 | Poems and Songs |  |
64
An Explanation of an EMBLEM
Seest thou those Rays, the Light 'bove them?And that gay thing the Diadem?
The Wheel and Balance, which are ty'd
To th' Gold, black Clouds on either side?
Seest thou the winged Trumpetters withal,
That kick the World's blew tottering Ball?
The flying Globe, the Glass thereon,
Those fragments of a Skeleton?
The Bays, the Palms, the Fighting men,
And written Scroul?—Come tell me then,
Did thy o're-curious eye e're see
An apter Scheme of Misery?
65
To that bald Scull, to those Cross Bones?
What mean those Braves (whom we adore)
To stain the Earth with purple gore?
Sack stately Towns, silk Banners spread,
Gallop their Coursers o're the Dead?
Far more than this? and all to sway
But till those sands shall glide away.
For when the Bubble World shall fly
With stretch'd-out Plumes, when the brisk eye
Shall close with anguish, sink with tears,
And th' Angels Trumpets pierce our ears,
What's haughty Man, or those fine things,
Which Heaven calls Men, though Men stile Kings?
Vain World adieu! and farewel fond renown!
Give me the Glory, that's above the Crown!
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