Emblems Ancient and Modern, Emblem 24 – Emblem 47

Emblems Ancient and Modern · Emblem 24 – Emblem 47

p. 232Hee that enjoyes a patient Minde,

Can Pleaſures in Afflictions finde.

GAUDET PATIENTIA DURIS.

ILLVSTR. XXIV. Book. 4

WHat meanes this Countrey-peaſant, skipping here

Through prickling Thiſtles w^th ſuch gameſom cheere?

And, plucking off their tops, as though for Poſies,

He gather'd Violets, or toothleſſe Roſes?

What meaneth it, but onelyonly to expreſſe

How great a joy, well-grounded Patientneſſe

Retaines in Suff…rings? and, what ſport ſhe makes,

When ſhe her Iourney through Affliction takes?

I, oft have ſayd (and, have as oft, beene thought▪

To ſpeake a Paradox, that ſavours nought

Of likely truth) that, ſome Afflictions bring

A Honey bag, which cureth ev'ry Sting

(That wounds the Fleſh) by giving to the Mind,

A pleaſing taſte of Sweetneſſes refin'd.

Nor can it other be, except in thoſe,

Whoſe Better part, quite ſtupifyed growes,

By being Cauterized in the Fires

Of childiſh Feares, or temporall Deſires.

For, as th… Valiant (when the Coward ſwounds)

With gladneſſe lets the Surgion ſearch his Wounds;

And, though they ſmart, yet cheerefully indures

The Pla…ſters, and, the Probe, in hope of Cures:

So, Men, aſſured that Afflictions paine

Comes not for vengeance to them, nor in vaine;

But, to prepare, and fit them for the place,

To which, they willingly direct their pace;

In Troubles, are ſo farre from being ſad,

That, of their Suffring, they are truely glad.

What ever others thinke, I thus beleeve;

And, therefore, joy, when they ſuppoſe I grieve.

p. 233All is not Gold, which makes a ſhow:

But, what the Touchſtone findeth ſo.

SIC SPECTANDA FIDES.

ILLVSTR. XXV. Book. 4

WHen Silver Medalls, or ſome coynes of Gold,

Are by the Gold-ſmith either bought or ſold,

Hee doth not only ſearch them with his Eye,

But, by the Scale, their weight will alſo trie;

Or, by the Touchſtone, or the Teſt, aſſay

The trueneſſe of them, and their juſt Alay.

Now, by their warineſſe, who thus proceed,

Wee fairely are admoniſhed, to heed

The faithfulneſſe of him wee make our Friend;

And, on whoſe love wee purpoſe to depend:

Or elſe, when wee a Iewell thinke to get,

Wee may bee cheated by a Counterfet.

All is not Gold that gliſters: Otherwhile,

The Tincture is ſo good, it may beguile

The cunningſt eye: But, bring it to the Touch,

And, then, you find the value not ſo much.

Some, keepe the Tincture, brooking, likewiſe, well

An ordinarie Touch; but, yeeld a Smell,

Which will diſcover it, if you apply

VntoUnto your Noſe, that piece of Chymiſtrie.

Sometime, when there's enough to give content,

In Colour, in the Touch, and in the Scent;

The Bulke, is more than anſwers Gold in weight,

And, proves it a ſophiſticall deceit.

Nay. ſome, is fully that which you deſire,

In all theſe Properties; and, till the fire

Hath made aſſayes, you'l thinke you might be bold

To pawne your life, it had been Ophir-gold:

But, to bee falſe, the Metall's then deſcride;

And, ſuch are many Friends, when they are tride.

p. 234Apollo ſhoots not ev'ry day,

But, ſometime on his Harpe doth play.

NON SEMPER ARCUM TENDIT.

ILLVSTR. XXVI. Book. 4

THere are a ſort of people ſo ſevere,

That, fooliſh, and injurious too, they are;

And, if the world were to bee rul'd by theſe,

Nor Soule, not Bodie, ever ſhould have eaſe.

The Sixe dayes, (as their wiſdomes underſtand)

Are to bee ſpent in Labour, by command,

With ſuch a ſtrictneſſe, that they quite condemne

All Recreations which are us'd in them.

That, which is call'd the Sabbath, they confine

To Prayers, and all Offices-divine,

So wholly, that a little Recreation,

That Day, is made a marke of Reprobation:

And, (by this meanes) the reaſon is to ſeeke,

When their poore Servants labour all the weeke,

(Of which, they'l bate them nothing) how it tyes

Them, to obſerve the ſixe-fold Sacrifice

By ſome injoyn'd; and gives them ſuch due Reſt,

As God allowed, both to Man and Beaſt.

Hee, gave the Woods, the Fields, and Meddowes, here,

A time to reſt, as well as times to beare.

The Forreſt Boaſts, and Heards, have howres for play,

As well as time to graze, and hunt their prey:

And, ev'ry Bird ſome leaſure hath to ſing,

Or, in the Aire, to ſport it on her wing.

And, ſure, to him, for whom all theſe were made,

Leſſe kindneſſe was not meant, then theſe have had.

The Fleſh will faint, if pleaſure none it knowes;

The Man growes madd, that alway muzing goes.

The Wiſeſt men, will ſometimes merry bee:

And, this is that, this Emblem teacheth me.

p. 235Live, over mindfull of thy dying;

For, Time is always from thee flying.

VIVE MEMOR LETHI FUGIT HORA.

ILLVSTR. XXVII. Book. 4

THis vulgar Figure of a winged glaſſe,

Doth ſignifie, how ſwiftly Time doth paſſe.

By that leane Scull, which to this houre-glaſſe clings,

We are informed what effect it brings;

And, by the Words about it, wee are taught

To keepe our lattter ending ſtill in thought.

The common houre-glaſſe, of the Life of Man,

Exceedeth not the largeneſſe of a ſpan.

The Sand-like Minutes, flye away ſo faſt,

That, yeares are out, e're wee thinke months are paſt:

Yea, many times, our nat'rall-day is gone,

Before wee look'd for twelve a clocke at Noone;

And, where wee ſought for Bea…tie, at the Full,

Wee finde the Fleſh quite rotted from the Skull.

Let theſe Expreſſions of Times paſſage, bee

Remembrancers for ever, Lord, to mee;

That, I may ſtill bee guiltleſſe of their crime,

Who fruitleſly conſume their precious Time:

And, minde my Death, not with a ſlaviſh feare,

But, with a thankfull uſe, of life-time, here:

Not grieving, that my dayes away doe poſt;

But, caring rather, that they bee not loſt,

And, lab'ring with Diſcretion, how I may

Redeeme the Time, that's vainely ſlipt away.

So, when that moment comes, which others dread,

I, undiſmay'd, ſhall climbe my dying bed;

With joyfull Hopes, my Fleſh to duſt commend;

In Spirit, with a ſtedfaſt Faith aſcend;

And, whilſt I living …, to ſinne ſo dye,

That dying, I may live eternally.

p. 236In ev'ry Storme, hee ſtandeth faſt,

Whoſe dwelling, on the Rocke is plac'd.

MEDIIS TRANQUILLUS IN UNDIS.

ILLVSTR. XXVIII. Book. 4

WHat thing ſoever ſome will have expreſt,

As typified by this Halcyons-nest,

I ſhall not thinke this Emblem ill-appli'd,

If, by the ſame, the Church bee ſignifi'd.

For, as it is (by ſome) affirm'd of theſe,

That, whilſt they breed, the fury of the ſeas

Is through the world alayd; and, that their Brood

Remaines in ſafetie, then, amidſt the flood:

So, when the Chriſtian Church was in her birth,

There was a generall Peace throughout the earth;

And, thoſe tumultuous Waves, which after that

Began to riſe, and bee enrag'd thereat,

Were calmed ſo, that Hee was borne in peace,

From whom, the faithfull Off-ſpring did encreaſe.

They, likewiſe, on a Rocke, their dwellings have,

As here you ſee; and, though the raging Wave,

Of dreadfull Seas, hath beaten, ever ſince,

Againſt the Fortreſſe of their ſtrong defence,

Yet, ſtill ſtands; and, ſafe, it ſhall abide,

Ev'n in the midſt of all their foming pride.

VponUpon this Rocke ſo place me, oh my God!

That, whatſoever Tempeſts bee abroad,

I may not feare the fury of my Foe;

Nor bee in danger of an overthrow.

My life is full of Stormes; the Waters roule,

As if they meant to ſwallow up my ſoule.

The Tides oppoſe; the furious winds doe roare;

My Cable's weake, my tacklings, Lord are poore,

And, my fraile, veſſell cannot long endure;

Yet, reach to mee thy hand, and I'm ſecure.

p. 237That's Friendſhip, and true-love, indeed,

Which firme abides, in time of need.

BONA FIDE.

ILLVSTR. XXIX. Book. 4

THat's Love in earneſt, which is conſtant found,

When Friends are in Affliction, or in Bands;

And, their Affection merits to be crown'd,

Whoſe hearts are faſtned where they joyne their hands.

Tis eaſie to be friendly, where wee ſee

A Complement or two will ſerve the turne;

Or, where the kindneſſe may requited bee;

Or, when the charge is with a trifle borne.

It is as eaſie too, for him to ſpend

At once, the full Revenues of a yeare,

In Cares, for entertainment of his Friend,

Who thinkes his glorie, is expenſive-cheere:

For, 'tis his pleaſure; and, if none ſhould come

Like faſhionable-Friends, for him to court,

Hee would with Rogues, and Canters, fill the Roome,

Or, ſuch as ſhould abuſe, and flout him for't.

But, hard it is, to ſuffer, or to ſpend

For him (though worthy) that's of meane eſtate,

Unlikely our occaſions to befriend,

Or, one unable to remunerate.

Few men are liberall, whom neither Luſt,

Vaine glorie, Prodigalitie, nor Pride,

Doth forward into fooliſh Bountie thruſt;

As may, by Obſervation bee eſpide.

For, when a ſlender Bountie would relieve

Their vertuous Friend, whoſe wants to them are knowne,

To their Buffoone, a Knights eſtate they'l give,

And, thinke on t'other trifles ill-beſtowne.

Yet, this Ile ſay; and, give the Devill his due;

Theſe Friends, are to their luſts, and humours, true.

p. 238The Sword hath place, will War doth ceaſe

And, uſefull …, in time of Peace.

PACISQUE BONUS BELLIQUE MINISTER.

ILLVSTR. XXX. Book. 4

THe Sword, to bee an Emblem, here, we draw,

Of the Authoritie, which keeps in awe

Our Countries Enemies; and, thoſe that are

The Foes of Peace, as well as thoſe of Warre;

That, Peace may give the Law of Armes her due,

And, Warre, to Civill-pow'rs, reſpect may ſhew.

For, Kingdomes, nor in Warre not Peace, can ſtand,

Except the Sword have alway ſome command:

Yea, that, for which our forraine Spoyl…rs come,

Domeſticke Foes, will elſe devoure at home;

And, ſtranger-drones the peacefull Bees will harme,

Vnleſſe with warlike ſtings, themſelves they arme.

Conſidering this, let none bee ſo unwiſe,

The Swords well us'd protection to deſpiſe:

Or, thinke the practice of this double-guard,

In any place, or age, may well bee ſpar'd.

Let not the Sword-man ſleight the pow'rfull Gowne;

Nor Gowne-men caſt the Sword out of their Towne,

Becauſe it terrifies, or draweth Blood;

For, otherwhile Phlebotomy is good:

And, thought to kill a Lowſe, the Ban…ans feare;

(Though Anabaptiſt… love no Sword to weare)

Yet, being drawne, to fright, or cut off Sinne,

It may bee brandiſh'd by a Cherubin.

However, from the Sword divide not you

(In any caſe) the peacefull olive bough:

That is, let Peace, at all times, be that End,

For which, to draw the Sword you doe intend;

And, for well-doing, bee as ready, ſtill,

To give rewards, as blowes, for doing-ill.

p. 239A Fortune is ordain'd for thee,

According as thy Labours hee.

PAR SIT FORTUNA LABORI.

ILLVSTR. XXXI. Book. 4

THe Spade, for Labour ſtands. The Ball with wings,

Intendeth flitting rowling-wordly-things.

This Altar-ſtone, may ſerve in ſetting foorth,

Things firmer, ſollid, and of greater worth:

In which, and by the words incloſing theſe

You, the…e, may read, your Fortune, if you pleaſe.

If you, your Labour, on thoſe things beſtow,

Which rowle, and flutter, alwaies, to and fro;

It cannot be, but, that which you obtaine,

Muſt prove a wavering, and unconſtant gaine:

For, he that ſoweth Vanitie, ſhall finde,

At reaping-time, no better fruit then Winde,

Your houres, in ſerious matters, if you ſpend,

Or, ſuch, as to a laſting purpoſe tend,

The purchaſe of your paines will ever laſt;

And, being you Pleaſure, when the Labour's paſt.

Yea, though in teares, your Seed-time you imploy,

Your Harveſt ſhall be fetched home, with ioy.

If much be wrought, much profit will enſue;

If little, but a little meede is due.

Of nothing, nothing comes : On evill deedes

An evill conſcience, and, ill fame ſucceedes:

An honeſt-life, ſtill findes prepared for't

Sweet Hopes in Death ; and, after, good-report.

Of Sexe, or of Degree, there's no regard:

But, as the Labour, ſuch is the reward.

To worke-aright, oh Lord, inſtruct thou mee;

And, grouud my Workes, and buildings all on thee:

That by the fiery Teſt, when they are tride,

My Worke may ſtand, and I may ſafe abide.

p. 240Let none in troublous times repine;

For, after Stormes, the Sun will ſhine.

POST NUBILA PHOEBUS.

ILLVSTR. XXXII. Book. 4

DIſcourage not your ſelves, although you ſee

The weather blacke, and ſtormes prolonged be.

What though it fiercely raines, and thunders loud?

Behold, there is a Raine-bow in the Cloud,

Wherein, a truſtfull promiſe may be found,

That, quite, your little-worlds, ſhall not be drown'd.

The Sun-ſhine, through the foggy miſts appeare,

The lowring Skie, begins againe to cleare;

And, though the Tempeſt, yet your eyes affright,

Faire weather may befall you, long ere night.

Such comfort ſpeakes our Emblem, unto thoſe,

Whom ſtormie Perſecution doth encloſe;

And, comforts him, that's for the preſent ſad,

With hopes, that better ſeaſons may bee had.

There is nor trouble, ſorrow, nor diſtreſſe,

But mitigation hath, or ſome releaſe.

Long uſe, or time, the ſtorme away will turne,

Elſe, Patience makes it better to be borne.

Yea, ſorrowes lowring dayes, will come and goe,

As well as proſp'rous houres of Sunſhine doe;

And, when' tis paſt, the paine that went before,

Will make the following pleaſure ſeeme the more.

For, hee, hath promis'd, whom we may beleeve,

His bleſſing, unto thoſe that mourne and grieve;

And, that, though ſorrow much dejects their head,

In ev'ry need, wee ſhall be comforted.

This promiſe I beleeve; in ev'ry griefe,

Performe it, Lord, and helpe my unbeliefe:

So, others viewing how thou cheereſt mee,

Shall, in all ſorrowes, put their truſt in thee.

p. 241For whatſoever, Man doth ſtrive,

The Conqueſt, God alone, doth give.

OMNIS VICTORIA A DOMINO.

ILLVSTR. XXXIII. Book. 4

WHen on the Sword, the Olive-branch attends,

(That is, when bloody Warres, have peacefull Ends)

And, whenſoever Victories are gained;

This Emblem ſhewes, by whom they are obtained:

For, that all Victorie, doth onelyonly from

The pow'rfull hand of God-Almightie, come,

The Boughes of Bayes and Olives, doe declare,

Which round the Tetragrammatan appeare.

Nor muſt we thinke, that God beſtowes, alone,

The Victories of Warre, on any one;

But, that, when we contend in other things,

From him, th'event that's wiſht for, alſo ſprings.

This being ſo, how dare wee, by the Lawes,

Or, by the Sword, purſue a wicked Cauſe?

How dare wee bring a matter that's unjuſt,

Where hee (though few perceive him) judge it muſt?

Or, proſecute with fury, or deſpite,

Againſt the perſon of his Favourite?

What Fooles are they, who ſeeke the Conquest, by

Oppreſſion, Fraud, or helliſh Perjurie?

How mad are thoſe, who to the Warres prepare,

For nothing, but to ſpoyle and murther there?

Who, nor ingag'd by Faith to their Alies,

Nor urg'd by any private injuries,

(Nor ſent, nor tolerated, by their Prince,

Nor caring whether ſide hath giv'n offence)

Run rambling through the World, to kill and ſlay,

Like needie Butchers, for two groats a day?

Theſe men may ſide, where Conqueſts, God beſtowes;

Yet, when the Field is wonne, theſe men doe loſe.

p. 242Since overmuch, will over-fill,

Powre out enough; but doe not ſpill.

NE QUID NIMIS.

ILLVSTR. XXXIV. Book. 4

IT is this Emblems meaning, to advance

The love and practiſe, of true Temperance.

For, by this Figure (which doth ſeeme to fill,

Vntill the liquor overflow, and ſpill)

Wee are, as by example, taught to ſee

How fruitleſſe our Intemperancies bee:

Thus by the Rule of Contrarieties,

Some Vertues, beſt are ſhowne to vulgar eyes.

To ſee naſtie Drunkard, reele and ſpew,

More moves to Soberneſſe, than can the view

Of tweatie civill men; and, to behold

One Prodigall, (that goodly lands hath ſold)

Stand torne and louzie, begging at the dore,

Would make Intemperance abhorred more,

(And, manly Soberneſſe, much better, each)

Than all that ſixe Philoſophers can preach:

So, by the Veſſels overflowing, here,

True Moderation doth more prais'd appeare,

Than by the meane it ſelfe: And, without ſinne,

That's pictur'd, which to doe, had wicked bin,

For, though to vertuous ends; wee doe deny

The Doing-ill, that Good may come thereby.

From hence, let us be taught, that carefull heed,

Whereby wee ſhould both Minde and Bodie, feed.

Let us, of our owne ſelves, obſerve the ſize;

How much wee want, how little will ſuffize;

And, our owne longings, rather leave unfill'd,

Than ſuffer any portion to bee ſpill'd:

For, what we marre, ſhall to account be layd,

And, what wee wiſely ſpend, ſhall be repayd.

p. 243They paſſe through many ſtormes, and ſtreights,

Who riſe to any glorious heights.

PER ANGUSTA AD AUGUSTA.

ILLVSTR. XXXV. Book. 4

THis Tree, which here doth largely ſeeme to grow,

(And ſpreads above, though ſtreightned in below)

Through adverſe Winds, and many a Winters blaſt,

Hath gain'd a faire proportion at the laſt;

And, from a lowly ſhrub, is growne to bee

A well-eſteemed, and a goodly Tree.

Thus, hath it chanced unto many a man:

And, he that firſt in miſery began,

(So poore and meane, that very few or none

Have judg'd him to be worth the looking on)

Ev'n he, through ſcornes, through wrongs, and povertie,

Hath crept, and ſcrew'd, and rais'd himſelfe ſo high,

That, he hath placed been among the prime,

Of thoſe, who ſeem'd the Worthies of the time;

Yea, overtopt and aw'd, the beſt of thoſe,

Who ſought to curbe him, when he firſt aroſe.

This, I have ſeene; And, as wee ſeldome find

A Tree grow faire, that cannot brooke the Wind,

Or, muſt be hous'd at Winter; or, on whom

The Gardners pruning-knife, did never come:

So, I have rarely knowne thoſe men to riſe

To any good, or noble qualities,

Who feele not, firſt ſome hardſhip, or ſome ſtorme,

To prune, to diſcipline, and to reforme

Their wits and manners. For, proſperitie,

Eaſe, plentie, and too large a libertie,

Doth often blaſt them, and, ſomtime bereave them,

Of what their Predeceſſors worth's, did leave them.

Let, therefore, no man, feare when this he knowes.

Although in tempeſts, and through ſtreights he goes.

p. 244God, ever will bee preſent, there,

Where, of one Faith, and Mind they are.

FIDUCIA CONCORS.

ILLVSTR. XXXVI. Book. 4

A Fixed Palme, (whoſe Fingers doe appeare,

As if diſplayed, and advanc'd they were)

Intended by our Author, here, wee ſee,

To ſha…dow out agreeing-Minds, that bee

Eſtabliſh'd in one Truſt. And, well it may,

That Vertue, of the holy Church diſplay.

For, as our hands, the better meanes can make,

To gaine, as well as to retaine, or take,

The benefits we ſeeke; when wee intend,

Our differing Fingers, all, to worke one end:

So, when the Church of Christ (wherein wee finde

A diffrence of Degrees) ſhall with one minde,

Perſue a faithfull hope; they'l ſoone obtaine,

That wiſhed benefit, they ſeeke to gaine:

For, when but two or three ſhall in Gods name,

Req…eſt a bleſsing, he will grant the ſame.

Let all thy ſev'rall Churches, LORD (that ſtand

Like many Fingers, members of one Hand)

Thy Will Eſſentiall with joynt love obay,

Though circumſtantially, they differ may.

Some have the larger Circuit, ſome are ſtronger,

Some are of ſhort continuance, ſome of longer;

But, though their Guifts may differ, yet provide,

That, ſtill, on one Foundation, they may bide;

And, that, all thoſe, who in one Faith agree,

May, in one Band of Love, united bee:

Till our confined Wiſdome comes to know,

That, many things, for which wee wrangle ſo,

Would further that, whoſe hindrance wee doe feare,

If more our Faith, and l…ſſe our Diſcord were.

p. 245Protect mee, if I worthy bee;

If I demerit, puniſh mee.

PRO ME SI MEREOR IN ME.

ILLVSTR. XXXVII. Book. 4

THis Emblem, forth unto your view hath ſet,

A Sword, together with a Coronet;

To ſhew the prudent Reader, what Reward

For ill, and for well doing is prepar'd;

That they, who heretofore, amiſle have done,

May learne, their threatned puniſhments to ſhun:

That they, whoſe Actions warrantable were,

May, in their honeſt Courſes, perſevere:

And, that thoſe men, who great and pow'rfull bee,

Should puniſh and reward, as cauſe they ſee.

Men are of diff'ring tempers: Some, are wonne

By promiſes, and gentle meanes alone:

Some, moved are by ſhame; and, ſome through dread,

To bee in purſe, or bodie puniſhed.

And, ſome, their duties are allur'd to doe,

No way, but by a mixture of theſe two.

They, therefore, neither Wiſe, nor Honeſt bee,

Who dandle all Offenders on their knee;

Or, puniſh onelyonly with a God-forbid;

Or, Doe not ſo, my ſonnes, as Ely did.

Nor wiſer ought, are they, nor honeſter,

Who alwayes fright, and threaten thoſe that erre;

No merciemercy joyning, to the chaſtiſement

Of them, whoſe faults are worthy to bee ſhent.

Nor are they leſſe to blame, who carry Swords,

To puniſh errors; but, nor lookes, nor words,

To cheriſh well deſervings: And, in this,

Moſt men, that puniſh others, doe amiſſe.

Sure, if the Sword miſdoing, may purſue,

For doing-well, the Coronet is due.

p. 246The Tongue, which every ſecret ſpeakes,

Is like a Barrell full of leakes.

HAC ATQUE ILLAC PERFLUIT.

ILLVSTR. XXXVIII. Book. 4

THe Barrell, from whoſe bottome, ſides, and b…ng,

The liquor (as in this our Emblem) flowes,

May fitly typifie the babling Tongue,

Of him that utters ev'ry thing hee knowes.

For, ſuch as are their taskes, who ſtrive to fill

An ever-leaking Veſſell, to the brim;

Ev'n ſuch are his, who laboureth to ſtill

A tatlers tougue; for, paines are loſt on him.

This Figure, alſo, ſerveth to expreſſe,

The truſtleſſe nature of a whoriſh woman;

For, ſhee to all diſplayes her wantonneſſe,

And, cares to keepe her ſecreſies, from no man.

Within her boſome, nothing long ſhee keeps,

But, whatſoever ſhee conceives or knowes,

Streight, from the heart, up to her tongue, it creeps;

And, round about the Citie, then, it goes.

Bee warned therefore, and commit thou not

Thy perſon, ſtate, or fame, to ſuch as theſe;

Leſt, they thy Reputation doe beſpot,

Conſume thy Subſtance, or thy Minde diſeaſe.

But, moſt of all, bee wary, leſt the crime,

Which here wee doe reproove, thy mind infect:

For, Vice, like weeds, will grow in little time,

And, out-grow Vertues, if wee them neglect.

The ſureſt way to keepe ſuch errors out,

And, in our ſelves true Vertues to maintaine;

Is, to bee hoopt with Temp'rance, round about,

And, our out-flowing humors to reſtraine.

If thus we practiſe, 'twill prevent the wrongs

Of our owne errors, and of others tongues.

p. 247How ever thou the Viper take▪

A dang'rous hazzard thou doſt make.

UT CUNQUE.

ILLVSTR. XXXIX. Book. 4

THis Figure warnes us, that wee meddle not

With matters, whereby nothing may bee got,

Save harme or loſſe; and, ſuch as once begun,

Wee may, nor ſafely doe, nor leave undone.

I ſhould bee loath to meddle in the ſtrife

Ariſing 'twixt a Husband, and his Wife;

For, Truth conceal'd, or ſpoke, on either ſide,

May one or th' other grieve, or both divide.

I would not with my moſt familiar Mate,

Be Partner in the whole of my eſtate;

Leſt I, by others errors, might offend,

Or, wrong my Family, or, loſe my Friend.

I would not, willingly, in my diſtreſſe,

From an unworthy hand, receive redreſſe;

Nor, when I need a Suretie, would I call

An Vnthrift, or a roaring Prodigall:

For, either theſe I thankleſly muſt ſhun,

Or, humour them, and be perhaps undone.

I would not heare my Friend unwiſely prate

Thoſe things, of which I muſt informe the State:

And, ſeeme unfriendly; or, elſe leave to doe,

That, which a ſtronger Band obligeth to.

Nor would I, for the world, my heart ſhould bee

Enthrald by one, that might not marry mee;

Or, ſuch like paſsions, bee perplexed in,

As hang betwixt a Vertue, and a Stone;

Or, ſuch, as whether way ſoe're I went,

Occaſion'd guilt, or ſhame, or diſcontent:

For, howſoe're wee mannage ſuch like things,

Wee handle winding Vipers, that have ſtings.

p. 248The gaining of a rich Estate,

Seemes, many times, reſtrain'd by Fate.

FATA OBSTANT.

ILLVSTR. XL. Book. 4

OBſerve this Wheele, and you ſhall ſee how Fate

Doth limit out to each man, that Eſtate

Which hee obtaines; Then, how hee doth aſpire

To ſuch a height; and, why hee mounts no higher:

For, whatſoere their Authors underſtood,

Theſe Emblems, now, ſhall ſpeake as I thinke good.

The Cornucopias faſtned to a Round,

Thus fixt, may ſhew, that Riches have their bound;

And, can be raiſed, by mans pow'r or wits,

No higher than Gods Providence permits.

The placing of them on that Wheele, doth ſhow,

That, ſome waxe Poore, as others Wealthy grow:

For, looke how much the higher, one doth riſe,

So much the lower, ſtill, the other lies;

And, when the height of one is at an end,

Hee ſinkes againe, that others may aſcend.

The many ſtops, which on this Wheele you ſpie,

Thoſe many obſtacles may typiſie,

Which barre all thoſe that unto Wealth aſpire,

From compaſſing the Round of their deſire.

The want of Wit, from Riches, barreth ſome;

Some, cannot rich, becauſe of Sloth, become.

Some, that are wiſe, and painefull, are deny'd

Encreaſe of wealth, through Pleaſure, or through Pride.

Some, loſe much profit, which they elſe might make,

Becauſe of Conſcience, or for Credit ſake.

If none of theſe did hinder, wee have ſtore,

That might bee Rich, who, yet, are very Poore.

And, theſe, indeed, doe come to be thoſe Fates,

Which keepe moſt men, from getting large Eſtates.

p. 249In all thine Actions, have, a care,

That no unſeemlineſſe appeare.

VT NE QUID DEDECEAT.

ILLVSTR. XLI. Book. 4

THe Virgine, or the Wife, that much deſires,

To pleaſe her Lovers, or her, Husband's Eyes,

In all her coſtl'eſt Robes, her ſelfe attires;

And, ſeekes the coml'eſt Dreſſe, ſhee can deviſe.

Then, to her truſtie Looking-glaſſe, ſhee goes,

(Where, often, ſhee her perſon turnes and winds)

To view, how ſeemely her attiring ſhowes;

Or, whether ought amiſſe therein ſhe finds.

Which praiſefull Diligence, is figur'd thus

In this our Emblem; that, it may be made

A documentall ſigne, remembring us,

What care of all our Actions, muſt bee had.

For, hee that in God's preſence would appeare

An acceptable Soule; or, gracious grow

With men, that of approv'd conditions are,

Muſt by ſome faithfull Glaſſe, be trimmed ſo.

The good Examples of thoſe pious men,

Who liv'd in elder times, may much availe:

Yea, and by others evills, now and then,

Men ſee how groſſely, they themſelves, doe faile.

A wiſe Companion, and, a loving Friend,

Stands nearer, than thoſe ancient glaſſes doe;

And, ſerveth well to ſuch an uſefull end:

For▪ hee may bee thy Glaſſe, and Fountaine too.

His good Example, ſhewes thee what is fit;

His Admonition, checks what is awry;

Hee, by his Good-adviſe, reformeth it;

And, by his Love, thou mend'ſt it pleaſedly.

But, if thou doe deſire the perfect'ſt Glaſſe,

Ioyne to the Morall-Law, the Law of Grace.

p. 250Wee, bring the Hony to the Hive;

But, others, by our labours thrive.

NON NOBIS.

ILLVSTR. XLII. Book. 4

THe prettie Bees, with daily paines contrive

Their curious Combes, and from the flowry Fields,

Doe bring that pleaſant ſweetneſ…e to their Hive,

Which Nectar, and Ambroſiack dainties, yeelds,

Yet, when themſelves with labours they have tir'd,

The following Winters famine to prevent,

For their good ſervice, either they are fir'd,

Or, forth into an emptie Hive are ſent:

And, there, with ſlender diet they are ſerved,

To leave another Summers worke, to thoſe

Who take no care, though all the ſwarme be ſtarved,

If weake and quite paſt labour once it growes.

As with ſuch Bees, it fares with many a one,

That, ſpends his youthfull time in honeſt thrift;

And, by the Waſpe, the Hornet, or the Drone,

Of all their labours, they are ſoone bereft.

Sometime, the bordring Flies, much wrong this brood,

Through idle viſitings; or, them deſpoyle,

By making friendly ſhewes of neighbourhood;

When, all their Complements, are nought but guile.

Sometime, their powerfull Foes doe rob them quite;

Sometime, their Lords, or Landlords, with pretence,

Of claiming only what is juſt and right,

Oppreſſe them without merciemercy, or defence.

Thus, by one courſe or other, daily, ſome

(That are laborious in an honeſt way)

The prey of Pride, or Idleneſſe become:

And, ſuch as theſe, may therefore truely ſay,

That, whatſoever they to paſſe have brought,

Not for themſelves, but others, they have wrought.

p. 251God, by their Names, the Stars doth call;

And, hee is Ruler of them all.

ASTRA DEUS REGIT.

ILLVSTR. XLIII. Book. 4

SOme ſay, and many men doe theſe commend)

That, all our deeds, and Fortunes doe depend

VponUpon the motions of celeſtiall Sphere… ;

And, on the conſtellations of the Starres.

If this were true, the Starres, alone, have bin

Prime cauſe of all that's good, and of all ſinne.

And, 'twere (me thinkes) injuſtice to condemne,

Or, give rewards to any, but to them.

For, if they made mee ſinne, why for that ill,

Should I be damn'd, and they ſhine brightly, ſtill?

If they inforc'd my goodneſſe, why ſhould I

Bee glorified for their Pietie?

And, if they neither good nor ill conſtraine,

Why then, should wee of Deſtinie complaine?

For, if it bee (as tis) abſurd to ſay,

The ſtarres enforce us (ſince they ſtill obay

Their juſt Commander) 'twere abſurder, farre,

To ſay, or thinke, that God's Decree it were,

Which did neceſsitate the very ſame,

For which, we thinke the ſtarres might merit blame.

Hee made the ſtarres to bee an ayd unto us,

Not (as is fondly dream'd) to helpe undoe us:

(Much leſſe, without our fault, to ruinate,

By doome of irrecoverable Fate)

And, if our good Endeavors, uſe wee will,

Thoſe glorious creatures will be helpfull ſtill

In all our honeſt wayes: For, they doe ſtand

To helpe, not hinder us, in God's command;

And, hee not onelyonly rules them by his pow'rs,

But, makes their Glory, ſervant unto ours.

p. 252Who, Patience tempts, beyond her ſtrength,

Will make it Fury, at the length.

FUROR FIT LAESA SAEPIUS PATIENTIA.

ILLVSTR. XLIIII. Book. 4

ALthough wee know not a more patient creature,

Than is the Lambe, (or, of leſſe harmfull nature)

Yet, as this Emblem ſhewes, when childiſh wrong,

Hath troubled, and provok'd him overlong,

Hee growes enrag'd; and makes the wanton Boyes,

Bee glad to leave their ſports, and run their wayes.

Thus have I ſeene it with ſome Children fare,

Who, when their Parents too indulgent were,

Have urg'd them, till their Doting grew to Rage,

And, ſh…t them wholly from their Heritage.

Thus, many times, a fooliſh man doth loſe

His faithfull Friends, and juſtly makes them foes.

Thus, froward Husbands; and, thus, peeviſh Wives,

Doe foole away the comfort of their lives;

And, by abuſing of a patient-Mate,

Turne deareſt Love, into the deadlieſt Hate:

For any wrong may better bee excuſed,

Than, Kindneſſe, long and wilfully abuſed.

Put, as an injur'd Lambe, provoked, thus,

Well typiſies how much it moveth us,

To finde our Patience wrong'd: So, let us make

An Emblem of our ſelves, thereby to take

More heed, how God is moved towards them,

That, his long ſuffring, and his Love contemne.

For, as wee ſomewhat have of every Creature,

So, wee in us, have ſomewhat of his Nature:

Or, if it bee not ſayd the ſame to bee,

His Pictures, and his Images are wee.

Let, therefore, his long-ſuffring, well be weigh'd,

And, keepe us, to provoke him, ſtill afraid.

p. 253Hee that is blind, will nothing ſee,

What light ſoe're about him bee.

COECUS NIL LUCE IUVATUR.

ILLVSTR. XLV. Book. 4

IT is by ſome ſuppoſed, that our Owles,

By Day-time, are no perfect ſighted Fowles;

And, that, the more you doe augment the light,

The more you ſhall deprive them of their ſight.

Nor Candles, Torches, nor the Sunne at noone,

Nor Spectacles, nor all of theſe in one

Can make an Owlet in the day-time ſee,

Though none, by night, hath better eyes than ſhee.

This Emblem, therefore, ſets their blindneſſe forth,

Who cannot ſee, when an apparant worth

Illuſtrates vertuous Men; yet, ſeeme to ſpie

Thoſe faults, where with ill-willers them belie.

The blind…eſſe, alſo, well it may declare,

Of Heretikes, who Eagle ſighted are,

In Sophistries, and in the cloudie night,

Of thoſe darke Errors, which delude the ſight;

Yet, cannot ſee the Rayes of Truth divine,

Though, brighter than the Day light, ſhee doth ſhine.

It, likewiſe, very fitly typifies,

Thoſe, in our dayes, who ſpie out myſteries,

Beyond the Moone; yet, cannot gaine the view

Of that, which common Reaſon proveth true:

And, therefore, onelyonly, crie it (madly) downe,

Becauſe, by Reaſons light, it may be knowne.

Theſe, when 'twas offred, firſt, the light refuſed;

And, they have now the darkneſſe which they chuſed.

Till, therefore, God ſhall offer Grace againe,

Man ſtrives to ſet up Lights, to theſe, in vaine:

For, what are Lights to thoſe who blinded bee?

Or, who ſo blinde, as they that will not ſee?

p. 254None knowes, untill the Fight be paſt,

Who ſhall bee Victor, at the laſt.

INTER UTRUMQUE VOLAT.

ILLVSTR. XLVI. Book. 4

WHile theſe two Champions for the Conqueſt fight,

Betwixt them both Victoria takes her flight,

On doubtfull wings; and, till the fray bee paſt,

None knowes▪ to whether, ſhee the Wreath will caſt.

Which Emblem ſerves, not onelyonly, to expreſſe

The danger, and the iſſues doubtfulneſſe,

In all Contentions; but, may warne us too,

That, wee no ſtrivings raſhly undergoe;

Since they, who long with painfull skill have ſtriv'd

Of likely Conqueſts, are at length depriv'd.

Force, much prevailes; but Sleight and Wit hath pow'….

Sometime, to hurle downe Strength upon the floore.

Sometimes againe, our Ingineeres doe faile;

And, Blowes, doe more than Stratagems, prevaile.

Though, I, upon mine honeſt-Cauſe depend,

Another may o'rethrow it, by his Friend:

And, hee that boaſteth of his Patrons grace,

May loſe his hopes, if Bribing come in place.

To ſay the Truth, in whatſoever Cauſe,

Wee by the Sword contend, or by the Lawes,

There's no event or iſſue more aſſured,

Than this, that, loſſe to both ſhall bee procured:

And, that, ſometime, as well an innocent,

As guilty-cauſe, may finde an ill event.

Let, therefore, our endeavours be, to ſtrive,

Who, ſhall hereafter, leaſt occaſion give

Of thoſe contentions, and of thoſe debates,

Which hurt our honor, ſafetie, or eſtates:

That, we, a Conqueſt, may be ſure to gaine,

And, none repine, at that which we obtaine.

p. 255Why ſhould I feare the want of Bread?

If God ſo pleaſe , I ſhall be fed.

SI DEUS VOLUERIT.

The bleſſed Pſalmiſt, fitly did expreſſe,

By grinning-dogs, which howling roame by night,

To ſatisfie their grudging appetite.

Here, therefore, by an Emblem, wee are ſhowne,

That, God, (who as hee liſts, beſtowes his owne)

Providing ſo, that none may bee unfed,

Doth offer to the Dogges, the Childrens bread.

And, by this Emblem, wee adviſed are,

Of their preſumptuous boldneſſe to beware,

Who bound God's MercieMercy; and, have ſhut out ſome

From hope of Grace, before the Night is come:

Since, to the Dogs, his meat is not denide,

If they returne, (though not till Evening tide.)

Moreover, wee, ſome notice hence may take,

That, if proviſion, God, vouchſafes to make,

For Lyons, Dogs, and Ravens, in their need,

Hee will his Lambes, and harmleſſe Turtles feed:

And, ſo provide, that they ſhall alwayes have

Sufficient, to maintaine the Life hee gave.

I muſt confeſſe, I never merit ſhall,

The Crummes, which from thy Childrens table fall:

Yet, thou haſt oft, and freely fed mee, Lord,

Among thy Children, at thy Holy-board:

Nor have I, there, been fill'd with Bread alone;

But, on the bleſſed Bodie of thy Sonne,

My Soule hath feaſted. And, if thou doſt grant

Such favours, Lord! what can I feare to want?

For, doubtleſſe, if thy Sonne thou pleaſe to give,

All other things with him, I ſhall receive.