A choice of emblemes, and other devises For the moste part gathered out of sundrie writers, Englished and Moralized. And divers newly devised, by Geffrey Whitney. A worke adorned with varietie of matter, both pleasant and profitable: Wherein those that please, maye finde to fit their fancies: Bicause herein, by the office of the eie, and the eare, the minde maye reape dooble delighte throughe holsome preceptes, shadowed with pleasant deuises: both fit for the vertuous, to their incoraging: and for the wicked, for their admonishing and amendment |
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Insignia poētarum.
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 | A choice of emblemes, and other devises |  |
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Insignia poētarum.
Ad Nobiliss. & doctiss. virum Dn. Ianvm Dovsam
A Noortwiick.
The Martiall Captaines ofte, do marche into the fielde,
With Egles, or with Griphins fierce, or Dragons, in theire shielde.
But Phœbus sacred birde, let Poëttes moste commende.
Who, as it were by skill deuine, with songe forshowes his ende.
And as his tune delightes: for rarenes of the same.
So they with sweetenes of theire verse, shoulde winne a lasting name.
And as his colour white: Sincerenes doth declare.
So Poëttes must bee cleane, and pure, and must of crime beware.
For which respectes the Swanne, should in theire Ensigne stande.
No forren fowle, and once suppos'de kinge of Ligvria Lande.
Cura ducum fuerant olim, regumque poëtæ,
Præmiaque antiqui magna tulere chori.
Sanctaque maiestas, & erat venerabile nomen
Vatibus, & largæ sæpè dabantur opes.
Ennius emeruit Calabris in montibus ortus,
Contiguus poni Scipio magne tibi,
Nunc ederæ sine honore iacent: operataque doctis
Cura vigil Musis, nomen inertis habet.
Sed famam vigilare iuuat, quis nosset Homerum
Ilias æternum si latuisset opus.
Ouid. 3. Art. amandi.
| A choice of emblemes, and other devises | |