Chapter III: Front Matter (3)

You love the _Rich_; and, honour them;
The needy-person, you contemne:
Yet, _Wealth_, nor want of _Wealth_, is that,
Which, _wretched_ makes, or _fortunate_:
From other _Causes_, those things flow;
Which, since, you either doe not know,
Or, heede not much, this _Emblem_ came,
That, you might learne to minde the same.

See, _Emb._ XIII.

_M_ 14

Thy _Chance_ is doubtfull; and, as yet,
I know not, what to say of it;
But, this I know, a foe thou art
To what thine _Emblem_ hath, in part,
Expressed by a _Mimicke Shape_;
Or, thou, thy selfe, art such an _Ape_.
Now, which of these, pertaines to thee,
Let them, that know thee, Iudges bee.

See, _Emb._ XIV.

15

Thy Vertues he may wrong, that sayes
Thou spend’st thy selfe, in wanton wayes;
But, some have thought, and sayd of late,
That, those thou lov’st, consume thy state:
Yet, spare nor _Time_, nor Substance, tho,
Where, them, thou oughtest to bestow;
But, to thine _Emblem_ turne, and, see
When Life, and Wealth, well ventur’d bee.

See, _Emb._ XV.

16

Though _Troubles_, you may have (or had)
Enough, to make some others mad;
Yet, be content: for, they, that are
As weake, have had as much to beare;
And, that, which _Malice_ did contrive,
To make them poore, hath made them thrive.
That _Emblem_, which, by _Lot_, you drew,
Prognosticates, as much, for you.

See, _Emb._ XVI.

17

Though, you suffer blame and paine,
You, at last, may Comfort gaine,
(Sharing _Honours_, truely gotten,
When, your Foes are dead, and rotten)
For, of this, you have a pawne,
In the _Lot_, that you have drawne;
And, by that, it may appeare,
What your paines, and wages, are.

See, _Emb._ XVII.

18

Take you serious heed, I pray,
Whither, you doe goe to day;
Whom you credite; and, for whom
You, ingaged, shall become;
And, unlesse you wish for Sorrow,
Be as provident, to morrow:
For, there are some traps and Snares,
Which, may take you unawares.

See, _Emb._ XVIII.

19

Your _Wit_, so much, you trust upon,
That, weaker _Meanes_ hath yours out-gone;
Sometime, you runne, when there is need
Of much more _Warinesse_, then _Speed_.
But, you, to _God_-ward, worse have err’d;
And, yet, _Amendment_ is deferr’d.
See, therefore, what your _Chance_ doth say,
And, take good _Counsell_, while you may.

See, _Emb._ XIX.

20

Take heed, you doe not quite forget,
That you are dauncing in a _Net_:
More, then a few, your Course doe see,
Though, you, suppose, unseene to be.
Your Fault, we will no nearer touch;
Me-thinkes your _Emblem_ blabs too much:
But, if, you minde, what is amisse,
You, shall be nere the worse, for this.

See, _Emb._ XX.

21

Let such, as draw this _Lot_, have care,
For _Death_, and _Sorrow_, to prepare
All times, to come, lest one of these,
Their persons, unexpected, seize:
For, them, or some of theirs, to stay,
Pale _Death_, drawes neerer, ev’ry day.
Yet, let them not, disheartned, bee:
For, in their _Emblem_, they shall see,
_Death_, may (though, in appearance, grim)
Become, a _blessing_, unto them.

See, _Emb._ XXI.

22

With _Mary_, thou art one of those,
By whom, the better part, is chose;
And, though, thou tempted art, astray,
Continu’st in a lawfull way.
Give _God_ the praise, with heart unfaign’d,
That, he, such _Grace_ to thee, hath dain’d;
And, view thy _Lot_, where thou shalt see,
What _Hag_, hath layd a _Trap_, for thee.

See, _Emb._ XXII.

23

Although, that, thou demure appeare,
For _Pleasure_, there is no man here
Will venture more: And, some there are,
Who thinke you venture over farre:
Hereof, consider well, therefore,
E’re, so, you venture, any more;
And, in your Lotted _Emblem_, see,
For what, your _Suffrings_ ought to bee.

See, _Emb._ XXIII.

24

If ought, thou purpose, to assay,
Pursue the same, without delay;
And, if thou meane to gather fruit,
Be constant in thy _Hopes_ pursuit:
For, by thine _Emblem_, thou mayst finde,
Thy _Starres_, to thee, are well-inclin’d;
Provided, thy _Attempts_ be good:
For, that, is ever understood.

See, _Emb._ XXIV.

25

Take heed, thou love not their deceipt,
Who _Number_ give, in steed of _Weight_;
Nor, let their Fansies, thee abuse,
Who, such-like foolish _Customes_, use.
Perhaps, it may concerne thee, much,
To know the _Vanities_ of such;
And, who they are: Marke, therfore, what
Thine _Emblem_, will, to thee relate.

See, _Emb._ XXV.

26

Thou, to _Impatience_, art inclin’d;
And, hast a discontented Minde;
That, therfore, thou mayst _Patience_ learne,
And, thine owne _Over-sights_ discerne,
Thy _Lot_ (as to a Schoole to day)
Hath sent thee to the _Squirrells_ Dray;
For, she instructs thee, to indure,
Till, thou, a better _state_, procure.

See, _Emb._ XXVI.

27

Your _Lot_, is very much to blame,
Or else, your person, or, your Name
Hath injur’d beene, or, may have wrong
By some loose wanton, ere’t be long:
Therfore, e’re, hence, you passe away,
Marke, what your _Emblem_, now, doth say.
Perhaps, by drawing of this _Lot_,
Some _Harmes_ prevention may be got.

See, _Emb._ XXVII.

28

Vpon your head, those weights were laid,
Which, your _Endeavours_, downeward waigh’d;
For, those, who doe your _weale_ envie,
Much feare, your top will spring too high;
Nay, yet, some _Burthen_, you sustaine:
But, what their _Malice_ will obtaine,
Your _Emblem_ prophesies; if you,
With _Patience_, Honest-_wayes_, pursue.

See, _Emb._ XXVIII.

29

This _Lot_, befell thee, for the nonce;
For, if things come not, all at once,
Thou, to despairing, soone, dost runne,
Or, leav’st the Worke, that’s well begun:
Which, to prevent, regardfull be
Of what thine _Emblem_ counsells thee.

See, _Emb._ XXIX.

30

Afflictions, are thy chiefest _Lot_;
Yea, great ones, too: yet, murmure not.
For, all, must fiery tryalls bide,
And, from their Drosse be purify’d.
Therefore, though this, in sport, be done,
Thy Morall’d _Emblem_, looke upon;
And, learne, those _Vertues_ to acquire,
Which, will not perish in the _Fire_.

See, _Emb._ XXX.

31

You seeke a _Lot_, which, proving bad,
Would, peradventure, make you sad;
But, this may please: for, you are taught
To mend a Fortune, that is naught;
And, armed, with such Counsell, here,
That, you, no _Destiny_, need feare.
Now, if you come to Harme, or Shame,
Vpon the _Starres_, lay not the blame.

See, _Emb._ XXXI.

_M_ 32

In _Court_, thou mayst have hope, to clime,
This present, or some other time;
But, something thou dost want, as yet,
Which, for that place, must make thee fit.
Presume not, therefore, on thy _Lot_,
Till, those accomplishments are got,
Which, in thine _Emblem_, are exprest;
And, then, march on, among the best.

See, _Emb._ XXXII.

33

Some thinke, you love; 'tis true, you doe;
And, are as well beloved too:
But, you (if we the truth shall say)
Love not so truely, as you may.
To make a perfect _Love_, there goes
Much more, then ev’ry _Lover_ knowes.
Your _Emblem_, therefore heede; and, then,
Beginne, anew, to love agen.

See, _Emb._ XXXIII.

34

Now, some good _Counsell_, thou dost need;
Of what we say, take, therefore, heed.
Beware, lest thou, too much, offend
A meeke, and, gentle-natur’d, _Friend_:
Though pow’r thou hast, be carefull, too,
Thou vexe not, long, thine able _Foe_;
And, e’re thou love, be sure to finde
Thy _Match_, in _Manners_, and in _Minde_.
If thou demand a Reason, why,
To thee, thine _Emblem_ will replie.

See, _Emb._ XXXIV.

35

Beware, thou share not in their crime,
Who care, but for the present time:
For, by thy _Lot_, wee may suspect,
Or that, or things, to that effect.
If so it be, or if thy Minde,
To such an _Errour_, be inclin’d,
Thy _Chance_, unto an _Emblem_, brings,
Which, will advise to better things.

See, _Emb._ XXXV.

36

You, love to _seeme_; this, all Men see:
But, would you lov’d, as well, to _bee_.
If, also, better use were made
Of those good _Blessings_, you have had;
Your praise were more. Marke, therefore, well,
What _Moralls_, now, your _Emblem_, tell;
And, gather, from it, what you may,
To set you in a better way.

See, _Emb._ XXXVI.

37

To scape a Storme, great thought you take;
But, little heed, what _meanes_ you make.
You, love your ease, and, Troubles, feare;
But, carelesse are, what _Course_ you steere.
Which _Indiscretions_, to prevent,
You, to an _Emblem_, now, are sent:
Whereof, if you regardfull are,
You, lesse will feare, and better fare.

See, _Emb._ XXXVII.

38

What you have, done, consider, now;
For, this your _Chance_, doth seeme to show
That you have sworne, or vow’d, of late,
Or promised (you best know what)
Which, you have, since, unwilling bin,
To keepe; or, else, did faile, therein.
If it be so; repent, or els,
What will befall, your _Emblem_ tells.

See, _Emb._ XXXVIII.

39

Thy _Hopings_, and thy _Feares_, are such,
That, they afflict, and paine thee, much;
Because, thou giv’st too great a scope
Vnto thy _Feare_, or to thy _Hope_:
For, they will paine, or pleasure thee,
As they enlarg’d, or curbed be.
But, lo; thine _Emblem_, if thou please,
Instructs thee, how, to mannage these.

See, _Emb._ XXXIX.

40

Let them, who get this _Chance_, beware,
Lest _Cupid_ snarle them in a Snare:
For, by their _Lot_, they should be apt
To be, in such-like Ginnes, intrapt.
Some helpe, is by their _Emblem_, got,
If they, too late, observe it not;
But, then, no profit will be done them:
For, _Counsell_ will be lost upon them.

See, _Emb._ XL.

41

Whether, meerely, _Chance_, or no,
Brought this _Lot_, we doe not know:
But, received, let it be,
As, divinely, sent to thee:
For, that, merits thy regard,
Which, thine _Emblem_ hath declar’d;
And, the best, that are, have need,
Such _Advisements_, well to heed.

See, _Emb._ XLI.

42

Thou, hast already, or, e’re long,
Shalt have some dammage by the _Tongue_:
But, fully, yet, it is not knowne,
Whether the _Tongue_ shall be thine owne,
Or else, anothers _tongue_, from whom
This Mischiefe, unto thee, shall come:
But, much the better, thou shalt speed,
If, now, thine _Emblem_, well thou heed.

See, _Emb._ XLII.

43

Vnworthy things, thou dost affect,
With somewhat overmuch respect;
Vnto the _World_, inclining so,
As if thy Hopes were all below:
But, now, to rowse thee from this crime,
Good _Counsell_ comes in happy time.
Make use thereof; and, thinke it not
Meere casuall, or a needlesse _Lot_.

See, _Emb._ XLIII.

44

Thou, either, too much love, hast plac’t
On things, that will not alway last;
Or else, thou art a little fear’d.
Because thy Hopes are long deferr’d:
Nay, thou art touch’d, in both of these.
Thy Profit, therefore, and thine ease,
It will effect, if well thou minde
What, in thine _Emblem_, thou shalt finde.

See, _Emb._ XLV.

45

When thou hast _Changes_, good, or bad,
Ore-joy’d, thou art, or over-sad;
As if it seemed very strange
To see the _Winde_ or _Weather_, change:
Lo, therefore, to remember thee,
How changeable, things Mortall, bee,
Thou, art assisted by this _Lot_;
Now, let it be, no more, forgot.

See, _Emb._ XLV.

46

Of thy just _Aymes_, though meanes be slight,
Thou mayst attaine their wished height;
Vnlesse, thy Folly shall destroy
The Weale, thou seekest to injoy,
By thy Despaire, or by neglect
Of that, which, may thy _Hopes_ effect:
For, by thine _Emblem_, thou mayst know,
Great things, from small _Beginnings_, grow.

See, _Emb._ XLVI.

47

Thou must have _Crosses_; but they, shall,
To _Blessings_, be converted, all;
And, _Suffrings_, will become, thy Praise,
If, _Wisedome_ order, well, thy wayes:
Yea, when thy _Crosses_ ended are,
A Crowne of Glory, thou shalt weare.
Yet, note, how this to passe is brought:
For, in thine _Emblem_, it is taught.

See, _Emb._ XLVII.

48

If they, who drew this _Lot_, now be
Of great _Estate_, or high _Degree_,
They shall ere long, become as poore,
As those, that beg from doore to doore.
If poore they be; it plaine appeares,
They shall become great _Princes_ Peeres:
And, in their _Emblem_, they may know,
What very day, it will be, so.

See, _Emb._ XLVIII.

49

You, have attempted many a thing,
Which, you, to passe, could never bring;
Not, that, your Worke was hard to doe,
But, 'cause, you us’d wrong _Meanes_, thereto.
Hereafter, therefore, learne, I pray,
The _Times_ of Working, and, the _Way_;
And, of thine _Emblem_, take thou heed,
If, better, thou desire to speed.

See, _Emb._ XLIX.

50

If you, to greater _Wealth_, will rise,
You must not, slender _Gaine_, despise;
Nay, if, you minde not, to be poore,
You must regard slight _Losses_, more:
For, _Wealth_, and _Poverty_, doe come,
Not all at once, but, some and some.
If this, concerne you, any wayes,
See, what your _Emblem_, further, sayes.

See, _Emb._ L.

51

Your _Fortune_, hath deserved thank,
That she, on you, bestowes a _Blank_:
For, as you, nothing good, have had;
So, you, have nothing, that is bad.
Yea, she, in this, hath favour showne,
(If, now, your _Freedome_ well be knowne)
For, you, by _Lot_, these _Emblems_, mist,
That you, may chuse out, which you list.

52

You, by an _Emblem_, seeke to get
What Counsel your _Affaires_ may fit;
But, in particular, there’s none,
Which, you, by _Lot_, can light upon:
And, why? because, no _Morall_, there,
Doth, worthy of your Heed, appeare?
No; but because you rather, need,
Of ev’ry _Emblem_, to take heed.

53

The _Starres_, are, now, no friends of your,
Or this is not their lucky houre:
For, at this time, unto your _Lot_,
They, by an _Emblem_, answer not.
If, therefore, you desire to know
What good advice they will allow,
Some further _Meanes_, you must assay,
Or, trye your _Chance_, another day.

54

You, in your secret thoughts, despise
To thinke an _Emblem_ should advise,
Or give you cause to minde or heed
Those things, whereof you may have need:
And, therefore, when, the _Lot_, you try’d,
An answer, justly, was deny’d.
Yet (by your leave) there are but few,
Who, need good _Counsell_, more then you.

55

In some extreame, you often are,
And, shoot too short, or else too farre;
Yea, such an errour, you were in,
When, for a _Lot_, you mov’d the _Pin_:
For, one touch more, or lesse, had layd
Our _Index_, where it should have stayd.
But, if you can be warn’d, by this,
To keepe the _Meane_, which oft you misse,
You have obtain’d as good a _Lot_,
As any one, this day, hath got.

56

Among these _Emblems_, none there be,
Which, now by _Lot_ will fall to thee;
However, doe not thou repine:
For, this doth seeme to be a signe,
That, thou, thy Portion, shalt advance
By _Vertue_, not by fickle _Chance_.
Yet, nerethelesse, despise thou not
What, by good _Fortune_, may be got.

_FINIS._

A
COLLECTION
OF
EMBLEMES,
ANCIENT AND
MODERNE:

Quickened
With METRICALL ILLVSTRATIONS; And,
disposed into LOTTERIES, both _Morall_
and _Divine_.

That _Jnstruction_, and _Good Counsell_, may bee furthered
by an Honest and Pleasant _Recreation_.

_By_ GEORGE WITHER.

_The Second Booke._

LONDON,
Printed by AVGVSTINE MATHEWES.
MDCXXXIV.

TO
THE HIGH AND MIGHTY
Prince, _CHARLES_, Prince
_of_ WALES, _&c._

Fair’st _Blossome_ of our hopes; and _Morning-starre_
To all these _Ilands_, which inclosed are
By _Neptunes_ armes, within our Northern _climes_;
And who (wee trust) shall rise, in future times,
To be the brightest _Light_, that, then will shine,
Betwixt the _Artick-Circle_, and the LINE.
To YOV (as now you are) that I present
These EMBLEMS, 'tis not so impertinent
As those may thinke it, who have neither seene
What, of your _Cradle-sports_, hath heeded beene;
Nor heard how many serious _Questionings_,
Your _Child-hood_ frameth, out of trifling things:
And, if mine aime I have not much mistooke,
I come not oversoone with such a _Booke_.
So long as in this _Infant-Age_ you are,
(Wherein, the speechlesse _Portraitures_ appeare
A pleasurefull delight) your HIGHNESSE may
Among our EMBLEMS, finde a _Harmelesse-play_:
And, those mute _Objects_ will from time to time,
Still _Riper_, seeme, till you to _ripenesse_ clime.
When their dumb _Figures_, no more sport can make,
Their _Illustrations_, will begin to speake;
And, ev’ry day, new matter still disclose,
Vntill your _Iudgement_ to perfection growes.
They likewise, who their _Services_, to do
Frequent your _Presence_, may have pleasure too,
From this your _Play-game_: yea, and some perchance,
May cure a _Folly_, or an _Ignorance_
By that, which they shall either heare or view
In these our _Emblems_, when they wait on _You_;
Or, shall be called, by your EXCELLENCE,
To try what LOT, they shall obtaine from thence.
It may, moreover, much increase the sport,
Which is allowed in a vertuous COVRT;
When they whose faults have long suspected bin,
Shall draw forth private Censures of their Sin,
And, heare their EMBLEMS, openly, display,
What, others dare not, but in private, say:
Nor will, to YOV, the MORALS be in vaine,
Ev’n when to manly Knowledge you attaine;
For, though to _Teach_, it will not them become
To be _Remembrancers_, they may presume:
And, that which in their _Child-hood_, men shall heed,
Will soonest come to minde, in time of need.
Incourag’d by these _Hopes_, I thought it meet
To lay this humble _Present_ at your feet.
_Accept it, now_; and, please to favour _me_,
When I growe _old_, and, You a _Man_ shall be.

_To your Highnesse_

_most humbly devoted_,

GEO: WITHER.

TO
THE MOST HIGH-BORNE
and hopeful Prince _JAMES,
Duke of YORKE, &c._

Sweet PRINCE,

Your hand I kisse; and, thus my _Lines_ addresse
Vnto your wise, and vertuous[A] GOVERNESSE.
_For, MADAME, (as his PROXY) it is fit,
That, YOV both =Read=, and =answere= for him, yet.
To YOV for HIM, J therefore tender, here,
To welcome-in the =New-beginning Yeare=,
This harmelesse PLAY-GAME; that, it may have place,
When somewhat =riper Daies=, shall Make his =GRACE=,
Affect such =Objects=; which, to looke upon
May pleasure yeeld him, e’re this =Yeare= be gone.
'Tis not the least =Discretion=, in great COVRTS,
To know what =Recreations=, and what =Sports=
Become young PRINCES; or, to find out those,
Which may, with harmelesse pleasantnesse, dispose
Their Mindes to =VERTVE=: neither in their =Cradles=,
Should this be heeded lesse, than in their =Sadles=:
Because, when first to =know=, we doe begin,
A small =Occasion=, lets much =Evill= in.
Among those things, which both =Instruct= and =please=;
But few, (for =Children=) are surpassing these:
For, they, to looke on =Pictures=, much desire;
And, not to =Looke alone=, but, to enquire
What things those are, that represented be,
In ev’ry MAP, or EMBLEM, which they see.
And, that which they shall =view=, or shall be =told=,
(By meanes of any =Figure= they behold)
=Experience= breedes; assisteth =Memory=;
Or, helps to forme a =Witty Fantasie=:
And, if those =Formes= to good Instruction tend,
Oft steads them, also, till their lives have end.
Then, since ev’n all of us, much Good receive
By Vertuous PRINCES; And should, therefore, strive
To adde some =helpes=, whereby they might acquire
That =Excellence=, which wee in them desire.
I (being able, to present his GRACE,
With nothing but a =Rattle=, or a =Glasse=,
Or some such =Cradle-play-game=) bring, to day,
This BOOKE, to be as usefull as it may:
And, =how=, and =when=, it will most =usefull= grow,
Without my =Teaching=, YOV can fully show.
For, what is of your =Ablenesse= believ’d,
Through all these famous =Ilands=, hath receiv’d,
A large applause; in =that=, from out of those
Which =ablest= were, both =King= and =State= have chose
Your =Faith= and =Wisedome=, to be TREASVRESSE
Of their chiefe =Iewels=; and the GOVERNESSE
Of our prime Hopes. And, now J this have weigh’d,
Me thinks, there needs no more, by me, be said,
But, (having pray’d your HONOVR to receive
This PRESENT for the DVKE) =to take my leave=;
And =Versifie= to =him=, some other day,
When =Hee= can understand mee, what I say._

Till then, let it please your _Honour_ sometimes to remember
_Him_, that

I am his Graces

daily and humble

Oratour,

GEO: WITHER.

Footnote: [A] _The Countesse of Dorset._

_We best shall quiet clamorous =Thronges=,
When, we our selves, can rule our =Tongues=._

ILLVSTR. I. _Book. 2_]

When I observe the Melanchollie _Owles_,
Considering with what patience, they sustaine
The many clamours, of the greater _Fowles_;
And, how the little _Chirpers_, they disdaine:
When I remember, how, their Injuries
They sleight, (who, causeles give them an offence)
Vouchsafing, scarce to cast aside their eyes
To looke upon that foolish Insolence.
Me thinkes, by their _Example_, I am taught
To sleight the slaunders of Injurious _Tongues_;
To set the scoffes of _Censurers_, at naught,
And, with a brave _neglect_, to beare out _Wrongs_.
Hee, doubtles, whom the _Psalmist_, long agoe,
Vnto a lonely _Desert-Owle_ compar’d,
Did practise thus; And, when I can doe so,
I, shall for all affronts, become prepar’d.
And, (though, this Doctrine, Flesh and blood gaine-say)
Yet, sure, to stopp the malice of _Despight_,
There is no better, (nay, no other) way:
Since, _Rage_ by Opposition gathers _Might_.
_Good =God=! vouchsafe, sufficient grace and strength,
That (though I have not yet, such =Patience= gott)
I may attaine this happy gift, at length;
And, finde the cause, that, yet, I have it not.
Though me, my =Neighbours=, and my =Foes= revile;
Make me of all their words, a =Patient-bearer=:
When er’e I =suffer=, let me be, the while,
As is the silent =Lambe= before the =Shearer=.
So; though my =speakings=, cannot quiet any,
My =Patience= may restraine the Tongues of many._

_When wee by =Hunger=, =Wisdome= gaine,
Our =Guts=, are wiser then our =Braine=._

ILLVSTR. II. _Book. 2_]

The _Crowe_, when deepe within a close-mouth’d-_Pot_.
She water finds, her thirstinesse to slake;
(And, knoweth not where else it might be got)
Her _Belly_, teacheth her, this course to take:
She flies, and fetcheth many _Pibbles_ thither,
Then, downe into the _Vessell_, lets them _drop_;
Vntill, so many stones are brought together,
As may advance the water to the top.
From whence, we might this _observation_ heed;
That, _Hunger_, _Thirst_, and those _necessities_,
(Which from the _Bellies_ craving, doe proceed)
May make a _Foole_, grow provident and wise.
And, though (in sport) we say, the _braines_ of some,
Not in their _Heads_, but in their _Gutts_, doe lye;
Yet, that, by wants, Men wiser should become,
Dissenteth not from true _Philosophy_:
For, no man labours with much _Willingnesse_,
To compasse, what he nought at all desires;
Nor seeketh so, his longing to possesse,
As, when some urgent neede, the same requires.
Nay, though he might, a _willingnesse_, retaine,
Yet, as the _Belly_, which is ever full,
Breeds fumes, that cause a _sottish-witles-braine_;
So, _plenteous Fortunes_, make the _Spirits_ dull.
All, _borne to Riches_, have not _all-times_, witt
To keepe, (much lesse, to better) their degree:
But, men to nothing borne, oft, passage get.
(Through many wants) renown’d, and rich to bee:
Yea, _Povertie_ and _Hunger_, did produce,
The best _Inventions_, and, of chiefest use.

_Though =Musicke= be of some abhor’d,
=She=, is the =Handmaid= of the =Lord=._

ILLVSTR. III. _Book. 2_]

To _Musicke_, and the Muses, many beare
Much hatred; and, to whatsoever ends
Their _Soule-delighting-Raptures_ tuned are,
Such peevish dispositions, it offends.
Some others, in a _Morall way_, affect
Their pleasing _Straines_ (or, for a sensuall use)
But, in _Gods Worship_, they the same suspect;
(Or, taxe it rather) as a great abuse.
The _First_ of these, are full of _Melancholy_;
And, Pitty need, or Comfort, more then blame;
And, soone, may fall into some dangerous _folly_,
Vnlesse they labour, to prevent the same.
The _Last_, are _giddie-things_, that have befool’d
Their Iudgements, with _beguiling-Fantasies_,
Which (if they be not, by discretion, school’d)
Will plunge them into greater _Vanities_.
For, _Musicke_, is the _Handmaid_ of the LORD,
And, for his _Worship_, was at first ordayned:
Yea, therewithall she fitly doth accord;
And, where _Devotion_ thriveth, is reteyned.
_Shee_, by a nat’rall power, doth helpe to raise,
The _mind_ to God, when joyfull Notes are sounded:
And, _Passions_ fierce Distemperatures, alaies;
When, by grave _Tones_, the _Mellody_ is bounded.
It, also may in _Mysticke-sense_, imply
What _Musicke_, in _our-selves_, ought still to be;
And, that our _jarring-lives_ to certifie,
Wee should in _Voice_, in _Hand_, and _Heart_, agree:
And, sing out, _Faith’s_ new-songs, with full concent,
Vnto the _Lawes_, ten-stringed _Instrument_.

_Marke, what =Rewards=, to =Sinne=, are due,
And, learne, =uprightnesse= to pursue._

ILLVSTR. IIII. _Book. 2_]

A _Sword unsheathed_, and a _strangling-Snare_,
Is figur’d here; which, in _dumbe-shewes_, doe preach,
Of what the _Malefactor_ should beware;
And, they doe _threaten too_, aswell as _Teach_.
For, some there are, (would God, that summe were lesse)
Whom, neither good _Advise_, nor, wholesome _Lawe_,
Can turne from Pathwaies of _Vnrighteousnesse_,
If _Death_, or _Tortures_, keepe them not in awe.
These, are not they, whose _Conscience_ for the sake
Of _Goodnesse_ onely, _Godlinesse_, pursues;
But, these are they, who never scruple make
What _Guilt_, but, what great _punishment_ ensues.
For such as these, this _Emblem_ was prepar’d:
And, for their sakes, in places eminent,
Are all our _Gallow-trees_, and _Gibbets_, rear’d;
That, by the sight of them, they might repent.
Let, therefore, those who feele their hearts inclin’d
To any kind of _Death-deserving-Crime_,
(When they behold this _Emblem_) change their mind,
Lest, they (too late) repent, another time.
And, let not those our Counsell, now, contemne,
Who, doome _poore Theeves_ to death; yet, guilty be
Of more, then most of those whom they Condemne:
But, let them Learne their perill to foresee.
For, though a little while, they may have hope
To seeme upright, (when they are nothing lesse)
And, scape the _Sword_, the _Gallowes_, and the _Rope_,
There is a _Iudge_, who sees their wickednesse;
And, when grim _Death_, shall summon them, from hence,
They will be fully plagu’d for their offence.

_That =Kingdome= will establish’d bee,
Wherein the =People= well agree._

ILLVSTR. V. _Book. 2_]

A _Crowned Scepter_, here is fixt upright,
Betwixt foure _Fowles_, whose postures may declare,
They came from _Coasts_, or _Climats_ opposite,
And, that, they diffring in their natures are.
In which, (as in some others, that we finde
Amongst these _Emblems_) little care I take
Precisely to unfold our _Authors_ minde;
Or, on his meaning, _Comments_ here to make.
It is the scope of my Intention, rather
From such perplext _Inventions_ (which have nought,
Of Ancient _Hieroglyphick_) _sense_, to gather,
Whereby, some usefull _Morall_ may be taught.
And, from these _Figures_, my Collections be,
That, _Kingdomes_, and the _Royall-dignitie_,
Are best upheld, where _Subjects_ doe agree,
To keepe upright the state of _Soveraignty_.
When, from each Coast and quarter of the Land,
The _Rich_, the _Poore_, the _Swaine_, the _Gentleman_,
Lends, in all _wants_, and at all _times_, his hand,
To give the best assistance that he can:
Yea, when with _Willing hearts_, and _Winged-speed_,
The men of all Degrees, doe duely carry
Their _Aides_ to publike-workes, in time of need,
And, to their _Kings_, be freely tributary:
Then shall the _Kingdome_ gayne the gloriest height;
Then shall the _Kingly-Title_ be renown’d;
Then shall the _Royall-Scepter_ stand upright,
And, with supremest _Honour_, then, be Crown’d.
But, where this Duty long neglect, they shall;
The _King_ will suffer, and, the _Kingdome_ fall.

_From that, by which I =somewhat= am,
The Cause of my =Destruction= came._

ILLVSTR. VI. _Book. 2_]

The little _Sparkes_ which rak’d in _Embers_ lie,
Are kindly kindled by a gentle _blast_:
And, _brands_ in which the fire begins to die
Revive by blowing; and, flame out at last.
The selfe same _wind_, becomming over strong,
Quite bloweth out againe that very flame;
Or, else, consumes away (ere it be long)
That wasting substance, which maintain’d the same.
Thus fares it, in a Thousand other things,
As soone as they the _golden Meane_ exceed;
And, that, which keeping _Measure_, profit brings,
May, (by _excesse_) our losse, and ruine, breed.
_Preferments_ (well and moderately sought)
Have helpt those men, new _Virtues_ to acquire,
Who, being to superiour places brought,
Left all their _goodnesse_, as they climed higher.
A little _wealth_, may make us better able
To labour in our Callings: Yet, I see
That they, who being poore, were charitable,
Becomming rich, hard-hearted grow to be.
_Love_, when they entertaine it with discretion,
More worthy, and more happy, maketh men;
But, when their _Love_ is overgrowne with _Passion_,
It overthrowes their happinesse, agen.
Yea, this our _Flesh_, (in which we doe appeare
To have that _being_, which we now enjoy)
If we should overmuch the same endeare,
Would our _Well-being_, totally destroy.
For, that which gives our _Pleasures_ nourishment,
Is oft the poyson of our best _Content_.

_By =Guiltines=, =Death= entred in,
And, =Mischiefe= still pursueth =Sinne=._

ILLVSTR. VII. _Book. 2_]

_Ixions_ wheele, and he himselfe thereon
Is figur’d, and (by way of _Emblem_) here,
Set forth, for _Guilty men_ to looke upon;
That, they, their wicked Courses might forbeare.
To gaine a lawlesse favour he desired,
And, in his wicked hopes beguiled was:
For, when to claspe with _Iuno_, he aspired,
In stead of her, a _Clowd_, he did embrace.
He, likewise, did incurre a dreadfull _Doome_,
(Which well befitted his presumptuous Crime)
A terror, and, a warning, to become,
For wicked men, through all succeeding time.
As did his longings, and his after _Paine_,
So, theirs affecteth, nor effecteth ought,
But, that, which proveth either false or vaine;
And, their false _Pleasures_, are as dearely, bought:
Yea, that, whereon they build their fairest _Hope_,
May, bring them (in conclusion of the Deed)
To clime the _Gallowes_, and to stretch a _Rope_;
Or, send them thither, where farre worse they speed:
Ev’n thither, where, the _never-standing-Wheele_
Of _everlasting-Tortures_, turneth round,
And, racks the _Conscience_, till the soule doth feele
All Paines, that are in _Sense_, and _Reason_ found.
For, neither doth black Night, more swiftly follow,
Declining _Day-light_: Nor, with Nimbler Motion
Can _waves_, each other, downe their Channell follow,
From high-rais’d _Mountaines_, to the bigg-womb’d _Ocean_,
Then, _Iustice_ will, when she doth once begin,
To prosecute, an _Vnrepented-Sin_.

_When wee have greatest =Griefes= and =Feares=,
Then, =Consolation= sweet’st appeares._

ILLVSTR. VIII. _Book. 2_]

When, all the yeare, our fields are fresh and greene,
And, while sweet _Flowers_, and _Sunshine_, every day,
(As oft, as need requireth) come betweene
The Heav’ns and earth; they heedles passe away.
The fulnes, and continuance, of a blessing,
Doth make us to be senseles of the good:
And, if it sometime flie not our possessing,
The sweetnesse of it, is not understood.
Had wee no _Winter_, _Sommer_ would be thought
Not halfe so pleasing: And, if _Tempests_ were not,
Such Comforts could not by a _Calme_, be brought:
For, things, save by their _Opposites_, appeare not.
Both _health_, and _wealth_, is tastles unto some;
And, so is _ease_, and every other _pleasure_,
Till _poore_, or _sicke_, or _grieved_, they become:
And, then, they relish these, in ampler measure.
_God_, therefore (full as _kinde_, as he is _wise_)
So tempreth all the _Favours_ he will doe us,
That, wee, his _Bounties_, may the better prize;
And, make his _Chastisements_ lesse bitter to us.
One while, a scorching _Indignation_ burnes
The Flowers and Blosomes of our HOPES, away;
Which into _Scarsitie_, our _Plentie_ turnes,
And, changeth _vnmowne-Grasse_ to _parched-Hay_;
Anon, his fruitfull _showres_, and pleasing _dewes_,
Commixt with cheerefull _Rayes_, he sendeth downe;
And then the Barren-earth her cropp renewes,
Which with rich Harvests, Hills, and Vallies Crowne:
For, as to relish _Ioyes_, he sorrow sends,
So, Comfort on _Temptation_, still, attends.

_To brawle for =Gaine=, the =Cocke= doth sleight;
But, for his =Females=, he will fight._

ILLVSTR. IX. _Book. 2_]

Some, are so _quarrellous_, that they will draw,
And _Brawle_, and _Fight_, for every toy they see;
Grow furious, for the wagging of a straw;
And, (otherwile) for lesse then that may be.
Some, are more staid, a little, and will beare,
Apparent wrongs (which to their face you doe;)
But, when they _Lye_, they cannot brooke to heare
That any should be bold to tell them so.
Another sort, I know, that _blowes_ will take,
Put up the _Lye_, and give men leave to say
What words they please; till spoile they seeke to make
Of their estates; And, then, they’le kill and slay.
But, of all _Hacksters_, farre the fiercest are
Our _Cockrills of the game_, (Sir _Cupid’s_ knights)
Who, (on their foolish _Coxcombes_) often weare
The Scarres they get in their _Venerean-fights_.
Take heede of these; for, you may pacifie
The _first_, by time: The _second_, will be pleas’d
If you submit, or else your words denie;
The _third_, by satisfaction, are appeas’d:
But, he that for his _Female_, takes offence,
Through Iealousy, or madnesse, rageth so;
That, he accepteth of no recompence,
Till he hath wrought his _Rivals_ overthrow.
Such Fury, shun; and, shunne their Vulgar minde,
Who for base trash despitefully contend;
But, (when a just occasion, thou shalt finde)
Thy Vertuous _Mistresse_, lawfully defend.
For, he, that in such cases turnes his face,
Is held a _Capon_, of a Dunghill Race.

_If =Safely=, thou desire to goe,
Bee nor too =swift=, nor =overflow=._

ILLVSTR. X. _Book. 2_]

Ovr _Elders_, when their meaning was to shew
A _native-speedinesse_ (in Emblem wise)
The picture of a _Dolphin-Fish_ they drew;
Which, through the waters, with great swiftnesse, flies.
An _Anchor_, they did figure, to declare
_Hope_, _stayednesse_, or a _grave-deliberation_:
And therefore when those two, united are,
It giveth us a two-fold Intimation.
For, as the _Dolphin_ putteth us in minde,
That in the Courses, which we have to make,
Wee should not be, to _slothfulnesse_ enclin’d;
But, swift to follow what we undertake:
So, by an _Anchor_ added thereunto,
Inform’d wee are, that, to maintaine our _speed_,
_Hope_, must bee joyn’d therewith (in all we doe)
If wee will undiscouraged proceed.
It sheweth (also) that, our _speedinesse_,
Must have some _staydnesse_; lest, when wee suppose
To prosecute our aymes with good successe,
Wee may, by _Rashnesse_, good endeavors lose.
They worke, with most securitie, that know
The _Times_, and best _Occasions_ of _delay_;
When, likewise, to be neither _swift_, nor _slow_;
And, when to practise all the _speed_, they may.
For, whether calme, or stormie-passages,
(Through this life’s _Ocean_) shall their _Bark_ attend;
This _double Vertue_, will procure their ease:
And, them, in all necessities, befriend.
By _Speedinesse_, our works are timely wrought;
By _Staydnesse_, they, to passe are, safely, brought.

_They that in =Hope=, and =Silence=, live,
The best =Contentment=, may atchive._

ILLVSTR. XI. _Book. 2_]

If thou desire to cherish true _Content_,
And in a troublous time that course to take,
Which may be likely mischieves to prevent,
Some use, of this our _Hieroglyphick_, make.
The _Fryers Habit_, seemeth to import,
That, thou (as ancient _Monkes_ and _Fryers_ did)
Shouldst live remote, from places of resort,
And, in _retyrednesse_, lye closely hid.
The _clasped-Booke_, doth warne thee, to retaine
Thy _thoughts_ within the compasse of thy breast;
And, in a quiet _silence_ to remaine,
Vntill, thy minde may safely be exprest.
That _Anchor_, doth informe thee, that thou must
Walke on in _Hope_; and, in thy Pilgrimage,
Beare up (without _despairing_ or _distrust_)
Those wrongs, and sufferings, which attend thine _Age_.
For, whensoere _Oppression_ groweth rife,
_Obscurenesse_, is more safe than _Eminence_;
Hee, that then keepes his _Tongue_, may keepe his _Life_,
Till Times will better favour _Innocence_.
_Truth_ spoken where _untruth_ is more approved,
Will but enrage the malice of thy foes;
And, otherwhile, a wicked man is moved
To cease from wrong, if no man him oppose.
Let this our _Emblem_, therefore, counsell thee,
Thy life in safe _Retyrednesse_, to spend:
Let, in thy breast, thy thoughts reserved bee,
Till thou art layd, where none can thee offend.
And, whilst most others, give their _Fancie scope_,
Enjoy thy selfe, in _Silence_, and in _Hope_.

_Let none despaire of their Estate,
For, =Prudence=, greater is, than =Fate=._

ILLVSTR. XII. _Book. 2_]

Bee _merry_ man, and let no causelesse feare
Of _Constellation_, fatall _Destinie_,
Or of those false _Decrees_, that publish’d are
By foolish braines, thy _Conscience_ terrifie.
To thee, these _Figures_ better Doctrines teach,
Than those blind _Stoikes_, who necessitate
_Contingent things_; and, arrogantly teach
(For doubtlesse truths) their dreames of changelesse _Fate_.
Though true it bee, that those things which pertaine,
As _Ground-workes_, to _Gods_ glorie, and our blisse,
Are fixt, for aye, unchanged to remaine;
All, is not such, that thereon builded is.
God, gives men power, to build on his _Foundation_;
And, if their _workes_ bee thereunto agreeing,
No _Power-created_, brings that Variation,
Which can disturbe, the _Workmans_ happy being.
Nor, of those _workings_, which required are,
Is any made unpossible, untill
Mans heart begins that _Counsell_ to preferre,
Which is derived from a _crooked-will_.
The _Starres_, and many other things, incline
Our nat’rall _Constitutions_, divers wayes;
But, in the Soule, _God_ plac’d a _Power-divine_,
Which, all those _Inclinations_, overswayes.
Yea, _God_, that _Prudence_, hath infus’d, by _Grace_,
Which, till _Selfe-will_, and _Lust_, betrayes a man,
Will keepe him firmely, in that happy place,
From whence, no _Constellation_ move him can.
And, this is that, whereof I notice take,
From this great _Starre_, enclosed by a _Snake_.

_Their =Friendship= firme will ever bide,
Whose hands unto the =Crosse= are tide._

ILLVSTR. XIII. _Book. 2_]

When first I knew the world, (and was untaught
By tryde experience, what true _Friendship_ meant)
That I had many _faithfull friends_, I thought;
And, of their Love, was wondrous confident.
For, few so young in yeares, and meane in fortune,
Of their _Familiars_, had such troopes, as I,
Who did their daily fellowship importune;
Or, seeme so pleased in their company.
In all their friendly meetings, I was one;
And, of the _Quorum_, in their honest game:
By day or night, I seldome sate alone;
And, welcome seemed, wheresoere I came.
But, where are now those multitudes of _Friends_?
Alas! they on a sudden flasht away.
Their love begun, but, for some sensuall ends,
Which fayling them, it would no longer stay.
If I to vaine expences, would have mov’d them,
They, nor their _paines_, nor _purses_, would have spared;
But, in a reall need, if I had prov’d them,
Small showes of kindnesse, had bin then declared.
Of thrice three thousands, two, perhaps, or three,
Are left me now, which (yet) as _Friends_ I prize;
But, none of them, of that great number be,
With whom I had my youthfull Iollities.
If, therefore, thou desire a _Friend_, on Earth,
Let one _pure-faith_ betwixt you bee begot,
And, seeke him not, in _vanities_, or _mirth_,
But, let _Afflictions_ tye your _true-love-knot_:
For, they who to the _Crosse_, are firmely tyde,
Will fast, and everlasting _Friends_, abide.

_A =Candle= that affords no =light=,
What profits it, by Day, or Night?_

ILLVSTR. XIIII. _Book. 2_]

There be of those in every _Common-weale_,
Whom to this _Emblem_ we resemble may;
The _Name_ of none I purpose to reveale,
But, their _Condition_, heere, I will display.
Some, both by gifts of _Nature_, and of _Grace_,
Are so prepared, that, they might be fit
To stand as _Lights_, in profitable place;
Yet, loose their _Talent_, by neglecting it.
Some, to the _common Grace_, and _nat’rall parts_,
(By helpe of _Nurture_, and good _Discipline_)
Have added an accomplishment of _Arts_,
By which, their _Light_ may much the brighter shine.
Some others, have to this, acquired more:
For, to maintaine their _Lampe_, in giving light,
Of _Waxe_, and _Oyle_, and _Fatnesse_, they have store,
Which over-flowes unto them, day and night.
And, ev’n as _Lampes_, or _Candles_, on a Table,
(Or, fixt on golden _Candlesticks_, on high)
To light _Assemblies_, Great and Honourable,
They, oft, have (also) place of _Dignitie_.
By meanes of which, their _Splendor_ might become
His praise, who those high favours did bequeath:
They might encrease the _Light_ of _Christendome_,
And, make them see, who sit in shades of _Death_.
But, many of them, like those _Candles_ bee,
That stand unlighted in a _Branch_ of gold:
For, by their helpe wee nothing more can see,
Than wee in grossest darknesse, may behold.
If such there be, (as there bee such, I feare)
The question is, _For what good use they are_.

_The =Sacrifice=, God loveth best,
Are =Broken-hearts=, for =Sin=, opprest._

ILLVSTR. XV. _Book. 2_]

No Age, hath had a people, to professe
_Religion_, with a shew of holinesse,
Beyond these times; nor, did men _sacrifice_,
According to their foolish fantasies,
More oft than at this present. One, bestowes
On _pious-workes_, the hundreth part, of those
Ill-gotten goods, which from the poore he seazed,
And, thinkes his _God_, in that, is highly pleased.
Another, of her dues, the _Church_ bereaves:
And, yet, himselfe a holy man conceives,
(Yea, and right bountifull) if hee can spare
From those his thefts, the tenth, or twentieth share,
To some new _Lecture_; or, a _Chaplaine_ keepe,
To please _Himselfe_, or, preach his _Wife_ asleepe.
Some others, thinke they bring sincere _Oblations_,
When, fir’d with zeale, they roare out _Imprecations_
Against all those, whom wicked they repute:
And, when to _God_, they tender any sute,
They dreame to merit what they would obtaine,
By _praying-long_, with Repetitions vaine.
With many other such like _Sacrifices_
Men come _to God_: but, he such _gifts_ despises:
For, neither _gifts_, nor _workes_, nor _any thing_
(Which we can either _doe_, or _say_, or _bring_,)
Accepted is of _God_; untill he finde
A _Spirit-humbled_, and a _troubled-minde_.
A _contrite Heart_, is that, and, that alone,
Which _God_ with love, and pitie, lookes upon.
Such he affects; therefore (_Oh Lord_) to thee;
Such, let my _Heart_, and, such, my _Spirit_ bee.

_A =King=, that prudently Commands,
Becomes the glory of his =Lands=._

ILLVSTR. XVI. _Book. 2_]

The _Royall-Scepter_, Kingly power, implyes;
The _Crowne-Imperiall_, GLORIE, signifies:
And, by _these_ joyn’d in one, we understand,
A _King_, that is an honour to his _Land_.
A _Kingdome_, is not alwaies eminent,
By having Confines of a large _extent_;
For, _Povertie_, and _Barbarousnesse_, are found
Ev’n in some large _Dominions_, to abound:
Nor, is it _Wealth_, which gets a _glorious-Name_;
For, then, those _Lands_ would spread the widest _Fame_,
From whence we fetch the _Gold_ and _Silver-ore_;
And, where we gather _Pearles_ upon the shore:
Nor, have those _Countries_ highest exaltations,
Which breed the strongest, and the Warlikst _Nations_;
For, proud of their owne powre, they sometimes grow,
And quarrell, till _themselves_ they overthrow.
Nor, doe the chiefest _glories_, of a _Land_,
In many _Cities_, or much _People_, stand:
For, then, those _Kingdomes_, most renowned were,
In which _Vnchristian Kings_, and, _Tyrants_ are.
It is the _King_ by whom a _Realme’s_ renowne,
Is either builded up, or overthrowne.
By _Solomon_, more fam’d was _Iudah_ made,
Then, by the Multitude of men it had:
Great _Alexander_, glorified _Greece_,
Throughout the World, which, else had bene a piece
Perhaps obscure; And, _Cæsar_ added more
To _Rome_, then all her greatnesse did before.
_Grant, =Lord=, these =Iles=, for ever may be blessed,
With what, in this our =Emblem= is expressed._

_By =Studie=, and by =Watchfulnesse=,
The Jemme of =Knowledge=, we possesse._

ILLVSTR. XVII. _Book. 2_]

I Thinke you would be wise; for, most men seeme
To make of _Knowledge_ very great esteeme.
If such be your desires, this _Emblem_ view;
And, marke how well the _Figures_, counsell you.
Wee by the Bird of _Athens_, doe expresse,
That painefull, and that usefull _watchfulnesse_,
Which ought to bee enjoyned, unto them,
Who seeke a place, in _Wisdomes_ Academ.
For, as an _Owle_ mewes up her selfe by _Day_,
And watcheth in the _Night_, to get her prey;
Ev’n so, good _Students_, neither must be such,
As _daily_ gad; or _nightly_ sleepe too much.
That _open-booke_, on which the _Owle_ is perch’d,
Affords a _Morall_, worthy to be search’d:
For, it informes, and, darkly doth advise,
Your _Watchings_ be not after Vanities;
(Or, like their _Wakings_, who turne dayes to nights,
In following their unlawfull appetites)
And, that, in keeping Home, you doe not spend
Your houres in sloth, or, to some fruitlesse end.
But, rather in good _Studies_; and, in that,
By which, true _Knowledge_, is arrived at.
For, if your _Studies_, and your _Wakings_, bee
To this intent; you shall that _Path-way_ see
To _Wisdome_, and to _Honour_, which was found,
Of them, whose _Knowledge_ hath been most renownd.
But, if your _Watchings_, and _Retyrednesse_,
Be for your _Lust_, or, out of _Sottishnesse_;
You are not, what th' _Athenian-Owle_ implies,
But, what our _English-Owlet_ signifies.

_When =Mars=, and =Pallas=, doe agree,
Great workes, by them, effected bee._

ILLVSTR. XVIII. _Book. 2_]

It prospers ever best, in all Estates,
When _Mars_ and _Pallas_ are continuall Mates.
And, those affaires but seldome luckie be,
In which, these needfull _Powers_, doe not agree.
That _Common-wealth_, in which, good _Arts_ are found
Without a _Guard_, will soone receive a wound:
And, _Souldiers_, where _good-order_ beares no sway,
Will, very quickly, rout themselves away.
Moreover, in our private Actions too,
There must bee both a _Knowledge_, how to doe
The _worke_ propos’d; and _strength_ to finish it;
Or, wee shall profit little by our _Wit_.
_Discretion_ takes effect, where _Vigour_ failes;
Where _Cunning_ speeds not, _outward-force_ prevailes;
And, otherwhile, the prize pertaines to neither,
Till they have joyn’d their _Vertues_ both together.
Consider this; and, as occasions are,
To both of these your due respects declare.
Delight not so in _Arts_, to purchase harmes
By Negligence, or Ignorance of _Armes_:
If _Martiall-Discipline_ thou shalt affect;
Yet, doe not _honest-Policie_, neglect.
Improve thy _Minde_, as much as e’re thou may;
But foole thou not thy _Bodies_ gifts away.
The _Vertues_ both of _Body_, and of _Mind_,
Are, still, to be regarded in their kind.
And, wee should neither of the two disgrace;
Nor, either of them, raise above his place:
For, when these two wee value as wee ought,
Great works, by their _joynt-power_, to passe are brought.

_They, after =suffring=, shall be =crown’d=,
In whom, a =Constant-faith=, is found._

ILLVSTR. XIX. _Book. 2_]

Marke well this _Emblem_; and, observe you thence
The nature of true _Christian-confidence_.
Her _Foot_ is fixed on a _squared-Stone_,
Which, whether side soe’re you turne it on,
Stands fast; and, is that _Corner-stone_, which props,
And firmely knits the structure of our _Hopes_.
_Shee_, alwayes, beares a _Crosse_; to signifie,
That, there was never any _Constancie_
Without her _Tryalls_: and, that, her perfection,
Shall never be attain’d, without _Affliction_.
A _Cup_ shee hath, moreover, in her hand;
And, by that _Figure_, thou mayst understand,
That, shee hath draughts of _Comfort_, alwayes neere her,
(At ev’ry brunt) to strengthen, and to cheare her.
And, loe, _her_ head is _crown’d_; that, we may see
How great, her _Glories_, and _Rewards_, will be.
Hereby, this _Vertue’s_ nature may be knowne:
Now, practise, how to make the same thine owne.
Discourag’d be not, though thou art pursu’d
With many wrongs, which cannot be eschew’d;
Nor yeeld thou to _Despairing_, though thou hast
A _Crosse_ (which threatens death) to be embrac’t;
Or, though thou be compell’d to swallow up,
The very dregs, of _Sorrowes_ bitter _Cup_:
For, whensoever griefes, or torments, paine thee,
Thou hast the same _Foundation_ to sustaine thee:
The selfe same _Cup_ of _Comfort_, is prepared
To give thee strength, when _fainting-fits_ are feared:
And, when thy _time of tryall_, is expired,
Thou shalt obtaine the _Crowne_, thou hast desired.

_=Love=, a =Musician= is profest,
And, of all =Musicke=, is the best._

ILLVSTR. XX. _Book. 2_]

If to his thoughts my _Comments_ have assented,
By whom the following _Emblem_ was _invented_,
I'le hereby teach you (_Ladies_) to discover
A true-bred _Cupid_, from a fained _Lover_;
And, shew (if you have Wooers) which be they,
That worth’est are to beare your _Hearts_ away.
As is the _Boy_, which, here, you pictured see,
Let them be _young_, or let them, rather, be
Of _suiting-yeares_ (which is instead of _youth_)
And, wooe you in the _nakednesse_, of _Truth_;
Not in the common and disguised _Clothes_,
Of _Mimick-gestures_, _Complements_, and _Oathes_.
Let them be _winged_ with a swift _Desire_;
And, not with _slow-affections_, that will tyre.
But, looke to this, as to the principall,
That, _Love_ doe make them truly _Musicall_:
For, _Love’s_ a good _Musician_; and, will show
How, every faithfull _Lover_ may be so.
Each _word_ he speakes, will presently appeare
To be melodious _Raptures_ in your eare:
Each _gesture_ of his body, when he moves,
Will seeme to _play_, or _sing_, a _Song of Loves_:
The very _lookes_, and _motions_ of his eyes,
Will touch your _Heart-strings_, with sweet _Harmonies_;
And, if the _Name_ of him, be but exprest,
T’will cause a thousand _quaverings_ in your breast.
Nay, ev’n those _Discords_, which occasion’d are,
Will make your _Musicke_, much the sweeter, farre.
And, such a mooving _Diapason_ strike,
As none but _Love_, can ever play the like.

_Thy =seeming-Lover=, false will bee,
And, love thy =Money=, more than =Thee=._

ILLVSTR. XXI. _Book. 2_]

What may the reason be, so many wed,
And misse the blessings of a _joyfull-Bed_,
But those ungodly, and improper ends,
For which, this Age most _Marriages_ intends?
Some, love _plumpe flesh_; and, those as kinde will be
To any gamesome _Wanton_, as to thee.
Some, doate on _Honours_; and, all such will prize
Thy _Person_, meerely, for thy _Dignities_.
Some, fancy _Pleasures_; and, such _Flirts_ as they,
With ev’ry _Hobby-horse_, will runne away.
Some (like this _Couple_ in our _Emblem_, here)
Wooe hard for _Wealth_; and, very kind appeare,
Till they have wonne their prize: but, then they show
On what their best _Affections_ they bestow.
This _Wealth_, is that sweet _Beautie_, which preferres
So many to their _Executioners_.
This, is that rare _Perfection_, for whose sake,
The _Politician_, doth his _Marriage_, make.
Yea, most of those whom you shall married find,
Were cousned, (or did cousen) in this kind;
And, for some _by-spects_, they came together,
Much more, than for the sakes, of one another.
If this concernes thee, now, in any sense;
For thy instruction, take this warning hence:
If thou hast err’d already, then, lament
Thy passed crime, and, beare thy punishment.
If thou, as yet, but tempted art to erre;
Then, let this _Emblem_ be thy _Counsellor_:
For, I have said my mind; which, if thou slight,
Goe, and repent it, on thy _wedding night_.

_Give =Credit=; but, first, well beware,
Before thou =trust= them, =who they are=._

ILLVSTR. XXII. _Book. 2_]

I Rather would (because it seemeth just)
Deceived be, than causelesly distrust:
Yet, _whom_ I credited; and, then, how _farre_;
Bee _Cautions_, which I thought worth heeding were:
And, had not this been taught me long agone,
I had been poorer, if not quite undone.
That, others to such warinesse, may come,
This _Emblem_, here, hath filled up a roome;
And, though a vulgar _Figure_, it may seeme,
The _Morall_, of it, meriteth esteeme.
That _Seeing-Palme_, (endowed with an _Eye_,
And handling of a _Heart_) may signifie
What warie _Watchfulnesse_, observe we must,
Before we venter on a weightie _Trust_:
And, that, to keepe our _kindnesse_ from abuse,
There is of _double-diligence_, an use.
Mens hearts, are growne so false, that most are loath
To trust each others _Words_, or _Bands_, or _Oath_:
For, though wee had in every part an _Eye_,
We could not search out all _Hypocrisie_;
Nor, by our utmost providence, perceive
How many wayes, are open to deceive.
Now, then (although perhaps thou art so wise,
To know already, what I would advise)
Yet may this _Emblem_, or this _Motto_, bee
Instead of some _Remembrancer_, to thee.
So, take it therefore; And, be sure, if either
This _Warning_, or thy _Wit_, (or both together)
Can, still, secure thee from _deceitfull-hearts_;
Thy _luck_ exceedeth all thy other parts.

_Hee, that on =Earthly-things=, doth trust,
Dependeth, upon =Smoake=, and =Dust=._

ILLVSTR. XXIII. _Book. 2_]

_Lord!_ what a coyle is here! and what a puther,
To save and get? to scratch and scrape together
The Rubbish of the world? and, to acquire
Those vanities, which _Fancie_ doth desire?
What _Violence_ is used, and what _Cunning_?
What nightly _Watchings_, and what daily _Running_?
What _sorrowes_ felt? what _difficulties_ entred?
What _losses_ hazarded? what _perills_ ventred?
And, still, how sottishly, doe wee persever
(By all the power, and meanes wee can endeaver)
To wheele our selves, in a perpetuall _Round_,
In quest of that, which never will be found?
In _Objects_, here on _Earth_, we seeke to finde
That perfect sollidnesse, which is confinde,
To things in _Heaven_, though every day we see,
What emptinesse, and faylings, in them be.
To teach us better; this, our _Emblem_, here,
Assayes to make terrestriall things appeare
The same they be, (both to our eares and eyes)
That, wee may rightly their Condition prize.
The best, which of earths _best things_, wee can say,
Is this; that they are _Grasse_, and will be _Hay_.
The rest, may be resembled to the _Smoke_,
(Which doth but either blind the sight, or choke)
Or else, to that uncleanly _Mushrum-ball_,
Which, in some Countries, wee a _Puff-foyst_ call;
Whose _out-side_, is a nastie rotten _skin_,
Containing durt, or smoking-dust, _within_.
This is my _mind_; if wrong you thinke I’ve done them,
Be _Fooles_; and, at your perils, dote upon them.

_I beare, about mee, all my store;
And, yet, a =King= enjoyes not more._

ILLVSTR. XXIIII. _Book. 2_]