A Collection of Emblemes Ancient and Moderne: Quickened VVith Metricall Illvstrations, both Morall and Divine: And disposed into Lotteries, That Instruction, and Good Counsell, may bee furthered by an Honest and Pleasant Recreation. By George Wither |
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Illvstr. XXXVI.
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 | A Collection of Emblemes |  |
36
Illvstr. XXXVI.
[The Estridge (though with many Feathers trimm'd]
To Have, and not to Vse the same;
Is not our Glory, but our Shame.
Is not our Glory, but our Shame.
The
Estridge (though with many Feathers trimm'd,
And deckt with goodly Plumes of no meane size)
Is so unwieldy, and so largely limb'd,
That, up into the Aire he cannot rise.
And, though in Wings and Feathers, he appeares
A goodly Fowle, and beares his Head so high,
As if he could oretop the lower Sphæres;
And, farre above the towring Eagles flie;
So uselesse are those Feathers, and those Wings,
To gaine him Name among their aiery Race;
That, he must walke with such Inferiour things,
As in this Common-Region, have their place.
And deckt with goodly Plumes of no meane size)
Is so unwieldy, and so largely limb'd,
That, up into the Aire he cannot rise.
And, though in Wings and Feathers, he appeares
A goodly Fowle, and beares his Head so high,
As if he could oretop the lower Sphæres;
And, farre above the towring Eagles flie;
So uselesse are those Feathers, and those Wings,
To gaine him Name among their aiery Race;
That, he must walke with such Inferiour things,
As in this Common-Region, have their place.
Such Fowles as these, are that Gay-plumed-Crew,
Which (to high place and Fortunes being borne)
Are men of goodly worth, in outward view;
And, in themselves, deserve nought els but scorne.
For, though their Trappings, their high-lifted Eyes,
Their Lofty Words, and their Much-feared Pow'rs,
Doe make them seeme Heroicke, Stout, and Wise,
Their Hearts are oft as fond, and faint as ours.
Such Animals as these, are also those
That Wise, and Grave, and Learned Men doe seeme
In Title, Habit, and all Formall showes;
Yet, have nor Wit, nor Knowledge, worth esteeme.
Which (to high place and Fortunes being borne)
Are men of goodly worth, in outward view;
And, in themselves, deserve nought els but scorne.
For, though their Trappings, their high-lifted Eyes,
Their Lofty Words, and their Much-feared Pow'rs,
Doe make them seeme Heroicke, Stout, and Wise,
Their Hearts are oft as fond, and faint as ours.
Such Animals as these, are also those
That Wise, and Grave, and Learned Men doe seeme
In Title, Habit, and all Formall showes;
Yet, have nor Wit, nor Knowledge, worth esteeme.
And, lastly, such are they; that, having got
Wealth, Knowledge, and those other Gifts, which may
Advance the Publike-Good, yet, use them not;
But Feede, and Sleepe, and laze their time away.
He, may be but a Goose, which weares the Quill;
But, him we praise, that useth it with Skill.
Wealth, Knowledge, and those other Gifts, which may
Advance the Publike-Good, yet, use them not;
But Feede, and Sleepe, and laze their time away.
He, may be but a Goose, which weares the Quill;
But, him we praise, that useth it with Skill.
| A Collection of Emblemes | |