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 |
 |
| 1. |
| 2. |
Aureæ compedes.
|
 | A choice of emblemes, and other devises |  |
202
Aureæ compedes.
To G. M. Esquier.
It better is (wee say) a cotage poore to houlde,
Then for to lye in prison stronge, with fetters made of goulde.
Which shewes, that bondage is the prison of the minde:
And libertie the happie life, that is to man assign'de.
And thoughe that some preferre their bondage, for their gaines:
And richely are adorn'd in silkes, and preste with massie chaines.
Yet manie others liue, that are accompted wise:
Who libertie doe chiefely choose, thoughe clad in gounes of frise,
And waighe not Pompeys porte, nor yet Lvcvllvs fate:
So that they may adorne their mindes, they well contented are.
Yea, rather doe accepte his dwelling in the tonne,
And for to liue with Codrvs cates: a roote, and barly bonne.
Where freedome they inioye, and vncontrolled liue:
Then with the chiefest fare of all, attendance for to geue.
And, if I should bee ask'd, which life doth please mee beste:
I like the goulden libertie, let goulden bondage reste.
| A choice of emblemes, and other devises | |