Chapter VIII: Front Matter (8)

The _Spade_, for _Labour_ stands. The _Ball with wings_,
Intendeth _flitting-rowling-wordly-things_.
This _Altar-stone_, may serve in setting foorth,
Things firmer, sollid, and of greater worth:
In which, and by the _words_ inclosing these,
You, there may read, your _Fortune_, if you please.
If you, your _labour_, on those things bestow,
Which _rowle_, and _flutter_, alwaies, to and fro;
It cannot be, but, that which you obtaine,
Must prove a _wavering_, and unconstant gaine:
For, he that soweth _Vanitie_, shall finde,
At _reaping-time_, no better fruit then _Winde_.
Your houres, in serions matters, if you spend,
Or, such, as to a lasting purpose tend,
The purchase of your paines will ever last;
And, bring you _Pleasure_, when the _Labour’s_ past.
Yea, though in teares, your _Seed-time_, you imploy,
Your _Harvest_ shall be fetched home, with ioy.
If _much_ be wrought, much profit will ensue;
If _little_, but a little meede is due.
Of _nothing_, nothing comes: On _evill deedes_
An evill conscience, and, ill fame succeedes:
An _honest-life_, still findes prepared for’t,
Sweet _Hopes_ in Death; and, after, _good-report_.
Of _Sexe_, or of _Degree_, there’s no regard:
But, as the _Labour_, such is the _reward_.
To _worke-aright_, oh _Lord_, instruct thou mee;
And, ground my _Workes_, and _buildings_ all on thee:
That, by the fiery _Test_, when they are tride,
My _Worke_ may stand, and I may _safe_ abide.

_Let none in troublous times repine;
For, after =Stormes=, the =Sun= will shine._

ILLVSTR. XXXII. _Book. 4_]

Discourage not your selves, although you see
The weather blacke, and _stormes_ prolonged be.
What though it fiercely _raines_, and thunders loud?
Behold, there is a _Raine-bow_ in the _Cloud_,
Wherein, a trustfull promise may be found,
That, quite, your _little-worlds_, shall not be drown’d.
The _Sun-shine_, through the foggy mists appeare,
The lowring _Skie_, begins againe to cleare;
And, though the _Tempest_, yet, your eyes affright,
Faire weather may befall you, long ere night.
Such comfort speakes our _Emblem_, unto those,
Whom stormie _Persecution_ doth enclose;
And, comforts him, that’s for the present sad,
With hopes, that better seasons may bee had.
There is nor trouble, sorrow, nor distresse,
But mitigation hath, or some release.
Long _use_, or _time_, the storme away will turne,
Else, _Patience_ makes it better to be borne.
Yea, _sorrowes_ lowring dayes, will come and goe,
As well as prosp’rous houres of _Sunshine_ doe;
And, when 'tis past, the _paine_ that went before,
Will make the following pleasure seeme the more.
For, hee, hath promis’d, whom we may beleeve,
His blessing, unto those that _mourne_ and _grieve_;
And, that, though sorrow much dejects their head,
In ev’ry need, wee shall be comforted.
This promise I beleeve; in ev’ry griefe,
Performe it, _Lord_, and helpe my unbeliefe:
So, others viewing how thou cheerest mee,
Shall, in all _sorrows_, put their trust in thee.

_For whatsoever, =Man= doth strive,
The Conquest, =God= alone, doth give._

ILLVSTR. XXXIII. _Book. 4_]

When on the _Sword_, the _Olive-branch_ attends,
(That is, when bloody _Warres_, have peacefull _Ends_)
And, whensoever _Victories_ are gained;
This _Emblem_ shewes, by whom they are obtained:
For, that all _Victorie_, doth onely from
The pow’rfull hand of _God-Almightie_, come,
The Boughes of _Bayes_ and _Olives_, doe declare,
Which round the _Tetragrammaton_ appeare.
Nor must we thinke, that God bestowes, alone,
The _Victories_ of Warre, on any one;
But, that, when we contend in other things,
From him, th’event that’s wisht for, also springs.
This being so, how dare wee, by the _Lawes_,
Or, by the _Sword_, pursue a wicked Cause?
How dare wee bring a matter that’s unjust,
Where hee (though few perceive him) judge it must?
Or, prosecute with fury, or despite,
Against the person of his _Favourite_?
What Fooles are they, who seeke the _Conquest_, by
Oppression, Fraud, or hellish Perjurie?
How mad are those, who to the _Warres_ prepare,
For nothing, but to spoyle and murther there?
Who, nor ingag’d by Faith to their _Alies_,
Nor urg’d by any private injuries,
(Nor sent, nor tolerated, by their _Prince_,
Nor caring whether side hath giv’n offence)
Run rambling through the World, to kill and slay,
Like needie Butchers, for two groats a day?
These men may side, where _Conquests_, God bestowes;
Yet, when the _Field_ is wonne, these men doe lose.

_Since overmuch, will over-fill,
Powre am enough; but =doe not spill=._

ILLVSTR. XXXIV. _Book. 4_]

It is this _Emblems_ meaning, to advance
The love and practise, of true _Temperance_.
For, by this _Figure_ (which doth seeme to fill,
Vntill the liquor overflow, and spill)
Wee are, as by example, taught to see
How fruitlesse our _Intemperancies_ bee:
Thus by the _Rule of Contrarieties_,
Some _Vertues_, best are showne to vulgar eyes.
To see a nastie _Drunkard_, reele and spew,
More moves to _Sobernesse_, than can the view
Of twentie civill men; and, to behold
One _Prodigall_, (that goodly lands hath sold)
Stand torne and louzie, begging at the dore,
Would make _Intemperance_ abhorred more,
(And, manly _Sobernesse_, much better, teach)
Than all that sixe _Philosophers_ can preach:
So, by the _Vessels_ overflowing, here,
True _Moderation_ doth more prais’d appeare,
Than by the _meane_ it selfe: And, without sinne,
That’s _pictur’d_, which to _doe_, had wicked bin,
For, though to vertuous ends; wee doe deny
The _Doing-ill_, that _Good_ may come thereby.
From hence, let us be taught, that carefull heed,
Whereby wee should both _Minde_ and _Bodie_, feed.
Let us, of our owne selves, observe the size;
How much wee want, how little will suffize;
And, our owne _longings_, rather leave unfill’d,
Than suffer any portion to bee spill’d:
For, what we _marre_, shall to account be layd,
And, what wee wisely _spend_, shall be repayd.

_They passe through many =stormes=, and =streights=,
Who rise to any glorious =heights=._

ILLVSTR. XXXV. _Book. 4_]

This _Tree_, which here doth largely seeme to grow,
(And spreads _above_, though streightned in _below_)
Through adverse _Winds_, and many a Winters blast,
Hath gain’d a faire proportion at the last;
And, from a lowly _shrub_, is growne to bee
A well-esteemed, and a goodly _Tree_.
Thus, hath it chanced unto many a man:
And, he that first in misery began,
(So poore and meane, that very few or none
Have judg’d him to be worth the looking on)
Ev’n he, through scornes, through wrongs, and povertie,
Hath crept, and screw’d, and rais’d himselfe so high,
That, he hath placed been among the prime,
Of those, who seem’d the _Worthies_ of the time;
Yea, overtopt and aw’d, the best of those,
Who sought to curbe him, when he first arose.
This, I have seene; And, as wee seldome find
A _Tree_ grow faire, that cannot brooke the _Wind_,
Or, must be hous’d at Winter; or, on whom
The _Gardners_ pruning-knife, did never come:
So, I have rarely knowne those men to rise
To any good, or noble qualities,
Who feele not, first some _hardship_, or some _storme_,
To prune, to discipline, and to reforme
Their wits and manners. For, prosperitie,
Ease, plentie, and too large a libertie,
Doth often blast them; and, somtime bereave them,
Of what their _Predecessors_ worth’s, did leave them.
Let, therefore, no man, feare when this he knowes,
Although in _tempests_, and through _streights_ he goes.

_=God=, ever will bee present, there,
Where, of one =Faith=, and =Mind= they are._

ILLVSTR. XXXVI. _Book. 4_]

A Fixed _Palme_, (whose _Fingers_ doe appeare,
As if displayed, and advanc’d they were)
Intended by our _Author_, here, wee see,
To shaddow out _agreeing-Minds_, that bee
Establish’d in one _Trust_. And, well it may,
That _Vertue_, of the holy _Church_ display.
For, as our _hands_, the better meanes can make,
To _gaine_, as well as to _retaine_, or _take_,
The _benefits_ we seeke; when wee intend,
Our differing _Fingers_, all, to worke one end:
So, when the _Church_ of _Christ_ (wherein wee finde
A diff’rence of _Degrees_) shall with one _minde_,
Pursue a faithfull hope; they’l soone obtaine,
That wished benefit, they seeke to gaine:
For, when but two or three shall in _Gods_ name,
Request a _blessing_, he will grant the same.
Let all thy sev’rall _Churches_, LORD (that stand
Like many _Fingers_, members of one _Hand_)
Thy _Will-Essentiall_ with joynt love obay,
Though circumstantially, they differ may.
Some have the larger _Circuit_, some are _stronger_,
Some are of short _continuance_, some of longer;
But, though their _Guifts_ may differ, yet provide,
That, still, on one _Foundation_, they may bide;
And, that, all those, who in one _Faith_ agree,
May, in one _Band_ of _Love_, united bee:
Till our confined _Wisdome_ comes to know,
That, many things, for which wee wrangle so,
Would further that, whose hindrance wee doe feare,
If more our _Faith_, and lesse our _Discord_ were.

_=Protect= mee, if I worthy bee;
If I =demerit=, punish mee._

ILLVSTR. XXXVII. _Book. 4_]

This _Emblem_, forth unto your view hath set,
A _Sword_, together with a _Coronet_;
To shew the prudent _Reader_, what Reward
For _ill_, and for _well doing_, is prepar’d;
That they, who heretofore, amisse have done,
May learne, their threatned punishments to shun:
That they, whose _Actions_ warrantable were,
May, in their honest _Courses_, persevere:
And, that those men, who great and pow’rfull bee,
Should punish and reward, as cause they see.
Men are of diff’ring tempers: Some, are wonne
By promises, and gentle meanes alone:
Some, moved are by shame; and, some through dread,
To bee in purse, or bodie punished.
And, some, their duties are allur’d to doe,
No way, but by a mixture of these two.
They, therefore, neither _Wise_, nor _Honest_ bee,
Who dandle all Offenders on their knee;
Or, punish onely with a _God-forbid_;
Or, _Doe not so, my sonnes_, as _Ely_ did.
Nor wiser ought, are they, nor honester,
Who alwayes fright, and threaten those that erre;
No mercie joyning, to the chastisement
Of them, whose faults are worthy to bee shent.
Nor are they lesse to blame, who carry _Swords_,
To punish errors; but, nor lookes, nor words,
To cherish well deservings: And, in this,
Most men, that punish others, doe amisse.
Sure, if the _Sword misdoing_, may pursue,
For _doing-well_, the _Coronet_ is due.

_The =Tongue=, which every secret speakes,
Is like a =Barrell= full of leakes._

ILLVSTR. XXXVIII. _Book. 4_]

The _Barrell_, from whose bottome, sides, and bung,
The liquor (as in this our _Emblem_) flowes,
May fitly typifie the babling _Tongue_,
Of him that utters ev’ry thing hee knowes.
For, such as are their taskes, who strive to fill
An ever-leaking _Vessell_, to the brim;
Ev’n such are his, who laboureth to still
A _tatlers_ tougue; for, paines are lost on him.
This _Figure_, also, serveth to expresse,
The trustlesse nature of a _whorish woman_;
For, shee to all displayes her wantonnesse,
And, cares to keepe her secresies, from no man.
Within her bosome, nothing long shee keeps,
But, whatsoever shee conceives or knowes,
Streight, from the heart, up to her tongue, it creeps;
And, round about the _Citie_, then, it goes.
Bee warned therefore, and commit thou not
Thy person, state, or fame, to such as these;
Lest, they thy _Reputation_ doe bespot,
Consume thy _Substance_, or thy _Minde_ disease.
But, most of all, bee wary, lest the crime,
Which here wee doe reproove, thy mind infect:
For, _Vice_, like _weeds_, will grow in little time,
And, out-grow _Vertues_, if Wee them neglect.
The surest way to keepe such errors out,
And, in our selves true _Vertnes_ to maintaine;
Is, to bee _hoopt_ with _Temp’rance_, round about,
And, our out-flowing humors to restraine.
If thus we practise, 'twill prevent the wrongs
Of our owne errors, and of others tongues.

_How ever thou the =Viper= take,
A dang’rous hazzard thou dost make._

ILLVSTR. XXXIX. _Book. 4_]

This _Figure_ warnes us, that wee meddle not
With matters, whereby nothing may bee got,
Save _harme_ or _losse_; and, such as once begun,
Wee may, nor safely _doe_, nor leave _undone_.
I should bee loath to meddle in the strife
Arising 'twixt a _Husband_, and his _Wife_;
For, _Truth_ conceal’d, or spoke, on either side,
May one or th’other grieve, or both divide.
I would not with my most familiar _Mate_,
Be _Partner_ in the whole of my estate;
Lest I, by others errors, might offend,
Or, wrong my Family, or, lose my _Friend_.
I would not, willingly, in my distresse,
From an unworthy hand, receive redresse;
Nor, when I need a _Suretie_, would I call
An _Vnthrift_, or a roaring _Prodigall_:
For, either these I thanklesly must shun,
Or, humour them, and be perhaps undone.
I would not heare my _Friend_ unwisely prate
Those things, of which I must informe the _State_:
And, seeme unfriendly; or, else leave to doe,
That, which a stronger _Band_ obligeth to.
Nor would I, for the world, my heart should bee
Enthrald by one, that might not _marry_ mee;
Or, such like _passions_, bee perplexed in,
As hang betwixt a _Vertue_, and a _Sinne_;
Or, such, as whether way soe’re I went,
Occasion’d guilt, or shame, or discontent:
For, howsoe’re wee mannage such like things,
Wee handle winding _Vipers_, that have stings.

_The gaining of a rich Estate,
Seemes, many times, restrain’d by =Fate=._

ILLVSTR. XL. _Book. 4_]

Observe this _Wheele_, and you shall see how _Fate_
Doth limit out to each man, that Estate
Which hee obtaines; Then, how hee doth aspire
To such a height; and, why hee mounts no higher:
For, whatsoere their _Authors_ understood,
These _Emblems_, now, shall speake as I thinke good.
The _Cornucopias_ fastned to a _Round_,
Thus fixt, may shew, that Riches have their _bound_;
And, can be raised, by mans pow’r or wits,
No higher than _Gods_ Providence permits.
The placing of them on that _Wheele_, doth show,
That, some waxe _Poore_, as others _Wealthy_ grow:
For, looke how much the higher, one doth rise,
So much the lower, still, the other lies;
And, when the height of one is at an end,
Hee sinkes againe, that others may ascend.
The many stops, which on this _Wheele_ you spie,
Those many _obstacles_ may typifie,
Which barre all those that unto _Wealth_ aspire,
From compassing the _Round_ of their desire.
The want of _Wit_, from _Riches_, barreth some;
Some, cannot rich, because of _Sloth_, become.
Some, that are _wise_, and _painefull_, are deny’d
Encrease of wealth, through _Pleasure_, or through _Pride_.
Some, lose much profit, which they else might make,
Because of _Conscience_, or for _Credit_ sake.
If none of these did hinder, wee have store,
That might bee _Rich_, who, yet, are very _Poore_.
And, these, indeed, doe come to be those _Fates_,
Which keepe most men, from getting large _Estates_.

_In all thine =Actions=, have a care,
That no =unseemlinesse appeare=._

ILLVSTR. XLI. _Book. 4_]

The _Virgine_, or the _Wife_, that much desires,
To please her _Lovers_, or her _Husband’s_ Eyes,
In all her costl’est _Robes_, her selfe attires;
And, seekes the coml’est _Dresse_, shee can devise.
Then, to her trustie _Looking-glasse_, shee goes,
(Where, often, shee her person turnes and winds)
To view, how seemely her attiring showes;
Or, whether ought amisse therein she finds.
Which praisefull _Diligence_, is figur’d thus
In this our _Emblem_; that, it may be made
A documentall signe, remembring us,
What care of all our _Actions_, must bee had.
For, hee that in _God’s_ presence would appeare
An acceptable _Soule_; or, gracious grow
With men, that of approv’d conditions are,
Must by some faithfull _Glasse_, be trimmed so.
The good Examples of those pious men,
Who liv’d in elder times, may much availe:
Yea, and by others evills, now and then,
Men see how grossely, they themselves, doe faile.
A wise Companion, and, a loving Friend,
Stands nearer, than those ancient glasses doe;
And, serveth well to such an usefull end:
For, hee may bee thy _Glasse_, and _Fountaine_ too.
His good _Example_, shewes thee what is fit;
His _Admonition_, checks what is awry;
Hee, by his _Good-advise_, reformeth it;
And, by his _Love_, thou mend’st it pleasedly.
But, if thou doe desire the perfect’st _Glasse_,
Ioyne to the _Morall-Law_, the _Law of Grace_.

_Wee, bring the _Hony_ to the _Hive_;
But, others, by our labours thrive._

ILLVSTR. XLII. _Book. 4_]

The prettie _Bees_, with daily paines contrive
Their curious _Combes_, and from the flowry Fields,
Doe bring that pleasant sweetnesse to their Hive,
Which _Nectar_, and _Ambrosiack_ dainties, yeelds,
Yet, when themselves with labours they have tir’d,
The following Winters famine to prevent,
For their good service, either they are fir’d,
Or, forth into an emptie _Hive_ are sent:
And, there, with slender diet they are served,
To leave another _Summers_ worke, to those
Who take no care, though all the swarme be starved,
If weake, and quite past labour once it growes.
As with such _Bees_, it fares with many a one,
That, spends his youthfull time in honest thrift;
And, by the _Waspe_, the _Hornet_, or the _Drone_,
Of all their labours, they are soone bereft.
Sometime, the bordring _Flies_, much wrong this _brood_,
Through idle _visitings_; or, them despoyle,
By making friendly shewes of _neighbourhood_;
When, all their Complements, are nought but guile.
Sometime, their powerfull Foes do rob them quite;
Sometime, their _Lords_, or _Landlords_, with pretence,
Of claiming only what is just and right,
Oppresse them without _mercie_, or _defence_.
Thus, by one course or other, daily, some
(That are laborious in an honest way)
The prey of Pride, or Idlenesse become:
And, such as these, may therefore truely say,
That, whatsoever they to passe have brought,
_Not for themselves, but others, they have wrought_.

_=God=, by their Names, the =Stars= doth cal;
And, hee is =Ruler= of them all._

ILLVSTR. XLIII. _Book. 4_]

Some say, (and many men doe these commend)
That, all our _deeds_, and _Fortunes_ doe depend
Vpon the motions of celestiall _Spheres_;
And, on the constellations of the _Starres_.
If this were true, the _Starres_, alone, have bin
Prime cause of all that’s _good_, and of all _sinne_.
And, 'twere (me thinkes) injustice to _condemne_,
Or, give rewards to any, but to _them_.
For, if they made mee _sinne_, why for that ill,
Should I be damn’d, and they shine brightly, still?
If they inforc’d my _goodnesse_, why should I
Bee glorified for their _Pietie_?
And, If they neither _good_ nor _ill_ constraine,
Why then, should wee of _Destinie_ complaine?
For, if it bee (as tis) absurd to say,
The starres enforce us (since they still obay
Their just _Commander_) 'twere absurder, farre,
To say, or thinke, that God’s _Decree_ it were,
Which did _necessitate_ the very same,
For which, we thinke the _starres_ might merit blame.
Hee made the _starres_ to bee an ayd unto us,
Not (as is fondly dream’d) to helpe undoe us:
(Much lesse, without our fault, to ruinate,
By doome of irrecoverable _Fate_)
And, if our good Endeavors, use wee will,
Those glorious creatures will be helpfull still
In all our honest wayes: For, they doe stand
To helpe, not hinder us, in God’s command;
And, hee not onely rules them by his pow’rs,
But, makes their Glory, servant unto ours.

_Who, =Patience= tempts, beyond her strength,
Will make it =Fury=, at the length._

ILLVSTR. XLIIII. _Book. 4_]

Although wee know not a more patient creature,
Than is the _Lambe_, (or, of lesse harmfull nature)
Yet, as this _Emblem_ shewes, when childish wrong,
Hath troubled, and provok’d him overlong,
Hee growes enrag’d; and makes the wanton _Boyes_,
Bee glad to leave their sports, and run their wayes.
Thus have I seene it with some Children fare,
Who, when their _Parents_ too indulgent were,
Have urg’d them, till their _Doting_ grew to _Rage_,
And, shut them wholly from their Heritage.
Thus, many times, a foolish man doth lose
His faithfull Friends, and justly makes them foes.
Thus, froward _Husbands_; and, thus, peevish _Wives_,
Doe foole away the comfort of their lives;
And, by abusing of a _patient-Mate_,
Turne dearest _Love_, into the deadliest _Hate_:
For, any wrong may better bee excused,
Than, _Kindnesse_, long and wilfully abused.
But, as an injur’d _Lambe_, provoked, thus,
Well typifies how much it moveth us,
To finde our _Patience_ wrong’d: So, let us make
An _Emblem_ of our selves, thereby to take
More heed, how God is moved towards them,
That, his _long suffring_, and his _Love_ contemne.
For, as wee somewhat have of every _Creature_,
So, wee in us, have somewhat of his _Nature_:
Or, if it bee not sayd _the same_ to bee,
His _Pictures_, and his _Images_ are wee.
Let, therefore, his _long-suffring_, well be weigh’d,
And, keepe us, to _provoke him_, still afraid.

_Hee that is =blind=, will nothing =see=,
What =light= soe’re about him bee._

ILLVSTR. XLV. _Book. 4_]

It is by some supposed, that our _Owles_,
By Day-time, are no perfect-sighted _Fowles_;
And, that, the more you doe augment the _light_,
The more you shall deprive them of their _sight_.
Nor _Candles_, _Torches_, nor the _Sunne at noone_,
Nor _Spectacles_, nor all of these in one
Can make an _Owlet_ in the day-time see,
Though none, by _night_, hath better eyes than shee.
This _Emblem_, therefore, sets their _blindnesse_ forth,
Who cannot see, when an apparant _worth_
Illustrates vertuous Men; yet, seeme to spie
Those faults, wherewith ill-willers them belie.
The _blindnesse_, also, well it may declare,
Of _Heretikes_, who Eagle-sighted are,
In _Sophistries_, and in the cloudie-night,
Of those darke _Errors_, which delude the _sight_;
Yet, cannot see the Rayes of _Truth_ divine,
Though, brighter than the _Day-light_, shee doth shine.
It, likewise, very fitly typifies,
Those, in our dayes, who spie out mysteries,
Beyond the _Moone_; yet, cannot gain the view
Of that, which common _Reason_ proveth true:
And, therefore, onely, crie it (madly) downe,
Because, by _Reasons_ light, it may be knowne.
These, when 'twas offred, first, the light refused;
And, they have now the darknesse which they chused.
Till, therefore, God shall offer _Grace_ againe,
Man strives to set up _Lights_, to these, in vaine:
For, what are _Lights_ to those who _blinded_ bee?
Or, who so _blinde_, as they that will not see?

_None knowes, untill the =Fight= be past,
Who shall bee =Victor=, at the last._

ILLVSTR. XLVI. _Book. 4_]

While, these two _Champions_ for the _Conquest_ fight,
Betwixt them both _Victoria_ takes her flight,
On doubtfull wings; and, till the _fray_ bee past,
None knowe, to whether, shee the _Wreath_ will cast.
Which _Emblem_ serves, not onely, to expresse
The danger, and the issues doubtfulnesse,
In all _Contentions_; but, may warne us too,
That, wee no strivings rashly undergoe;
Since they, who long with painfull skill have striv’d,
Of likely _Conquests_, are at length depriv’d.
_Force_, much prevailes; but _Sleight_ and _Wit_ hath pow’r,
Sometime, to hurle downe _Strength_ upon the floore.
Sometimes againe, our _Ingineeres_ doe faile;
And, _Blowes_, doe more than _Stratagems_, prevaile.
Though, I, upon mine _honest-Cause_ depend,
Another may o’rethrow it, by his _Friend_:
And, hee that boasteth of his _Patrons_ grace,
May lose his hopes, if Bribing come in place.
To say the Truth, in whatsoever Cause,
Wee by the _Sword_ contend, or by the _Lawes_,
There’s no event or issue more assured,
Than this, that, losse to both shall bee procured:
And, that, sometime, as well an _innocent_,
As _guilty-cause_, may finde an ill event.
Let, therefore, our endeavours be, to strive,
Who, shall hereafter, least occasion give
Of those _contentions_, and of those _debates_,
Which hurt our honor, safetie, or estates:
That, we, a _Conquest_, may be sure to gaine,
And, none repine, at that which we obtaine.

_Why should I feare the want of =Bread=?
If =God= so please, I shall bee =fed=._

ILLVSTR. XLVII. _Book. 4_]

The faithlesse _Iewe’s_ repining currishnesse,
The blessed _Psalmist_, fitly did expresse,
By _grinning-dogs_, which howling roame by night,
To satisfie their grudging appetite.
Here, therefore, by an _Emblem_, wee are showne,
That, _God_, (who as hee lists, bestowes his owne)
Providing so, that none may bee unfed,
Doth offer to the _Dogges_, the _Childrens_ bread.
And, by this _Emblem_, wee advised are,
Of their presumptuous boldnesse to beware,
Who bound God’s _Mercie_; and, have shut out some
From hope of _Grace_, before the _Night_ is come:
Since, to the _Dogs_, his meat is not denide,
If they _returne_, (though not till _Evening-tide_.)
Moreover, wee, some notice hence may take,
That, if provision, _God_, vouchsafes to make,
For _Lyons_, _Dogs_, and _Ravens_, in their need,
Hee will his _Lambes_, and harmlesse _Turtles_ feed:
And, so provide, that they shall alwayes have
Sufficient, to maintaine the _Life_ hee gave.
I must confesse, I never merit shall,
The _Crummes_, which from thy _Childrens_ table fall:
Yet, thou hast oft, and freely fed mee, _Lord_,
Among thy _Children_, at thy _Holy-board_:
Nor have I, there, been fill’d with _Bread_ alone;
But, on the blessed _Bodie_ of thy _Sonne_,
My _Soule_ hath feasted. And, if thou dost grant
Such favours, _Lord_! what can I feare to want?
For, doubtlesse, if thy _Sonne_ thou please to give,
All other things, with him, I shall receive.

_All =Flesh=, is like the wither’d =Hay=,
And, so it springs, and fades away._

ILLVSTR. XLVIII. _Book. 4_]

This _Infant_, and this little Trusse of _Hay_,
When they are moralized, seeme to say,
That, _Flesh_ is but a tuft of Morning-_Grasse_,
Both greene, and wither’d, ere the day-light passe.
And, such we truly finde it; for, behold,
Assoone as Man is borne, hee waxeth old,
In Griefes, in Sorrowes, or Necessities;
And, withers ev’ry houre, untill hee dyes:
Now, flourishing, as _Grasse_, when it is growne,
Straight perishing, as _Grasse_, when it is mowne.
If, wee with other things, mans _Age_ compare,
His _Life_ is but a _Day_ (For, equall’d are
His _Yeares_ with _Houres_: His _Months_, with _Minutes_ bee
Fit parallels; and, ev’ry _breathing_, wee
May tearme a _Day_) yet, some, ev’n at the _Night_
Of that short _Day_, are dead, and witherd quite.
Before the _Morning_ of our lives bee done,
The _Flesh_ oft fades: Sometime, it growes till _Noone_:
But, there’s no mortall _Flesh_, that will abide
Vnparched longer, than till _Evening-tide_.
For, in it selfe, it alwayes carries that,
Which helpeth so, it selfe to ruinate;
That, though it feele, nor _storme_, nor scorching _flame_,
An inbred _Canker_, will consume the same.
Considering well, and well remembring this,
Account the _Flesh_ no better than it is:
Wrong not thine everlasting _Soule_, to cherish
A _Gourd_, which in a moments time will perish.
Give it the tendance, fit for fading _Crops_;
But, for _Hay-harvest_, lose not better hopes.

_Make use of =Time=, that’s =comming on=;
For, that is perish’d, which is =gone=._

ILLVSTR. XLIX. _Book. 4_]

This _Glasse_ declares, how _Time_ doth passe away;
And, if the _Words_, about it, rightly say,
Thy _Time that’s gone, is lost_: and, proofe will shew,
That, many find both _Words_, and _Emblem_, true.
How fast their _Time_ departs, they best perceive,
From whom it steales, before they take their leave,
Of what they love; and, whose last _houre_ is gone,
Before their chiefest businesses are done.
How fast it slides, ev’n they are also taught,
(Too late, perhaps) who never kept in thought
Their _ending-day_; but, alwayes did presume,
Or, largely hope upon the _Time to come_;
The _present-howres_, nor thankfully enjoying,
Nor, honestly, nor usefully employing.
That, _yeares expir’d, are lost_, they likewise find:
For, when their understanding brings to mind,
How fondly (or, how ill perchance) they spent
Their _passed age_; they see, with discontent,
The _Time_, not onely _lost_, but, worse than so;
_Lost_, with a thousand other Losses moe:
And, that, when they shall need it, _wealth_ nor _pow’r_,
Can purchase them, one _minute_ of an _howre_.
Consider this, all ye that spend the _prime_,
The _noone tide_, and the _twilight_ of your _Time_,
In childish play-games, or meere worldly things;
As if you could, at pleasure, clip _Times_ wings,
Or turne his _Glasse_, or, had a _Life_, or twaine
To live, when you had fool’d out _this_ in vaine.
Short is the _present_; lost _Times-passed_ bee;
And, _Time to come_, wee may not live to see.

_The =Garland=, He alone shall weare,
Who, to the =Goale=, doth persevere._

ILLVSTR. L. _Book. 4_]

An _Arme_ is with a _Garland_ here extended;
And, as the _Motto_ saith, it is intended,
_To all that persevere_. This being so;
Let none be faint in heart, though they be _slow_:
For, he that _creepes_, untill his _Race_ be done,
Shall gaine a _Wreath_, aswell as they that _runne_.
This being so; let no man walke in doubt,
As if Gods _Arme_ of _Grace_ were stretched out
To some small number: For, whoe’re _begins_
And _perseueres_, the profer’d _Garland_ winns:
And, God respects no persons; neither layes
A stumbling blocke in any of our Waies.
This being so, let no man think’t enough
To set his hand, a little, to the Plough,
And, then desist; but, let him still pursue,
To doe that _Worke_, to which that _Wreath_ is due:
For, nor on _Good-beginners_, nor on those
That, _walke halfe-way_, (much lesse on him, that goes
No stepp at all) will God this _gift_ conferre;
But, onely, unto those that _persevere_.
LORD, by thy _Grace_, an entrance I have made
In honest _Pathes_; and, thy assistance had,
To make in them, some slow _proceedings_ too.
Oh grant me, full abilitie, to doe
Thy sacred _Will_; and, to _beginn_, and _end_
Such _Workes_, as to thy _glory_, still, may tend.
That (_Walking_, and _continuing_ in the _Path_,
Which evermore, thine approbation hath)
I may that _Garland_, by thy _grace_, obtaine,
Which, by mine owne _desert_, I cannot gaine.
_Glory be to God._

THE FOVRTH LOTTERIE.

1

Thou, of a noble minde, art thought,
Which, heav’nly things, hath chiefly sought.
And, scorn’st thy vertue to debase,
By loving those of lower place.
If so, thine _Emblom_ doth expresse
Thy _Wisdome_, and thy _worthynesse_.
But, if to earthward thou incline;
Thence, learne _Affections_ more Divine.

See, _Emb._ I.

2

Some _words_ or _thoughts_, perhaps, of your
Have wrong’d Gods _providence_, or _Pow’re_:
Els, you (it may be) to some _place_,
Confine his unconfined _Grace_;
Or, thinke, he never taketh care,
Of any _Realme_, but where you are.
Your _Lot_, now, therefore, doth provide,
To have your _Iudgement_ rectifide.

See, _Emb._ II.

3

Thou maist be _wise_, but, there is, yet,
Some crack, or, failing in thy _wit_:
For, thou dost _personate_ a _part_,
That, showes thee other, then thou _art_.
Thine _Emblem_, therefore, doth declare,
What _Habit_, such deserve to weare;
And, that, he merits _Asses_ eares,
Who _is not_, that, which he _appeares_.

See, _Emb._ III.

4

You have, as yet, much _worke_ to doe,
But, yoo have _little time_ thereto:
That, _little_, flyes away with speed,
And, you the _Losse_, as little heed.
Lest, therefore, all your time be gone,
Before you duely thinke thereon,
A _memorandum_ you have got,
By drawing, of this luckie _Lot_.

See, _Emb._ IV.

5

Though you, perhaps, no _perill_ dread,
A _mischiefe_ hangs above your head;
By which, you (taking little care)
May perish ere you be aware.
To minde you, therefore, to eschew
Such Miseries as may ensue;
Your L_ot_, this warning _Emblem_ sent;
Observe it, and your _harmes_ prevent.

See, _Emb._ V.

6

Thou _fly’st_, in hope, to shun thy griefe;
Thou _changest place_, to seeke releefe;
And, many blamelesse things are shent
As, causers of thy discontent.
But trouble, now, no more thy minde,
The root of thy disease to finde;
For, by thine _Emblem_, thou shalt see,
The _Fountaine_, whence thy torments bee.

See, _Emb._ VI.

_M_ 7

Thou art, or els thou wert, of late,
Some great, or petty, _Magistrate_;
Or, _Fortune_ thereunto, perchance,
In time to come, will thee advance.
But, by thine _Emblem_, thou shalt see,
That, when restrein’d, thy _pow’r_ shall be,
Offenders, thereof will be glad,
And skoffe the pow’re which thou hast had;
Observe it; and be so _upright_,
That, thou maist laugh at their _despight_.

See, _Emb._ VII.

8

_Promotion_ thou dost much desire,
And, spacious _Fortunes_ to acquire;
As, if thou thoughtst, thou mightst attaine,
True _Blessednesse_, by such a _gaine_:
To shew thee, therefore, what event,
What _happinesse_, and what _content_,
Such things, will bring vs, at the last,
An usefull _Object_, now, thou hast.

See, _Emb._ VIII.

9

Disheartned be not, though thou see,
Thy _Hopes_, quite frustrate seeme to be;
For, many _Hopes_, appearing past,
Have, beene renew’d againe, at last;
And, grew far greater, then before,
When, they seem’d lost, for evermore.
_Examples_, therefore, now are brought,
That, still, to _Hope_, thou mayst be taught.

See, _Emb._ IX.

_M_ 10

Most men desire to gaine the _Fate_,
Which keepes them safe, in ev’ry state;
And, you, no doubt, would faine provide,
A _Station_, which might firme abide.
If so you meane; your _Lot_ hath brought,
Some newes of that, which you have sought:
For, by your _Emblem_, you may see,
What men shall most unmooved be.

See, _Emb._ X.

11

You seeme, to wonder, much of late,
That, some goe _backward_ in _Estate_,
Who seeme to thrive; and, why, we finde,
Those _Friends_, who seemed very kinde,
(And, forward good respects to show)
Doe now unkinde, and froward grow.
But, when your _Emblem_ you shall see,
No wonder, then, such things will be.

See, _Emb._ XI.

12

Thou seek’st a _Conquest_; or, (at least)
Of such a Pow’re to be possest,
As none can conquer; And, bohold,
Thou, in an _Emblem_, shalt be told
The meanes to get thy hearts desire.
Yet, know, that if thou come no nigher,
Then but to _know_ the meanes of _blisse_,
The farther off, the _blessing_ is.

See, _Emb._ XII.

13

Thou liv’st, as one who thinks, that, _Fate_
All Actions did _nesessitate_;
And, that to _doe_, or leave _undone_,
Thy Businesses, came all to one.
If, thus thou thinke, perhaps, this _Chance_;
May helpe to cure thine _Ignorance_;
And, show, when 'twill be, wholly, fit
To _Fate_, our matters, to commit.

See, _Emb._ XIII.

14

Thy Neighbors _house_ when thou dost view,
_Welfurnisht_, _pleasant_, _large_, or _new_,
Thou thinkst good LARES, alwaies dwell,
In Lodgings that are trimm’d so well.
But, by thine _Emblem_, thou art showne,
That (if thou lov’dst what is thine _owne_)
_Thatcht Roofes_, as true Contentments yeeld,
As those, that are with _Cedar_ seeld.
Vaine _Fancies_, therefore, from thee cast;
And, be content with what thou hast.

See, _Emb._ XIV.

15

Thou seek’st _Preferment_, as a thing,
Which _East_, or _Westerne-winds_ might bring;
And, thinkst to gaine a temp’rall _Crowne_,
By _Powres_ and _Vertues_ of thine owne:
But, now, thy _Lot_ informes from whom,
The _Scepter_, and _preferments_ come;
Seeke, thence, thy lawfull _hopes_ fruition,
And, cherish not a vaine _ambition_.

See, _Emb._ XV.

16

This _Lot_, though rich, or poore, thou bee,
Presents an _Emblem_, fitt for thee.
If _Rich_, it warnes, not to be _proud_;
Since, _Fortunes_ favours are allow’d
To _Swinish-men_: If thou be _poore_,
Deject thou not thy selfe, the more;
For, many worthy men, there are,
Who, doe not _Fortunes_ Iewels weare.

See, _Emb._ XVI.

17

Thou, dost not greatly care, by whom
Thy _wealth_, or thy _Preferments_, come:
So, thou maist get them, _Foole_ or _Knave_,
Thy _prayers_, and thy _praise_ may have;
Because, thou dost nor feare, nor dreame,
What disadvantage comes by them:
But, by thine _Emblem_, thou shalt see,
That, _Mischieves_, in their _favours_ bee.

See, _Emb._ XVII.

18

You boast, as if it were, unknowne
The power you have were not your owne:
But, had you not an able _Prop_,
You could not beare so high a _Top_;
And, if that _Ayde_ forsake you shall,
Downe to the ground, you soone will fall.
Acknowledge this; and, humble grow,
You may be, still, supported so.

See, _Emb._ XVIII.

19

This _Lot_ of yours doth plainely show,
That, in some danger now you go.
But, _wounds_ by _Steele_, yet, feare you not;
Nor _Pistoling_, nor _Cannon-shot_;
But, rather, dread the _shafts_ that fly,
From some deepe-wounding _wantons_ eye.
Your greatest perills are from thence;
Get therefore, Armour of defence.

See, _Emb._ XIX.

20

Thy Vertues, often, have beene tride,
To finde what proofes they will abide:
Yet, thinke not all thy _Trialls_ past,
Till thou on ev’ry side art cast;
Nor, feare thou, what may chance to thee,
If truely, square, thy dealings be:
For, then, what ever doth befall,
Nor _harme_, nor _shame_, betide thee shall.

See, _Emb._ XX.

21

Fine _Clothes_, faire _Words_, entising _Face_,
With _Maskes_ of _Pietie_ and _Grace_,
Oft, cheat you, with an outward show,
Of that, which prooveth nothing so.
Therefore, your _Emblems_ Morall read;
And, ere too farre you doe proceed,
Thinke, whom you deale withall, to day,
Who, by faire shewes, deceive you may.

See, _Emb._ XXI.

22

You, are accus’d of no man, here,
As, if to any, false, you were
In _word_, or _Deed_; and, wish, we doe,
Your _Conscience_ may acquit you too,
But, if your selfe you guilty finde,
(As, unto such a fault inclin’d)
The crime, already _past_, repent;
And, what is yet _undone_, prevent.

See, _Emb._ XXII.

23

You haue delighted much, of late,
Gainst _Womens_ ficklenesse, to prate;
As if this frailety you did find,
Entail’d, alone, on _Womankind_:
But, in your selfe, ther’s now and then,
Great proofes, of wav’ring minds, in men:
Then, jugde not faults which are unknown;
But, rather learne to mend your owne.

See, _Emb._ XXIII.

24

At your _Afflictions_, you repine,
And, in all troubles, cry, and whine;
As if, to _suffer_, brought no _Ioy_;
But, quite, did all contents destroy.
That, you might, therefore, _patient_ grow,
And, learne, that Vertues pow’re, to know,
This _Lot_, unto your view, is brought:
Peruse, and practise what is taught.

See, _Emb._ XXIV.

25

On out side _Friends_, thou much reli’st,
And, _trustest_, oft, before thou try’st;
By which, if _Cousnage_ thou escape,
Thy _Wit_ wee praise not, but thy _Hap_:
But, lest by _trust_, (e’re _triall due_)
Thou, overlate, thy _Trusting_ rue;
Observe the _Morall_ of thy _Lot_,
And, looke that thou forget it not.

See, _Emb._ XXV.

26

By this your _Lot_, it should appeare,
That, you your selfe are too severe;
Or, have, by some, perswaded bin,
That, ev’ry _Pleasure_ is a _sinne_.
That, wiser therefore, you may grow,
You have an _Emblem_, now, to show,
That, _Hee_, whose wisdome all men praise,
Sometime, layes downe his _Bow_, and _playes_.

See, _Emb._ XXVI.

27

Thou little heedst how _Time_ is lost,
Or, how thine _Howres_ away doe post;
Nor art thou mindfull of the day,
In which thy life, will breath away.
To thee this _Lot_, now, therefore, came,
To make thee heedfull of the same.
So, of thy Dutie, let it mind thee,
That, thou maist _live_, when _Death_ shall finde thee.

See, _Emb._ XXVII.

28

A safe-abiding, wouldst thou know,
When _Seas_ doe rage, and _winds_ doe blow?
If so; thine _Emblem_ shewes thee, where
Such _Priviledges_ gained are.
Observe it well; then, doe thy best,
To bee a _Yongling_, in that nest
There _Moraliz’d_; and, mocke thou not
At what is taught thee, by this _Lot_.

See, _Emb._ XVIII.

29

Beleeve not, alwayes, as thy _Creed_,
That, _Love-profest_, is _Love-indeed_;
But, their _Affections_ entertaine,
Who in thy _need_, firme _Friends_ remaine.
Perhaps, it much may thee concerne,
This _Lesson_, perfectly, to learne.
Thine _Emblems_ morall, therefore, view,
And, get true _Friends_, by being, _true_.

See, _Emb._ XXIX.

30

The _Consciences_, of some, afford
No Lawfull use unto the _Sword_:
Some dreame, that, in the time of peace,
The practise of all _Armes_ may cease;
And, you, perhaps, among the rest,
With such like fancies are possest.
However, what your _Morall_ sayes
Observe; and, walke in blamelesse _waves_.

See, _Emb._ XXX.

31

A better _Fortune_ you might gaine,
If you, could take a little _paine_:
If you have _Wealth_, you should have more,
And, should be Rich, (though you are _poore_)
If to the _longings_ you have had,
A true _endevour_ you would adde:
For, by your _Emblem_, you may see,
Such, as your _Paines_, your _Gaines_ will be.

See, _Emb._ XXXI.

32

When any troublous Time appeares,
Your _Hope_ is ouercome, with _feares_,
As, if with every _Floud_ of _Raine_,
The _World_ would quite be drownd againe.
But, by your _Emblem_, you shall see,
That, _Sunshine_, after _Stormes_ may be:
And, you this _Lot_, (it may be) drew,
In times of neede, to comfort _you_.

See, _Emb._ XXXII.

33

When, you to ought, pretend a right,
You thinke to winne it by your _might_.
Yea, by your strength, your purse or friends,
You boast to gaine your wished _Endes_.
But, such _Presumptions_ to prevent
You to an _Emblem_ now are sent
That, showes, by whom he _Victor_ growes,
That winnes, by giving overthrowes.

See, _Emb._ XXXIII.

34

If, truely _temperate_, thou be,
Why should this _Lot_, be drawne by thee?
Perhaps, thou either dost exceed,
In costly Robes; or, drinke, or feede,
Beyond the _meane_. If this thou finde,
Or, know’st, in any other kinde,
How thou offendest by _excesse_,
Now, leave off, that _intemp’ratnesse_.

See, _Emb._ XXXIV.

35

Thou hop’st, to climbe, to honor’d _heights_,
Yet, wouldst not passe through stormes or _streights_;
But, shun’st them so, as if there were
No way to _blisse_, where _troubles_ are.
Lest, then, thou lose thy hop’d-for praise,
By, seeking wide, and easie wayes;
See what thine _Emblem_ doth disclose.
And, feare not ev’ry _winde_ that blowes.

See, _Emb._ XXXV.

36

Sometimes, it may be, thou dost finde,
That, God, thy _prayers_, doth not minde,
Nor, heede, of those _Petitions_ take,
Which, men and _Congregations_ make.
Now, why they take so ill effect,
Thou, by our _Morall_, maist collect:
And, by the same, shalt also see,
When, all thy _suits_ will granted be.

See, _Emb._ XXXVI.

37

Thou, hast been very forward, still,
To _punish_ those, that merit ill;
But, thou didst never, yet, regard
To give _Desert_, her due _Reward_.
That, therefore, thou maist now have care,
Of such _Injustice_, to beware,
Thine _Emblem_, doth to thee present,
As well _Reward_, as _punishment_.

See, _Emb._ XXXVII.

38

Thou, either hast a _babling tongue_,
Which, cannot keepe a _secret_, long;
Or, shalt, perhaps, indanger’d growe,
By such, as utter all they know.
In one, or other, of the twaine,
Thou maist be harm’d; and, to thy gaine,
It may redound, when thou shalt see,
What, now, thine _Emblem_, counsels thee.

See, _Emb._ XXXVIII.

39

By this, thy _Lot_, we understand,
That, somewhat, thou hast tooke in hand,
Which, (whether, further, thou _Proceed_
Or quite _desist_) will danger breed.
Consider, then, what thou hast done,
And, since the _hazzard_ is begun,
Advised be to take the _Course_,
Whrch may not make the danger worse.

See, _Emb._ XXXIX.

40

The _Destinies_, thou blamest, much,
Because, thou canst not be so rich,
As others are: But, blame no more.
The _Destinies_, as heretofore;
For, if it please thee to behold,
What, by thine _Embleme_, shall be told,
Thou, there, shalt find, which be those _Fates_,
That, keepe men low, in their _estates_.

See, _Emb._ XL.

41

Thou thinkst, that thou from _faults_ art free;
And, here, unblamed thou shalt be.
But, if to all men, thou wilt seeme
As faire, as in thine owne esteeme,
Presume thou not abroad to passe,
Vntill, by ev’ry _Looking-Glasse_,
Which, in thy _Morall_, is exprest,
Thou hast, both _Minde_, and _Body_ drest.

See, _Emb._ XLI.

42

Some, _labour_ hardly, all their daies,
In painefull-profitable wayes;
And, others taste the sweetest _gaine_,
Of that, for which these tooke the _paine_:
Yet, these, they not alone undo,
But, having _robd_, they _murther_ too.
The wrongs of such, this _Emblem_ showes,
That, thou mayst helpe, or pitty those.

See, _Emb._ XLII.

43

Thou, often hast observ’d with feares,
Th’_aspects_, and _motions_ of the _Starres_,
As if, they threatned _Fates_ to some,
Which, _God_ could never save them from.
If this, thy dreaming Error be,
Thine _Emblems_ Morall shewes to thee,
That, _God_ restraines the _Starry-Fates_,
And, no mans harme, _necessitates_.

See, _Emb._ XLIII.

44

Thou, hast provoked, over long,
Their _patience_, who neglect the wrong;
And, thou dost little seeme to heede,
What _harme_ it threats, if thou proceed.
To thee, an _Emblem_, therefore, showes,
To what, _abused-Patience_ growes.
Observe it well; and, make thy _Peace_,
Before to _Fury_, _Wrath_ increase.

See, _Emb._ XLIV.

45

Thou hast the helps of _Natures_ light;
_Experience_ too, doth ayde thy sight:
Nay more, the _Sun_ of _Grace-divine_,
Doth round about thee daylie shine;
Yet, _Reasons_ eye is blind in thee,
And, clearest _Objects_ cannot see.
Now, from what cause, this _Blindnesse_ growes
The _Morall_ of thine _Emblem_ showes.

See, _Emb._ XLV.

46

Thy _cause_, thy _Money_, or thy _Friend_,
May make thee forward to _contend_;
And, give thee Hopes, that thy intents,
Shall bring thee prosperous events.
But view thy _Lot_; then, marke thou there,
That _Victories_ uncertaine are;
And rashly venture not on that
Whose End may be, _thou knowest not what_.

See, _Emb._ XLVI.

47

To them who grudgingly repine,
Assoone as their estates decline,
This _Lot_ pertaines; or, unto those,
Who, when their neighbour needy growes,
Contemne him; as if he were left,
Of God; and, of all hopes bereft.
If this, or that, be found in thee,
Thou, by thy _Morall_, taught shalt be,
That, there is none so ill besped;
But may have hope, he shall be fed.

See, _Emb._ XLVII.

48

Thy _Flesh_ thou lov’st, as if it were,
The chiefest _Object_, of thy _Care_;
And of such value, as may seeme,
Well meriting, thy best esteeme.
But, now, to banish that conceit,
Thy _Lot_ an _Emblem_ brings to sight,
Which, without flattery, shewes to thee
Of what regard it ought to be.

See, _Emb._ XLVIII.

49

It may suspected be, thou hast,
Mispent the _Time_, that’s gone and past;
For, to an _Emblem_ thou art sent,
That’s made, such folly to prevent:
The _morall_ heed; Repent thy _Crime_;
And, Labour, to _Redeeme the Time_.

See, _Emb._ XLIX.

50

With good applause thou hast begunne,
And, well, as yet, proceedest on:
But, e’re the _Lawrell_, thou canst weare,
Thou to the End must _persevere_.
And, lest this dutie, be so got,
Thou hast a Caveat, by this _Lot_.

See, _Emb._ L.

51

Although, this time, you drew it not,
_Good Fortune_, for you, may be got.
Perhaps, the _planets_ ruling now,
Have cast no good _Aspects_ on you.
For, many say, that, now and then,
The _Starres_ looke angerly on men:
Then, try your Chance againe, anon;
For, their displeasure soone is gone.

52

If, by your _Lot_ you had beene prais’d
Your minde, perchance, it would have rais’d,
Above the _meane_. Should you receive
Some check, thereby, It would bereave
Your _Patience_: For, but few can beare,
_Reproofes_, which unexpected are.
But, now prepared you have beene,
To draw your _Lot_ once more begin;
And, if another _Blancke_ you get,
Attempt your _chance_, no more, as yet.

53

To crosse your hopes, _Misfortune_ sought;
And, by your _Lot_, a _Blanck_ hath brought:
But, he who knew her ill intent,
Hath made this _Blanke_ her spight prevent;
For, if that _Number_ you shall take,
Which these two _fignres_, backward, make,
And view the place to which they guide;
An _Emblem_, for you, they provide.

54

These _Lots_ are almost _Ten_ to _One_
Above the _Blankes_; yet, thou hast none.
If thus thy _Fortune_ still proceed,
Tis _Ten_ to _One_ if well thou speed.
Yet, if thou doe not much neglect,
To doe, as _Wisdome_ shall direct,
It is a _Thousand_ unto _ten_
But all thy Hopes will prosper, then.

55

It seemes, Dame _Fortune_, doth not know,
What _Lot_, on thee, she should bestow;
Nor, canst thou tell, (if thou mightst have
The choice) what _Fortune_, thou shouldst crave.
For, _one thing_, now, thy minde requires;
Anon, _another_ it desires.
When Resolution thou hast got,
Then, come againe, and draw thy _Lot_.

56

The _Chance_, which thou obtained hast,
Of all our _Chances_, is the last;
And, casting up the totall _summes_,
We finde thy _Gaine_, to _Nothing_ comes.
Yet if it well be understood,
This _Chance_ may chance to doe thee good;
For, it inferres what _Portion_ shall,
To ev’ry one, (at last) befall;
And warnes, while _something_, is enjoyd,
That, well it (alwaies) be imployd.

_FINIS._

_A Table for the better finding out of the principall things and matters, mentioned in these Foure Bookes._

_A._

Adversitie. pag. 16. 17. 26. 30. 240. 243

Ægle. 6. 3. 111.

Affection. 7. 33. 34. 83. 162.

Affliction. 16. 17. 44. 47. 70. 81. 108. 240.

Agreement in Desire. 34.

Age. 44.

Ambitions emptines. 216.

Ambition. 69.

Anchor. 39. 72.

Annuall revolutions. 157.

Anvils and Hammer. 17.

Appearances deceive. 175.

Apollo. 234.

Archer. 25.

Armour. 111.

Arrs. 1. 80.

Action. 9.

Armes. 3. 32. 80.

Authoritie. 137.

_B._

Ball. 7.

Beginning. 102.

Best men not best favour’d. 224.

Bear. 23.

Bees. 23. 90. 250.

Beautie. 40.

Blabs. 246.

Blessings long enjoyed. 70.

Bounds. 161.

A Bore. 110.

Borrowed worth. 14.

A Bowe bended. 39.

Bridle. 169.

A Broken-heart 77.

Busy-bodies. 148.

Butterfly and Spider. 18.

_C._

Candle and Flie. 40.

Carnal affections. 43.

Caduceus. 9. 88.

Ceremonies of estate. 137.

Centaure. 103.

A Childe. 45.

Christian confidence. 81.

Church. 111. 136.

Christ the true Pellican. 154.

The Circular motion of things. 45.

Circumspection. 138.

Clamor. 63.

Cleargie-men. 149.

Constancie. 2. 81. 143.

Cock. 71.

Comlinesse. 249.

Good Companions. 249.

Constant resolution 24.

Consideration. 9.

Contempt of earthly things. 12.

Contention. 34. 71.

Contention hazzardous. 254.

Contemplation. 45. 105. 156.

Corcord. 63.

Consolation. vid. Comfort.

Comfort. 70.

Comfort sweetned by troubles. ibid.

Constellations. 31. 74. 251.

Contentment. 86.

Cornerstone. 161.

Coronet. 255.

Cornucopia 9 88. 166. 248.

Corporeall vertues. 80.

Covetousnesse. 216.

Crocadile. 112.

Craft. 136.

Crowne. 47. 78. 81.

Crosse. 47 75 81

Crosses 47.

Curiositie 147.

Cupid 227.

Cynthia 24.

_D._

Danger hangs over all 213

Death 1. 21. 45. 48. 94. 168. 184. 235.

Deaths head 21

Deliberation 72

Delay 18

Degrees. 29. 49 117.

Deceit in all places. 180.

Despaire is not to be admitted. 217. 221. 240.

Destinie. vid. Fate.

Decrees of God. 95.

Our Destruction is of our selves. 214.

Desires best object. 209.

Devotion. 41.

Diamond. 171.

Diana. 24.

Divine assistance. 170.

Dissimulation, 211, 228, 230

Discord. 177.

Discretion. 151.

Doggs. 255.

Dolphin. 72.

Dove. 150.

Drowsinesse. 9.

Drones. 250.

_E._

Earthly things. 85.

Endurance 23. 26.

Endeavour continued. 29.

Envy 97.

End. 102.

Equalitie. 34. 48.

Equivocation. 38.

Estridge. 36.

Eternitie. 102. 157.

Everlasting. 102.

Excesse. 68.

Externall Blessings. 88.

_F._

Faith 13. 66

Faith infringed. 38. 99.

Fate 74. 95. 221. 251

Fatall necessity 251

Falshood 99

Fame 146.

Faire shewes deceitfull 233. 229

Face 39

Fighters 71

Ficklenesse vid. Inconstancy

Filial pietie 155.

Fire on an Altar 15.

Fierie-triall 30

Flesh is hay 256

Flying-Ball 71. 101

Flie and the Candle 40

Flower of the Sunne 159.

Fooles, who the greatest 211

Fooles favours mischievous 225

Fortune 6. 88. 101. 109. 139 174. 224

Fraud in all professions 183

Friendship 75. 99. 162. 237.

Friends 75, 145

Frequencie 45

Fullnesse 64.

Furie begotten by abused patience 252.

_G._

Ganimed 156.

Light Gaines 50.

Glory 5. 92.

God 140, 152, 170, 210, 223 255

Gods prerogatives 223

Gods decrees 95. 141

Gospell preached 89

Good works 135

Governours 37

Government 238

Goblins about Graves 43

Grace 31, 74, 104, 226

Grave 21

Greefe 26

Groves 35

Great things from small beginnings 46. 50

Gryphon 139

Guile vid. Fraud and Deceit

Guiltinesse 66, 69.

_H._

Hast 19, 49 153

Hammer and Anvile, 17

Halter 66, Halcyon, vid. Kings Fisher

Harvest 44

Harlots 27, 246

Harmlesnes vid. Innocency

Hazzardous enterprises 247

Harmony vid. Musick

Hard-hearted men 175

Hardship 243

Heed 19. 49, 153

Heliotrope 159

Heaven 152

Hellen 27

Hyppocrisy 20, 77, 211, 229

Hyppocrite 229

Honour 5, 153

Hope 13, 16, 39, , 44, 73. 106 150, 217

Houses which are best 222

Hony 23

Howreglasse 21, 212

Hunger 64

Husbands 162

Humility 147

Hyppotamus 155

_I._

Ianus 138

Idlenesse 5. 92

Innocence 9. 111, 151

Infant 45

Incroachments 161

Invincibility 220

Inconstancy 231

Intemperance 242

Industry 5

Impiety. 155

Imprsonmēt better than a worse mischiefe 96

Ioys sweetned by afflictions 70

Iteration 29

Iustice 66. 69, 155

Iust dealing. 100

Ixion 69

_K._

Kingsfisher 236

Kings 32, 37, 78, 137, 159 163, 180

Kingdomes 67

A Kingdomes glorie 78

Knowledge 1, 79, 103

_L._

Labour 5, 29, 143, 150, 229,

Labour in vaine 11.

Lambe 252.

Lawe 3. 163. 169

Leasure and heed 19. 49 107

Learne to die 94

Learning 87

A Line a day. 158

Liking makes indifferent things excellent 222

A Little and little makes a mickle 50. 158

Life 21. 45

Love the best Musitian, 82

Love 7, 33. 34. 38.

Losses 50.

Losses may be recovered 182

Looking-glasses 241.

_M._

Malefactors 66

Mars 80.

Marriages. 83.

Magistrates out of office 215.

A Mace. 137

Man his owne enemie 214

Mercy, offred to all 255

Merit 139

Measures 100

Medlers, _vid._ Busie-bodies.

Meditation best in the night 9

Meanes, not to be neglected 221

Meanes, not the onely ground of Hope 13

Mercurie 9

The Meane 169

Military exercise 32

Mis-fortune may be profitable. 96

Mortalitie 8 45

Moone 111. 182

Monuments 142

Mutuall affection. 34. 163. 781.

Musicke 65

_N._

Nature and Grace 104. 144

Nature needes a supporter. 226

Necessitie 64

Night helpfull to Meditation 9

_O._

Oathes 38

Obscuritie profitable 73

Occasion 4

Offenders 215

Old men may learne 87

Opportunitie 4

Oppression 28

Opposition 63

Order 220

Outward appearances 175

Owle 9. 63. 79. 168

Oxe 173

_P._

Paine 23

Palmetree 172

Patience 28. 63. 252

Patriots 165

Pallas 9. 80

Parents 15

A Pastorall charge 149

Peace 9 238

Perjurie 38

Pegasus 105