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Emblems Divine, Moral, Natural and Historical

Expressed in Sculpture, and Applied to the several Ages, Occasions, and Conditions of the Life of Man. By a person of Quality

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EMBLEM XIX. Know when ye are well.
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37

EMBLEM XIX. Know when ye are well.

To Flatterers.
Sicilian Dionysius had a slave,
That him to flatter, would say what he'd have;
Democles was he call'd; whom to repay,
That he should King't a while the King gave way.
In Royal Robes straightway he's Prince-like clad,
And for his Seat a Royal Throne he had:
Great Peers and Nobles did on him attend;
The dainties of his Table had no end.
His Bed of gold, whose Coverings costly are,
And all his Furniture is rich and rare:
Melodious Airs his ears do entertain,
And everywhere Perfumes refresh his brain.
Now to the height of state and glory brought,
One askt him what of this fine life he thought:
Who answered, It is the onely heaven,
No life like this to mortals can be given.
But set in's Throne, just ore his head he spy'd
A Sword (point downward) to a hair was ty'd;
Which having seen, he with distracted minde,
In mirth or meats no joy or sweet could finde.
Then humbly pray'd the King him to restore
To the same state wherein he was before;
And that he to his pomp would put an end,
Since on the same such danger did attend.