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 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
2
The meaning of the Frontispice.
A trumpet sounds a parlee to this Isle,
And, over it, a Hand displayes, the while,
A Flag of Peace; that, this new Signe at doore,
May draw you in, to view a little more.
We hung it forth, that these besotted Nations
May heed the season of their Visitations;
And, grow more carefull to conforme their wayes
To what this VOICE, and their known Duty, sayes:
Though, yet, the most, our words no more have mark'd,
Then if a Cat had meaw'd, or Dog had bark'd.
And, over it, a Hand displayes, the while,
A Flag of Peace; that, this new Signe at doore,
May draw you in, to view a little more.
We hung it forth, that these besotted Nations
May heed the season of their Visitations;
And, grow more carefull to conforme their wayes
To what this VOICE, and their known Duty, sayes:
Though, yet, the most, our words no more have mark'd,
Then if a Cat had meaw'd, or Dog had bark'd.
You see the building; you have seen the Signe;
And, if it pleaseth you, may tast our Wine.
You view the Type, and Title, of the Play,
Our Argument, and where the Scœne we lay;
And, that, for which the Maker dearer paid,
May, when you please, for little be survai'd;
Ev'n for as little as you thinke it worth,
When he, at that low rate, can set it forth:
And, that we offer no unwholsome Wares,
Our Licence, and our Priviledge, declares.
And, if it pleaseth you, may tast our Wine.
You view the Type, and Title, of the Play,
Our Argument, and where the Scœne we lay;
And, that, for which the Maker dearer paid,
May, when you please, for little be survai'd;
Ev'n for as little as you thinke it worth,
When he, at that low rate, can set it forth:
And, that we offer no unwholsome Wares,
Our Licence, and our Priviledge, declares.
Neglect not courtesies, when few are done;
Nor Opportunities, till they are gone:
Nor doubt your usage, though abroad you heare,
Our Authour, in reproving, is austere:
For, they who bring a well-composed minde,
In his most harsh reproofs, will mildnesse finde:
And, none have been his Adversaries, yet,
But, they, who wanted honesty, or wit.
Nor Opportunities, till they are gone:
Nor doubt your usage, though abroad you heare,
Our Authour, in reproving, is austere:
For, they who bring a well-composed minde,
In his most harsh reproofs, will mildnesse finde:
And, none have been his Adversaries, yet,
But, they, who wanted honesty, or wit.
When his owne failings have to him appear'd,
Himselfe no more then others he hath spar'd;
And, did, what, he supposeth, him became.
Let ev'ry Reader strive to do the same,
And shortly, here, in substance will be seen,
What, in this Embleme, hath but shadow'd been.
Himselfe no more then others he hath spar'd;
And, did, what, he supposeth, him became.
Let ev'ry Reader strive to do the same,
And shortly, here, in substance will be seen,
What, in this Embleme, hath but shadow'd been.
3
![illustration](https://iiif.lib.virginia.edu/iiif/uva-lib:464425/full/!1600,1600/0/default.jpg")
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |