Chapter IV: Front Matter (4)

This _Emblem_ is a _Torteise_, whose owne shell
Becomes that _house_, where he doth rent-free dwell;
And, in what place soever hee resides,
His _Arched-Lodging_, on his backe abides.
There is, moreover, found a kind of these,
That live both on the shore, and in the Seas;
For which respects, the _Torteise_ represents
That man, who in himselfe, hath full contents;
And (by the _Vertues_ lodging in his minde)
Can all things needfull, in all places, finde.
To such a _Man_, what ever doth betide;
From him, his _Treasures_, nothing can divide.
If of his _outward-meanes_, Theeves make a prise;
Hee, more occasion hath to exercise
His _inward-Riches_: and, they prove a _Wealth_,
More usefull, and lesse lyable to stealth.
If, any at his harmelesse person strike;
Himselfe hee streight contracteth, _Torteis-like_,
To make the _Shell_ of _Suffrance_, his defence;
And, counts it _Life_, to die with _Innocence_.
If, hee, by hunger, heat, or cold, be payn’d;
If, hee, be slaundred, sleighted, or disdayn’d;
Hee, alwayes keepes and carries, that, within him,
Which may, from those things, _ease_ and _comfort_, win him.
When, him uncloathed, or unhous’d, you see;
His _Resolutions_, clothes and houses bee,
That keepe him safer; and, farre warmer too,
Than _Palaces_, and princely _Robes_, can doe.
_God give mee =wealth=, that hath so little Cumber;
And, much good doo’t the =World= with all her Lumber._

_To =Learning=, J a love should have,
Although one foot were in the =Grave=._

ILLVSTR. XXV. _Book. 2_]

Here, we an _Aged-man_ described have,
That hath _one foot_, already, in the _Grave_:
And, if you marke it (though the _Sunne_ decline,
And horned _Cynthia_ doth begin to shine)
With _open-booke_, and, with attentive eyes,
Himselfe, to compasse _Knowledge_, he applyes:
And, though that _Evening_, end his last of dayes,
_Yet, I will study, more to learne_, he sayes.
From this, we gather, that, while time doth last,
The time of _learning_, never will be past;
And, that, each houre, till we our _life_ lay downe,
Still, something, touching _life_, is to be knowne.
When he was old, wise _Cato_ learned Greeke:
But, we have _aged-folkes_, that are to seeke
Of that, which they have much more cause to learne;
Yet, no such minde in them, wee shall discerne.
For, that, which they should studie in their _prime_,
Is, oft, deferred, till their _latter-time_:
And, then, _old-age_, unfit for _learning_, makes them,
Or, else, that common _dulnesse_ overtakes them,
Which makes ashamed, that it should be thought,
They need, like _little-children_, to be taught.
And, so, out of this world, they doe returne
As wise, as in that weeke, when they were borne.
_God, grant me grace, to spend my life-time so,
That I my duety still may seeke to =know=;
And, that, I never, may so farre proceed,
To thinke, that I, more =Knowledge=, doe not need:
But, in =Experience=, may continue growing,
Till I am fill’d with fruits of pious-knowing._

_=Good-fortune=, will by those abide,
In whom, =True-vertue= doth reside._

ILLVSTR. XXVI. _Book. 2_]

Marke, how the _Cornucopias_, here, apply
Their _Plenties_, to the _Rod_ of _Mercury_;
And (if it seeme not needlesse) learne, to know
This _Hieroglyphick’s_ meaning, ere you goe.
The _Sages_ old, by this _Mercurian-wand_
(_Caducæus_ nam’d) were wont to understand
_Art_, _Wisedome_, _Vertue_, and what else we finde,
Reputed for endowments of the _Minde_.
The _Cornucopias_, well-knowne _Emblems_, are,
By which, great _wealth_, and _plenties_, figur’d were;
And (if you joyne together, what they spell)
It will, to ev’ry Vnderstanding, tell,
That, where _Internall-Graces_ may be found,
_Eternall-blessings_, ever, will abound.
For, this is _truth_, and (though some thoughts in you
Suggest, that this is, often times, untrue)
This, ever is the _truth_; and, they have got
Few right-form’d _Vertues_, who believe it not.
I will confesse, true _Vertue_ hath not ever
All _Common-plenties_, for which most indeavour;
Nor have the _Perfect’st-Vertues_, those high places,
Which _Knowledge_, _Arts_ (and, such as have the faces
Of outward _beauty_) many times, attaine;
For, these are things, which (often) those men gaine,
That are more _flesh_, then _spirit_; and, have need
Of _carnall-helpes_, till higher they proceede.
But, they, of whom I speake, are flowne so high,
As, not to want those _Toyes_, for which wee crye:
And, I had showne you somewhat of their store,
But, that, this _Page_, had roome to write no more.

_The =Gospel=, thankefully imbrace;
For, =God=, vouchsafed us, this =Grace=._

ILLVSTR. XXVII. _Book. 2_]

This moderne _Emblem_, is a mute expressing
Of _Gods_ great Mercies, in a _Moderne-blessing_;
And, gives me, now, just cause to sing his praise,
For granting me, my being, in these dayes.
The much-desired _Messages_ of Heav’n,
For which, our _Fathers_ would their lives have giv’n,
And (in _Groves_, _Caves_, and _Mountaines_, once a yeare)
Were glad, with hazard of their goods, to heare;
Or, in lesse bloudy times, at their owne homes,
To heare, in private, and obscured roomes.
Lo; those, those _Ioyfull-tydings_, we doe live
Divulg’d, in every _Village_, to perceive;
And, that, the sounds of _Gladnesse_, eccho may,
Through all our goodly _Temples_, ev’ry day.
_This was (=Oh God=) thy doing; unto thee,
Ascrib’d, for ever, let all Prayses bee.
Prolong this =Mercie=, and, vouchsafe the =fruit=,
May to thy =Labour=, on this =Vine-yard=, suit:
Lest, for our fruitlesnesse, thy =Light of grace=,
Thou, from our =Golden candlesticke=, displace.
We doe, me thinkes, already, =Lord=, beginne
To =wantonize=, and let that =loathing= in,
Which makes thy =Manna= tastlesse; And, I feare,
That, of those =Christians=, who, more often =heare=,
Then practise, what =they know=, we have too many:
And, I suspect my =selfe=, as much as any.
Oh! mend =me= so, that, by amending =mee=,
Amends in =others=, may increased be:
And, let all =Graces=, which thou hast bestow’d,
Returne thee =honour=, from whom, first, they flow’d._

_The =Bees=, will in an =Helmet= breed;
And, =Peace=, doth after =Warre=, succeed._

ILLVSTR. XXVIII. _Book. 2_]

When you have heeded, by your _Eyes_ of _sense_,
This _Helmet_, hiving of a Swarme of _Bees_,
Consider, what may gather’d be from thence,
And, what your _Eye_ of _Vnderstanding_ sees.
That _Helmet_, and, those other _Weapons_, there,
Betoken _Warre_; the Honey-making, _Flyes_,
An _Emblem_ of a happy _Kingdome_, are,
Injoying _Peace_, by painfull Industries:
And, when, all these together are exprest,
As in this _Emblem_, where the _Bees_, doe seeme
To make their dwelling, in a _Plumed-Crest_,
A _Morall_ is implyed, worth esteeme.
For, these inferre, mysteriously, to me,
That, _Peace_, and _Art_, and _Thrift_, most firme abides,
In those _Re-publikes_, where, _Armes_ cherisht bee;
And, where, true _Martiall-discipline_, resides.
When, of their Stings, the _Bees_, disarm’d, become,
They, who, on others Labours, use to prey,
Incourag’d are, with violence, to come,
And, beare their _Honey_, and, their _Waxe_, away.
So when a _People_, meerely, doe affect
To gather Wealth; and (foolishly secure)
Defences necessary, quite neglect;
Their Foes, to spoyle their Land, it will allure.
Long _Peace_, brings _Warre_; and, _Warre_, brings _Peace_, againe:
For, when the smart of _Warfare_ seizeth on them,
They crye, _Alarme_; and, then, to fight, are faine,
Vntill, their _Warre_, another _Peace_, hath wonne them;
And, out of their old rusty _Helmets_, then,
New _Bees_ doe swarme, and, fall to worke agen.

_The =Heart= of him, that is =upright=,
In =Heavenly-knowledge=, takes delight._

ILLVSTR. XXIX. _Book. 2_]

This _Emblem_, with some other of the rest,
Are scarce, with seemly _Properties_, exprest,
Yet, since a vulgar, and a meane _Invention_
May yield some _Fruit_, and shew a good _Intention_;
Ile, hence, as well informe your _Intellects_,
As if these _Figures_ had not those defects.
The _Booke_, here shadow’d, may be said, to show
The _Wisdome_, and _Experience_, which we know
By Common meanes, and, by these _Creatures_, here,
Which to be plac’d below us, may appeare.
The _Winged-heart_, betokens those _Desires_,
By which, the _Reasonable-soule_, aspires
Above the _Creature_; and, attempts to clime,
To _Mysteries_, and _Knowledge_, more sublime:
Ev’n to the _Knowledge_ of the _Three-in-one_,
Implyed by the _Tetragrammaton_.
The _Smokings_ of this _Heart_, may well declare
Those _Perturbations_, which within us are,
Vntill, that Heavenly wisedome, we have gain’d,
Which is not, here, below, to be attain’d;
And, after which, those _Hearts_, that are _upright_,
Enquire with daily studie, and delight.
_To me, =Oh Lord=, vouchsafe thou, to impart
The gift of such a =Rectifyed-heart=.
Grant me the =Knowledge= of Inferiour things,
So farre, alone, as their Experience, brings
The =Knowledge=, which, I ought to have of thee,
And, of those Dueties, thou requir’st of mee:
For, thee, =Oh God=, to =know=, and, thee to =feare=,
Of truest =Wisedome=, the Perfections are._

_Where, =Labour=, wisely, is imploy’d,
Deserved =Glory=, is injoy’d._

ILLVSTR. XXX. _Book. 2_]

Doe men suppose, when _Gods_ free-giving Hand,
Doth by their _Friends_, or, by _Inheritance_,
To _Wealth_ or _Titles_, raise them in the Land,
That, those, to _Lasting-glories_, them advance?
Or, can men thinke, such _Goods_, or _Gifts_ of Nature,
As _Nimble-apprehensions_, _Memory_,
An _Able-body_, or, a comely _Feature_
(Without improvement) them, shall dignifie?
May Sloth, and Idlenesse, be warrantable,
In us, because our _Fathers_ have been rich?
Or, are wee, therefore, truely honourable,
Because our _Predecessours_, have beene such?
When, nor our _Fortunes_, nor our _naturall parts_,
In any measure, are improved by us,
Are others bound (as if we had deserts)
With Attributes of _Honour_ to belye us?
No, no; the more our _Predecessours_ left,
(Yea, and, the more, by _nature_, we enjoy)
We, of the more esteeme, shall be bereft;
Because, our _Talents_, we doe mis-imploy.
True _Glory_, doth on _Labour_, still attend;
But, without _Labour_, _Glory_ we have none.
_She_, crownes good _Workmen_, when their Works have end;
And, _Shame_, gives payment, where is nothing done.
Laborious, therefore, bee; But, lest the _Spade_
(which, here, doth _Labour_ meane) thou use in vaine,
The _Serpent_, thereunto, be sure thou adde;
That is, Let _Prudence_ guide thy _taking-paine_.
For, where, a _wise-endeavour_, shall be found,
A _Wreath_ of _Glory_, will inclose it round.

_Behold, you may, the =Picture=, here,
Of what, keepes =Man=, and =Childe=, in feare._

ILLVSTR. XXXI. _Book. 2_]

These, are the great’st _Afflictions_, most men have,
Ev’n from their _Nursing-cradle_, to their _Grave_:
Yet, both so needfull are, I cannot see,
How either of them, may well spared bee.
The _Rod_ is that, which, most our _Child-hood_ feares;
And, seemes the great’st _Affliction_ that it beares:
That, which to _Man-hood_, is a plague, as common
(And, more unsufferable) is a _Woman_.
Yet, blush not _Ladies_; neither frowne, I pray,
That, thus of _Women_, I presume to say;
Nor, number mee, as yet, among your _foes_;
For, I am more your _friend_, then you suppose:
Nor smile ye _Men_, as if, from hence, ye had
An Argument, that _Woman-kinde_ were bad.
The _Birch_, is blamelesse (yea, by nature, sweet,
And gentle) till, with stubborne Boyes, it meet:
But, then, it smarts. So, _Women_, will be kinde,
Vntill, with froward _Husbands_, they are joyn’d:
And, then indeed (perhaps) like Birchen boughes,
(Which, else, had beene a trimming, to their House)
They, sometimes prove, sharpe _whips_, and _Rods_, to them,
That _Wisdome_, and _Instruction_ doe contemne.
A _Woman_, was not given for _Correction_;
But, rather for a furtherance to _Perfection_:
A precious _Balme of love_, to cure Mans griefe;
And, of his Pleasures, to become the chiefe.
If, therefore, she occasion any smart,
The blame, he merits, wholly, or in part:
For, like sweet _Honey_, she, good _Stomackes_, pleases;
But, paines the _Body_, subject to _Diseases_.

_=Death’s= one =long-Sleepe=; and, =Life’s= no more,
But one =short-Watch=, an houre before._

ILLVSTR. XXXII. _Book. 2_]

When, on this _Child-like-figure_, thou shalt looke,
Which, with his _Light_, his _Houre-glasse_, and his _booke_,
Sits, in a _watching-posture_, formed here;
And, when thou hast perus’d that _Motto_, there,
On which he layes his hand; thy selfe apply
To what it counselleth; and, _learne to die_,
While that _Light_ burnes, and, that _short-houre_ doth last,
Which, for this _Lesson_, thou obtained hast.
And, in this _bus’nesse_, use thou no delayes;
For, if the bigger _Motto_ truely, sayes,
There is not left unto thee, one whole _Watch_,
Thy necessary labours, to dispatch.
It was no more, when first thy _Life_ begunne;
And, many _Glasses_ of that _Watch_ be runne:
Which thou observing, shouldst be put in minde,
To husband well, the _space_ that is behind.
Endeavour honestly, whil’st thou hast _light_:
Deferre thou not, thy _Iourney_, till the _night_;
Nor, sleepe away, in Vanities, the _prime_,
And _flowre_, of thy most acceptable _time_.
So watchfull, rather, and, so carefull be,
That, whensoere the _Bridegroome_ summons thee;
And, when thy _Lord_ returnes, unlookt for, home;
Thou mayst, a _Partner_, in their joyes, become.
_And, oh =my God!= so warie, and so wise,
Let me be made; that, this, which I advise
To other men (and really have thought)
May, still, in practice, by my selfe, be brought:
And, helpe, and pardon me, when I transgresse,
Through humane frailtie, or, forgetfulnesse._

_What ever =God= did =fore-decree=,
Shall, without faile, =fulfilled be=._

ILLVSTR. XXXIII. _Book. 2_]

Me thinkes, that _Fate_, which _God_ weighs forth to all,
I, by the _Figure_ of this _Even-Skale_,
May partly show; and, let my _Reader_, see
The state, of an _Immutable-decree_;
And, how it differs, from those _Destinies_,
Which carnall understandings, doe devise.
For, this implies, that ev’ry thing, _to-come_,
Was, by a steady, and, by equall _doome_,
Weigh’d out, by _Providence_; and, that, by _Grace_,
Each _thing_, each _person_, ev’ry _time_, and _place_,
Had thereunto, a _powre_, and _portion_ given,
So proper to their nature (and, so even
To that just _measure_, which, aright became
The _Workings_, and, the _being_, of the same)
As, best might helpe the furthering of that _end_,
Which, _God’s_ eternall _wisedome_, doth intend.
And, though, I dare not be so bold, as they,
Who, of _God’s_ Closet, seeme to keep the _Key_;
(And, things, for absolute _Decrees_, declare,
Which, either _false_, or, but _Contingents_ are)
Yet, in his _Will-reveal’d_, my _Reason_, sees
Thus much, of his _Immutable-decrees_:
That, him, a _Doome-eternall_, reprobateth,
Who scorneth _Mercie_; or, _Instruction_ hateth,
Without _Repenting_: And, that, whensoever,
A _Sinner_, true _amendment_, shall indeavour;
Bewaile his _Wickednesse_, and, call for _grace_;
There shall be, for _Compassion_, time, and place.
And, this, I hold, a branch of that _Decree_,
Which, Men may say, shall _never changed be_.

_My =Fortune=, I had rather beare;
Then come, where greater perills are._

ILLVSTR. XXXIV. _Book. 2_]

Marke well this _Caged-fowle_; and, thereby, see,
What, thy estate, may, peradventure, be.
She, wants her _freedome_; so, perhaps, dost thou,
Some _freedomes_ lacke, which, are desired, now;
And, though, thy _Body_ be not so confin’d;
Art straitned, from some liberty of _Minde_.
The _Bird in thrall_, the more contented lyes,
Because, the _Hawke_, so neere her, she espyes;
And, though, the _Cage_ were open, more would feare,
To venture out, then to continue there:
So, if thou couldst perceive, what _Birds of prey_,
Are hov’ring round about thee, every day,
To seize thy _Soule_ (when she abroad shall goe,
To take the _Freedome_, she desireth so)
Thou, farre more fearefull, wouldst of them, become,
Then thou art, now, of what thou flyest from.
Not _Precepts_, but _Experience_, thus hath taught me;
Which, to such resolutions, now have brought me,
That, whatsoever mischiefes others doe me,
I make them yield some true Contentments to me;
And, seldome struggle from them, till I see,
That, _smother-fortunes_ will securer be.
What spight soere my Foes, to me, can doe,
I laugh thereat, within an houre or two;
For, though the World, and I, at first, believe,
My Suffrings, give me cause enough to grieve;
Yet, afterward, I finde (the more to glad me)
That, better _Fortunes_, might farre worse have made me.
By some young _Devills_, though, I scratched am,
Yet, I am hopefull, I shall scape their _Dam_.

_The more contrary =Windes= doe blow,
The greater =Vertues= praise will grow._

ILLVSTR. XXXV. _Book. 2_]

Observe the nature of that _Fiery-flame_,
Which on the _Mountaines_ top so brightly showes;
The _Windes_ from every quarter, blow the same,
Yea, and to blow it out, their _fury_ blowes;
But, lo; the more they _storme_, the more it _shineth_;
At every Blast, the _Flame_ ascendeth higher;
And, till the _Fuells_ want, that rage confineth,
It, will be, still, a great, and glorious _Fire_.
Thus fares the man, whom _Vertue_, Beacon-like,
Hath fixt upon the _Hills_ of Eminence,
At him, the Tempests of mad _Envie_ strike,
And, rage against his Piles of Innocence;
But, still, the more they wrong him, and the more
They seeke to keepe his worth from being knowne,
They, daily, make it greater, then before;
And, cause his _Fame_, the farther to be blowne.
When, therefore, no selfe-doting _Arrogance_,
But, _Vertues_, cover’d with a modest vaile,
Breake through _obscurity_, and, thee advance
To place, where _Envie_ shall thy worth assaile;
Discourage not thy selfe: but, stand the shockes
Of wrath, and fury. Let them snarle and bite;
Pursue thee, with _Detraction_, _Slanders_, _Mockes_,
And, all the venom’d Engines of _Despight_,
Thou art above their malice; and, the _blaze_
Of thy _Cælestiall-fire_, shall shine so cleare,
That, their besotted soules, thou shalt amaze;
And, make thy _Splendours_, to their shame, appeare.
If this be all, that _Envies_ rage can doe,
_Lord, give me_ Vertues, _though I suffer too_.

_Even as the =Smoke= doth passe away;
So, shall all =Worldly-pompe= decay._

ILLVSTR. XXXVI. _Book. 2_]

Some better _Arguments_, then yet I see,
I must perceive; and, better causes, why,
To those gay things, I should addicted bee,
To which, the Vulgar their _Affections_ tye.
I have consider’d, _Scepters_, _Miters_, _Crownes_,
With each appurtenance to them belonging;
My _heart_, hath search’d their _Glories_, and _Renownes_;
And, all the pleasant things about them thronging:
My _Soule_, hath truely weigh’d, and, tooke the measure,
Of _Riches_ (which the most have so desired)
I have distill’d the Quintessence of _Pleasure_,
And, seene those Objects, that are most admired.
I, likewise feele all _Passions_, and _Affections_,
That helpe to cheat the _Reason_, and perswade
That those poore _Vanities_, have some perfections,
Whereby their Owners, happy might be made.
Yet, when that I have rouz’d my _Vnderstanding_,
And cleans’d my Heart from some of that Corruption,
Which hinders in me _Reasons_ free commanding,
And, shewes, things, without vailes, or interruption;
Then, they, me thinkes, as fruitlesse doe appeare,
As _Bubbles_ (wherewithall young-children play)
Or, as the _Smoke_, which, in our _Emblem_, here,
Now, makes a show, and, straight, consumes away.
_Be pleas’d, =Oh God=, my value may be such
Of every =Outward-blessing=, here below,
That, I may neither love them overmuch,
Nor underprise the =Gifts=, thou shalt bestow:_
But, know the use, of all these fading _Smokes_;
And, be refresht, by that, which others chokes.

_=Death=, is unable to divide
Their Hearts, whose Hands =True-love= hath tyde._

ILLVSTR. XXXVII. _Book. 2_]

Upon an _Altar_, in this _Emblem_, stands
A _Burning-heart_; and, therewithall, you see
Beneath _Deaths-head_, a paire of _Loving-hands_,
Which, close, and fast-united, seeme to be.
These moderne _Hieroglyphickes_ (vulgarly
Thus bundled up together) may afford
Good-meanings, with as much _Propriety_,
As best, with common _Iudgements_, will accord.
It may imply, that, when both _Hand_ and _Heart_,
By sympathizing dearenesse are invited,
To meet each others nat’rall _Counterpart_,
And, are by sacred _Ordinance_ united:
They then have entred that strict _Obligation_,
By which they, firmely, ev’ry way are ty’d;
And, without meanes (or thought of separation)
Should in that _Vnion_, till their _Deaths_, abide;
This, therefore, minde thou, whatsoere thou be
(Whose _Marriage-ring_, this _Covenant_, hath sealed)
For, though, thy Faith’s infringement, none can see,
Thy secret fault, shall one day, be revealed.
And, thou that art at liberty, take heed,
Lest thou (as over great a number doe)
Of thine owne person, make a _Privy-deed_,
And, afterwards, deny thy doing so.
For, though there be, nor _Church_, nor _Chappell_, nigh thee
(Nor outward witnesses of what is done)
A _Power-invisible_ doth alwayes eye thee;
And, thy pretended _Love_, so lookes upon,
That, if thou be not, till thy _dying_, true;
Thy _Falsehood_, till thy _dying_, thou shalt rue.

_False =Weights=, with =Measures= false eschew,
And, give to ev’ry man, their =Due=._

ILLVSTR. XXXVIII. _Book. 2_]

Forth of a _Cloud_ (with _Scale_ and _Rule_) extended
An _Arme_ (for this next _Emblem_) doth appeare;
Which hath to us in _silent-showes_, commended,
A _Vertue_, that is often wanting, here.
The World, is very studious of _Deceipts_;
And, he is judged wisest, who deceives.
_False-measures_, and, _Adulterated-weights_,
Of many dues, the needy-man bereaves.
Ev’n _Weights_ to sell, and, other _Weights_ to buy
(_Two sorts of weights_) in practice are, with some;
And, both of these, they often falsifie,
That, they to great, and _suddaine wealth_, may come.
But, Conscience make of raysing your estates,
By such a base, and such a wicked way:
For, this Injustice, _God_ expressely hates;
And, brings, at last, such _thrivers_ to decay.
By _Weight_ and _measure_, _He_, on all bestowes
The Portions due; That, _Weight_ and _Measure_, then,
Which Man to _God_, or to his _Neighbour_ owes,
Should, justly, be returned backe agen.
Give ev’ry one, in ev’ry thing his owne:
Give _honour_, where an _honour_ shall be due;
Where you are _loved_, let your _love_ be showne;
And, yield them succours, who have succour’d you.
Give to thy _Children_, breeding and _Corrections_;
Thy _Charities_, ev’n to thy _Foes_ extend:
Give to thy _wife_, the best of thy _Affections_;
To _God_, thy _selfe_, and, all thou hast, commend:
And, lest thou faile, Remember who hath sayd,
_Such =measure=, as thou giv’st, shall be repay’d_.

_He needs not feare, what spight can doe,
Whom =Vertue= friends, and =Fortune=, too._

ILLVSTR. XXXIX. _Book. 2_]

When, in this _Emblem_ here, observe you shall
An _Eaglet_, perched, on a _Winged-ball_
Advanced on an _Altar_; and, have ey’d
The _Snakes_, assayling him, on ev’ry side:
Me thinkes, by that, you straight should apprehend
Their state, whom _Wealth_, and _Vertue_, doe befriend.
My Iudgement, by that _Altar-stone_, conceives
The sollidnesse, which, true _Religion_ gives;
And, that fast-grounded _goodnesse_, which, we see;
In grave, and sound _Morality_, to be.
The _Flying-ball_, doth, very well, expresse
All _Outward-blessings_, and, their _ficklenesse_.
Our _Eaglet_, meaneth such _Contemplatives_,
As, in this world, doe passe away their lives,
By so possessing that which they have got,
As if they car’d not, though, they had it not.
The _Snakes_, may well resemble those, among them,
Who, meerely out of _envie_, seeke to wrong them;
And, all these _Figures_ (thus together layd)
Doe speake to me, as if these words, they sayd:
_That man, who builds upon the best =foundation=,
(And spreads the widest wings of =Contemplation=)
Whil’st, in the =flesh=, he bides, will need some props
of =earthly-fortunes=, to support his =hopes=:
And, other-while, those things, may meanes become,
The stings of =Envie=, to secure him from._
And, hence, I learne; that, such, as will abide,
Against all _Envie_, strongly fortify’d,
Must joyne, great _Vertues_, and great _Wealth_, together.
_God helpe us, then, =poore-soules=, who scarce have either!_

_=Time=, is a =Fading-flowre=, that’s found
Within =Eternities= wide =round=._

ILLVSTR. XL. _Book. 2_]

Five _Termes_, there be, which five, I doe apply
To all, that _was_, and _is_, and, _shall be done_.
The _first_, and _last_, is that ETERNITIE,
Which, neither shall have _End_, nor, was _begunne_.
BEGINNING, is the _next_; which, is a space
(Or moment rather) scarce imaginarie,
Made, when the first _Material_, formed was;
And, then, forbidden, longer time to tarry.
TIME entred, when, BEGINNING had an _Ending_,
And, is a Progresse, all the workes of _Nature_,
Within the circuit of it, comprehending,
Ev’n till the _period_, of the _Outward-creature_.
END, is the _fourth_, of those five _Termes_ I meane;
(As briefe, as was _Beginning_) and, ordayned,
To set the last of _moments_, to that _Scæne_,
Which, on this Worlds wide _Stage_, is entertayned.
The _fifth_, we EVERLASTING, fitly, call;
For, though, it once _begunne_, yet, shall it never
Admit, of any _future-end_, at all;
But, be extended onward, still, for ever.
The knowledge of these _Termes_, and of what _actions_,
To each of them belongs, would set an end,
To many Controversies, and Distractions,
Which doe so many trouble, and offend.
TIME’S nature, by the _Fading-flowre_, appeares;
Which, is a _Type_, of Transitory things:
The _Circled-snake_, ETERNITIE declares;
Within whose _Round_, each fading Creature, springs.
Some _Riddles_ more, to utter, I intended,
But, lo; a sudden stop, my words have ended.

_When great Attempts are undergone,
Ioyne =Strength= and =Wisedome=, both in one._

ILLVSTR. XLI. _Book. 2_]

If (_Reader_) thou desirous be to know
What by the _Centaure_, seemeth here intended;
What, also, by the _Snake_, and, by the _Bowe_,
Which in his hand, he beareth alway bended:
Learne, that this _halfe-a man_, and _halfe-a horse_,
Is ancient _Hieroglyphicke_, teaching thee,
That, _Wisedome_ should be joyn’d with outward _force_,
If prosperous, we desire our workes to be.
His _Vpper-part_, the shape of _Man_, doth beare,
To teach, that, _Reason_ must become our _guide_.
The _hinder-parts_, a _Horses_ Members are;
To shew, that we must, also, _strength_ provide:
The _Serpent_, and the _Bowe_, doth signifie
The same (or matter to the same effect)
And, by two _Types_, one _Morall_ to implie,
Is doubled a _fore-warning_ of _neglect_.
When _Knowledge_ wanteth _Power_, despis’d we grow,
And, _know_ but how to aggravate our paine:
Great _strength_, will worke it owne sad overthrow,
Vnlesse, it guided be, with _Wisedomes_ reine.
_Therefore, =Oh God=, vouchsafe thou so to marry
The gifts of =Soule= and =Body=, both, in me,
That, I may still have all things necessary,
To worke, as I commanded am, by thee.
And, let me not possesse them, =Lord=, =alone=,
But, also, =know= their vse; and, so well =know= it,
That, I may doe each =duety= to be done;
And, with upright Intentions, alwayes doe it.
If this be more, then, yet, obtaine I may,
My _will_ accept thou, for the =deed=, I pray._

_The =Ground= brings forth all needfull things;
But, from the =Sunne=, this vertue springs._

ILLVSTR. XLII. _Book. 2_]

We doe acknowledge (as this _Emblem_ showes)
That _Fruits_ and _Flowres_, and many _pleasant-things_,
From out the _Ground_, in ev’ry season growes;
And, that unto their _being_, helpe it brings.
Yet, of it selfe, the _Ground_, we know is dull,
And, but a _Willing-patient_, whereupon
The _Sunne_, with Beames, and Vertues wonderfull,
Prepareth, and effecteth, what is done.
We, likewise, doe acknowledge, that our _eyes_
Indowed are with faculties of _Seeing_,
And, with some other nat’rall _properties_,
Which are as much our owne, as is our _Being_.
However, till the _Sunne_ imparts his light,
We finde, that we in _darkenesse_ doe remaine,
Obscured in an everlasting night;
And, boast our _Seeing-faculties_, in vaine.
So, we, by nature, have some nat’rall powers:
But, _Grace_, must those abilities of ours
First move; and, guide them, still, in moving, thus,
To worke with _God_, when _God_ shall worke on us:
For, _God_ so workes, that, no man he procures
Against his _nature_, ought to chuse, or shun:
But, by his _holy-Spirit_, him allures;
And, with sweet mildnesse, proveth ev’ry one.
The _Sunne_ is faultlesse of it, when the birth
Of some bad _Field_, is nothing else but _Weeds_:
For, by the selfe-same _Sun-shine_, fruitfull Earth
Beares pleasant Crops, and plentifully breeds.
Thus, from our _selves_, our _Vices_ have increase,
Our _Vertues_, from the _Sunne_ of _Righteousnesse_.

_No =passage= can divert the =Course=,
Of =Pegasus=, the =Muses= Horse._

ILLVSTR. XLIII. _Book. 2_]

This is the _Poets-horse_; a _Palfray_, SIRS,
(That may be ridden, without rod or spurres)
Abroad, more famous then _Bucephalus_,
Though, not so knowne, as _Banks_ his horse, with us;
Or some of those _fleet-horses_, which of late,
Have runne their _Masters_, out of their estate.
For, those, and _Hobby-horses_, best befit
The note, and practice of their moderne wit,
Who, what this _Horse_ might meane, no knowledge had,
Vntill, a _Taverne-signe_, they saw it made.
Yet, this old _Emblem_ (worthy veneration)
Doth figure out, that _winged-contemplation_,
On which the _Learned_ mount their best _Invention_,
And, climbe the _Hills_ of highest Apprehension.
This is the nimble _Gennet_, which doth carry,
Their _Fancie_, thorow _Worlds_ imaginary;
And, by _Idæas_ feigned, shewes them there,
The nature of those _Truths_, that reall are.
By meanes of _this_, our _Soules_ doe come to know
A thousand secrets, in the _Deeps_ below;
Things, here on _Earth_, and, things above the _Skyes_,
On which, we never fixed, yet, our eyes.
No thorny, miery, steepe, nor craggy place,
Can interrupt this _Courser_, in his race:
For, that, which others, in their passage troubles,
Augments his courage, and his vigour doubles.
_Thus, fares the =Minde=, infus’d with brave desires;
It flies through Darkenesse, Dangers, Flouds, and Fires:
And, in despight of what her ayme resisteth:
Pursues her =hopes=, and takes the =way= she listeth._

_The =Husbandman=, doth sow the Seeds;
And, then, on =Hope=, till =Harvest=, feeds._

ILLVSTR. XLIV. _Book. 2_]

The painfull _Husbandman_, with sweaty browes,
Consumes in labour many a weary day:
To breake the stubborne earth, he _digs_ and _ploughes_,
And, then, the Corne, he scatters on the clay:
When that is done, he _harrowes_ in the Seeds,
And, by a well-cleans’d Furrow, layes it drye:
He, frees it from the _Wormes_, the _Moles_, the _Weeds_;
He, on the _Fences_, also hath an eye.
And, though he see the chilling Winter, bring
_Snowes_, _Flouds_, and _Frosts_, his Labours to annoy;
Though _blasting-windes_ doe nip them in the _Spring_,
And, _Summers_ Meldewes, threaten to destroy:
Yea, though not onely _Dayes_, but _Weekes_, they are
(Nay, many _Weekes_, and, many _Moneths_ beside)
In which he must with payne, prolong his care,
Yet, constant in his hopes he doth abide.
For this respect, HOPE’S _Emblem_, here, you see
Attends the _Plough_, that men beholding it,
May be instructed, or else minded be,
What Hopes, continuing _Labours_, will befit.
Though, long thou toyled hast, and, long attended
About such workings as are necessary;
And, oftentimes, ere fully they are ended,
Shalt finde thy paines in danger to miscarry:
Yet, be not out of _hope_, nor quite dejected:
For, buryed Seeds will sprout when _Winter’s_ gone;
Vnlikelier things are many times effected;
And, _God_ brings helpe, when men their best have done.
Yea, they that in _Good-workes_ their life imploy;
Although, _they sowe in teares, shall reape in joy_.

_Things, to their best perfection come,
Not all at once; but, =some= and =some=._

ILLVSTR. XLV. _Book. 2_]

When, thou shalt visit, in the Moneth of _May_,
A costly _Garden_, in her best array;
And, view the well-grown Trees, the wel-trimm’d Bowers,
The Beds of Herbs, the knots of pleasant flowers,
With all the deckings, and the fine devices,
Perteyning to those earthly _Paradises_,
Thou canst not well suppose, one day, or two,
Did finish all, which had beene, there, to doe.
Nor dost thou, when young Plants, or new-sowne Lands,
Doe thirst for needfull Watrings, from thy hands,
By _Flood-gates_, let whole Ponds amongst them come;
But, them besprinklest, rather, _some_ and _some_;
Lest, else, thou marre the _Flowres_, or chill the _Seed_,
Or drowne the _Saplings_, which did moysture need.
Let this experiment, which, to thy thought,
May by this _Emblem_, now perhaps, be brought,
Perswade thee to consider, that, no actions,
Can come, but by _degrees_, to their perfections;
And, teach thee, to allot, for every thing,
That _leisurely-proceeding_, which may bring
The ripenesse, and the fulnesse, thou expectest:
And, though thy _Hopes_, but slowly thou effectest,
Discourage not thy selfe; since, oft they prove
Most prosperous actions, which at leisure move.
By many _drops_, is made a mighty _showre_;
And many _minutes_ finish up an _houre_:
By _little_, and by _little_, we possesse
Assurance of the greatest _Happinesse_.
And, oft, by too much _haste_, and, too much _cost_,
Great _Wealth_, great _Honours_, and, great _Hopes_, are _lost_.

_=Affliction=, doth to many adde
More =value=, then, before, they had._

ILLVSTR. XLVI. _Book. 2_]

Though I am somewhat soberer to day,
I have been (I confesse) as mad as they,
Who think those men, that large Possessions have,
Gay Clothes, fine Furnitures, and Houses brave,
Are those (nay more, that they alone are those)
On whom, the stile of _Rich_, we should impose.
But, having, by experience, understood
His words, who sayd, _his troubles did him good_,
I, now perceive, the _Worldly-rich_ are poore,
Vnlesse of _Sorrowes_, also, they have store.
Till from the _Straw_, the _Flaile_, the _Corne_ doth beat;
Vntill the _Chaffe_, be purged from the _Wheat_,
Yea, till the _Mill_, the _Graines_ in pieces teare,
The richnesse of the _Flowre_, will scarce appeare.
So, till mens persons great _Afflictions_ touch
(If _worth_ be found) their _worth_ is not so much,
Because, like _Wheat_, in _Straw_, they have nor, yet,
That value, which in _threshing_, they may get.
For, till the bruising _Flailes_ of GOD’S _Corrections_,
Have threshed out of us our vaine _Affections_;
Till those _Corruptions_, which doe misbecome us,
Are by thy _Sacred-spirit_, winnowed from us;
Vntill, from us, the _straw_ of _Worldly-treasures_;
Till all the dusty _Chaffe_ of empty _Pleasures_;
Yea, till his _Flaile_, upon us, he doth lay,
To thresh the huske of this our _Flesh_ away;
And, leave the _Soule_ uncover’d; nay, yet more,
Till _God_ shall make, our very _Spirit_ poore;
We shall not up to highest _Wealth_ aspire:
But, then we shall; and, _that is my desire_.

_Though =Fortune=, hath a powerfull =Name=,
Yet, =Vertue= overcomes the same._

ILLVSTR. XLVII. _Book. 2_]

A _Snake_, (which was by wise _Antiquitie_
Much us’d, the type of _Prudencie_ to be)
Hemmes in a _Winged-ball_, which doth imply,
That _Fickle-fortune_, from which, none are free.
Above this _Ball_, the _Snake_ advanceth too,
The _Laurell_, and the _Sword_; which, _Emblems_ are,
Whereby our _Authour_ maketh much adoe,
A _Conquest_ over _Fortune_, to declare.
And, well enough this purpose it befits,
If (_Reader_) any one of those thou be,
Whose _Fortunes_ must be mended by their _Wits_;
And, it affords instructions fit for thee:
For, hence, thou mayst collect, that, no estate
Can, by _Misfortunes_ means, become so bad,
But, _Prudence_ (who is _Mistresse_ over _Fate_)
May rule it so, that, good it might be made.
Though _Fortunes_ outlawes, on thy _Riches_ prey,
By _Wisedome_, there is meanes, of getting more;
And, ev’ry rub that’s placed in thy way,
Shall make thee walke more safely, then before.
Nor _Poverty_, nor _Paynes_, nor _Spightfulnesse_,
Nor other _Mischiefes_, that _Mischance_ can doe thee,
Shall bring thee any sorrow or distresse,
Which will not be, at last, advantage to thee.
_=Lord=, give me such a =Prudence=: for my =Fortune=
Puts many foyles, and cruell thrusts upon me:
Thy helpe, long since, it made me to importune;
And, thou didst grant it, or she had undone me.
Still, daigne me thy assistance, =Lord=, and, than,
Let all =Misfortunes=, doe the worst they can._

_A =Life=, with =good-repute=, Jle have,
Or, winne an honourable =Grave=._

ILLVSTR. XLVIII. _Book. 2_]

In this our _Emblem_, you shall finde exprest
A _Man_, incountring with a _Salvage-beast_;
And, he resolveth (as his _Motto_ sayes)
To _live_ with _honour_; or, to _dye_ with _praise_.
I like the _Resolution_, and the _Deed_,
In which, this _Figure_ teacheth to proceed.
For, us, me thinkes, it counselleth, to doe,
An act, which all men are oblig’d unto.
That ugly _Bore_ (wherewith the man in strife
Here seemes to be) doth meane a _Swinish-life_,
And, all those beastly _Vices_, that assay
To root becomming _Vertues_ quite away;
Those _Vices_, which not onely marre our features,
But, also, ruinate our manly natures.
The harmefull fury, of this raging _Bore_,
Oppose couragiously, lest more and more,
It get within you; and, at last, appeare
More prevalent, then your defences are.
It is a large-growne _Pig_, of that wilde _Swine_,
Which, ev’ry day, attempts to undermine
Our _Safeties_ Fort: Twas he, which long agoe,
Did seeke the _Holy-Vineyards_ overthrow:
And, if we charge him not with all our power,
The _Sire_, or _hee_, will enter and devoure.
_But, what’s our Strength, =O Lord!= or, what are wee
In such a =Combate=, without ayde from thee?
Oh, come to helpe us, therefore, in this Fight;
And, let us be inabled in thy might:
So, we shall both in =life-time=, Conquests have;
And, be victorious, also, in the =Grave=._

_=Shee= shall increase in glory, still,
Vntill her =light=, the world, doth fill._

ILLVSTR. XLIX. _Book. 2_]

What in this _Emblem_, that mans meanings were,
Who made it first, I neither know nor care;
For, whatsoere, he purposed, or thought,
To serve my _purpose_, now it shall be taught;
Who, many times, before this Taske is ended,
Must picke out _Moralls_, where was none intended.
This knot of _Moones_ (or _Crescents_) crowned thus,
Illustrate may a Mystery to us,
Of pious use (and, peradventure, such,
As from old _Hieroglyphicks_, erres not much)
_Old-times_, upon the _Moone_, three _names_ bestow’d;
Because, three diverse wayes, her selfe she show’d:
And, in the _sacred-bookes_, it may be showne,
That _holy-Church_, was figur’d by the _Moone_.
Then, these three _Moones in one_, may intimate
The _holy-Churches_ threefold blest estate.
The _Moone_, still, biding in our _Hemisphære_,
May typifie the _Church_, consisting, here,
Of men, yet living: when she shewes her light
Among us here, _in portions of the night_;
The _Church_ it figures, as consist she may
Of _them_, whose _bodies_ in the _Grave_ doe stay;
And, whose blest _spirits_, are ascended thither,
Where _Soule_ and _Body_ meet, at last, together.
But, when the _Moone_ is hidden from our eyes,
The _Church-triumphant_, then, she signifies;
Which, is a _Crescent_ yet, that, some, and some,
Must grow, till all her parts together come:
And, then, this _Moone_ shall beames, at full, display;
LORD, _hasten this great_ Coronation-day.

_True =Vertue= is a =Coat of Maile=,
'Gainst which, no =Weapons= can prevaile._

ILLVSTR. L. _Book. 2_]

_Lord_, what a coyle men keepe, and, with what care
Their _Pistolls_, and, their _Swords_ doe they prepare,
To be in readinesse? and, how they load
Themselves with Irons, when they ride abroad?
How wise and wary too, can they become,
To fortifie their persons up at home,
With lockes, and barres? and such _domestick-Armes_,
As may secure their bodies, there, from harmes?
However, when all’s done, we see, their foes
Breake in, sometimes, and worke their overthrowes.
For, though (about themselves, with Cable-quoiles,
They could inclose a hundred thousand miles)
The _gunshot_ of a slanderous _tongue_, may smite,
Their _Fame_ quite through it, to the very _White_.
Yea, more (though, there, from others, they were free)
They wounded, by themselves, to death might be,
Except their _Innocence_, more guards them, than
The strength of twenty royall _Armies_, can.
If, therefore, thou thy _Spoylers_, wilt beguile,
Thou must be armed, like this _Crocodile_;
Ev’n with such nat’rall _Armour_ (ev’ry day)
As no man can bestowe, or take away:
For, spitefull _Malice_, at one time or other,
Will pierce all borrowed _Armours_, put together.
_Without_, let _Patience_ durifie thy Skin;
Let _Innocencie_, line thy heart _within_;
Let constant _Fortitude_, unite them so,
That, they may breake the force of ev’ry blow:
And, when thou thus art _arm’d_, if ill thou speed;
Let me sustaine the _Mischiefe_, in thy steed.

_Finis Libri secundi._

THE SECOND LOTTERIE.

1

Some friends, and foes, of thine, there be,
That make a _wondring-stocke_ of thee;
Some other over-much, of late,
To thy dishonour boldly prate,
And, peradventure, to thy face,
E’re long, they’l doe thee some disgrace:
Thine _Emblem_, therefore, doth advise
That thou should’st make them no replies;
And showes that _silent-patience_, than
Shall stead thee more then _Answers_ can.

See, _Emblem._ I.

2

By such as know you, it is thought,
That, you are better _fed_ then _taught_:
And, that, it might augment your _wit_,
If you were sometimes _hunger-bit_.
That _Emblem_, which by _Lot_ you drew,
To this effect doth somewhat shew:
But 'twill goe hard, when you are faine,
To feed your _Bowells_, by your _Braine_.

See, _Emb._ II.

3

Perhaps you may be one of those,
Whom, from the _Church_, an _Organ_ blowes;
Or, peradventure, one of them,
Who doth all melody contemne:
Or, one, whose _life_ is yet untaught,
How into _tune_ it should be brought.
If so, your _Lot_, to you hath sent
An _Emblem_, not impertinent.

See, _Emb._ III.

4

God blesse thee, whosoere thou art,
And, give thee still an honest heart:
For, by the fortune of thy _Lot_,
That _Sword_, and _Halter_, thou hast got,
Which threatens _death_, with much disgrace;
Or, promises the Hang-mans’s place.
But, be not griev’d; for, now and than,
The _Gallowes_ makes an honest man;
And, some, who scape an outward curse,
Born in their _lives_ and _deaths_ are worse,

See, _Emb._ IV.

_M_ 5

Thou would’st be loth, we should suspect,
Thou didst not well thy _King_ affect;
Or, that, thou should’st be so ingrate,
To sleight the welfare of the _State_:
Yet, thou, perchance, art one of those,
Who _discord_ through the _Kingdome_ sowes.
We know not, but if such thou be,
Marke, what thine _Emblem_ teaches thee.

See, _Emb._ V.

6

In you, a naturall desire
Beginnes to blow _Affection’s_ fire;
But, by _discretion_, guide the _blast_,
Lest, it consume you, at the last;
Or, by the fury of the same,
Blow out some necessary _Flame_.
Yea, that, which doth your _Profit_ breed,
May harme you, if you take not heed.

See, _Emb._ VI.

7

Be carefull, what you goe about;
For, by this _Lot_, there may be doubt,
That you, some wickednesse intend,
Which will undoe you, in the end.
If you have done the _deed_, repent:
If purpos’d ill, the same prevent.
Else, though in _jest_, this _Counsell_ came,
In _earnest_, you may rue the same.

See, _Emb._ VII.

8

Thou art afflicted; or, ere long
Shalt sing some lamentable Song:
And, of those troubles, take some share,
Which, thou art very loth to beare.
But, be not overmuch dismayd,
Nor pine, what ere on thee be layd,
For, comfort shall thy joy restore,
And, make thee gladder, then before.

See, _Emb._ VIII.

9

If this thy _Chance_ hath done thee right,
Thou art, or hast beene apt to fight;
And, wilt upon occasion small,
Beginne, sometimes, a needlesse _brawle_.
To shew thee, therefore, thy defect;
Or, that thy folly may be check’t,
And, fit thy minde for better things,
Thine _Emblem_, some good _counsell_ brings.

See, _Emb._ IX.

10

What thing soere thou undertak’st,
Thou seldome good conclusion mak’st;
For, still, when thou hast ought to doe,
Thou art too _hasty_, or too _slow_;
And, from that equall temper stray’st,
By which, thy worke effect thou mayst.
To mend this fault thou counsell’d art,
Be wiser, therefore, then thou wert.

See, _Emb._ X.

11

Thou hast in publicke lived long,
And, over freely us’d thy _tongue_;
But, if thy safety thou desire,
Be _silent_, and, thy selfe _retire_.
And, if thou wilt not be undone,
Possesse thy _joyes_, and _hopes_, alone:
For, they, that will from harmes be free,
Must _silent_, and _obscured_, bee.

See, _Emb._ XI.

12

Thy _Fortune_, thou dost long to heare,
And, what thy _Constellations_ are:
But, why should’st thou desire to know,
What things, the _Planets_ doe foreshow;
Seeke, rather, _Wisedome_ to procure,
And, how, all _Fortunes_ to indure:
So, thou shalt gaine a blest estate,
And, be the _Master_ of thy _Fate_.

See, _Emb._ XII.

13

Thou, seem’st to have great store of _friends_,
But, they affect thee, for their ends.
There is, in those, but little trust,
Who love, for _profit_, _mirth_, or _lust_.
Learne, therfore, when, thou mayst be sure,
Thy _Friend’s_ affection will indure;
And, that this _Knowledge_ may be got,
Good notice take thou of thy _Lot_.

See, _Emb._ XIII.

14

It is conceiv’d, that meanes thou hast,
Or, might’st have had good meanes, at least,
To bring those matters to effect,
Which thou dost carelesly neglect;
And, good for many might’st have done,
Who, yet, hast pleasur’d few, or none.
If this be true, thy _Lot_ peruse,
And, _God’s_ good gifts, no more abuse.

See, _Emb._ XIV.

15

Religious thou would’st faine be deem’d,
And, such, to many thou hast seem’d:
But, to this matter more there goes,
Then zealous lookes, and formall showes.
Looke, therefore, that thy heart be true,
What e’re thou seeme in outward view.
And, if _God’s_ favour thou would’st have,
Observe what _Off’rings_, he doth crave.

See, _Emb._ XV.

16

That _Emblem_, which this _Lot_ will bring,
Concernes the honour of a _King_:
How, therefore, thee it may concerne,
By thy discretion seeke to learne.
Perhaps, the _Royall-powre_ hath seem’d
To thee, not so to be esteem’d,
As well it merits, to be priz’d.
If so, now better be advis’d.

See, _Emb._ XVI.

17

Both learn’d, and wise, thou would’st become,
(Else thou hast much deceived some)
But, if thy _hopes_ thou will effect,
Thou must not likely _meanes_ neglect;
And, what the likelyest _meanes_ may bee,
Thine _Emblem_ hath advised thee:
For, by a _Fowle_, that’s blockish thought,
Good _counsell_ may to thee be taught.

See, _Emb._ XVII.

18

If, to _preferment_ thou wilt rise,
Thou must not _Arts_, nor _Armes_, despise;
Nor so in _one_ of these delight,
That, thou the _other_, wholly sleight.
Nor, to thy _Body_ be inclin’d,
So much, as to neglect thy _Minde_.
This, by thine _Emblem_, thou mayst learne;
And, much thy good it may concerne.

See, _Emb._ XVIII.

19

Thy _fortunes_ have appeared bad;
For, many _suff’rings_ thou hast had:
And _tryalls_ too, as yet made knowne
To no mans knowledge, but thine owne.
But, let nor losse, nor fame, nor smart,
From constant hopes remove thy heart:
And, as thine _Emblem_ doth foreshew,
A good conclusion will insue.

See, _Emb._ XIX.

_W_ 20

Your _Lot_ informeth how to know
Where, best your _Love_ you may bestow:
And, by the same it may appeare
What _Musicke_ most affects your eare.
Denye it not; for (by your leave)
Wee by your lookes, your heart perceive.
And, this perhaps you’l thinke upon
(To purpose) when you are alone.

See, _Emb._ XX.

21

This _Lot_ may make us all suspect,
That some wrong _object_ you affect;
And, that, where dearenesse you pretend,
It is not for the noblest end.
What mischiefe from such falshood flowes,
Your _Emblem_ very truely showes;
And, may more happy make your _Fate_,
If counsell be not come too late.

See, _Emb._ XXI.

22

To trust on others, thou art apt;
And, hast already beene intrapt;
Or, may’st er’e long be much deceiv’d
By some, whom thou hast well believ’d.
Be heedfull, therfore, of thy _Lot_;
And, let it never be forgot:
So, though some hazzard thou mayst run,
Yet, thou shalt never be undone.

See, _Emb._ XXII.

23

It seemes thou tak’st too great a care
For things, that vaine, and fading are;
Or else, dost overprise them so,
As if all blisse from them did flowe.
That, therefore, thou mayst view their worth,
In _Hieroglyphicke_ shaddow’d forth,
Thy _Lot_ befriends thee: marke the same,
And, be in this, no more to blame.

See, _Emb._ XXIII.

24

Though some, should thee, for one, mistake,
Whose _wealth_ is all upon his backe,
If what thou hast, bee all thine owne,
God, hath enough on thee bestowne.
A _Princes_ ransome, wee may beare,
In _Iewells_, which most precious are;
And, yet, to many men may seeme,
To carry nothing worth esteeme.
Therefore, though small thy substance be,
Thine _Emblem_, somewhat comforts thee.

See, _Emb._ XXIV.

25

By this your _Emblem_, wee discerne,
That, you are yet of age to learne;
And, that, when elder you shall grow,
There, will be more for you to _know_:
Presume not, therefore of your _wit_,
But, strive that you may benefit.
For, of your age, we many view,
That, farre more _wisedome_ have, then you.

See, _Emb._ XXV.

26

By thy complaints, it hath appear’d,
Thou think’st thy _Vertues_ want reward;
And, that, if they their merit had,
Thou _rich_, and _nobler_ should’st be made.
To drive thee from that partiall thought,
Thou, by an _Emblem_, shalt be taught,
That, where true _Vertue_ may be found,
The truest _wealth_ will still abound.

See, _Emb._ XXVI.

27

By this thy _Lot_, thou dost appeare
To be of those, who love to heare
The _Preacher’s_ voyce; or, else of them,
That undervalue, or contemne
Those dayly _showres_ of wholsome _words_,
Which _God_, in these our times, affords.
Now, which soere of these thou bee,
Thine _Emblem_, something, teaches thee.

See, _Emb._ XXVII.

28

Thou deal’st, when thee thy _foe_ offends,
As if, you never should be _friends_.
In _peace_, thou so secure doth grow,
As if, thou could’st not have a _foe_.
How, therefore, _Peace_ and _Warre_ pursues
Each other, this thine _Emblem_ shewes,
That, thou mayst learne, in ev’ry tide,
For future chances, to provide.

See, _Emb._ XXVIII.

29

What e’re thou are in outward shew,
Thy Heart is ever very true,
And, to those _Knowledges_ aspires,
Which every prudent _Soule_ desires:
Yet, be not proud that thou hast got
This testimonie, by thy _Lot_.
But, view thine _Emblem_, and endeaver
In search of _Knowledge_ to persever.

See, _Emb._ XXIX.

30

If _Glory_, thou desire to get,
Thy _Wits_, thou must on working set;
And, _labour_ unto _Prudence_ adde,
Before true _Honor_ will be had:
For, what thy _Friends_, or _Parents_ brought,
To make thee _famous_, profits nought;
But, rather will procure thy _shame_,
Vnlesse, thou shalt improove the same.

See, _Emb._ XXX.

_M_ 31

The time hath beene, that of the _Rod_,
Thou wert more fearefull, then of _God_;
But, now unlesse thou prudent grow,
More cause thou hast to feare a _shrowe_;
For, from the _Rod_, now thou art free,
A _Woman_, shall thy torment be.
At her, yet doe not thou repine,
For, all the fault is onely thine.

See, _Emb._ XXXI.

32

It seemes, thy _Time_ thou dost _mispend_:
To warne thee, therefore of thine end;
To shew, how short thy _Life_ will be;
And, with what speed it flyes from thee;
This _Lot_ was drawne: and, may advize,
That, thou thy time shouldst better prize.
Which, if accordingly thou doe,
This, will be _sport_, and profit too.

See, _Emb._ XXXII.

33

It may be, thou art one of those,
Who, dost not all aright suppose,
Of _Gods Decrees_; or, of the state
Of an inevitable _Fate_.
That, therefore, so thou maist beleeve,
(And, of these Mysteries conceive)
As thou art bound; this _Lot_ befell.
Peruse, and minde thine _Embleme_ well.

See, _Emb._ XXXIII.

34

Thou, at thy _Fortune_, hast repin’d,
And, seem’st imprisond in thy minde,
Because thou art not straight releast
From those things which have thee opprest.
To thee, a _Lot_ is therefore sent,
To qualifie thy _discontent_,
By shewing, that thy present _Fate_
Preserves thee, from a worse estate.

See, _Emb._ XXXIV.

35

Thy _Vertues_ and thy _Worth_ are such,
That, many doe envie thee much;
And, they that hate thee, take delight
To doe thee mischiefe and despight.
But, heart assume, and follow on
The _course_ that thou hast well begunne;
For, all their spight shall doe no more,
But, make thee greater then before.

See, _Emb._ XXXV.

36

In outward pompe, thy pleasures are;
Thy hope of blisse is placed there;
And, thou this _folly_ wilt not leave,
Till, all _content_, it shall bereave,
Vnlesse, thou timely come to see
How vaine, all earthly _Glories_ bee.
An _Emblem_, therefore, thou hast gain’d,
By which, this _Knowledge_ is obtain’d.

See, _Emb._ XXXVI.

37

It may be feared, that thou hast
In publicke, or in private, past
Some _promise_, or else made some _vow_,
That’s broke, or else indanger’d, now.
If so; this _Lot_ is come, in time,
To mend, or to prevent this crime;
And, shew what should by them be done,
'Twixt whom _Affection_ is begunne.

See, _Emb._ XXXVII.

38

Thou art reproved of _deceipt_,
In faulty _Measures_, and in _Weight_;
And, overbackward hast been knowne,
In giving ev’ry one his owne.
Thine _Emblem_, therefore, counsells thee,
That, thou more just, hereafter be.
For, that, which is by _falsehood_ got,
Makes likely showes, but prospers not.

See, _Emb._ XXXVII.

39

So highly, thou dost _Vertue_ prize,
That, thou dost _Fortunes_ helpe despise,
As if, where _Vertues_ present are,
Her favours alwayes needlesse were:
But, sometimes there’s enough to doe,
For _Fortune_, and for _Vertue_ too,
The pow’r of envious tongues to charme,
And, keepe an _Innocent_ from harme.
Therfore, make both of _these_, thy friends;
For, thereunto thine _Emblem_ tends.

See, _Emb._ XXXIX.

40

Thou mayst be one of those, perchance,
Who _Schisme_, and _Heresies_ advance,
Because they _Times_ and _Termes_ mistake;
And, _diff’rence_ know not how to make
'Twixt that, which _temp’rall_ doth appeare,
And, those things which _eternall_ are.
Thou, by thy _Lot_, art therefore warn’d,
To search what should of these be learn’d.

See, _Emb._ XL.

41

Great workes to doe, thou hast a _minde_;
But, _pow’r_ thereto thou canst not finde.
Sometime, thy _pow’r_ is not unfit;
But, then thou failest in thy _wit_.
Such _Vndertakings_, therefore, chuse
(If thou wilt not thy time abuse)
As to thy _pow’rs_, and _wits_ agree;
And, let them both imployed bee.
See, _Emb._ XLI.

42

When any _Blessing_ thou hast gain’d,
Thou mind’st not whence it was obtain’d;
But, bear’st thy selfe, as if the same
By thine owne _pow’r_, or _merit_, came:
That, therefore, thou _mayst_ better heed
From whence, all _Graces_ doe proceed,
Thou, hast an _Emblem_, by this _Lot_,
From which, good _Cautions_ may be got.

See, _Emb._ XLII.

43