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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 | A Collection of Emblemes |  |
A WRIT OF PREVENTION Concerning the Avthors Dedication of the foure following Bookes, to those Royall, Princely, and Illustrious Personages, whose Names are mentioned in this Leafe.
I have not often us'd, with Epigrames,
Or, with Inscriptions unto many Names,
To charge my Bookes: Nor, had I done it, now,
If I, to pay the Duties which I owe,
Had other meanes; Or, any better Wayes
To honour them, whose Vertue merits praise.
Or, with Inscriptions unto many Names,
To charge my Bookes: Nor, had I done it, now,
If I, to pay the Duties which I owe,
Had other meanes; Or, any better Wayes
To honour them, whose Vertue merits praise.
In ARCHITECT, it giveth good content,
(And passeth for a praisefull Ornament)
If, to adorne the FORE-FRONTS, Builders reare
The Statues of their Soveraigne-Princes, there;
And, trimme the Outsides, of the other Sqvares
With Portraitures of some Heroicke PEERES.
(And passeth for a praisefull Ornament)
If, to adorne the FORE-FRONTS, Builders reare
The Statues of their Soveraigne-Princes, there;
And, trimme the Outsides, of the other Sqvares
With Portraitures of some Heroicke PEERES.
If, therefore, I (the more to beautifie
This Portion of my Mvses Gallerie)
Doe, here, presume to place, the NAMES of those
To whose Deserts, my Love remembrance owes,
I hope 'twill none offend. For, most, who see
Their worthy mention, in this Booke, to bee,
Will thinke them honor'd: And, perhaps, it may
(To their high praise) be found, another day,
That, in these Leaves their Names wil stand unrac'd,
When many fairer STRVCTVRES, are defac'd.
This Portion of my Mvses Gallerie)
Doe, here, presume to place, the NAMES of those
To whose Deserts, my Love remembrance owes,
I hope 'twill none offend. For, most, who see
Their worthy mention, in this Booke, to bee,
Will thinke them honor'd: And, perhaps, it may
(To their high praise) be found, another day,
That, in these Leaves their Names wil stand unrac'd,
When many fairer STRVCTVRES, are defac'd.
| A Collection of Emblemes | |