threads And crooked Arrowes tipt with Golden heads Delight not Archers tyet such uselesse Toyes Be fit enough for Bunglers and for Boyes A skilfull Artist in what Art soe're He seekes to make his ablenesse appeare Will give large Prices with much more content To buy a plaine if perfect Instrument Then take for nothing or for thankes alone An uselesse Toole though gay to looke upon From whence observe that if there must be sought When meere Mechanick-workes are to be wrought Such Instruments as rather have esteeme For their true-being then for what they seeme Much more should all those Rules be such whereby Wee goe about our selves to rectify And build up what in Body or in minde We may defective or impaired finde Else peradventure that we thinke to mend More faulty may become at later end But hence I chiefly learne to take a care My Life and Actions rather be sincere Then seeming such And yet I le thinke no shame To seeme to be as honest as I am My Substance and my Light are spent In seeking other mens content ALIIS IN SERVIENDO CONSUMOR ILLVSTR. XXXI Book 3 IF this nigh-wasted Candle you shall view And heed it well it may enlighten you To looke with more compassion on their paines Who rob themselves to multiply your gaines The Taper burnes to give another light Ev'n till it selfe it hath consumed quite And all the profit which it thence doth winne Is to be snufft by ev'ry Commer-in This is the Lot of some whom I have knowne Who freely all their life-time have bestowne In such industrious labour as appeares To further others profits more then theirs And all their Patrimonies well nigh spent The ruining of others to prevent The wit the strength and all the pow'r they had Which might by probability have made Good meanes to raise them in this world as high As most who climbe to wealthy dignity Ev'n these they have bestow'd to better them Who their indeavors for their paines contemne These are those Lamps whose flames from time to time Have through each Age and through-our ev'ry Clime To one another that true Light convey'd Which Ignorance had els long since betray'd To utter darknesse These despightfull Pride Oft snuffs and oft to put them out hath try'd But from the brightnesse of such Lights as they We got our Light of knowledge at this day To them God make us kinder and to Him More thankfull that we gain'd such light by them The safest Riches hee shall gaine Who alwayes Faithfull doth remaine DITAT SERVATA FIDES ILLVSTR. XXXII Book 3 THe Horne-of-plenty which Wealth signifies The Hand-in-hand which Plighted faith implies Together being painted seeme to teach That such as will be honest shall be rich If this be so why then for Lucre-sake Doe many breake the Promises they make Why doe they cheat and couzen lye and sweare Why practise they all Villanies that are To compasse Wealth And how doe such as they Inlarge their ill-got Portions ev'ry day Or whence proceedes it that sometimes we see Those men grow poore who faithfull seeme to bee Thus oft it proves and therefore Falshood can In likelihood much more inrich a man Then blamelesse Faith and then the Motto here Improper to this Emblem doth appeare But well enough they sute and all is true Which these things being thus united shew Should it be then concluded that all those Who poore and honest seeme have made but showes Of reall Faith And therfore plagu'd have bin With publicke lashes for their private sin Indeed sometime it hath succeeded so But know you should that most who richest grow In Outward-wealth are very poore in that Which brings true Plentie and a blest Estate And that Good men though poore they seeme to bee Have Riches which the Worldling cannot see Now He who findes himselfe endow'd with such What e're wee thinke him is exceeding rich Poore-Theeves in Halters we behold And great-Theeves in their Chaines of gold FVRES PRIVATI IN NERVO PVBLICI IN AVRO ILLVSTR. XXXIII Book 3 IF you this Emblem well have look'd upon Although you cannot helpe it yet bemone The Worlds blacke Impudence and if you can Continue or become an honest man The poore and petty Pilferers you see On Wheeles on Gibbets and the Gallow tree Trust up when they that farre more guilty are Pearle Silke and costly Cloth of Tissue weare Good God! how many hath each Land of those Who neither limbe nor life nor credit lose But rather live befriended and applauded Yet have of all their livelihoods defrauded The helplesse Widowes in their great distresse And of their Portions robd the Fatherlesse Yet censur'd others Errours as if none Had cause to say that they amisse have done How many have assiâ—ted to condemne Poore soules for what was never stolne by them And persecuted others for that Sin Which they themselves had more transgressed in How many worthlesse men are great become By that which they have stolne or cheated from Their Lords or by some practices unjust From those by whom they had beene put in trust How many Lawyers wealthy men are growne By taking Fees for Causes overthrowne By their defaults How many without feare Doe rob the King and God yet blamelesse are God knowes how many would I did so too So I had pow'r to make them better doe Whil'st thou dost here injoy thy breath Continue mindfull of thy Death MEMENTO MORI ILLVSTR. XXXIV Book 3 WHen thou beholdest on this Burying-stone The melancholly Night-bird sitting on The fleshlesse ruines of a rotten-Skull Whose Face perhaps hath been more beautifull Then thine is now take up a serious thought And doe as thou art by the Motto taught Remember Death and minde I thee beseech How soone these Fowles may at thy window screech Or call thee as the common people deeme To dwell in Graves and Sepulchers by them Where nothing else but Bats and Owles appeare Or Goblins form'd by Fancies and by Feare If thou shalt be advis'd to meditate Thy latâ—er end before it be too late And whil'st thy friends thy strength and wits may bee In likely case to hâ—lp and comfort thee There may be courses taken to divert Thosâ— Frights which else would terrifie thy heart When Deaâ—h drawes neare and helpe thee plucke away That Sâ—ng of his which would thy Soule disâ—ay But iâ— thou madly ramble onward still Til tâ—ou art sinking downe that darkesome hill Which borders on the Grave and dost bâ—ginne To see â—he Shades of Terrour and of Sinne To fly â—crosse thy Conscience 't will be hard To 〈◊〉 this Lesson or to be prepar'd For thâ—â— sad parting which will forced bee Beâ—â—â— eâ—hiâ— much beloved World and thee Consider this therefoâ—e while Time thou hast Anâ— put not off this Bus'nesse till the last Doe not the golden Meane exceed In Word in Passion nor in Deed. SERVA MODVM ILLVSTR. XXXV Book 3 AS is the head-strong Horse and blockish Mule Ev'n such without the Bridle and
LICET AEGRE ET FRVSTRA ILLVSTR. Xâ— Book 1. EXperience proves that Men who trust upon Their Nat'rall parts too much oft lose the Day And faile in that which els they might have done By vainely trifling pretious Time away It also shewes that many Men have fought With so much Rashnesse those things they desir'd That they have brought most likely Hopes to nought And in the middle of their Courses tir'd And not a few are found who so much wrong Gods Gratiousnesse as if their thinkings were That seeing he deferres his Iudgements long His Vengeance he for ever would forbeare But such as these may see wherein they faile And what would fitter be for them to doe If they would contemplate the slow-pac'd Snaile Or this our Hieroglyphicke looke into For thence we learne that Perseverance brings Large Workes to end though slowly they creepe on And that Continuance perfects many things Which seeme at first unlikely to be done It warnes likewise that some Affaires require More Heed then Haste And that the Course we take Should suite as well our Strength as our Desire Else as our Proverbe saith Haste Waste may make And in a Mysticke-sense it seemes to preach Repentance and Amendment unto those Who live as if they liv'd beyond Gods reach Because he long deferres deserved Blowes For though Iust-Vengeance moveth like a Snaile And slowly comes her comming will not faile As to the World I naked came So naked-stript I leave the same ΠΑÎΤΑ ΛΕΛΟΙΠΑ ILLVSTR. XII Book 1. Thrice happy is that Man whose Thoughts doe reare His Minde above that pitch the Worldling flies And by his Contemplations hovers where He viewes things mortall with unbleared eyes What Trifles then doe Villages and Townes Large Fields or Flockes of fruitfull Cattell seeme Nay what poore things are Miters Scepters Crownes And all those Glories which Men most esteeme Though he that hath among them his Delight Brave things imagines them because they blinde With some false Lustre his beguiled fight He that 's above them their meane-Worth may finde Lord to that Blessed-Station me convey Where I may view the World and view her so That I her true Condition may survey And all her Imperfections rightly know Remember me that once there was a Day When thou didst weane me from them with content Ev'n when shut up within those Gates I lay Through which the Plague-inflicting Angel went And let me still remember that an Houre Is hourely comming on wherein I shall Though I had all the World within my powre Be naked stript and turned out of all But minde me chiefely that I never cleave Too closely to my Selfe and cause thou me Not other Earthly things alone to leave But to forsake my Selfe for love of Thee That I may say now I have all things left Before that I of all things am berest To him a happy Lot befalls That hath a Ship and pros'prous Gales REMIGIO VENTISQUE SECVNDIS ILLVSTR. XIII Book 1. NO wonder he a prosp'rous Voyage findes That hath both Sailes and Oares to serve his turne And still through meanes of some propitious Winds Is to his wished Harbour swiftly borne Nor is it much admir'd if they that lacke Those aydes on which the Common faith depends Are from their hoped aymes repelled backe Or made to labour for unfruitfull ends Yet neither in the Ship Wind Oares or Sailes Nor in the want of Outward meanes alone Consists it that our Hope succeedes or failes But most in that which Men least thinke upon For some endeavour and their Paines are blest With Gales which are so fortunate that they Fly safe and swiftly on among the best Whil'st others labour and are cast away Some others on this Worlds wide Ocean floate And neither Wind nor Tide assistant have Nor Saile nor Oare nor Anchor nor sound Boate Nor take so much as heede themselves to save And yet are safe A third sort then there are Who neither want fit Meanes nor yet neglect The painefull Industrie or honest Care Which Need requires yet find small good effect Therefore let that which you propose be Iust Then use the fairest Meanes to compasse it And though Meanes faile yet foster no mistrust But fearelesly to God your Course commit For Hee to Faithfull Hearts and Honest-Mindes Turnes Losse to Gaine and Stormes to prosp'rous Windes When Vice and Vertue Youth shall wooe T is hard to say which way 't will goe QVID SI SIC ILLVSTR. XXII Book 1. MY hopefull Friends at thrice five yeares and three Without a Guide into the World alone To seeke my Fortune did adventure mee And many hazards I alighted on First Englands greatest Rendevouz I sought Where VICE and VERTVE at the highest sit And thither both a Minde and Bodie brought For neither of their Services unfit Both woo'd my Youth And both perswaded so That like the Young man in our Emblem here I stood and cry'd Ah! which way shall I goe To me so pleasing both their Offers were VICE Pleasures best Contentments promist mee And what the wanton Flesh desires to have Quoth VERTVE I will Wisdome give to thee And those brave things which noblest Mindes doe crave Serve me said VICE and thou shalt soone acquire All those Atchievements which my Service brings Serve me said VERTVE and I le raise thee higher Then VICES can and teach thee better things Whil'st thus they strove to gaine me I espyde Grim Death attending VICE and that her Face Was but a painted Vizard which did hide The foul'st Deformity that ever was LORD grant me grace for evermore to view Her Vglinesse And that I viewing it Her Falsehoods and allurements may eschew And on faire VERTVE my Affection set Her Beauties contemplate her Love embrace And by her safe Direction runne my Race I pine that others may not perish And waste my Selfe their Life to cherish DVM NVTRIO CONSVMOR ILLVSTR. XV. Book 1. OBserve I pray you how the greedy Flame The Fewell on an Altar doth consume How it destroyeth that which feedes the same And how the Nourisher away doth fume For so it fares with Parents that uphold Their thriftlesse Children in unlawfull Pleasures With Cares it weares them out ere they are old And ere their Lives consume consumes their Treasures So fares it with such Wantons as doe feede Vnchast Desires for ev'ry day they grow Vntill their Longing's their Supplies exceede And quite devoure those men that fed them so So fares it with all those that spend their Youth In lab'ring to enrich ungratefull Men Who growing Great and Wealthy by their Truth Returne them Smoke and Ashes backe agen So faâ—es it with good States-men who to keepe A thankelesse Common-wealth in happy Peace Deprive their Mindes of Rest their Eyes of Sleepe And waste themselves that others may encrease And so it fares with Men that passe away Their time in Studies and their Healths impaire That helps to other men become they may And their defective Knowledges repaire But let
my Flesh my Time and my Estate Be so consum'd so spent so wasted bee That they may nourish Grace and peâ—fit that For which all these were first bestowd'd on me So when I quite am vanish'd out of seeing I shall enjoy my Now-concealed-Being When to suppresse us Men intend They make us higher to ascend CONCVSSVS SVRGO ILLVSTR. XVI Book 1. WHen we observe the Ball how to and fro The Gamesters force it we may ponder thus That whil'st we live we shall be playd with so And that the World will make her Game of us Adversities one while our hearts constraine To stoope and knock the Pavements of Despaire Hope like a Whirle-wind mounts us up againe Till oft it lose us in the empty ayre Sometimes above the Battlements we looke Sometimes we quite below the Line are tost Another-while against the Hazard strooke We but a little want of being lost Detraction Envie Mischief and Despight One Partie make and watchfully attend To catch us when we rise to any Height Lest we above their hatred should ascend Good-Fortune Praises Hopes and Industries Doe side-together and make Play to please us But when by them we thinke more high to rise More great they make our Fall and more disease us Yea they that seeke our Losse advance our Gaine And to our Wishes bring us oft the nigher For we that else upon the Ground had laine Are by their striking of us lifted higher When Balls against the Stones are hardest throwne Then highest up into the Aire they fly So when men hurle us with most fury downe Wee hopefull are to be advanc'd thereby And when they smite us quite unto the Ground Then up to Heav'n we trust we shall rebound Till God hath wrought us to his Will The Hammer we shall suffer still DVM EXTENDAR ILLVSTR. XVII Book 1. WHy should the foolish World discourage Men In just endurances or bid them shunne Good Actions ' cause they suffer now and then For Doing well as if some Ill were done Ere Plates extended are they must abide A thousand hamm'rings And then that which fill'd So little roome it scarce your Hand could hide Will serve a goodly Monument to gild So he that hopes to winne an honest Name Must many blowes of Fortune undergoe And hazard oft the blast of Evill-Fame Before a Good-Report her Trumpe will blow A thousand Worthies had unworthily Been raked up in Ashes and in Clay Vnknowne and bury'd in Obscurity If Malice had not fil'd their Rust away But loâ— their lasting prayses now are spread And rais'd by Adverse-Chance to such a height That they most glorious are now they are dead And live in Injuries and Deaths despight For by Afflictions man refined growes And as the Gold prepared in the Fire Receiveth such a Forme by wrongs and blowes That hee becomes the Iewell we desire To thee therefore Oh God! Mv Prayers are Not to be freed from Griefes and Troubles quite But that they may be such as I can beare And serve to make me precious in thy Sight This please me shall though all my Life time I Betweene thine Anvill and the Hammer lie From thence where Nets and Snares are layd Make-hast lest els you be betray'd MATVRA ILLVSTR. XVIII Book 1. THe nimble Spider from his Entrailes drawes A suttle Thread and curious art doth show In weaving Nets not much unlike those Lawes Which catch Small-Thieves and let the Great-ones goe For as the Cob-web takes the lesser Flyes When those of larger size breake through their Snares So Poore men smart for little Injuries When Rich-men scape whose Guilt is more then theirs The Spider also representeth such Who very curious are in Trifling things And neither Cost nor Time nor Labour grutch In that which neither Gaine nor Pleasure brings But those whom here that Creature doth implye Are chiefely such who under cunning shewes Of simple-Meanings or of Curtesie Doe silly Men unwarily abuse Or else it meanes those greedy Cormorants Who without touch of Conscience or Compassion Seeke how to be enricht by others wants And bring the Poore to utter Desolation Avoyd them therefore though compell'd by need Or if a Storme inforce yee lab'ring Bees That yee must fall among them Flie with speed From their Commerce when Calmes your passage frees Much more let wastfull Gallants haste from these Else when those Idling-painted Butterflies Have flutter'd-out their Summer-time in ease And spent their Wealth in foolish Vanities The Blasts of Want may force them to be brought For shelter thither where they shall be caught When thou a Dangerous-Way dost goe Walke surely though thy pace be slowe LENTE SED ATTENTE ILLVSTR. XXI Book 1. EXperience proves that Men who trust upon Their Nat'rall parts too much oft lose the Day And faile in that which els they might have done By vainely trifling pretious Time away It also shewes that many Men have sought With so much Rashnesse those things they desir'd That they have brought most likely Hopes to nought And in the middle of their Courses tir'd And not a few are found who so much wrong Gods Gratiousnesse as if their thinkings were That seeing he deferres his Iudgements long His Vengeance he for ever would forbeare But such as these may see wherein they faile And what would fitter be for them to doe If they would contemplate the slow-pac'd Snaile Or this our Hieroglyphicke looke into For thence we learne that Perseverance brings Large Workes to end though slowly they creepe on And that Continuance perfects many things Which seeme at first unlikely to be done It warnes likewise that some Affaires require More Heed then Haste And that the Course we take Should suite as well our Strength as our Desire Else as our Proverbe saith Haste Waste may make And in a Mysticke-sense it seemes to preach Repentance and Amendment unto those Who live as if they liv'd beyond Gods reach Because he long deferres deserved Blowes For though Iust-Vengeance moveth like a Snaile And slowly comes her comming will not faile A Sive of shelter maketh show But ev'ry Storme will through it goe TRANSEAT ILLVSTR. XX. Book 1. SOme Men when for their Actions they procure A likely colour be it nere so vaine Proceede as if their Projects were as sure As when Sound Reason did their Course maintayne And these not much unlike those Children are Who through a Storme advent'ring desp'rately Had rather on their Heads a Sive to beare Then Cov'rings that may serve to keepe them drye For at a distance that perchance is thought A helpfull Shelter and yet proves to those Who neede the same a Toy which profits nought Because each drop of Raâ—ne quite through it goes So they whose foolish Projects for a while Doe promise their Projectors hopefull ends Shall finde them in the Tryall to beguile And that both Shame and Want on them attends Such like is their estate who to appeare Rich-men to others doe with Inward-payne A gladsome out-ward Port desire to
signifie Thâ—se who in Fiery Charriots doe aspire Elijah-like to Immortality Or those Heroicke spirits who unharm'd Have through the Fires of Troubles and Affliction With Vertue and with Innocencie arm'd Walkt onward in the Path-way of Perfection The Fiery-Tryall which like Wood and Hay Consumes the Workes of ev'ry Wicked-one And maketh all their Hopes to fume away Doth purifie what Faithfull-men have done They triumph in the Flames and shall obtaine The glorious Crowne of Endlesse-Happinesse When all that show of Blisse appeareth vaine Which Worldly men have seemed to possesse For though some Sinnes and Follies gilded are And shine like purest Gold and Pretious-Stones This Test will finde of what Allay they were And make them knowne but Counterfeited Ones For in this Fornace all such Wormes expire And none but Vertue liveth in this Fire Hee over all the Starres doth raigne That unto Wisdome can attaine SAPIENS DOMINABITVR ASTRIS ILLVSTR. XXXI Book 1. I Am not of their Minde who thinke the Sun The Moone the Planets and those glorious Lights Which trim the Sphares doe in their Motions run To no more purpose then to please our Sights Nor for distinguishment of Nights and Dayes Or of the Seasons and the Times alone Can I suppose the Hand of God displayes Those many Starres we nightly gaze upon For both by Reason and by Common-sense We know and often feele that from above The Planets have on us an Influence And that our Bodies varie as they move Moreover Holy Writ inferres that these Have some such pow'r ev'n in those Places where It names Orion and the Pleiades Which Starres of much inferiour Nature are Yet hence conclude not therefore that the Minde Is by the Starres constrained to obey Their Influence or so by them inclin'd That by no meanes resist the same we may For though they forme the Bodies temp'rature And though the Minde inclineth after that By Grace another Temper we procure Which guides the Motions of Supposed Fate The Soule of Man is nobler then the Sphaeres And if it gaine the Place which may be had Not here alone on Earth the Rule it beares But is the Lord of all that God hath made Be wise in him and if just cause there bee The Sunne and Moone shall stand and wayt on thee A Princes most ennobling Parts Are Skill in Armes and Love to Arts. EX VTROQVE CAESAR ILLVSTR. XXXII Book 1. RIght blest are they on whom God hath bestowne A King whose Vertues have approved him To be an Ornament unto his Throne And as a Lustre to his Diadem Hee seekes not onely how to keepe in awe His People by those meanes that rightfull are But doth unto himselfe become a Law And by Example Pious Wayes declare He loveth Peace and after it pursues Yet if of Warre a just occasion come Doth nor Bellona's Challenges refuse Nor feare to beat Defyance on his Drum He is as ready also to advance The Lib'rall Arts and from his Lands to drive All false Religion Schisme and Ignorance As other publike profits to contrive And such a Prince is not a Casuall-thing The Glories of a Throne by Chance possessing Nor meerely from his Parents doth he spring But he is rather Gods immediate Blessing If thou desirest such a Prince to be Or to acquire that Worth which may allure Such Princes to vouchsafe some Grace to thee Their Kingly Vertues labour to procure In Military Practices delight Not for a wicked or vaine-glorious end But to maintaine the Cause that is upright Or thy distressed Countrey to defend And strive that thou as excellent mayst bee In Knowledge as thou art in thy Degree True-Lovers Lives in one Heart lye Both Live or both together Dye PERSEQVAR EXSTINCTVÌ„ ILLVSTR. XXXIII Book 1. HEe that shall say he Loves and was againe So well-belov'd that neither Hee nor Shee Suspects each other neither needs to gaine New proofes that they in all Desires agree And yet shall coole againe in their Affection And leave to Love or live till they are Lovers The second-time It some grosse Imperfection In One if not in Both of them discovers It was not Love which did between them grow But rather somewhat like unto the same Which having made a faire deceiving Show Obtain'd a while that honorable Name For False-Affections will together play So lovingly and oft so act those Parts Which reall seeme that for a time they may Appeare the Children of Vnfeigned-Hearts Yea Many-times true Turtles are deceiv'd By counterfeited Passions till their Love Of her true Object findes her selfe bereav'd And after it is forced to remove But where True Love begetteth and enjoyes The proper Object which shee doth desire Nor Time nor Injury the same destroyes But it continues a Perpetuall Fire Like am'â—ous Thisbe to her Pyramus On all occasions it continues true Nor Night nor Danger makes it timorous But through all Peâ—ills it will him pursue Thus both in Life in Death in all estates True Lovers will be true Associates When Two agree in their Desire One Sparke will set them both on Fire FLAMMESCIT VTERQVE ILLVSTR. XXXIV Book 1. THe Westerne-Indians when they want a Fire To warme their naked limbs or dresse their Food At ev'ry need accomplish their Desire By often rubbing of two Stickes of Wood. From whence these Observations we may take First that in them whose Natures gentlest are A long Contention such a Change may make As did before scarce possible appeare Next that when Two in Opposition bee Whose power and strength and Malice is the same Their strugling Hearts but seldome doe agree Till they beget a Selfe-devouring-Flame And thirdly it informes that those chast Fires Which on Loves Altars keepe a Lasting-Heat Are those which in two Hearts two Like-Desires Vpon each other mutually beget Hence therefore learne thou first not to contemne Their Mildnesse who to anger are not prone Lest many wrongs doe stirre up Fires in them And worke thee Mischiefe when thou look'st for none Be wary next though thou thy selfe be strong How with a pow'rfull Foe thou dost contend For they that wrastle in Contention long Will sure beshrew their Madnesse in the end And if to warme thee by Loves Fires thou seeke Thy Peâ—re in Yeares and Manners pray to finde Let both your Aymes and Longings be alike Be one in Faith and Will and one in Minde So you shall reape the fruits of your Desire And warme each other with a kindly Fire He that delights to Plant and Set Makes After-Ages in his Debt POST ERITATI ILLVSTR. XXXV Book 1. WHen I behold the Havocke and the Spoyle Which ev'n within the compasse of my Dayes Is made through every quarter of this I le In Woods and Groves which were this Kingdomes praise And when I minde with how much greedinesse We seeke the present Gaine in every thing Not caring so our Lust we may possesse What Dammage to Posterity we bring They doe me-thinkes as if they did foresee That some of
And round about encircled with a Snake The Childe so pictur'd was to signifie That from our very Birth our Dying springs The Snake her Tatle devouring doth implie The Revolution of all Earthly things For whatsoever hath beginning here Beginnes immediately to vary from The same it was and doth at last appeare What very few did thinke it should become The solid Stone doth molder into Earth That Earth e're long to Water rarifies That Water gives an Airy Vapour birth And thence a Fiery-Comet doth arise That moves untill it selfe it so impaire That from a burning-Meteor backe againe It sinketh downe and thickens into Aire That Aire becomes a Cloud then Drops of Raine Those Drops descending on a Rocky Ground There settle into Earth which more and more Doâ—h harden still so running out the round It growes to be the Stone it was before Thus All things wheele about and each Beginning Made entrance to it owne Destruction hath The Life of Nature entreth in with Sinning And is for ever wayted on by Death The Life of Grace is form'd by Death to Sinne And there doth Life-eternall straight beginne Though very small at first it be A Sprout at length becomes a Tree TANDEM FIT ARBOR ILLVSTR. XLVI Book 1. WEe finde it common but not comely thou That when a good Endeavour is begot Vnlesse at very first it equall grow With our Expectance we regard it not Nor Wit nor Patience have we to conceive That ev'ry thing which may by Man be wrought Proportionable Time and Meanes must have Before it can be to Perfection brought Yet ev'ry day in things of ev'ry kinde Experience hath informed us herein And that in many things a change we finde Which at the first would scarce believ'd have bin For though a Gosling will not prove a Swan Vnruely-Colts become well-trayned Steeds A Silly Childe growes up a Mighty-Man And Lofty-Trees doe Spring from Little Seeds Learne therefore hence that nothing you despise Because it may at first imperfâ—ct seeme And know how all things in some sort to prise Although you give them not the best esteeme From hence moreover learne not to despaire When you have just occasion to pursue A toylesome worke or any great affaire Since all-things at the first from nothing grew And I my selfe will also learne from hence Of all my Paines though little fruits I see Nor to repine nor to receive Offence But rather joy in what befalleth mee For though my Hopes appeare but meanely growne They will be Great when some shall thinke them none When we above the Crosse can rise A Crowne for us prepared lies SVPERATA CRVCE CORONOR ILLVSTR. XLVII Book 1. A Serpent rais'd above the Letter Tau Aspiring to a Crowne is figur'd here From whence a Christian-Morall we may draw Which worth our good-regarding will appeare For by those Characters in briefe I see Which Way we must to Happinesse ascend Then by what Meanes that Path must clymed bee And what Reward shall thereupon attend The Crosse doth shew that Suffring is the Way The Serpent seemes to teach me that if I Will overcome I must not then assay To force it but my selfe thereto applye For by embracing what we shall not shunne We winde about the Crosse till wee arise Above the same and then what Prize is wonne The Crowne which overtops it signifies Let me O God obtaine from thee the Grace To be partaker of thy Blessed Passion Let me with Willingnesse thy Crosse imbrace And share the Comforts of thy Exaltation To beare that Part whereto I doomed am My Heart with Strength and Courage Lord inspire Then Crucifie my Flesh upon the same As much as my Corruption shall require And when by thy Assistance I am rear'd Above that Burthen which lyes yet upon me And over all which justly may be fear'd Shall during Life-time be inflicted on me Among those Blessed-Soules let me be found Which with eternall Glory shall be Crown'd In Death no Difference is made Betweene the Scepter and the Spade MORS SCEPTRA LIGONIBUS AEQVAT ILLVSTR. XLVIII Book 1. LEt no man be so sottish as to dreame Though all Men in their Déath made equall are That therfore they may gather by this Theame That Parity in Life-time fitting were For as the Bodies Members which in Death Have all the like esteeme had their Degrees And Honours differing in time of breath The same in States Discretion comely sees Nor should we hence inferre that it were just To disesteeme the breathlesse Carcasses Of Kings and Princes when they sleepe in Dust For Civill-Reverence is due to these Nor ought we in their Life-time to apply The Truth which by this Emblem is declar'd The Dignities of Men to vilifie Or bring upon their Persons lesse regard That which from hence I rather wish to preach Is this that ev'ry Man of each degree Would marke it so that he himselfe might teach What thoughts and deeds to him most proper be If he be great let him remember then That since nor Wealth nor Title can procure him Exemption from the Doomes of other Men He ought to seeke how Vertue may secure him If he be Poore let him this Comfort take That though awhile he be afflicted here Yet Death â—ay him as fully happy make As hâ— that doth a Crowne Imperiall weare For when his Fatall-blow Death comes to strike He makes the Beggar and the King alike What cannot be by Force attain'd By Leisure and Degrees is gain'd PAVLATIM NON IMPETV ILLVSTR. XLIX Book 1. SOme Foolish Boyes and such a Boy was I When they at Schoole have certaine houres to passe To which they are compell'd unwillingly Much time they spend in shaking of the Glasse Thus what they practise to make-short their stay Prolongs it more for while they seeke to force The Sands to runne more speedily away They interrupt them and they passe the worse Right so in other things with us it fares And seeming wise we act a foolish part For otherwhile what Time alone prepares We seeke to make the subject of an Art Sometimes by Rashnesse we endeavour what We ought with Leisure and Advice to doe But if a good Successe doth follow that Our Wit was nothing helpefull thereunto Sometime againe we prosecute a thing By Violence when our desir'd effect No other meanes so well to passe can bring As Love and Gentlenesse which we neglect But let this Emblem teach us to regard What Way of Working to each Worke pertaines So though some Portion of our Hopes be barr'd We shall not altogether lose our paines Some things are strong and othersome are weake With Labour some and some with Ease be wrought Although the Reed will bend the Kexe will breake And what mends one thing makes another naught Marke this And when much Haste will marre thy Speed That then thou take good Leisure take thou Heed Of Little-Gaines let Care be had For of small Eares great Mowes are made DE PARVIS GRANDIS A
CERVVS ERIT ILLVSTR. L. Book 1. AMong the many Faylings of the Time This Emblem giveth Cause to mention one Which unto me doth seeme the greater Crime Because to many it appeareth none I finde that petty things are so neglected Well nigh of all in Losings and in Winnings As if what ere they thought to have effected Subsisted without Members or Beginnings The Man that loseth every Month a Penny May salve-up Twelve-months Losses with a Shilling But if of other Losses he hath many To save a Pin at length he shall be willing For he that sees his Wine-fill'd Vessell drop Although a Drop in value be but small Should thence Occasion take the Leake to stop Lest many Droppings draine him drye of all Moreover they that will to Greatnesse rise A Course not much unlike to this must keepe They ought not Small-Beginnings to despise Nor strive to runne before they learne to creepe By many single Eares together brought The Hand is fill'd by Handfulls we may gaine A Sheafe with many Sheaves a Barne is fraught Thus oft by Little we doe much obtaine Consider this And though I wish not thee To take of Trifling-things too great a care Yet know thus much for truth it best will bee If all things may be weighed as they are By slender Losses great-ones are begunne By many trifling Gaines much Wealth is wonne FINIS Libri primi THE FIRST LOTTERIE 1 THou dost overmuch respect That which will thy harme effect But some other things there bee Which will more advantage thee Search thy heart and thou shalt there Soone discover what they are Yea thine Emblem showes thee too What to shunne and what to doe 2 It is a little fear'd that you Are to your owne Designes untrue And that if you more constant were You would be richer then you are It may be also wiser too Looke therefore what you are to doe Then follow it and you will say That well advis'd you were to day 3 How rich or poore soe're thou be Thou art a Prince in some degree And o're thy selfe thou shouldst command As doth a Monarch in his Land Within thy Heart therefore ingrave The Lawes that Grace and Nature gave For thus to counsell thee inclines That Emblem which thy Lot assignes 4 Much Liberty thou hast assum'd And heretofore so much presum'd On Time which alway rideth poast That for awhile some Hopes are crost But loe to keepe thee from Despaire And thy Misfortune to repaire Marke what to thee by Lot befell And practise what is counsell'd well 5 Thou seekest Honour to obtaine By meanes which frustrate all thy paine Thy Predecessors rich were made By using of the Plough and Spade Thou honourable wouldst be thought By taking Courses that are naught But if right noble thou wilt be Looke what thine Emblem counsells thee M 6 This Man what ever he may seeme Is worthy of a high esteeme Though Fortune may his person grinde She cannot harme him in his Minde Right blest this Company would be If all of them were such as He. Reade that Impresa which he drew For that in part the same will shew M 7 If some now present this had got They would have blushed at their Lot Since very fit the same doth prove For one that 's either light of Love Or troubled with a fickle Mate If you enjoy a better Fate Yet hearken what your Lot doth say Lest you hereafter need it may 8 For ought that plainely doth appeare You may out-live the longest here Yet seeing now of all this crew The Lot of Death you onely drew See what your Emblem hath injoyn'd And still that Morall beare in minde So Deaths deform'd and ghastly Shade Shall Meanes of Life to thee be made 9 Though you have Wit and know it well That rash you are your Friends can tell Yea Sleepe and Ease possesse you so That some doe feare you 'l sottish grow But lo your hind'rance to prevent This Lot was peradventure sent For in the Moralls that insue Are Counsells fit for such as you 10 You have beene wronged many wayes Yet patient are and that 's your praise Your Actions also seem'd upright Yet some there are that beare you spite Lest therefore you discourag'd grow An Emblem you have drawne to show What other Innocents have borne And how the worlds despites to scorne M 11 Doubtlesse you are either wooing Or some other Bus'nesse doing Which you shall attempt in vaine Or much hazzard all your paine Yet if good your meanings are Doe not honest meanes forbeare For where things are well begunne God oft workes when Man hath done 12 Be not angry if I tell That you love the World too well For this Lot perhaps you drew That such Faults you might eschew Marke to what their Soules aspire Who true Blessednesse desire For if you can doe like those Heav'n you gaine when Earth you lose 13 You love the Rich and honour them The needy person you contemne Yet Wealth nor want of Wealth is that Which wretched makes or fortunate From other Causes those things flow Which since you either doe not know Or heede not much this Emblem came That you might learne to minde the same M 14 Thy Chance is doubtfull and as yet I know not what to say of it But this I know a foe thou art To what thine Emblem hath in part Expressed by a Mimicke Shape Or thou thy selfe art such an Ape Now which of these pertaines to thee Let them that know thee Iudges bee 15 Thy Vertues he may wrong that sayes Thou spend'st thy selfe in wanton wayes But some have thought and sayd of late That those thou lov'st consume thy state Yet spare nor Time nor Substance tho Where them thou oughtest to bestow But to thine Emblem turne and see When Life and Wealth well ventur'd bee 16 Though Troubles you may have or had Enough to make some others mad Yet be content for they that are As weake have had as much to beare And that which Malice did contrive To make them poore hath made them thrive That Emblem which by Lot you drew Prognosticates as much for you 17 Though you suffer blame and paine You at last may Comfort gaine Sharing Honours truely gotten When your Foes are dead and rotten For of this you have a pawne In the Lot that you have drawne And by that it may appeare What your paines and wages are 18 Take you serious heed I pray Whither you doe goe to day Whom you credite and for whom You ingaged shall become And unlesse you wish for Sorrow Be as provident to morrow For there are some traps and Snares Which may take you unawares 19 Your Wit so much you trust upon That weaker Meanes hath yours out-gone Sometime you runne when there is need Of much more Warinesse then Speed But you to God ward worse have err'd And yet Amendment is deferr'd
anothers tongue from whom This Mischiefe unto thee shall come But much the better thou shalt speed If now thine Emblem well thou heed 43 Vnworthy things thou dost affect With somewhat overmuch respect Vnto the World inclining so As if thy Hopes were all below But now to rowse thee from this crime Good Counsell comes in happy time Make use thereof and thinke it not Meere casuall or a needlesse Lot 44 Thou either too much love hast plac't On things that will not alway last Or else thou art a little scar'd Because thy Hopes are long deferr'd Nay thou art touch'd in both of these Thy Profit therefore and thine ease It will effect if well thou minde What in thine Emblem thou shalt finde 45 When thou hast Changes good or bad Ore-joy'd thou art or over-sad As if it seemed very strange To see the Winde or Weather change Lo therefore to remember thee How changeable things Mortall bee Thou art assisted by this Lot Now let it be no more forgot 46 Of thy just Aymes though meanes be slight Thou mayst attaine their wished height Vnlesse thy Folly shall destroy The Weale thou seekest to injoy By thy Despaire or by neglect Of that which may thy Hopes effect For by thine Emblem thou mayst know Great things from small Beginnings grow 47 Thou must have Crosses but they shall To Blessings be converted all And Suffrings will become thy Praise If Wisedome order well thy wayes Yea when thy Crosses ended are A Crowne of Glory thou shalt weare Yet note how this to passe is brought For in thine Emblem it is taught 48 If they who drew this Lot now be Of great Estate or high Degree They shall ere long become as poore As those that beg from doore to doore If poore they be it plaine appeares They shall become great Princes Peeres And in their Emblem they may know What very day it will be so 49 You have attempted many a thing Which you to passe could never bring Not that your Worke was hard to doe But ' cause you us'd wrong Meanes thereto Hereafter therefore learne I pray The Times of Working and the Way And of thine Emblem take thou heed If better thou desire to speed 50 If you to greater Wealth will rise You must not slender Gaine despise Nay if you minde not to be poore You must regard slight Losses more For Wealth and Poverty doe come Not all at once but some and some If this concerne you any wayes See what your Emblem further sayes 51 Your Fortune hath deserved thank That she on you bestowes a Blank For as you nothing good have had So you have nothing that is bad Yea she in this hath favour showne If now your Freedome well be knowne For you by Lot these Emblems mist That you may chuse out which you list 52 You by an Emblem seeke to get What Counsel your Affaires may fit But in particular there 's none Which you by Lot can light upon And why because no Morall there Doth worthy of your Heed appeare No but because you rather need Of ev'ry Emblem to take heed 53 The Starres are now no friends of your Or this is not their lucky houre For at this time unto your Lot They by an Emblem answer not If therefore you desire to know What good advice they will allow Some further Meanes you must assay Or trye your Chance another day 54 You in your secret thoughts despise To thinke an Emblem should advise Or give you cause to minde or heed Those things whereof you may have need And therefore when the Lot you try'd An answer justly was deny'd Yet by your leave there are but few Who need good Counsell more then you 55 In some extreame you often are And shoot too short or else too farre Yea such an errour you were in When for a Lot you mov'd the Pin For one touch more or lesse had layd Our Index where it should have stayd But if you can be warn'd by this To keepe the Meane which oft you misse You have obtain'd as good a Lot As any one this day hath got 56 Among these Emblems none there be Which now by Lot will fall to thee However doe not thou repine For this doth seeme to be a signe That thou thy Portion shalt advance By Vertue not by fickle Chance Yet nerethelesse despise thou not What by good Fortune may be got FINIS A COLLECTION OF EMBLEMES ANCIENT AND MODERNE Quickened VVITH METRICALL ILLVSTRATIONS And disposed into LOTTERIES both Morall and Divine That Jnstruction and Good Counsell may bee furthered by an Honest and Pleasant Recreation By GEORGE WITHER The Second Booke LONDON Printed by AVGVSTINE MATHEVVES MDCXXXIV TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY Prince CHARLES Prince of Wales c. FAir'st Blossome of our hopes and Morning-starre To all these Ilands which inclosed are By Neptunes armes within our Northern cliâ—nes And who wee trust shall rise in future times To be the brightest Light that then will shine Betwixt the Artick-Circle and the LINE To Yov as now you are that I present These EMBLEMS 't is not so impertinent As those may thinke it who have neither seene What of your Cradle-sports hath heeded beene Nor heard how many serious Questionings Your Child-hood frameth out of trifling things And if mine aime I have not much mistooke I come not oversoone with such a Booke So long as in this Infant-Age you are Wherein the speechlesse Portraitures appeare A pleasurefull delight your HIGHNESSE may Among our EMBLEMS finde a Harmelesse-play And those mute Objects will from time to time Still Riper seeme till you to ripenesse clime When their dumb Figures no more sport can make Their Illustrations will begin to speake And ev'ry day new matter still disclose Vntill your Iudgement to perfection growes They likewise who their Services to do Frequent your Presence may have pleasure too From this your Play-game yea and some perchance May cure a Folly or an Ignorance By that which they shall either heare or view In these our Emblems when they wait on You Or shall be called by your EXCELLENCE To try what LOT they shall obtaine from thence It may moreover much increase the sport Which is allowed in a vertuous COVRT When they whose faults have long suspected bin Shall draw forth private Censures of their Sin And heare their EMBLEMS openly display What others dare not but in private say Nor will to Yov the MORALS be in vaine Ev'n when to manly Knowledge you attaine For though to Teach it will not them become To be Remembrancers they may presume And that which in their hild-hood men shall heed Will soonest come to minde in time of need Incourag'd by these Hopes I thought it meet To lay this humble Present at your feet Accept it now and please to favour me When I growe old and You a Man shall be To your Highnesse most humbly devoted GEO WITHER TO THE MOST HIGH-BORNE and
hopefull Prince JAMES Duke of YORKE c. Sweet PRINCE YOur hand I kisse and thus my Lines addresse Vnto your wise and vertuous GOVERNESSE For MADAME as his PROXY it is fit That YOv both Read and answere for him yet To YOv for HIM I therefore tender here To welcome-in the New-beginning Yeare This harmelesse PLAY-GAME that it may have place When somewhat riper Daies shall Make his GRACE Affect such Objects which to looke upon May pleasure yeeld him e're this Yeare be gone 'T is not the least Discretion in great COVRTS To know what Recreations and what Sports Become young PRINCES or to find out those Which may with harmelesse pleasantnesse dispose Their Mindes to VERTVE neither in their Cradles Should this be heeded lesse than in their Sadles Because when first to know we doe begin A small Occasion le ts much Evill in Among those things which both Instruct and please But few for Children are surpassing these For they to looke on Pictures much desire And not to Looke alone but to enquire What things those are that represented be In ev'ry MAP or EMBLEM which they see And that which they shall view or shall be told By meanes of any Figure they behold Experience breedes assisteth Memory Or helps to forme a Witty Fantasie And if those Formes to good Instruction tend Oft steads them also till their lives have end Then since ev'n all of us much Good receive By Vertuous PRINCES And should therefore strive To adde some helpes whereby they might acquire That Excellence which wee in them desire I being able to present his GRACE With nothing but a Rattle or a Glasse Or some such Cradle-play-game bring to day This BOOKE to be as usefull as it may And how and when it will most usefull grow Without my Teaching YOV can fully show For what is of your Ablenesse believ'd Through all these famous Ilands hath receiv'd A large applause in that from out of those Which ablest were both King and State have those Your Faith and Wisedome to be TREASVRESSE Of their chiefe Iewels and the GOVERNESSE Of our prime Hopes And now Iibi have weigh'd Me thinks there needs no more by me he said But having pray'd your HONOVâ— to receive This PRESENT for the DVKE to take my leave And Versifie to him some other day When Hee can understand mee what I say Till then let it please your Honour sometimes to remember Him that I am his Graces daily and humble Oratour GEO WITHER We best shall quiet clamorous Thronges When we our selves can rule our Tongues NEQVEO COMPES CERE MVLTOS ILLVSTR. I. Book 2 WHen I observe the Melanchollie Owles Considering with what patience they sustaine The many clamours of the greater Fowles And how the little Chirpers they disdaine When I remember how their Injuries They sleight who causeles give them an offence Vouchsafing scarce to cast aside their eyes To looke upon that foolish Insolence Me thinkes by their Example I am taught To sleight the slaunders of Injurious Tongues To set the scoffes of Censurers at naught And with a brave neglect to beare out Wrongs Hee doubtles whom the Psalmist long agoe Vnto a lonely Desert-Owle compar'd Did practise thus And when I can doe so I shall for all affronts become prepar'd And though this Doctrine Flesh and blood gaine-say Yet sure to stopp the malice of Despight There is no better nay no other way Since Rage by Opposition gathers Might Good God! vouchsafe sufficient grace and strength That though I have not yet such Patience gott I may attaine this happy gift at length And finde the cause that yet I have it not Though me my Neighbours and my Foes revile Make me of all their words a Patient-bearer When er'e I suffer let me be the while As is the silent Lambe before the Shearer So though my speakings cannot quiet any My Patience may restraine the Tongues of many When wee by Hunger VVisdome gaine Our Guts are wiser then our Braine INGENII LARGITOR VENTER ILLVSTR. II. Book 2 THe Crowe when deepe within a close-mouth'd Pot. She water finds her thirstinesse to slake And knoweth not where else it might be got Her Belly teacheth her this course to take She flies and fetcheth many Pibbles thither Then downe into the Vessell lets them drop Vntill so many stones are brought together As may advance the water to the top From whence we might this observation heed That Hunger Thirst and those necessities Which from the Bellies craving doe proceed May make a Foole grow provident and wise And though in sport we say the braines of some Not in their Heads but in their Gutts doe lye Yet that by wants Men wiser should become Dissenteth not from true Philosophy For no man labours with much Willingnesse To compasse what he nought at all desires Nor seeketh so his longing to possesse As when some urgent neede the same requires Nay though he might a willingnesse retaine Yet as the Belly which is ever full Breeds fumes that cause a sottish-witles-braine So plenteous Fortunes make the Spirits dull All borne to Riches have not all-times witt To keepe much lesse to better their degree But men to nothing borne oft passage get Through many wants renown'd and rich to bee Yea Povertie and Hunger did produce The best Inventions and of chiefest use Though Musicke be of some abhor'd She is the Handmaid of the Lord. QVI ME ALIT ME EXTINGVIT ILLVSTR. III. Book 2 TO Musicke and the Muses many beare Much hatred and to whatsoever ends Their Soule-delighting-Raptures tuned are Such peevish dispositions it offends Some others in a Morall way affect Their pleasing Straines or for a sensuall use But in Gods Worship they the same suspect Or taxe it rather as a great abuse The First of these are full of Melancholy And Pitty need or Comfort more then blame And soone may fall into some dangerous folly Vnlesse they labour to prevent the same The Last are giddie-things that have befool'd Their Iudgements with beguiling-Fantasies Which if they be not by discretion fchool'd Will plunge them into greater Vanities For Musicke is the Handmaid of the LORD And for his Worship was at first ordayned Yea therewithall she fitly doth accord And where Devotion thriveth is reteyned Shee by a nat'rall power doth helpe to raise The mind to God when joyfull Notes are founded And Passions fierce Distemperatures alaies When by grave Tones the Mellody is bounded It also may in Mysticke-sense imply What Musicke in our-selves ought still to be And that our jarring-lives to certifie Wee should in Voice in Hand and Heart agree And sing out Faiths new-songs with full concent Vnto the Lawes ten-stringed Instrument Marke what Rewards to Sinne are due And learne upriâ—â—tnesse to pursue DISCITE IVSTICIAM ILLVSTR. IIII. Book 2 A Sword unsheathed and a strangling-Snare Is figur'd here which in dumbe-shewes doe preach Of what the Malefactor should beware And they doe threaten too aswell as Teach For some there
five hundred Marks decrease Through that which for my profit was bestowne And I ere this had wholly been undone But that the Wealth which I relie on most Consists in things which never can be lost Yet by this Losse I have Occasions had To feele why other men are often sad And I who blushed to be troublesome To any Friend therby almost am come To such a passe that what I wish to have I should grow impudent enough to Crave Had not impartiall Death and wasting Time Of all my Friends quite worne away the Prime And left mee none to whom I dare present The meanest suite withom encouragement Although the greatest Boone I would implore Should cost them but a Word or little more Yet some there are no doubt for whose respect I might endeavour with no vaine effect Had I but cause to have as high esteeme Of mine owne Merits as I have of them And if your Honour should be so inclin'd As I desire I now am sure to finde Another Pembrooke by whose ayde sustain'd I may preserve what by the Last I gain'd To make adventure how it will succeed I now am come And lo my LORD insteed Of better Advocates I first begin Mine EMBLEMS by these Lines to Vsher in That they by their admittance may effect For Mee and for themselves your kinde respect That which in them best Worthy you shall find Is this that they are Symptomes of a Minde Affecting honestie and of a Heart So truly honouring a true desert That I am hopefull made they will acquire As much respect as I can well desire And SIR your Candor your knowne Courtesies With other praisefull Vertues make mee rise To this Beliefe that YOV by fav'ring mee Hereafter may as highly honour'd be As by some former Bounties and encrease My Future Merit by your Worthinesse However what I am or shall be knowne To Bee by Your Deservings or mine owne You may command it and be sure to finde Though false my Fortunes prove a Faithfull Mind Thus unfainedly professeth Your Honours truest Honourer GEO WITHER TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE HENRIE Earle of HOLLAND c. Captaine of the Guard Lord-chiefe-Iustice in Eyre of all his Majesties Forrests Parkes and Chases on this side Trent Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter and one of his Majesties most Honourable Privie Counsell Right Noble SIR HAving of late some Cause to overlooke That thankfull Register wherein I booke My noblest Friends I found so many Names Possessing nothing but their honour'd Fames Whose living Persons wee injoyed here A while agoe that I began to feare I might grow Friendlesse having now so few Vnlesse I sought their Number to renew By some Disasters also gaining proofe How much this Course would make for my behoofe I call'd my Wits to Counsell Where and How I might with hopefulnesse begin to sow The seeds of such a Blessing And me thought Within mee something said Where should be sought What thou so gladly wouldst renewed finde But from some BRANCHES of the selfe-same kinde Whose faire Aspects may seeme to promise fruit According to the Virtues of the Roote Assoone as Fancie had inform'd me so Your Lordship came to my remembrance too With what our Soveraigne's Favour Vulgar Fame Or your owne Merits addeth to your Name Which having weigh'd no doubts at all I had Of Worth in YOV But rather doubtings made That all my Wits would insufficient be To make that Worth become a Friend to mee For I have oft observ'd that Favour shunnes The best Desert if after her it runnes Yet who can tell what may befall thought I It is no great Adventure if I try Without successe And if I gaine my End I am assured of a Noble-Friend His honourable FATHER deem'd mee worth So much respecting as to seeke me forth When I was more Obscure And MEE for nought 〈…〉 to Befriend mee forth HEE sought 〈◊〉 wherefore of his SONNE should I suspect 〈◊〉 seeking HIM hee can my love reject 〈◊〉 Couâ—tesie doth alwaies there abound 〈◊〉 such a lovely Personage is found My LORD these were my Fancies But I take them To be of no more worth than you shall make them By your Acceptance Nor is' t my intent To Court you with a fruitlesse Complement But to attempt your Favour with a mind As readily and really inclinde To serve you when my services may steed As to expect your Favours in my need For had my Fates enabled me so much I should more willingly have sought out such On whom I Courtesies might have bestowne Than seeke to cure Misfortunes of mine owne No doubt but every day your Lordship heares Inventions which may better please your eares Than these I now present And yet you might For ought I knew finde profit or delight By our plaine EMBLEMS or some uses in them Which from your Honour some respects may win them Ev'n for that good Moralitie which they To Vulgar Vnderstandings will convay But Truth to speake the chiefest cause which drew My minde to make them PRESENTS for your view Was but to take Occasion to professe That I am Servant to your WORTHINESSE In which if YOV are pleased All is got At which I aym'd And though you like it not It shall but teach Mee for the time to come To take more heed where I am troublesome And I shall be neverthelesse your Honours to be commanded as becommeth your Servant GEO WITHER Whil'st I the Sunne 's bright Face may view I will no meaner Light pursue NON INFERIORA SECUTUS ILLVSTR. I. Book 4 WHen with a serious musing I behold The gratefull and obsequious Marigold How duely ev'ry morning she displayes Her open brest when Titan spreads his Rayes How she observes him in his daily walke Still bending towards him her tender stalke How when he downe declines she droopes and mournes Bedow'd as 't were with teares till he returnes And how the vailes her Flow'rs when he is gone As if she scorned to be looked on By an infâ—riour Eye or did contemne To wayt upon a meaner Light then Him When this I meditate me-thinkes the Flowers Have spirits farre more generous then ours And give us faire Examples to despise The servile Fawnings and Idolatries Wherewith we court these earthly things below Which merit not the service we bestow But oh my God! though groveling I appeare Vpon the Ground and have a rooting here Which hales me downward yet in my desire To that which is above mee I aspire And all my best Affections I professe To Him that is the Sunne of Righteousnesse Oh! keepe the Morning of his Incarnation The burning Noone-tide of his bitter Passion The Night of his Descending and the Height Of his Ascension ever in my sight That imitating him in what I may I never follow an inferiour Way The Earth is God's and in his Hands Are all the Corners of the Lands IN MANU DOMINI OMNES SUNT FINES TERRAE ILLVSTR. II. Book 4 LOng since the sacred Hebrew