Chapter II: Front Matter (2)

Why should the foolish _World_ discourage Men,
In just endurances? or bid them shunne
Good _Actions_, 'cause they suffer now and then,
For _Doing well_, as if some _Ill_ were done?
Ere _Plates_ extended are, they must abide
A thousand hamm’rings; And, then that which fill’d
So little roome, it scarce your Hand could hide,
Will serve a goodly _Monument_ to gild.
So, he that hopes to winne an honest _Name_,
Must many blowes of _Fortune_ undergoe,
And hazard, oft, the blast of _Evill-Fame_,
Before a _Good-Report_ her Trumpe will blow.
A thousand _Worthies_ had unworthily
Been raked up in Ashes and in Clay,
Vnknowne and bury’d in _Obscurity_,
If Malice had not fil’d their Rust away.
But, lo; their lasting prayses now are spread,
And rais’d, by _Adverse-Chance_, to such a height,
That they most glorious are, now they are dead;
And live in _Injuries_, and _Deaths_, despight.
For, by _Afflictions_, man refined growes,
And, (as the _Gold_ prepared in the _Fire_)
Receiveth such a _Forme_ by wrongs and blowes,
That hee becomes the _Iewell_ we desire.
To thee therefore, _Oh God_! My Prayers are
Not to be freed from Griefes and Troubles quite:
But, that they may be such as I can beare;
And, serve to make me precious in thy Sight.
This please me shall, though all my Life time, I
Betweene thine _Anvill_ and the _Hammer_, lie.

_From thence, where =Nets= and =Snares= are layd,
=Make-hast=; lest els you be betray’d._

ILLVSTR. XVIII. _Book. 1._]

The nimble _Spider_ from his Entrailes drawes
A suttle Thread, and curious art doth show
In weaving _Nets_, not much unlike those _Lawes_
Which catch _Small-Thieves_, and let the _Great-ones_ goe.
For, as the _Cob-web_ takes the lesser _Flyes_,
When those of larger size breake through their _Snares_;
So, _Poore-men_ smart for little Injuries,
When _Rich-men_ scape, whose Guilt is more then theirs.
The _Spider_, also representeth such
Who very curious are in Trifling-things,
And neither Cost, nor Time, nor Labour grutch,
In that which neither _Gaine_ nor _Pleasure_ brings.
But those whom here that _Creature_ doth implye
Are chiefely such, who under cunning shewes
Of simple-Meanings (or of Curtesie)
Doe silly Men unwarily abuse.
Or else, it meanes those greedy-_Cormorants_
Who without touch, of Conscience or Compassion,
Seeke how to be enricht by others wants,
And bring the _Poore_ to utter Desolation.
Avoyd them therefore, though compell’d by need;
Or if a _Storme_ inforce, (yee lab’ring _Bees_)
That yee must fall among them; Flie with speed
From their Commerce, when _Calmes_ your passage frees.
Much more, let wastfull _Gallants_ haste from these;
Else, when those Idling-painted-_Butterflies_,
Have flutter’d-out their _Summer-time_, in ease,
(And spent their Wealth in foolish Vanities)
The Blasts of _Want_ may force them to be brought
For shelter thither, where they shall be caught.

_When thou a =Dangerous-Way= dost goe,
Walke =surely=, though thy pace be =slowe=._

ILLVSTR. XIX. _Book. 1._]

_Experience_ proves, that Men who trust upon
Their Nat’rall parts, too much, oft lose the _Day_,
And, faile in that which els they might have done,
By vainely trifling pretious _Time_ away.
It also shewes, that many Men have sought
With so much _Rashnesse_, those things they desir’d,
That they have brought most likely _Hopes_ to nought;
And, in the middle of their _Courses_, tir’d.
And, not a few, are found who so much wrong
Gods _Gratiousnesse_, as if their thinkings were,
That (seeing he deferres his _Iudgements_ long)
His _Vengeance_, he, for ever, would forbeare:
But, such as these may see wherein they faile,
And, what would fitter be for them to doe,
If they would contemplate the slow-pac’d _Snaile_;
Or, this our _Hieroglyphicke_ looke into:
For, thence we learne, that _Perseverance_ brings
Large Workes to end, though slowly they creepe on;
And, that _Continuance_ perfects many things,
Which seeme, at first, unlikely to be done.
It warnes, likewise, that some _Affaires_ require
More _Heed_ then _Haste_: And that the _Course_ we take,
Should suite as well our _Strength_, as our _Desire_;
Else (as our _Proverbe_ saith) _Haste, Waste may make_.
And, in a _Mysticke-sense_, it seemes to preach
_Repentance_ and _Amendment_, unto those
Who live, as if they liv’d beyond _Gods_ reach;
Because, he long deferres deserved Blowes:
For, though _Iust-Vengeance_ moveth like a _Snaile_,
And slowly comes; her comming will not faile.

_A =Sive=, of shelter maketh show;
But ev’ry =Storme= will through it goe._

ILLVSTR. XX. _Book. 1._]

Some Men, when for their Actions they procure
A likely colour, (be it nere so vaine)
Proceede as if their _Projects_ were as sure,
As when _Sound Reason_ did their Course maintayne:
And these not much unlike those _Children_ are,
Who through a _Storme_ advent’ring desp’rately,
Had rather on their Heads, a _Sive_ to beare,
Then _Cov’rings_, that may serve to keepe them drye.
For, at a distance that perchance is thought
A helpfull _Shelter_; and, yet, proves to those
Who neede the same, a _Toy_, which profits nought;
Because, each drop of Raine quite through it, goes.
So, they, whose foolish _Projects_, for a while,
Doe promise their _Projectors_ hopefull ends,
Shall finde them, in the _Tryall_, to beguile;
And, that both _Shame_ and _Want_, on them attends.
Such like is their estate, who, (to appeare
_Rich-men_ to others) doe, with Inward-payne,
A gladsome out-ward _Port_ desire to beare;
Though they at last nor _Wealth_ nor _Credit_ gaine.
And, such are all those _Hypocrites_, who strive
False _Hearts_ beneath _Faire-spoken Words_ to hyde:
For, they o’revaile themselves but with a _Sive_,
Through which, their purposes at length are spyde.
And, then, they either woefully-lament
Their _Brutish-folly_, or so hardned grow
In Sinning, that they never can repent,
Nay, jest and scoffe at their owne Overthrow.
But no false _Vaile_ can serve (when _God_ will smite)
To save a _Scorner_, or an _Hypocrite_.

_=Death= no =Losse=, but rather, =Gaine=;
For wee by =Dying=, =Life= attaine._

ILLVSTR. XXI. _Book. 1._]

I Will not blame those grieved Hearts that shed
_Becoming-teares_, for their departed Friends;
Nor those who sigh out _Passions_ for the _Dead_;
Since, on _Good-natures_, this Disease attends.
When _Sorrow_ is conceiv’d, it must have Vent
(In Sighes or Moysture) or the Heart will breake;
And, much they aggravate our Discontent,
Who, out of _Season_, _Reason_ seeme to speake.
Yet, since our Frailty may require we should
_Remembrances_ admit to keepe us from
Excesse in _Griefe_: this _Emblem_ here behold,
And take such _Hope_ as may our _Teares_ become.
The _Wheat_ although a while it lyes in Earth,
(And seemeth lost) consumes not quite away;
But, from that _Wombe_ receives another _Birth_,
And, with _Additions_, riseth from the Clay.
Much more shall _Man_ revive, whose worth is more:
For, _Death_, who from our Drosse will us refine,
Vnto that other _Life_, becomes the _Doore_,
Where, we in _Immortalitie_ shall shine.
When once our _Glasse_ is runne, we presently
Give up our _Soules_ to _Death_; So _Death_ must give
Our _Bodies_ backe againe, that we, thereby,
The _Light_ of _Life eternall_, may receive.
The Venom’d _Sting_ of _Death_ is tooke away;
And, now, the _Grave_, that was a Place of _Feare_,
Is made a _Bed of Rest_, wherein we may
Lye downe in _Hope_, and bide in safety, there.
When we are _Borne_, to _Death_-ward straight we runne;
And by our _Death_, our _Life_ is new-begnnne.

_When =Vice= and =Vertue= Youth shall wooe,
Tis hard to say, which way 'twill goe._

ILLVSTR. XXII. _Book. 1._]

My hopefull _Friends_ at thrice five yeares and three,
Without a _Guide_ (into the World alone)
To seeke my _Fortune_, did adventure mee;
And, many hazards, I alighted on.
First, _Englands_ greatest _Rendevouz_ I sought,
Where VICE and VERTVE at the highest sit;
And, thither, both a _Minde_ and _Bodie_ brought,
For neither of their Services unfit.
Both, woo’d my _Youth_: And, both perswaded so,
That (like the _Young man_ in our _Emblem_ here)
I stood, and cry’d, _Ah! which way shall I goe?_
To me so pleasing both their Offers were.
VICE, _Pleasures_ best Contentments promist mee,
And what the wanton _Flesh_ desires to have:
Quoth VERTVE, _I will Wisdome give to thee,
And those brave things, which noblest Mindes doe crave_.
_Serve me_ said VICE, _and thou shalt soone acquire
All those Atchievements which my Service brings_:
_Serve me_ said VERTVE, _and Ile raise thee higher,
Then VICES can, and teach thee better things_.
Whil’st thus they strove to gaine me, I espyde
Grim _Death_ attending VICE; and, that her Face
Was but a painted _Vizard_, which did hide
The foul’st Deformity that ever was.
_LORD, grant me grace for evermore to view
Her Vglinesse: And, that I viewing it,
Her Falsehoods and allurements may eschew;
And on faire VERTVE my Affection set;
Her Beauties contemplate, her Love embrace,
And by her safe Direction, runne my Race._

_By =Paine=, on =Pleasures= we doe seize;
And, we by =Suff’rance=, purchase =Ease=._

ILLVSTR. XXIII. _Book. 1._]

The lick’rish _Beare_ to rob the _Honey-Bees_
Among their stinging-Swarms thrusts in his pawes;
Adventureth to climbe up hollow Trees,
And from their _Cells_, the well fill’d _Combes_ he drawes:
Right so, the _Sensuall-Man_ that he may gaine
His bruitish _Lust_, a thousand perills dares;
And, that his _Lawlesse-will_ he may attaine,
Nor _Conscience_, _Credit_, _Cost_, nor _Labour_ spares.
'Twere shamefull basenesse, therefore, if that he
Who knoweth _Vertue_, and is thought her _Lover_,
Should so by any Perills frighted bee,
To make him such _Affections_ to give-over.
For, why should that _Vaine-Crew_ whose Valour springs
From beastly _Fury_, or inflamed-_Passion_,
Enabled be to compasse bolder things,
Then _Sober-Wit_, and _Grave Consideration_?
Or, why should lisping-_Wantons_, for their _Lust_
So much adventure as one finger, there,
Where we our Lives in hazard would not thrust
For _Vertues_ Glory, if it needfull were?
For, though her _Sweetnesse_ fast is closed in
With many _Thornes_, and such a Prickling-guard,
That we must smart, before that _Prize_ we winne,
The _Paine_ is follow’d, with a _Rich Reward_.
By _Suff’ring_, I have more _Contentment_ had,
Then ever I acquir’d by _Slothfull Ease_;
And, I by _Griefe_, so joyfull have beene made,
That I will beare my _Crosse_, while _God_ shall please.
For, so at last my _Soule_ may _Ioy_ procure,
I care not, in my _Flesh_ what I endure.

_Who by good =Meanes=, good things would gaine,
Shall never =seeke=, nor =aske= in vaine._

PETIT

ILLVSTR. XXIIII. _Book. 1._]

In vaine faire _Cynthia_ never taketh paines,
Nor faints in foll’wing her desired _Game_;
And, when at any Marke her Bowe she straines,
The winged Arrow surely hits the same.
Her _Picture_, therefore, in this place doth shew
The Nature of their _Mindes_ who _Cynthia_-like,
With _Constancie_ their _Purposes_ pursue,
And faint not till they compasse what they seeke.
For, nought more _God-like_ in this World is found,
Then so _Resolv’d a man_, that nothing may
His _Resolution_ alter or confound,
When any taske of _Worth_, he doth assay.
Nor, is there greater Basenesse, then those _Mindes_
That from an _Honest-purpose_, can be wrought
By _Threatnings_, _Bribes_, _Smooth-Gales_ or _Boyst’rous-Windes_,
What ever colour or excuse be brought.
You then, that would, with _Pleasure_, _Glory_ gaine,
_Diana_ like, those modest things require,
Which truely may beseeme you to attaine;
And stoutly follow that which you desire:
For, changing though the _Moone_ to us appeare,
She holds a firme Dependence on the _Sunne_;
And, by a _Constant-Motion_, in her _Sphære_
With him, doth in _Conjunction_ often runne:
So, _Constant-men_, still move their hopes to winne;
But, never by a _Motion-indirect_;
Nor, will they stop the Course that they are in,
Vntill they bring their purpose to effect.
For, whosoever _Honest-things_ requires,
A _Promise_ hath of all that he desires.

_Oft =Shooting=, doth not =Archers= make;
But, hitting right the =Marke= they take._

ILLVSTR. XXV. _Book. 1._]

When to the Fields we walke to looke upon
Some skilfull _Mark-man_; so much heede we not
How many _Arrowes_ from his Bowe are gone,
As we observe how nigh the _Marke_ he shot:
And, justly we deride that Man who spends
His _Time_ and _Shafts_, but never ayme doth take
To hit the _White_; or foolishly pretends,
The number of the Shots, doth _Archers_ make.
So, _God_, who marketh our Endeavours, here,
Doth not by _tale_, account of them receive;
But, heedeth rather how _well meant_ they were,
And, at his _Will_ how rightly aym’d we have.
It is not mumbling over thrice a day
A Set of _Ave Maries_, or of _Creeds_,
Or many houres formally to _pray_;
When from a dull _Devotion_ it proceedes:
Nor is it, up and downe the Land to seeke
To finde those well breath’d _Lecturers_, that can
Preach thrice a _Sabbath_, and sixe times a weeke,
Yet be as fresh, as when they first beganne:
Nor, is it, such like things perform’d by _Number_
Which _God_ respects: Nor doth his _Wisdome_ crave
Those many _Vanities_, wherewith some cumber
Their _Bodies_, as if those their _Soules_ could save.
For, not _Much-doing_, but _Well-doing_, that
Which _God_ commands, the _Doer_, justifies.
To pray without _Devotion_, is to _Prate_;
And, _Hearing_ is but halfe our _Exercise_.
We ought not, therefore, to regard, alone,
How _often_, but how _Well_, the _Worke_ be done.

_With =Patience=, I the =Storme= sustaine;
For, =Sun-shine= still doth follow =Raine=._

ILLVSTR. XXVI. _Book. 1._]

The little _Squirrell_, hath no other Food
Then that which _Natures_ thrifty hand provides;
And, in purveying up and downe the Wood,
She many cold wet Stormes, for that, abides.
She lyes not heartlesse in her Mossie _Dray_,
Nor feareth to adventure through the _Raine_;
But skippeth out, and beares it as she may,
Vntill the Season waxeth calme againe.
Right thus, have I and others, often far’d;
For, when we first into the World were brought,
We found but little, for our Vse prepar’d,
Save that, which by _Hard-Labour_, must be sought.
In many _Stormes_, unheeded, we are faine
To seeke out needfull things; and, smilingly
To jest, at what some others would complaine:
That, none might laugh at our _Necessity_.
Yea, some have liv’d on _Huskes_, whil’st others fed
On that which was their _Labours_ due Reward;
And, were pursu’d (till they almost were dead)
Without the Worlds Compassion or Regard.
Yet, by _Enduring_, they out liv’d the Blast
Of _Adverse-Fortune_; and, with good successe,
(Expecting calmer Seasons) at the last,
Arrived at the Port of _Happinesse_.
Their _Suffring-much_, hath made their _Suffrings_ none;
And brought forth _Hopes_, by which, perceive they may,
That _Nights_ have but their Turnes; and (they once gone)
Their _Darkenesse_, makes much welcomer, the _Day_.
All _Griefe_ shall have an ending, I am sure;
And, therefore, I with _Patience_, will _Endure_.

_Where =Hellen= is, there, will be =Warre=;
For, =Death= and =Lust=, Companions are._

ILLVSTR. XXVII. _Book. 1._]

Their foolish Guise, I never could affect,
Who dare, for any cause, the _Stewes_ frequent:
And, thither, where I justly might suspect
A _Strumpet_ liv’d, as yet, I never went.
For, when (as _Fooles_ pretend) they goe to seeke
Experience, where more _Ill_ then _Good_, they see;
They venture for their _Knowledge_, _Adam_-like;
And, such as his, will their _Atchievements_ bee.
Let, therefore, those that would loose _Trulls_ detest,
Converse with none, but those that modest are;
For, they that can of _Whoredome_ make a Iest,
Will entertaine it, ere they be aware.
_Chast-Company_, and _Chast-Discourse_, doth make
The Minde more pleased with it, ev’ry day;
And, _Frequent viewes of Wantonnesse_, will take
The Sense and Hatred, of the _Vice_ away.
Some, I have k_n_owne, by _Harlots_ Wiles undone,
Who, but _to see their Fashions_ first pretended;
And, they that went _for Company_, alone,
By suddaine Quarrells, there, their Dayes have ended.
For, in the Lodgings of a _Lustfull-Woman_,
Immodest _Impudence_ hath still her Being;
There, _Furie_, _Fraud_, and _Cruelties_ are common:
And, there, is _Want_, and _Shame_, and _Disagreeing_.
Ev’n _Beauty_, of it selfe, stirres loose Desires,
Occasioning both _Iealousies_, and _Feares_;
It kindleth in the Brest, concealed _Fires_,
Which burne the Heart, before the _Flame_ appeares:
And, ev’ry day, experienced are wee;
That, there, where _Hellen_ is, _Troyes_ Fate will bee.

_No Inward =Griefe=, nor outward =Smart=,
Can overcome a =Patient-Heart=._

ILLVSTR. XXVIII. _Book. 1._]

Some _Trees_, when Men oppresse their Aged Heads,
(With waighty Stones) they fructifie the more;
And, when upon some _Herbs_, the _Gard’ner_ treads,
They thrive and prosper, better then before:
So, when the Kings of _Ægypt_ did oppresse
The Sonnes of _Iacob_, through their Tyrannies;
Their Numbers, every day, did more encrease,
Till they grew greater then their Enemies.
So, when the _Iewes_ and _Gentiles_, joyn’d their Powre
The _Lord_, and his _Annoynted_, to withstand;
(With raging _Furie_, lab’ring to devoure
And roote the _Gospel_, out of ev’ry Land)
The more they rag’d, conspired, and envy’d,
The more they slander’d, scorn’d, and murthered;
The more, the _Faithfull_, still, were multiply’d:
And, still, the further, their _Profession_ spred.
Yea, so it spred, that quite it overthrew
Ev’n _Tyranny_ it selfe; that, at the last,
The _Patience of the Saints_, most pow’rfull grew,
And _Persecutions_ force, to ground was cast.
The selfe-same Pow’r, true _Patience_, yet retaines,
And (though a thousand _Suff’rings_ wound the same)
She still hath _Hope_ enough to ease her paynes;
That _Hope_, which keepeth off, all _Feare_ and _Shame_:
For, 'tis not _Hunger_, _Cold_, nor _Fire_, nor _Steele_,
Nor all the _Scornes_ or _Slanders_, we can heare,
Nor any _Torment_, which our _Flesh_ can feele,
That conquers us; but, our owne Trayt’rous _Feare_.
Where, _Honest Mindes_, and _Patient_ Hearts, are Mates
They grow victorious, in their _Hardest-Fates_.

_By =many Strokes=, that Worke is done,
Which cannot be perform’d at =One=._

ILLVSTR. XXIX. _Book. 1._]

Despaire not _Man_, in what thou oughtst to doe,
Although thou faile when one _Attempt_ is made;
But, adde a _New-Endeavour_ thereunto,
And, then another, and another, adde:
Yea, till thy Pow’r and Life shall quite be spent,
Persist in seeking what thou shouldst desire;
For, he that falleth from a good _Intent_,
Deserves not that, to which he did aspire.
Rich _Treasures_, are by _Nature_, placed deepe;
And, ere we gaine them, we must pierce the _Rockes_:
Such _Perills_, also, them, as _Guardians_ keepe,
That, none can winne them without wounds and knockes.
Moreover, _Glories_, _Thrones_ are so sublime,
That, whosoever thinkes their Top to gaine,
Till many thousand weary steps he clime,
Doth foole himselfe, by Musings which are vaine.
And, yet, there is a _Path-way_, which doth leade
Above the highest things that Man can see;
And (though it be not knowne to all who tread
The _Common-Tract_) it may ascended be.
As, therefore, none should greater things presume
Then well becomes their strength; So, none should feare
(Through _Folly_, _Sloth_, or _Basenesse_) to assume
Those things upon them, which beseeming are.
In _Time_, and by _Degrees_ may things be wrought,
That seem’d impossible to have beene done,
When they were first conceived in the thought;
And, such as these, we may adventure on.
Mine _Arme_, I know, in time will fell an _Oke_;
But, I will nev’r attempt it, at a _Stroke_.

_=Afflictions Fire= consumeth =Sinne=;
But, =Vertue= taketh =Life= therein._

ILLVSTR. XXX. _Book. 1._]

Whether the _Salamander_ be a _Beast_,
Or _Precious-Stone_, which overcomes the _Flame_,
It skills not; Since, by either is exprest
The Meaning which we purpose by the same:
Both brooke the _Fire_ unhurt; And (more then so)
The fiercer and the longer _Heats_ there are,
The livelyer in the same the _Beast_ will grow;
And, much the brighter, will the _Stone_ appeare.
This _Crowned-Salamander_ in the _Fire_,
May, therefore, not unfitly, signifie
Those, who in _Fiery Charriots_, doe aspire
_Elijah_-like, to _Immortality_:
Or, those _Heroicke-spirits_, who unharm’d
Have through the _Fires_ of _Troubles_, and _Affliction_,
(With _Vertue_, and with _Innocencie_ arm’d)
Walkt onward, in the _Path-way_, of _Perfection_.
The _Fiery-Tryall_, which like _Wood_ and _Hay_,
Consumes the Workes of ev’ry _Wicked-one_;
(And maketh all their _Hopes_ to fume away)
Doth purifie what _Faithfull-men_ have done.
They triumph in the _Flames_, and shall obtaine
The glorious _Crowne_ of _Endless-Happinesse_,
When all that show of _Blisse_ appeareth vaine,
Which _Worldly men_ have seemed to possesse.
For, though some _Sinnes_ and _Follies_, gilded are,
And shine like purest _Gold_, and _Pretious-Stones_;
This _Test_, will finde of what _Allay_ they were,
And, make them knowne but _Counterfeited Ones_:
For, in this _Fornace_, all such _Wormes_ expire;
And, none but _Vertue_ liveth in this _Fire_.

_Hee, over all the =Starres= doth raigne,
That unto =Wisdome= can attaine._

ILLVSTR. XXXI. _Book. 1._]

I Am not of their Minde, who thinke the _Sun_,
The _Moone_, the _Planets_, and those glorious _Lights_
Which trim the _Sphæres_, doe in their _Motions_ run
To no more purpose, then to please our _Sights_.
Nor for distinguishment of _Nights_, and _Dayes_,
Or of the _Seasons_, and the _Times_, alone,
Can I suppose the Hand of _God_ displayes
Those many _Starres_, we nightly gaze upon:
For, both by _Reason_, and by _Common-sense_
We know (and often feele) that from above
The _Planets_ have, on us, an _Influence_;
And, that our _Bodies_ varie, as they move.
Moreover, _Holy Writ_ inferres, that these
Have some such pow’r; ev’n in those Places, where
It names _Orion_, and the _Pleiades_;
Which, _Starres_ of much inferiour Nature are.
Yet, hence conclude not, therefore, that the _Minde_
Is by the _Starres_ constrained to obey
Their _Influence_; or, so by them inclin’d,
That, by no meanes resist the same we may.
For, though they forme the _Bodies_ temp’rature,
(And though the _Minde_ inclineth after that)
By _Grace_ another _Temper_ we procure,
Which guides the _Motions_ of _Supposed Fate_.
The _Soule_ of _Man_ is nobler then the _Sphæres_;
And, if it gaine the Place which may be had,
Not here alone on Earth, the Rule it beares,
But, is the _Lord_, of all that _God_ hath made.
Be _wise in him_; and, if just cause there bee,
The _Sunne_ and _Moone_, shall stand and wayt on thee.

_A =Princes= most ennobling Parts,
Are Skill in =Armes=, and Love to =Arts=._

ILLVSTR. XXXII. _Book. 1._]

Right blest are they on whom _God_ hath bestowne
A _King_, whose _Vertues_ have approved him
To be an Ornament unto his _Throne_,
And as a Lustre to his _Diadem_.
Hee seekes not onely how to keepe in awe
His _People_, by those meanes that rightfull are;
But, doth unto himselfe, become a _Law_,
And, by _Example_, Pious _Wayes_ declare.
He, loveth _Peace_, and after it pursues;
Yet, if of _Warre_ a just occasion come,
Doth nor _Bellona’s_ Challenges refuse,
Nor feare, to beat _Defyance_ on his _Drum_;
He is as ready, also, to advance
The Lib’rall _Arts_, and from his Lands to drive
All false _Religion_, _Schisme_, and _Ignorance_,
As other publike profits to contrive.
And, such a _Prince_ is not a _Casuall-thing_,
The Glories of a _Throne_, by _Chance_, possessing;
Nor meerely from his _Parents_, doth he spring,
But, he is rather _Gods_ immediate _Blessing_.
If thou desirest such a _Prince_ to be,
Or, to acquire that Worth which may allure
Such _Princes_ to vouchsafe some _Grace_ to thee;
Their Kingly _Vertues_, labour to procure.
In _Military_ Practices delight,
Not for a wicked, or vaine-glorious end;
But, to maintaine the Cause that is upright,
Or thy distressed _Countrey_ to defend.
And, strive that thou, as excellent mayst bee
In _Knowledge_, as, thou art in thy _Degree_.

_=True-Lovers= Lives, in one Heart lye,
Both =Live=, or both together =Dye=._.

ILLVSTR. XXXIII. _Book. 1._]

Hee that shall say he _Loves_, and was againe
So well-belov’d, that neither _Hee_ nor _Shee_
Suspects each other, neither needs to gaine
New proofes, that they in all Desires agree;
And, yet, shall coole againe in their _Affection_,
(And leave to Love) or live till they are _Lovers_
The second-time; It some grosse Imperfection
In _One_ (if not in _Both_) of them discovers.
It was not _Love_ which did between them grow;
But, rather, somewhat like unto the same;
Which (having made a faire deceiving _Show_)
Obtain’d, a while, that honorable Name.
For, _False-Affections_ will together play
So lovingly; and, oft, so act those Parts
Which reall seeme; that, for a time, they may
Appeare the _Children_ of _Vnfeigned-Hearts_:
Yea, Many-times, true _Turtles_ are deceiv’d
By counterfeited _Passions_, till their _Love_
Of her true _Object_ findes her selfe bereav’d;
And, after it, is forced to remove:
But, where _True-Love_ begetteth, and enjoyes
The proper _Object_, which shee doth desire,
Nor _Time_, nor _Injury_ the same destroyes;
But, it continues a _Perpetuall Fire_.
Like am’rous _Thisbe_ to her _Pyramus_,
On all occasions, it continues true:
Nor _Night_, nor _Danger_, makes it timorous;
But, through all Perills, it will him pursue.
Thus, both in _Life_, in _Death_, in all estates,
True-_Lovers_ will be true-_Associates_.

_When =Two= agree in their =Desire=,
One =Sparke= will set them =both= on =Fire=._

ILLVSTR. XXXIV. _Book. 1._]

The _Westerne-Indians_, when they want a Fire
To warme their naked limbs, or dresse their Food,
At ev’ry need, accomplish their Desire,
By often rubbing of two _Stickes of Wood_.
From whence, these _Observations_ we may take;
First, that in them whose Natures gentlest are,
A long _Contention_ such a Change may make,
As did, before, scarce possible appeare.
Next, that when _Two_ in _Opposition_ bee,
Whose power and strength and Malice is the same,
Their strugling Hearts but seldome doe agree,
Till they beget, a _Selfe-devouring-Flame_.
And, thirdly, it informes, that those chast _Fires_
Which on _Loves Altars_ keepe a Lasting-Heat;
Are those, which in two Hearts, two _Like-Desires_
Vpon each other, mutually beget.
Hence, therefore, learne thou, first, not to contemne
Their _Mildnesse_, who to anger are not prone;
Lest, many wrongs doe stirre up _Fires_ in them,
And worke thee Mischiefe, when thou look’st for none.
Be wary, next, though thou thy selfe be strong,
How with a pow’rfull Foe thou dost contend;
For, they that wrastle in _Contention_, long,
Will, sure, beshrew their Madnesse, in the end.
And, if to warme thee by _Loves_ Fires thou seeke,
Thy _Peere_ in _Yeares_, and _Manners_, pray to finde;
Let both your _Aymes_, and _Longings_, be alike;
Be one in _Faith_, and _Will_; and, one in _Minde_:
So, you shall reape the fruits of your Desire,
And warme each other with a kindly _Fire_.

_He that delights to =Plant= and =Set=,
Makes =After-Ages= in his =Debt=._

ILLVSTR. XXXV. _Book. 1._]

When I behold the Havocke and the Spoyle,
Which (ev’n within the compasse of my Dayes)
Is made through every quarter of this _Ile_,
In _Woods_ and _Groves_ (which were this Kingdomes praise)
And, when I minde with how much greedinesse,
We seeke the present Gaine, in every thing;
Not caring (so our _Lust_ we may possesse)
What Dammage to _Posterity_ we bring:
They doe, me-thinkes, as if they did foresee,
That, some of those, whom they have cause to hate,
Should come in _Future-times_, their Heires to be:
Or else, why should they such things perpetrate?
For, if they thinke their _Children_ shall succeed;
Or, can believe, that they begot their _Heires_;
They could not, surely, doe so foule a Deed,
As to deface the _Land_, that should be theirs.
What our _Forefathers_ planted, we destroy:
Nay, all Mens labours, living heretofore,
And all our owne, we lavishly imploy
To serve our present _Lusts_; and, for no more.
But, let these carelesse _Wasters_ learne to know,
That, as _Vaine-Spoyle_ is open _Injury_;
So, _Planting_ is a _Debt_, they truely owe,
And ought to pay to their _Posterity_.
_Selfe-love_, for none, but for it selfe, doth care;
And, onely, for the present, taketh paine:
But, _Charity_ for others doth prepare;
And, joyes in that, which _Future-Time_ shall gaine.
If, _After-Ages_ may my _Labours_ blesse;
I care not, _much_, how _Litle_ I possesse.

_To =Have=, and not to =Vse= the same;
Is not our =Glory=, but our =Shame=._

ILLVSTR. XXXVI. _Book. 1._]

The _Estridge_ (though with many _Feathers_ trimm’d,
And deckt with goodly _Plumes_ of no meane size)
Is so unwieldy, and so largely limb’d,
That, up into the Aire he cannot rise.
And, though in Wings and Feathers, he appeares
A goodly _Fowle_, and beares his Head so high,
As if he could oretop the lower _Sphæres_;
And, farre above the towring _Eagles_ flie;
So uselesse are those _Feathers_, and those _Wings_,
To gaine him _Name_ among their aiery Race;
That, he must walke with such Inferiour things,
As in this _Common-Region_, have their place.
Such _Fowles_ as these, are that _Gay-plumed-Crew_,
Which (to high place and Fortunes being borne)
Are men of goodly worth, in outward view;
And, in themselves, deserve nought els but scorne.
For, though their _Trappings_, their _high-lifted Eyes_,
Their _Lofty Words_, and their _Much-feared Pow’rs_,
Doe make them seeme _Heroicke_, _Stout_, and _Wise_,
Their Hearts are oft as _fond_, and _faint_ as ours.
Such _Animals_ as these, are also those
That _Wise_, and _Grave_, and _Learned Men_ doe seeme
In _Title_, _Habit_, and all _Formall showes_;
Yet, have nor _Wit_, nor _Knowledge_, worth esteeme.
And, lastly, such are they; that, having got
_Wealth_, _Knowledge_, and those other _Gifts_, which may
Advance the _Publike-Good_, yet, use them not;
but _Feede_, and _Sleepe_, and _laze their time away_.
He, may be but a _Goose_, which weares the _Quill_;
But, him we praise, that useth it with _Skill_.

_He, that his =Course= directly Steeres,
Nor =Stormes=, nor =Windy-Censures= feares._

ILLVSTR. XXXVII. _Book. 1._]

Wee to the _Sea_, this _World_ may well compare;
For, ev’ry Man which liveth in the same,
Is as a _Pilot_, to some _Vessell_ there,
Of little size, or else of larger frame.
Some, have the _Boats_ of their owne _Life_ to guide,
Some, of whole _Families_ doe row the _Barge_,
Some, governe _petty Towneships_ too, beside,
(To those compar’d, which of small _Barkes_ have charge)
Some others, rule great _Provinces_; and, they
Resemble _Captaines_ of huge _Argoses_:
But, when of _Kingdomes_, any gayne the Sway,
To _Generalls of Fleets_, we liken these.
Each hath his proper _Course_ to him assign’d,
His _Card_, his _Compasse_, his due _Tacklings_, too;
And, if their Businesse, as they ought, they mind,
They may accomplish all they have to doe.
But, most Men leave the Care of their owne _Course_,
To judge or follow others, in their wayes;
And, when their Follies make their Fortunes worse,
They curse the _Destiny_, which they should prayse.
For, _Waves_, and _Windes_, and that oft-changing _Weather_
Which many blame, as cause of all their _Losses_,
(Though they observe it not) helpes bring together
Those _Hopes_, which their owne _Wisedome_, often crosses.
Regard not, therefore much, what those things be,
Which come, without thy fault, to thwart thy _Way_;
Nor, how, _Rash-Lookers-on_ will censure thee;
But, faithfully, to doe thy part, assay:
For, if thou shalt not from this _Counsell_ vary,
Let my _Hopes_ faile me, if thy _Hopes_ miscarry.

_A sudden =Death=, with =Shame=, is due
To him, that, sweares =What is untrue=._

ILLVSTR. XXXVIII. _Book. 1._]

When th' _Ancients_ made a solemne _League_ or _Vow_,
Their Custome was to ratifie it, thus;
Before their _Idoll-God_, they slew a _Sow_,
And sayd aloud; _So be it unto us_.
Implying, that, if otherwise they did
Then had been vow’d; or, if within their Brest
A _Fraudulent-Intention_ had beene hid,
They merited such Vsage, as that _Beast_.
For, by the _Swine_ that they had slaughtred so,
(Which, during Life, was helpefull unto none)
Of Life deprived by a sudden blow,
And, then, cast out, that none might feed thereon;
They, mystically did inferre; that, he
Who falsify’d that _Oath_ which he had sworne,
Deserv’d, by _Sudden-Death_, cut off to be;
And, as a Beast uncleane, to lye forlorne.
That Heathenish _Hieroglyphicke_, doth implye
This _Christian-Doctrine_; that, we should in _Vowes_,
In _Leagues_, and _Oathes_, assume no Liberty,
But, what sincerest _Honesty_ allowes.
By _Swine_, the babbling _Sophisters_ are meant,
In _Hieroglyphicall_ Signification;
Which wee doe _Sacrifice_, when our intent
Is free from _Falsehood_, and _Æquivocation_.
And, this, let ev’ry Man endeavour for,
Who loves the Blessings, for just men prepar’d;
Or, if the Sinne he doe not much abhorre,
At least, the Danger let him well regard:
For, to pursue him, _Vengeance_ never leaves,
That _falsely Sweares_, or _willingly Deceives_.

_Where strong =Desires= are entertain’d,
The =Heart= 'twixt =Hope=, and =Feare=, is pain’d._

ILLVSTR. XXXIX. _Book. 1._]

A Troubled _Minde_, ore-charged with _Desires_,
Betweene great _Hopes_, and no lesse _Feares_ opprest,
And payned inwardly with secret _Fires_,
Was thus, by some, in former times exprest.
A _Smoking Heart_, they placed just betwixt
A _Fastned Anchor_, and a _Bended Bow_;
To which a _Barbed-Arrow_ seemed fixt,
And, ready from the _Strayned-String_ to goe.
The _Smoke_ doth _Sighes_, the _Anchor_ doth declare
That _Hope_, which keepes us from Despairing quite;
The _Bowe_ and _Arrow_, signifie that _Feare_,
Which doth, perpetually, the Soule affright.
And, by this _Emblem_, it appeares to me
That they which are with strong _Desires_ opprest,
(Though good or bad the Object of them be)
In seeking _Pleasures_, finde no small unrest:
For, they are not by _Feares_, alone, disturbed,
But, as the _Wiseman_ saith, ev’n _Hope-Delayd
Torments the Heart_; and, when _Desire_ is curbed,
The Soule becommeth sad, and ill-apayd.
A _Groundlesse-Hope_, makes entrance for _Despaire_,
And with Deceiving-showes the Heart betrayes:
A _Causelesse-Feare_, doth _Reasons_ force impaire,
And, terrifies the Soule, in doubtfull wayes.
Yet, quite neglect them not; For, _Hope_ repells
That _Griefe_ sometimes, which would our Hearts oppresse.
And, _Feare_ is otherwhile the _Sentinell_
Which rouzeth us from dang’rous _Carelesnesse_.
Thus, _Both_ are good: but, _Both_ are Plagues to such,
Who either _Fondly feare_, or _Hope too much_.

_Those =Fooles= whom =Beauties= Flame doth blinde,
Feele =Death=, where =Life= they thought to finde._

ILLVSTR. XL. _Book. 1._]

When you doe next behold the wanton _Flyes_
About the shining _Candle_, come to play,
Vntill the _Light_ thereof hath dimm’d their Eyes,
Or, till the _Flame_ hath sing’d their Wings away:
Remember, then, this _Emblem_; and, beware
You be not playing at such harmefull Games:
Consider, if there sit no _Female_, there,
That overwarmes you, with her _Beauties Flames_,
Take heed, you doe not over dally so
As to inflame the Tinder of _Desire_;
But, shun the Mischiefe, e’re too late it grow,
Lest you be scorched in that _Foolish-Fire_.
For, as those _Wandring-Fires_ which in the Night,
Doe leade unwary _Trauellers_ astray,
Alluring them, by their deceiving _Sight_,
Till they have altogether lost their way:
Right so fantasticke _Beauty_ doth amaze
The Lust-full _Eye_, allures the _Heart_ aside,
Captives the _Senses_ (by a sudden blaze)
And, leaves the _Iudgement_ wholly stupify’d.
Nay, if Men play too long about those _Torches_,
Such is the Nature of their wanton _Flame_,
That, from their Bodies (unawares) it scorches
Those _Wings_ and _Feet_, on which they thither came.
It wasteth (ev’n to nothing) all their _Wealth_,
Consumes their precious _Time_, destroyes their _Strength_,
Bespots their _Honest-Fame_, impaires their _Health_,
And (when their Fatall Thread is at the length)
That thing, on which their Hope of _Life_ is plac’t,
Shall bring them to _Destruction_, at the last.

_Let him, that at GODS =Altar= stands,
In =Innocencie=, wash his Hands._

ILLVSTR. XLI. _Book. 1._]

When (_Reader_) thou hast first of all survayd
That Reverend _Priest_, which here ingraven stands,
In all his Holy _Vestiments_ array’d,
Endeavouring for _Purifyed-Hands_;
Collect from hence, that, when thou dost appeare
To offer Sacrifice of _Prayse_ or _Prayer_,
Thou oughtst the _Robes_ of _Righteousnesse_, to weare,
And, by _Repentance_, thy defects repaire.
For, thou, that, with polluted _Hands_ presum’st
Before _Gods_ Altar to present thy Face;
Or, in the _Rags_ of thine owne _Merits_ com’st,
Shalt reape _Displeasure_, where thou look’st for _Grace_.
Then, if thou be of those that would aspire
A _Priest_, or _Prelate_, in _Gods_ Church to be;
Be sure, thou first those _Ornaments_ acquire,
Which, may be suting to that _High-Degree_.
Intrude not, as perhaps too many doe,
With _Gifts_ unfit, or by an _Evill meane_:
Desire it with a right _Intention_ too;
And, seeke to keepe thy _Conversation_ cleane.
For, they that have assum’d this _Holy-Calling_,
With _Hands_ impure, and _Hearts_ unsanctify’d,
Defame the _Truth_; give others cause of Falling,
And, scandalize their _Brethren_, too, beside:
Yea, to themselves, their very _Sacrifice_
Becomes unhallow’d; and, their _Thankes_ and _Prayers_,
The _God of Purity_, doth so despise,
That, all their _Hopes_, he turneth to _Despaires_:
And, all their best Endeavours, countermands,
Till they appeare with unpolluted _Hands_.

_No =Heart= can thinke, to what strange ends,
The =Tongues= unruely =Motion= tends._

ILLVSTR. XLII. _Book. 1._]

Well-worthy of our better Heeding were,
That _Holy Pen-mans_ Lesson, who hath sayd,
We should _be slow to Speake, and swift to Heare_;
If, well, the nature of the _Tongue_ we waigh’d.
For, if we let it loose, it getteth _Wings_,
And, flies with wanton Carelesnesse, about;
It prateth in all places, of _All things_;
Tells _Truth_ and _Lyes_, and babbleth _Secrets_ out.
To speake, of things unknowne, it taketh leave,
As if it had all Knowledge in Possession;
And, _Mysteries_ (which no Man can conceive)
Are thought fit Objects for the _Tongues_ Expression.
With _Truth_ it mixeth _Errors_; sayes, unsayes;
And, is the _Preacher_ of all _Heresies_.
That Heart, which gives it motion, it betrayes;
And, utters Curses, Oathes, and Blasphemies.
It spreads all Slanders, which base Envie raiseth;
It moveth Anger, and begetteth Hates:
It blameth _Vertue_; filthy Deeds it praiseth;
And, causeth Vproares, Murthers, and Debates.
Yea, tis the chiefest _Factor_ for the Devill;
And, yet, with speeches feignedly-sincere,
It otherwhile reproveth what is Evill,
And, will in Lowly-words, a _Saint_ appeare.
Now this is knowne; we, next of all, should learne,
How we may shunne the Mischiefe being knowne;
How, we bad _Tongues_, in _Others_, may discerne;
And, how to guide and moderate our _Owne_.
And, reason good; for, none can apprehend,
What Mischiefe doth an Evill _Tongue_ attend.

_The =Minde= should have a fixed Eye
On Objects, that are plac’d on High._

ILLVSTR. XLIII. _Book. 1._]

A _Heart_, which bore the figure of an _Eye_
Wide open to the _Sunne_; by some, was us’d,
When in an _Emblem_, they would signifie
A _Minde_, which on Celestiall Matters mus’d:
Implying, by the same, that there is nought
Which in this lower _Orbe_, our Eyes can see,
So fit an Object for a manly thought,
As those things, which in Heav’n above us be.
_God_, gave _Mankinde_ (above all other Creatures)
A lovely _Forme_, and upward-looking _Eye_,
(Among the rest of his peculiar _Features_)
That he might lift his _Countenance_ on high:
And (having view’d the Beauty, which appeares
Within the outward _Sights_ circumference)
That he might elevate above the Sphæres,
The piercing Eye, of his _Intelligence_.
Then, higher, and still higher strive to raise
His _Contemplations_ Eyes, till they ascend
To gaine a glimpse of those eternall _Rayes_,
To which all undepraved _Spirits_ tend.
For, 'tis the proper nature of the _Minde_
(Till fleshly _Thoughts_ corrupt it) to despise
Those Lusts whereto the _Body_ stands inclin’d;
And labour alwayes, _upward_ to arise.
Some, therefore, thought those _Goblins_ which appeare
To haunt old _Graves_ and _Tombes_, are _Soules_ of such,
Who to these loathsome places doomed were,
Because, they doted on the _Flesh_ too much.
But, sure we are, _well-minded Men_ shall goe
To live _above_, when others bide _below_.

_Those =Fields=, which yet appeare not so,
When =Harvest= comes, will =yellow= grow._

ILLVSTR. XLIV. _Book. 1._]

When, in the sweet and pleasant Month of _May_,
We see both Leaves and Blossomes on the Tree,
And view the _Meadowes_ in their best array,
We hopefull are a _Ioyfull-Spring_ to see;
Yet, oft, before the following _Night_ be past,
It chanceth, that a _Vapor_, or a _Frost_,
Doth all those forward bloomings wholly waste;
And, then, their _Sweetnesse_ and their _Beautie’s_ lost.
Such, is the state of ev’ry mortall Wight:
In _Youth_, our _Glories_, and our _Lusts_ we shew;
We fill our selves with ev’ry vaine Delight,
And, will most thinke on that which may insue.
But, let us learne to _heed_, as well as _know_,
That, _Spring_ doth passe; that, _Summer_ steales away;
And, that the _Flow’r_ which makes the fairest show,
E’re many Weekes, must wither and decay.
And, from this _Emblem_, let each _Lab’ring-Swaine_
(In whatsoever course of life it be)
Take heart, and hope, amidst his daily paine,
That, of his _Travailes_, he good fruits shall see.
The Plow’d and Harrow’d _Field_, which, to thine eye,
Seemes like to be the _Grave_, in which the Seeds
Shall (without hope of rising) _buryed_ lye,
Becomes the fruitfull _Wombe_, where _Plenty_ breeds.
There, will be _Corne_, where nought but _Mire_ appeares;
The Durty _Seed_, will forme a greenish _blade_;
The _Blade_, will rise to _Stemmes_ with fruitfull _Eares_;
Those _Eares_, will ripen, and be _yellow_ made:
So, if in honest _Hopes_, thou persevere,
A Ioyfull _Harvest_ will at last appeare.

_As soone, as wee to =bee=, begunne;
We did beginne, to be =Vndone=._

ILLVSTR. XLV. _Book. 1._]

When some, in former Ages, had a meaning
An _Emblem_, of _Mortality_, to make,
They form’d an _Infant_, on a _Deaths-head_ leaning,
And, round about, encircled with a _Snake_.
The _Childe_ so pictur’d, was to signifie,
That, from our very _Birth_, our _Dying_ springs:
The _Snake_, her _Taile devouring_, doth implie
The _Revolution_, of all Earthly things.
For, whatsoever hath _beginning_, here,
Beginnes, immediately, to vary from
The same it was; and, doth at last appeare
What very few did thinke it should become.
The solid _Stone_, doth molder into _Earth_,
That _Earth_, e’re long, to _Water_, rarifies;
That _Water_, gives an _Airy Vapour_ birth,
And, thence, a _Fiery-Comet_ doth arise:
That, moves, untill it selfe it so impaire,
That from a _burning-Meteor_, backe againe,
It sinketh downe, and thickens into _Aire_;
That _Aire_, becomes a _Cloud_; then, _Drops of Raine_:
Those _Drops_, descending on a _Rocky-Ground_,
There, settle into _Earth_, which more and more,
Doth harden, still; so, running out the _round_,
It growes to be the _Stone_ it was before.
Thus, All things wheele about; and, each _Beginning_,
Made entrance to it owne _Destruction_, hath.
The _Life_ of _Nature_, entreth in with _Sinning_;
And, is for ever, wayted on by _Death_:
The _Life_ of _Grace_, is form’d by _Death_ to _Sinne_;
And, there, doth _Life-eternall_, straight beginne.

_Though very =small=, at first, it be,
A =Sprout=, at length, becomes a =Tree=_.

ILLVSTR. XLVI. _Book. 1._]

Wee finde it common (but not comely thou)
That, when a good _Endeavour_ is begot,
Vnlesse, at very first, it equall grow
With our Expectance, we regard it not.
Nor _Wit_, nor _Patience_, have we to conceive,
That ev’ry thing, which may by Man be wrought,
Proportionable _Time_, and _Meanes_, must have;
Before it can be to _Perfection_, brought.
Yet, ev’ry day, in things of ev’ry kinde,
_Experience_ hath informed us, herein;
And, that, in many things, a change we finde,
Which, at the first, would scarce believ’d have bin.
For, though a _Gosling_ will not prove a _Swan_,
_Vnruely-Colts_ become _well-trayned Steeds_;
A _Silly-Childe_ growes up a _Mighty-Man_,
And, _Lofty-Trees_ doe Spring from _Little Seeds_.
Learne, therefore hence, that, nothing you despise,
Because it may, at first, imperfect seeme:
And, know, how all things (in some sort) to prise,
Although, you give them not the best esteeme.
From hence, moreover, learne; not to despaire,
When you have just occasion, to pursue
A toylesome worke, or any great affaire:
Since, _all-things_, at the first, from nothing, grew.
And, I my selfe will, also, learne, from hence,
(Of all my Paines, though little fruits I see)
Nor to repine, nor to receive Offence;
But, rather joy in what befalleth mee.
For, though my _Hopes_ appeare but meanely growne,
They will be _Great_, when some shall thinke them none.

_When we above the =Crosse= can rise,
A =Crowne=, for us, prepared lies._

ILLVSTR. XLVII. _Book. 1._]

A _Serpent_ rais’d above the Letter _Tau_,
Aspiring to a _Crowne_, is figur’d here:
From whence, a _Christian-Morall_ we may draw,
Which worth our good regarding will appeare.
For, by those _Characters_, in briefe, I see
Which _Way_, we must to Happinesse ascend;
Then, by what _Meanes_, that Path must clymed bee;
And, what _Reward_, shall thereupon attend.
The _Crosse_, doth shew, that _Suffring_ is the _Way_;
The _Serpent_, seemes to teach me, that, if I
Will overcome, I must not then, assay
To _force_ it; but, my selfe thereto _applye_.
For, by embracing what we shall not shunne,
We winde about the _Crosse_, till wee arise
Above the same; and, then, what _Prize_ is wonne,
The _Crowne_, which overtops it, signifies.
Let me, O _God_, obtaine from thee the Grace,
To be partaker of thy Blessed _Passion_;
Let me, with Willingnesse, thy _Crosse_ imbrace,
And, share the Comforts of thy _Exaltation_.
To beare that Part, whereto I doomed am,
My Heart, with Strength, and Courage, _Lord_, inspire:
Then, _Crucifie_ my _Flesh_ upon the same,
As much as my _Corruption_ shall require.
And, when by thy Assistance, I am rear’d
Above that _Burthen_, which lyes yet upon me;
And, over all, which (justly may be fear’d)
Shall, during Life-time, be inflicted on me;
Among those _Blessed-Soules_, let me be found,
Which, with eternall _Glory_, shall be _Crown’d_.

_In =Death=, no =Difference= is made,
Betweene the =Scepter=, and the =Spade=._

ÆQVAT

ILLVSTR. XLVIII. _Book. 1._]

Let no man be so sottish as to dreame,
Though all Men in their _Death_ made equall are,
That, therfore, they may gather by this _Theame_,
That, _Parity_, in Life-time, fitting were.
For, as the _Bodies_ Members (which in _Death_
Have all the like esteeme) had their Degrees,
And Honours, differing in time of _breath_;
The same (in _States_) Discretion comely sees.
Nor, should we hence inferre, that it were just
To disesteeme the breathlesse _Carcasses_
Of _Kings_ and _Princes_, when they sleepe in Dust;
For, _Civill-Reverence_ is due to these.
Nor, ought we, in their Life-time, to apply
The Truth, which by this _Emblem_ is declar’d,
The _Dignities_ of Men to vilifie;
Or, bring upon their _Persons_ lesse regard.
That, which from hence, I rather wish to preach,
Is this; that ev’ry Man of each degree,
Would marke it so, that he, himselfe might teach
What thoughts and deeds, to him most proper be.
If he be great; let him remember, then,
That (since, nor _Wealth_, nor _Title_, can procure him
Exemption from the Doomes of other Men)
He ought to seeke, how _Vertue_ may secure him.
If he be _Poore_; let him this _Comfort_ take,
That, though, awhile, he be afflicted here,
Yet, _Death_ may him as fully happy make,
As he, that doth a _Crowne Imperiall_ weare.
For, when his Fatall-blow, _Death_ comes to strike,
He, makes the _Beggar_, and the _King_, alike.

_What cannot be by =Force= attain’d,
By =Leisure=, and =Degrees=, is gain’d._

ILLVSTR. XLIX. _Book. 1._]

Some Foolish-_Boyes_ (and such a _Boy_ was I)
When they at Schoole have certaine houres to passe,
(To which they are compell’d unwillingly)
Much time they spend in shaking of the _Glasse_:
Thus, what they practise, to make-short their stay,
Prolongs it more; for while they seeke to force
The _Sands_, to runne more speedily away,
They interrupt them; and, they passe the worse.
Right so, in other things, with us it fares;
(And, seeming wise, we act a foolish part)
For, otherwhile, what _Time_ alone prepares,
We seeke to make the subject of an _Art_.
Sometimes, by _Rashnesse_, we endeavour what
We ought with _Leisure_, and _Advice_, to doe:
But, if a good _Successe_ doth follow, that,
Our _Wit_ was nothing helpefull thereunto.
Sometime, againe, we prosecute a thing
By _Violence_; when our desir’d effect,
No other meanes so well to passe can bring,
As _Love_ and _Gentlenesse_, which we neglect.
But, let this _Emblem_ teach us to regard
What _Way of Working_, to each _Worke_ pertaines:
So, though some Portion of our Hopes be barr’d,
We shall not, altogether, lose our paines.
Some things are _strong_, and, othersome are _weake_;
With _Labour_, some; and, some with _Ease_ be wrought:
Although the _Reed_ will bend, the _Kexe_ will breake;
And, what _mends_ one thing, makes another _naught_.
Marke this; And, when much _Haste_ will marre thy _Speed_,
That, then, thou take good _Leisure_; take thou _Heed_.

_Of =Little-Gaines=, let Care be had;
For, of small =Eares=, great =Mowes= are made._

ILLVSTR. L. _Book. 1._]

Among the many Faylings of the _Time_,
This _Emblem_ giveth Cause to mention one,
Which, unto me, doth seeme the greater _Crime_,
Because, to many, it appeareth none.
I finde, that petty things are so neglected
(Well nigh of all) in _Losings_ and in _Winnings_,
As if, what ere they thought to have effected,
Subsisted without _Members_, or _Beginnings_.
The Man, that loseth every _Month_ a _Penny_,
May salve-up _Twelve-months_ Losses, with a _Shilling_.
But, if of other Losses he hath many,
To save a _Pin_, at length, he shall be willing.
For, he that sees his Wine-fill’d _Vessell_ drop,
(Although a _Drop_, in value, be but small)
Should, thence, Occasion take, the _Leake_ to stop,
Lest many _Droppings_ draine him drye of all.
Moreover, they, that will to _Greatnesse_ rise,
A Course, not much unlike to this, must keepe:
They ought not _Small-Beginnings_ to despise;
Nor, strive to _runne_, before they learne to _creepe_.
By many single _Eares_, together brought,
The _Hand_ is fill’d; by _Handfulls_, we may gaine
A _Sheafe_; with many _Sheaves_ a Barne is fraught:
Thus, oft, by _Little_, we doe much obtaine.
Consider this; And, though I wish not thee
To take, of _Trifling-things_, too great a care;
Yet, know thus much (for truth) it best will bee,
If all things may be weighed as they are:
By _slender_ Losses, _great_-ones are begunne;
By many trifling _Gaines_, much _Wealth_ is wonne.

FINIS _Libri primi_.

THE FIRST LOTTERIE.

1

Thou, dost overmuch respect
That, which will thy harme effect;
But, some other things there bee,
Which will more advantage thee:
Search thy heart; and, thou shalt, there,
Soone discover, what they are:
Yea, thine _Emblem_ showes thee, too,
What to shunne; and, what to doe.

See, _Emblem_ I.

2

It is a little fear’d, that you
Are to your owne Designes, untrue;
And, that, if you more constant were,
You would be richer, then you are,
(It may be, also, wiser, too)
Looke, therefore, what you are to doe:
Then, follow it, and, you will say,
That, well advis’d, you were, to day.

See, _Emb._ II.

3

How rich or poore soe’re thou be,
Thou, art a _Prince_, in some degree;
And, o’re thy selfe, thou shouldst command,
As doth a _Monarch_, in his Land.
Within thy Heart, therefore, ingrave
The Lawes, that _Grace_ and _Nature_ gave:
For, thus (to counsell thee) inclines
That _Emblem_, which, thy _Lot_ assignes.

See, _Emb._ III.

4

Much Liberty, thou hast assum’d;
And, heretofore, so much presum’d
On _Time_, which, alway rideth poast,
That, for awhile, some _Hopes_ are crost.
But, loe, to keepe thee from _Despaire_,
And, thy _Misfortune_, to repaire,
Marke, what to thee, by _Lot_, befell,
And, practise, what is counsell’d, well.

See, _Emb._ IV.

5

Thou seekest _Honour_, to obtaine,
By meanes, which frustrate all thy paine.
Thy Predecessors rich were made,
By using of the _Plough_ and _Spade_:
Thou, honourable wouldst be thought,
By taking Courses, that are naught;
But, if, right noble, thou wilt be,
Looke, what thine _Emblem_ counsells thee.

See, _Emb._ V.

_M_ 6

This Man, what ever he may seeme,
Is worthy of a high esteeme:
Though _Fortune_ may, his person, grinde;
She, cannot harme him, in his _Minde_.
Right blest, this _Company_ would be,
If all of them, were such, as _He_.
Reade that _Impresa_, which he drew;
For, that, in part, the same will shew.

See, _Emb._ VI.

_M_ 7

If some, now present, this had got,
They, would have blushed, at their _Lot_;
Since, very fit, the same doth prove
For one, that’s either light of _Love_,
Or, troubled with a fickle _Mate_:
If you enjoy a better _Fate_,
Yet, hearken, what your _Lot_ doth say;
Lest, you, hereafter, need it may,

See, _Emb._ VII.

8

For ought, that, plainely, doth appeare,
You may out-live the longest, here;
Yet, seeing, now, of all this crew,
The _Lot_ of _Death_, you, onely, drew,
See what, your _Emblem_ hath injoyn’d;
And, still, that Morall, beare in minde:
So, _Deaths_ deform’d and ghastly _Shade_
Shall, _Meanes_ of _Life_, to thee, be made.

See, _Emb._ VIII.

9

Though you have _Wit_, and, know it well;
That, rash you are, your _Friends_ can tell;
Yea, _Sleepe_, and _Ease_, possesse you so,
That, some doe feare, you’l sottish grow:
But, lo, your hind’rance, to prevent,
This _Lot_, was, peradventure, sent;
For, in the _Moralls_, that, insue,
Are _Counsells_, fit, for such as you.

See, _Emb._ IX.

10

You, have beene wronged, many wayes,
Yet, _patient_ are; and, that’s your praise:
Your _Actions_, also, seem’d upright;
Yet, some there are, that, beare you spite:
Lest, therefore, you discourag’d grow,
An _Emblem_, you have drawne, to show
What other _Innocents_ have borne,
And, how, the worlds despites, to scorne.

See, _Emb._ X.

_M_ 11

Doubtlesse, you are either wooing,
Or, some other _Bus’nesse_, doing;
Which, you shall attempt, in vaine,
Or, much hazzard all your paine:
Yet, if good, your _meanings_ are,
Doe not honest _meanes_ forbeare;
For, where things are, well, begunne,
_God_, oft, workes, when Man hath done.

See, _Emb._ XI.

12

Be not angry, if I tell
That, you love the _World_, too well;
For, this _Lot_, perhaps, you drew,
That, such _Faults_, you might eschew.
Marke, to what their Soules aspire,
Who, true _Blessednesse_, desire:
For, if you can doe, like those,
_Heav’n_ you gaine, when _Earth_ you lose.

See, _Emb._ XII.

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