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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Biuium virtutis & vitij.
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 | A choice of emblemes, and other devises |  |
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Biuium virtutis & vitij.
When Hercvles, was dowtfull of his waie,
Inclosed rounde, with vertue, and with vice:
With reasons firste, did vertue him assaie,
The other, did with pleasures him entice:
They longe did striue, before he coulde be wonne,
Till at the lengthe, Alcides thus begonne.
Inclosed rounde, with vertue, and with vice:
With reasons firste, did vertue him assaie,
The other, did with pleasures him entice:
They longe did striue, before he coulde be wonne,
Till at the lengthe, Alcides thus begonne.
Oh pleasure, thoughe thie waie bee smoothe, and faire,
And sweete delightes in all thy courtes abounde:
Yet can I heare, of none that haue bene there,
That after life, with fame haue bene renoum'de:
For honor hates, with pleasure to remaine,
Then houlde thy peace, thow wastes thie winde in vaine.
And sweete delightes in all thy courtes abounde:
Yet can I heare, of none that haue bene there,
That after life, with fame haue bene renoum'de:
For honor hates, with pleasure to remaine,
Then houlde thy peace, thow wastes thie winde in vaine.
But heare, I yeelde oh vertue to thie will,
And vowe my selfe, all labour to indure,
For to ascende the steepe, and craggie hill,
The toppe whereof, whoe so attaines, is sure
For his rewarde, to haue a crowne of fame:
Thus Hercvles, obey'd this sacred dame.
And vowe my selfe, all labour to indure,
For to ascende the steepe, and craggie hill,
The toppe whereof, whoe so attaines, is sure
For his rewarde, to haue a crowne of fame:
Thus Hercvles, obey'd this sacred dame.
| A choice of emblemes, and other devises | |