Emblems Ancient and Modern, Emblem 49 – Title page 3

Emblems Ancient and Modern · Emblem 49 – Title page 3

p. 111Shee ſhall increaſe in glory, ſtill,

Vntill her light, the world, doth fill.

DONEC TOTV̄ IMPLEAT ORBĒ.

ILLVSTR. XLIX. Book. 2

WHat in this Emblem, that mans meanings were,

Who made it firſt, I neither know nor care;

For, whatſoere, he purpoſed, or thought,

To ſerve my purpoſe, now it ſhall be taught;

Who, many times, before this Taske is ended,

Muſt picke out Moralls, where was none intended.

This knot of Moones (or Creſcents) crowned thus,

Illuſtrate may a Myſtery to us,

Of pious uſe (and, peradventure, ſuch,

As f…om old Hieroglyphicks, er…es not much)

Old-times, upon the Moone, three names b…ſtow'd;

Becauſe, three diverſe wayes, her ſelfe ſhe ſhow'd:

And, in the ſacred-bookes, it may be ſhowne,

That holy-Church, was figur'd by the Moone.

Then, theſe three Moones in one, may intimate

The holy-Churches threefold bleſt eſtate.

The Moone, ſtill, biding in our Hemiſphaere,

May typiſie the Church, conſiſting, here,

Of m…n, yet living: when ſhe ſhewes her light

Among… here, in portions of the night;

The Church it figures, as conſiſt ſhe may

Of them, whoſe bodies in the Grave doe ſtay;

And, whoſe bleſt ſpirits, are aſcended thither,

Where Soule and Body meet, at laſt, together.

…, when the Moone is hidden from our eyes,

The Church-triumphant, then, ſhe ſignifies;

Which, is a Creſ…ent yet, that, ſome, and ſome,

Muſt grow, till all her puts together come:

And, then, this Moone ſhall beames, at full, diſplay;

LORD, haſten this great Coronation-day.

p. 112True Vertue is a Coat of Maile,

'Gainſt which, no Weapons can prevaile.

VIRTVS LORICA FIDELIS

ILLVSTR. L. Book. 2

LOrd, what a coyle men keepe, and, with what eare

Their Piſtolls, and, their Swords doe they prepare,

To be in readineſſe? and, how they load

Themſelves with Irons, when they ride abroad?

How wiſe and wary too, can they become,

To fortifie their perſons up at home,

With lockes, and barres? and ſuch domeſtick-Armes,

As may ſecure their bodies, there, from harmes?

However, when all's done, we ſee, their foes

Breake in, ſometimes, and worke their overthrowes.

For, though (about themſelves, with Cable-quoiles,

They could incloſe a hundred thouſand miles)

The gunſhot of a ſlanderous tongue, may ſmite,

Their Fame quite through it, to the very White.

Yea, more (though, there, from others, they were free)

They wounded, by themſelves, to death might be,

Except their Innocence, more guards them, than

The ſtrength of twenty royall Armies, can.

If, therefore, thou thy Spoylers, wilt beguile,

Thou muſt be armed, like this Crocodile;

Ev'n with ſuch nat'rall Armour (ev'ry day)

As no man can beſtowe, or take away:

For, ſpitefull Malice, at one time or other,

Will pierce all borrowed Armours, put together.

Without, let Patience durifie thy Skin;

Let Innocencie, line thy heart within;

Let conſtant Fortitude, unite them ſo,

That, they may breake the force of ev'ry blow:

And, when thou thus art arm'd, if ill thou ſpeed;

Let me ſuſtaine the Miſchiefe, in thy ſteed.

Finis Libri ſecundi.

THE SECOND LOTTERIE.

1

SOme friends, and foes, of thine, there be,

That make a wondring-ſtocke of thee;

Some other over-much, of late,

To thy diſhonour boldly prate,

And, peradventure, to thy face,

E're long, they'l doe thee ſome diſgrace:

Thine Emblem, therefore, doth adviſe

That thou ſhould'ſt make them no replies;

And ſhowes that ſilent-patience, than

Shall ſtead thee more then Anſwers can.See, Emblem. I.

2

By ſuch as know you, it is thought,

That, you are better fed then taught:

And, that, it might augment your wit,

If you were ſometimes hunger-bit.

That Emblem, which by Lot you drew,

To this effect doth ſomewhat ſhew:

But 'twill goe hard, when you are faine,

To feed your Bowells, by your Braine.See, Emb. II.

3

Perhaps you may be one of thoſe,

Whom, from the Church, an Organ blowes;

Or, peradventure, one of them,

Who doth all melody contemne:

Or, one, whoſe life is yet untaught,

How into tune it ſhould be brought.

If ſo, your Lot, to you hath ſent

An Emblem, not impertinent.See, Emb. III.

4

God bleſſe thee, whoſoere thou art,

And, give thee ſtill an honeſt heart:

For, by the fortune of thy Lot,

That Sword, and Halter, thou haſt got,

Which threatens death, with much diſgrace;

Or, promiſes the Hang-mans's place.

p. 114But, be not griev'd; for, now and than,

The Gallowes makes an honeſt man;

And, ſome, who ſcape an outward curſe,

Both in their lives and deaths are worſe,See, Emb. IV.

M 5

Thou would'ſt be loth, we ſhould ſuſpect,

Thou didſt not well thy King affect;

Or, that, thou ſhould'ſt be ſo ingrate,

To ſleight the welfare of the State:

Ye…, thou, perchance, art one of thoſe,

Who diſcord through the Kingdome ſowes.

W… know not, but if ſuch thou be,

Marke, what thine Emblem teaches thee.See, Emb. V.

6

In you, a naturall deſire

Beginnes to blow Affection's fire;

But, by diſcretion, guide the blaſt,

Leſt, it conſume you, at the laſt;

Or, by the fury of the ſame,

Blow out ſome neceſſary Flame.

Yea, that, which doth your Profit breed,

May harme you, if you take not heed.See, Emb. VI.

7

Be carefull, what you goe about;

For, by this Lot, there may be doubt,

That you, ſome wickedneſſe intend,

Which will undoe you, in the end.

If you have done the deed, repent:

If purpos'd ill, the ſame prevent.

Elſe, though in jeſt, this Counſell came,

In earneſt, you may rue the ſame.See, Emb. VII.

8

Thou art afflicted; or, ere long

Shalt ſing ſome lamentable Song:

And, of thoſe troubles, take ſome ſhare,

Which, thou art very loth to beare.

But, be not overmuch diſmayd,

Nor pine, what ere on thee be layd,

For, comfort ſhall thy joy reſtore,

And, make thee gladder, then before.See, Emb. VIII.

9

If this thy Chance hath done thee right,

Thou art, or haſt beene apt to fight;

And, wilt upon occaſion ſmall,

Beginne, ſometimes, a needleſſe brawle.

p. 115To ſhew thee, therefore, thy defect;

Or, that thy folly may be check't,

And, fit thy minde for better things,

Thine Emblem, ſome good counſell brings.See, Emb. IX.

10

What thing ſoere thou undertak'ſt,

Thou ſeldome good concluſion mak'ſt;

For, ſtill, when thou haſt ought to doe,

Thou art too haſty, or too ſlow;

And, from that equall temper ſtray'ſt,

By which, thy worke effect thou mayſt.

To mend this fault thou counſell'd art,

Be wiſer, therefore, then thou wert.See, Emb. X.

11

Thou haſt in publicke lived long,

And, over freely us'd thy tongue;

But, if thy ſafety thou deſire,

Be ſilent, and, thy ſelfe retire.

And, if thou wilt not be undone,

Poſſ…ſſe thy joyes, and hopes, alone:

For, they, that will from harmes be free,

Mu… ſilent, and obſcured, bee.See, Emb. XI.

12

Thy Fortune, thou doſt long to heare,

And, what thy Conſtellations are:

But, why ſhould'ſt thou deſire to know,

What things, the Planets doe foreſhow;

Seeke, rather. Wiſedome to procure,

And, how, all Fortunes to indure:

So, thou ſhalt gaine a bleſt eſtate,

And, be the Maſter of thy Fate.See, Emb. XII.

13

Thou, ſeem'ſt to have great ſtore of friends,

But, they affect thee, for th…ir ends.

There i…, in thoſe, but little truſt,

Who love, for profit, mirth, or luſt.

L…arne, therfore, when, thou mayſt be ſure,

Thy Friend's affection will indure;

And, that this Knowledge may be got,

Good notice take thou of thy Lot.See, Emb. XIII.

14

It is conceiv'd, that meanes thou haſt,

O…, might'ſt have had good meanes, at leaſt,

T… b…ing thoſe matters to eff…ct,

Watch thou doſt careleſly neglect;

p. 116And, good for many might'ſt have done,

Who yet, haſt pleaſur'd few, or none.

If this b… true, thy Lot peruſe,

And, God's good gifts, no more abuſe.See, Emb. XIV.

15

Religious thou would'ſt faine be deem'd,

And, ſuch, to many thou haſt ſeem'd:

But, to this matter more there goes,

Then zealous lookes, and formall ſhowes.

Looke, therefore, that thy heart be true,

What e're thou ſ…eme in outward view.

And, if God's favour thou would'ſt have,

Obſerve what Off'rings, he doth crave.See, Emb. XV.

16

That Emblem, which this Lot will bring,

Concernes the honour of a King:

How, therefore, thee it may conc…rne,

By thy diſcretion ſeeke to learne.

Perhaps, the Royall powre hath ſeem'd

To thee, not ſo to be eſteem'd,

As well it merits, to be priz'd.

If ſo, now better be advis'd.See, Emb. XVI.

17

Both learn'd, and wiſe, thou would'ſt become,

(Elſe thou haſt much dece…ved ſome)

But, if …hy hopes thou wilt effect,

Thou mu… not likely meanes neglect;

And, what the likelyeſt meanes may bee,

Thine Emblem hath adviſed thee:

For, by a Fowle, that's blockiſh thought,

Good counſell may to thee be taught.See, Emb. XVII.

18

If, to preferment thou wilt riſe,

Thou muſt not Arts, nor Armes, deſpiſe;

Nor ſo in one of theſe delight,

That, thou the other, wholly ſleight.

Nor, to thy Body be inclin'd,

So much, as to neglect thy Minde.

This, by thine Emblem, thou mayſt learne;

And, much thy good it may concerne.See, Emb. XVIII.

19

Thy fortunes have appeared bad;

For, many ſuff…rings thou haſt had:

And tryalls too, as yet made knowne

To no mans knowledge, but thine owne.

p. 117But, let nor loſſe, nor fame, nor ſmart,

From conſtant hopes remove thy heart:

And, as thine Emblem doth foreſhew,

A good concluſion will inſue.See, Emb. XIX.

W 20

Your Lot informeth how to know

Where, beſt your Love you may beſtow:

And, by the ſame it may appeare

What Muſicke moſt affects your eare.

Denye it not; for (by your leave)

Wee by your lookes, your heart perceive.

And, this perhaps you'l thinke upon

(To purpoſe) when you are alone.See, Emb. XX.

21

This Lot may make us all ſuſpect,

That ſome wrong object you affect;

And, that, where deareneſſe you pretend,

It is not for the nobleſt end.

What miſchiefe from ſuch falſhood flowes,

Your Emblem very truely ſhowes;

And, may more happy make your Fate,

If counſell be not come too late.See, Emb. XXI.

22

To truſt on others, thou art apt;

And, haſt already beene intrapt;

Or, may'ſt er'e long be much deceiv'd

By ſome, whom thou haſt well believ'd.

Be heedfull, therfore, of thy Lot;

And, let it never be forgot:

So, though ſome hazzard thou mayſt run,

Yet, thou ſhalt never be undone.See, Emb. XXII.

23

It ſeemes thou tak'ſt too great a care

For things, that vaine, and fading are;

Or elſe, doſt overp…iſe them ſo,

As if all bliſſe from them did flowe.

That, therefore, thou mayſt view their worth,

In Hieroglyphicke ſhaddow'd forth,

Thy Lot befriends thee: marke the ſame,

And, be in this, no more to blame.See, Emb. XXIII.

24

Though ſome, ſhould thee, for one, miſtake,

Whoſe wealth is all upon his backe,

If what thou haſt, bee all thine owne,

God, hath enough on thee beſtowne.

p. 118A Princes ranſome, wee may b…are,

In Iewells, which moſt p…ecieu are;

And, yet, to many men may ſeeme,

To carry nothing worth eſteeme.

Therefore, though ſmall thy ſub…ance be,

Thine Emblem, ſomewhat comforts, the…See, Emb. XXIV.

25

…y this your Emblem, wee diſcerne,

That, you are yet of age to learne;

And, that, when el…er you ſhall grow,

There, will be more for you to know:

Preſume n…t, therefore of your wit,

But, ſtrive that you may better it.

For, of your age, we many view,

That, farre more wiſedome have, then you.See, Emb. XXV.

26

By thy complaints, it hath appear'd,

Thou think'ſt thy Vertues want reward;

And, that, if they their merit had,

Thou rich and nobler ſhould'ſt be made.

To drive thee from that partiall t…ught,

Thou, by an Emblem, ſhalt be taught,

That, where true Vertue may be found,

The trueſt wealth will ſtill abound.See, Emb. XXVI.

27

By this thy Lot, thou doſt appeare

To be of thoſe, who love to heare

The Preacher's voyce; or, elſe of them,

That undervalue, or contemne

Thoſe dayly ſhowres of wholſome words,

Which God, in theſe our times, affords.

Now, which ſoere of theſe thou bee,

Thine Emblem, ſomething, teaches thee.See, Emb. XXVII.

28

Thou deal'ſt, when thee thy foe offends,

As if, you never ſhould be friends.

In peace, thou ſo ſecure doſt grow,

As if, thou could'ſt not have a foe.

How, therefore, Peace and Warre purſues

Each other, this thine Emblem ſhewes,

That, thou mayſt learne, in ev'ry tide,

For future chances, to provide.See; Emb. XXVIII.

29

What e're thou art in outward ſhew,

Thy Heart is ever very true,

p. 119And, to thoſe Knowledges aſpires,

Which every prudent Soule deſires:

Yet, be not proud that thou haſt got

This teſtimonie, by thy Lot.

But, view thine Emblem, and endeaver

In ſearch of Knowledge to perſever.See, Emb. XXIX.

30

If Glory, thou deſire to get,

Thy Wits, thou muſt on working ſet;

And, labour unto Prudence adde,

Before true Honor will be had:

For, what thy Friends, or Parents brought,

To make thee famous, profits nought;

But, rather will procure thy ſhame,

Vnleſſe, thou ſhalt improove the ſame.See, Emb. XXX.

M 31

The time hath beene, that of the Rod,

Thou wert more fearefull, then of God;

But, now unleſſe thou prudent grow,

More cauſe thou haſt to feare a ſhrowe;

For, from the Rod, now thou art free,

A Woman, ſhall thy torment be.

At her, yet doe not thou repine,

For, all the fault is onelyonly thine.See, Emb. XXXI.

32

It ſeemes, thy Time thou doſt miſpend:

To warne thee, therefore of thine end;

To ſhew, how ſhort thy Life will be;

And, with what ſpeed it flyes from thee;

This Lot was drawne: and, may advize,

That, thou thy time ſhouldſt better prize.

Which, if accordingly thou doe,

This, will be ſport, and profit too.See, Emb. XXXII.

33

It may be, thou art one of thoſe,

Who, doſt not all aright ſuppoſe,

of Gods Decrees; or, of the ſtate

Of an inevitable Fate.

That, therefore, ſo thou maiſt beleeve,

(And, of theſe Myſteries conceive)

As thou art bound; this Lot befell.

Peruſe, and minde thine Embleme well.See, Emb. XXXIII.

34

Thou, at thy Fortune, haſt repin'd,

And, ſeem'ſt impriſond in thy minde,

p. 118Becauſe thou art not ſtraight releaſt

From thoſe things which have thee oppreſt.

To thee, a Lot is therefore ſent,

To qualifie thy diſcontent,

By ſhewing, that thy preſent Fate

Preſerves thee, from a worſe eſtate.See, Emb. XXXIV.

35

Thy Vertues and thy Worth are ſuch,

That, many doe envie thee much;

And, they that hate thee, take delight

To doe thee miſchiefe and deſpight.

But, heart aſſume, and follow on

The courſe that thou haſt well begunne;

For, all their ſpight ſhall doe no more,

But, make thee greater then before.See, Emb. XXXV.

36

In outward pompe, thy pleaſures are;

Thy hope of bliſſe is placed there;

And, thou this folly wilt not leave,

Till, all content, it ſhall bereave,

Vnleſſe, thou timely come to ſee

How vaine, all earthly Glories bee.

An Emblem, therefore, thou haſt gain'd,

By which, this Knowledge i… obtain'd.See, Emb. XXXVI.

37

It may be feared, that thou haſt

In publicke, or in private, paſt

Some promiſe, or elſe made ſome vow,

That's broke, or elſe indanger'd, now.

If ſo; this Lot is come, in time,

To mend, or to prevent this crime;

And, ſhew what ſhould by them be done,

'Twixt whom Affection is begunne.See, Emb. XXXVII.

38

Thou art reproved of deceipt,

In faulty Meaſures, and in Weight;

And, overbackward haſt been knowne,

In giving ev'ry one his owne.

Thine Emblem, therefore, counſells thee,

That, thou more juſt, hereafter be.

For, that, which is by falſehood got,

Makes likely ſhowes, but proſpers not.See, Emb. XXXVII.

39

So highly, thou doſt Vertue prize,

That, thou doſt Fortunes helpe deſpiſe,

p. 121As if, where Vertues preſent are,

H…r favours alwayes needleſſe were:

But, ſometimes there's enough to doe,

For Fortune, and for Vertue too,

The pow'r of envious tongues to charme,

And, keepe an Innocent from harme.

Therfore, make both of theſe, thy friends;

For, thereunto thine Emblem tends.See, Emb. XXXIX.

40

Thou mayſt be one of thoſe, perchance,

Who Sch…ſme, and Hereſies advance,

Becauſe they Times and Termes miſtake;

And, diff'rence know not how to make

'Twixt that, which temp'rall doth appeare,

And, thoſe things which eternall are.

Thou, by thy Lot, art therefore warn'd,

To ſearch what ſhould of theſe be learn'd.See, Emb. XL.

41

Great workes to doe, thou haſt a minde;

But, pow'r thereto thou canſt not finde.

Sometime, thy pow'r is not unfit;

But, then thou faileſt in thy wit.

Such Vndertakings, therefore, chuſe

(If thou wilt not thy time abuſe)

A… to thy pow'…s, and wits agree;

And, let them both imployed bee.See, Emb. XLI.

42

When any Bleſsing thou haſt gain'd,

Thou mind'ſt not whence it was obtain'd;

But, bear'ſt thy ſelfe, as if the ſame

By thine owne pow'r, or merit, came:

That, therefore, thou mayſt better heed

From whence, all Graces doe proceed,

Thou, haſt an Emblem, by this Lot,

From which, good Cautions may be got.See, Emb. XLII.

43

By this thy Lot, it ſhould appeare,

The Muſes thy acquaintance are;

Or, that thou art (at leaſt) of thoſe,

Who, of their Steed ambitious growes.

If thou haſt wit, his Reynes to guide,

VponUpon his backe, mount up and ride;

But, if thou finde thy ſelfe to weake,

Forbeare him, leſt thy necke he breake.See, Emb. XLIII.

44

In many things, the worſe thou art,

By thy deſpayring, fainting heart;

p. 122And, oft, thy labour, and thy coſt,

For want of hopefulneſſe, is loſt.

This indiſcretion to prevent,

Thou, therefore, by thy Lot, art ſent,

The Plough-man's hopefulneſſe to ſee:

Obſerve it; and, reformed bee.See, Emb. XLIV.

45

As ſoone as e're thy Seeds are ſowne,

Thou fruits expecteſt, fully growne.

And, if they ripe not in a day,

Thou, fooleſt all thy hopes away:

That wiſer, therefore, thou mayſt grow,

Thy Lot, an Emblem doth beſtow,

To teach, that workes both faire and great,

By ſmall-degrees, are made compleat.See, Emb. XLV.

46

Thou hadſt, or haſt, or thou ſhalt have

Much trouble, ere thou fill thy Grave;

And, may'ſt, when thou expecteſt reſt,

With paine, or ſorrowes, be oppreſt.

But, be content, and waile not much:

For, Poverty ſhall make thee rich.

The paine will ſoone be overpaſt,

And, thou ſhalt happy be at laſt.See, Emb. XLVI.

47

Thy Fortune, be it good or bad,

May, by thy wit, be better made;

Yea, whatſoere miſchances fall,

By prudence, thou may'ſt helpe them all.

That, hopefull, therfore, thou mayſt bide,

What change ſoever, ſhall betide,

Thou, by thy Lot, informed art,

What ſuccours, Wiſedome doth impart.See, Emb. XLVII.

M 48

A man at Armes, thou wouldſt be thought,

And, haſt the Crowne of Honour ſought;

But, thou haſt much miſtooke the wayes,

Which tend to well-deſerved praiſe.

How, Honour, therefore, may be got,

Thou art informed by thy Lot;

And, with what Foes, and, for what end,

Thou ſhouldſt be ready to contend.See, Emb. XLVIII.

49

Perhaps, thou mayſt be one of thoſe,

Who doth God's holy Church oppoſe;

p. 123For, over many in theſe dayes,

Diſturbe her Peace, and ſleight her Praiſe:

That her eſteeme, therefore may bee

Increaſed, or preſerv'd, by thee,

Thine Emblem, now, to thee, will ſhow,

To what perfection ſhe will grow.See, Emb. XLIX.

50

Thou ſafety lov'ſt, and wouldſt have Armes,

Thy perſon to ſecure from harmes:

But, moſt of thoſe thou haſt prepar'd,

Are but a weake uncertaine Guard,

And, if thou take not greater heed,

May faile thy truſt, in time of need.

Thine Emblem, therfore, hath expreſt,

What Armes, for thy defence are beſt.See, Emb. L.

51

Of Planetary-Calculations,

Of Superſtitious-Obſervations,

Of Lots, and Dreames, and Accidents,

Which have but caſuall events,

Thou art ſo fond; and, unto ſuch,

Thou doſt adhere, and truſt ſo much,

That, it ſucceedeth very well,

No Emblem, now, to thee befell:

Leſt, theſe, which onelyonly Counſells bee,

Might ſeeme firme Deſtinies to thee.

52

He that by drawing, here, his Lot,

Some caveat or advice hath got,

Did, peradventure, need alone

That Caution, which he lighted on:

But, unto thee, ſo needfull are

All Warnings, and, all Counſells here,

That, Fortune will not one beſtow,

Leſt, thou may'ſt thinke thou need'ſt no moe.

53

You, may be glad, you drew not that,

Which, in your thought, you gueſſed at;

For, ſo it points out that condition,

Whereof you give a great ſuſpicion,

That, had it ſuch an Emblem nam'd,

As fits you right, you had beene ſham'd.

Since, then, your fault is unreveal'd,

Amend, and keep it ſtill conceal'd.

54

The Muſes Oracle is dumbe,

Becauſe to tempt them you are come;

p. 124For, in your heart you much deſpiſe,

To follow that, which they adviſe:

Their admonitions, you doe jeere,

And, ſcorne to helpe your Wiſedome, here.

The Muſes, therefore, leave you, ſtill,

To be as fooliſh, as you will.

5

It would, perhaps, have made thee proud,

If, now, thy Lot had beene allow'd

To let an Emblem ſhadow forth

What is conceived of thy worth.

Or, if thy Vertues were deſery'd,

Perchance, thou wouldſt be more envy'd

Then prayſed, when they are expreſt;

A Blanke for thee, was therefore beſt.

6

No Emblem, to this Lot, replyes;

Minde, therefore, well (I thee adviſe)

What from the Preacher's voice thou hear'ſt,

When in the Church, thou next appear'ſt:

Yea, there indeavour thou, to ſeeke

Thy Lot of Counſell, ev'ry weeke.

For, at all ſeaſons, there will bee

Such Prophecies, concerning thee,

That, if of thoſe, thou takeſt heed,

Theſe Emblems, thou ſhalt never need.

FINIS.

A COLLECTION OF EMBLEMES, ANCIENT AND MODERNE: Quickened VVith METRICALL ILLVSTRATIONS, both Morall and Divine: And diſpoſed into LOTTERIES.

That Jnſtruction, and Good Counſell, may bee furthered by an Honeſt and Pleaſant Recreation.

By GEORGE WITHER.

The third Booke.

LONDON, Printed by AVGVSTINE MATHEVVES. MDCXXXIV.