Emblems With elegant figures newly published. By J. H. [i.e. John Hall] |
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| 5. | [What doe I here? what's Beauty? 'lasse] |
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 | Emblems With elegant figures |  |
97
[What doe I here? what's Beauty? 'lasse]
In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up: in the evening it is cut down and withereth.
Psal. 90. 6.
1
What doe I here? what's Beauty? 'lasseHow doth it passe?
As flowers as soon as smelled at
Evaporate,
Even so this shaddow, ere our eyes
Can view it, flies.
2
What's colour? 'lasse the sullen NightCan it affright:
A Rose can more vermilion speake,
Then any cheeke;
A richer white on Lillies stands,
Then any hands.
3
Then what's that worth, when any FlowerIs worth far more?
How constant's that which needs must die
When day doth fly?
Glow-wormes can lend some petty light
To gloomy night.
4
And what's proportion? wee descryThat in a flie.
98
Red clay at best.
And what's an Eye? an Eaglets are
More strong by farre.
5
Who can that specious nothing heed,Which flies exceed?
Who would his frequent kisses lay
On painted clay?
Wh'ould not if eyes affection move
Young Eaglets love?
6
Is Beauty thus? then who would lieLove-sicke and die?
And's wretched self annihilate
For knowes not what?
And with such sweat and care invade
A very shade?
7
Even he that knows not to possesseTrue happinesse,
But has some strong desires to try
What's misery,
And longs for teares, oh He will prove
One fit for love.
99
Epigram 5.
In vain, fond man, thou dost an altar rearTo such a brittle deity: forbear
Inconstant beauty constantly to woe:
To this frail state, not love, but pitty's due.
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