue, Lord, this Grace, and grant wee may,

Firme hold, on our-Supporter, alwayes lay:

So climbing, that wee nor neglect, nor hide

His Love; nor over-climbe it, by our Pride.

Thus, our yet ſtaggering weakneſſe, ſhall at length,

Bee fully changed into perfect Strength.

p. 227Be wary, whoſoe're thou be,

For, from Loves arrowes, none are free.

FERIO.

ILLVSTR. XIX. Book. 4

GOod Folkes, take heede; for, here's a wanton Wagge,

Who, having Bowes and Arrowes, makes his bragg

That, he hath ſome unhappy trick to play;

And, vowes to ſhoot at all he meets to day.

P…ay be not careleſſe; for, the Boy is blinde,

And, ſometimes ſtrikes, where moſt he ſeemeth kinde.

This rambling Archer ſpares nor one, nor other:

Yea, otherwhile, the Monkey ſhoots his Mother.

Though you be little Children, come not neere;

For, I remember (though't be many a yeare

Now gone and paſt,) that, when I was a Lad,

My Heart, a pricke, by this young Wanton had,

That, pain'd me ſeven yeares after: nor had I

The grace (thus warn'd) to ſcape his waggery;

But many times, ev'n ſince I was a man,

He ſhot me, oftner then I tell you can:

And, if I had not bene the ſtronger-hearted,

I, for my over-daring, might have ſmarted.

You laugh now, as if this were nothing ſo;

But, if you meet this Blinkard with his Bow,

You may, unleſſe you take the better care,

Receive a wound, before you be aware.

I feare him not; for, I have learned how

To keepe my heart-ſtrings from his Arrowes now:

And, ſo might you, and ſo might ev'ry one

That vaine Occaſions, truely ſeekes to ſhunn.

But, if you ſleight my Counſells, you may chance

To blame at laſt, your willfull ignorance:

For, ſome, who thought, at firſt, his wounds but ſmall

Have dyed by them, in an Hoſpitall.

p. 228On whether ſide ſoe're I am,

I, ſtill, appeare to bee the ſame.

QUOCUNQUE FERAR.

ILLVSTR. XX. Book. 4

THis Cube, which is an equall-ſided-ſquare,

Doth very well, in Emblem-wiſe, declare

The temper of that vertuous minded man,

Whoſe reſolutions nothing alter can.

For, as the Cube, which way ſoever plac't,

Stands ever in one poſture, firmely faſt,

And, ſtill appeares the ſame in forme and ſize,

VponUpon what ſide or part ſoe're it lyes:

So, men well formed by the Word divine,

And, truly ſquar'd by vertuous Diſcipline,

Will keepe (though changes them ſhall turne & wind)

The forme and firmneſſe of an honeſt-minde.

If, digging deepe, his Fortunes lay him, there,

Where he his owne, and others weights muſt beare,

(There▪ many yeares compelling him to lie,

Oppreſt with diſ-reſpect or povertie)

Hee keepes the place to which hee ſtands enjoyn'd,

And brooks his chances with a conſtant mind.

If ſhee remoove him thence, and ſet him up

On temporall Proſperities high top,

The Squareneſſe of Plaine dealing hee retaines,

And, in the ſame integritie remaines:

Nor coveting vaine Wealth, or falſe eſteemes;

Nor, being any other than he ſeemes.

Although by Nature, wee are wondrous hard,

Lord, let us into ſuch like Stones be ſquar'd:

Then, place us in thy ſpirituall Temple, ſo,

That, into one firme Structure, we may grow;

And, when we, by thy Grace, are fitted thus,

Dwell Thou thy ſelfe, for evermore, in us.

p. 229Deformitie, within may bee,

Where outward Beauties we doe ſee.

BELLA IN VISTA DENTRO TRISTA.

ILLVSTR. XXI. Book. 4

LOoke well, I pray, upon this Beldame, here,

For, in her habit, though ſhee gay appeare,

You, through her youthfull vizard, may eſpy

Shee's of an old Edition, by her Eye:

And, by her wainſcot face, it may bee ſeene,

Shee might your Grandams firſt dry-nurſe have been.

This is an Emblem, fitly ſhaddowing thoſe,

Who making faire, and honeſt outward ſhowes,

Are inwardly deform'd; and, nothing ſuch,

As they to bee ſuppos'd, have ſtrived much.

They chuſe their words, and play well-acted parts,

But, hide moſt loathſome projects in their hearts;

And, when you think ſweet Friendſhip to embrace,

Some ugly Treaſon, meets you in the face.

I ha… a painted Brow; I much diſlike

A Mayden-bluſh, dawb'd on a furrowed Cheeke:

And, I abhorre to ſee old Wantons play,

And, ſuite themſelves, like Ladies of the May.

But, more (yea, moſt of all) my ſoule deſpiſeth

A Heart, that in Religious formes, diſguiſeth

Prophane intentions; and arrayes in white,

The coale-blacke conſcience of an Hypocrite.

Take heed of ſuch as theſe; and, (if you may)

Before you truſt them, tract them in their way.

Obſerve their footſteps, in their private path:

For, theſe (as 'tis beleev'd, the Devill hath)

Have cloven feet; that is, two wayes they goe;

One for their ends, and tother for a ſhow.

Now, you thus warned are, adviſe embrace;

And, truſt nor gawdy Clothes, nor painted Face.

p. 230My Hand and Heart, in one agree,

What can you more deſire of mee?

EN DEXTRA FIDESQUE.

ILLVSTR. XXII. Book. 4

A Heart with Hand-in-hand, united thus,

Makes here an Emblem not unknowne to us;

And, 'tis not hard for any Vulgar wit,

Without a Comment, to interpret it.

But, though of ev'ry man confeſt it be,

That Hand and Heart together ſhould agree;

And, that, what we in outward ſhew expreſſe,

Perform'd ſhould be, with inward heartineſſe.

(Since, now the World, to ſuch a paſſe is growne,

That, all is not conſider'd, which is knowne)

I cannot thinke it altogether vaine,

To ſpeake of that, which may appeare ſo plaine.

When thou doſt reach thy hand unto thy friend,

Take order, that thy heart the ſame intend:

For, otherwiſe in Hand, or Heart, thou lyeſt,

And, cutteſt off a Member, e're thou dyeſt.

Some, give their Hearts (as many Lovers do)

Yet, are afraid, to ſet their hands thereto.

Some give their Hands; and, then by many a deed,

To ratifie the gift, they dare proceede;

Yet, keep their tongues from ſaying what they meant,

To helpe excuſe their hearts, when they repent.

Yea, ſome can very cunningly expreſſe,

In outward ſhew, a winning heartineſſe,

And, ſteale the deare affections they have ſought,

From thoſe, to whom they meant, nor promiſ'd ought.

Then, will they, if advantage come thereby,

Make all their Deeds, for want of Words, a ly.

Among Diſſemblers, in things temporall,

Theſe Raskalls are the ver'eſt Knaves of all.

p. 231No Emblem, can at full declare,

How fickle, Minds-unconſtant are.

VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER.

ILLVSTR. XXIII. Book. 4

SOme, thinke this Emblem ſerveth to expreſſe

No more, but onelyonly Womens fickleneſſe;

And, they will moſt deſire to have it ſo,

Who, like thoſe beſt, that moſt inconſtant grow.

Although my Fortunes were, in ſome things, bad,

I never in my life, experience had

Of an inconſtant woman: Wherefore, then,

Should I condemne the Females, more than men?

I heare ſome talke, that Women fickle be:

And ſo I thinke; and ſo I know are wee.

And (being put together) ſay I dare,

That, they and wee, in equall manner, ſhare

A giddineſſe, and fickleneſſe of minde,

More wavering, than a Feather, or the Winde.

The Woman, heere, is plac'd, to typiſie

A minde diſtracted with much levitie:

Not, that the womans Wav'rings are the more;

But, for this cauſe: Moſt Vices, heretofore,

And Vertues too, our Anceſtors did render,

By words declined in the female-gender.

The winged-Ball, (whoſe tottering Foundation,

Augments the cauſes of our variation)

Meanes, here, thoſe uſeleſſe, and vaine temp'rall things,

That come and goe, with never-ſtaying wings;

And, which (if thereupon our hearts we ſet)

Make Men and Women, the Vertigo get.

Hereafter, then, let neither Sexe accuſe

Each other; but, their beſt endeavours uſe,

To cure this Maladie in one another,

By living well, and lovingly together.