Emblemes (1635) and Hieroglyphikes (1638) :: :: University of Virginia Library

'Tis but a Foyle at best; And that's the most
Your skill can boast:
My slippry footing fail'd me; and you tript,
Just as I slipt:
My wanton weaknesse did her selfe betray
With too much play:
I was too bold: He never yet stood sure,
That stands secure:
Who ever trusted to his native strength,
But fell at length?
The Title's craz'd, the Tenour is not good,
That claimes by th'evidence of flesh and Blood.

2

Boast not thy skill; The Righteous man fals oft,
Yet fals but soft:
There may be dirt to mire him; but, no stones,
To crush his bones:
What, if he staggers? Nay, put case he be
Foyl'd on his knee;
That very knee will bend to heav'n, and woo
For mercy too.
The true-bred Gamster ups a fresh; and then,
Falls to't agen;
Whereas the leaden-hearted Coward lies,
And yeelds his conquer'd life; or cravend dies.

3

Boast not thy Conquest; thou, that ev'ry houre,
Fals ten times lower;
Nay, hast not pow'r to rise, if not, in case,
To fall more base:
Thou wallow'st where I slip; and thou dost tumble,
Where I did but stumble:
Thou glory'st in thy slav'ries dirty Badges,
And fal'st for wages:
Sowre griefe, and sad repentance scowres and cleares
My staines with teares;
Thy falling keeps thy falling still in ure;
But when I slip, I stand the more secure.

4

LORD what a nothing is this little Span,
We call a Man!
What fenny trash maintaines the smooth'ring fires
Of his desires!
How sleight and short are his Resolves at longest!
How weake, at strongest!
O if a Sinner, held by thy fast hand
Can hardly stand,
Good GOD! in what a desp'rate case are they
That have no stay!
Mans state implies a necessary Curse;
When not himselfe, hee's mad; when most himself, hee's worse.

S. AMBROS. in Serm. ad vincula.

Peter stood more firmely after he had lamented his fall, than before he fell: Insomuch that he found more grace than he lost grace.

S. CHRYS. in Ep. ad Heliod. monach.

It is no such heinous matter to fall, afflicted; as, being downe, to lie dejected: It is no danger for a souldier to receive a wound in battell; but after the wound received, through despaire of recovery, to refuse a Remedy; For we often see wounded Champions weare the Palme at last, and after flight, crown'd with victory.

EPIGRAM 14

[Triumph not, Cupid, His mischance does show]

Triumph not, Cupid, His mischance does show
Thy Trade; does once, what thou dost alwayes do:
Brag not too soone: Has thy prevailing hand
Foyl'd him? Ah, Foole, Th'ast taught him how to stand.