Flamma sine Fumo or, poems without fictions. Hereunto are annexed the Causes, Symptoms, or Signes of several Diseases with their Cures, and also the diversity of Urines, with their Causes in Poetical measure. By R. W. [i.e. Rowland Watkyns] |
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The prosperity of the wicked. |
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Flamma sine Fumo | ||
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The prosperity of the wicked.
Ut paupertas bonorum est beata, sic prosperitas impiorum est maledicta.
Sometimes the wicked flourish like the bay,
Which still keeps green, when better trees decay.
Have you observ'd, how little streams do swell,
And rise above their banks, and then have fell,
And sunk into their Channels? so we know,
Base men have risen high, then fallen low:
That Kingdom is in an unhappy case,
Where Cedars fall, and shrubs possess their place:
With joy and pleasure Upstarts climb the hill,
Again they tumble down against their will:
Those men do much mistake, who only measure
A Christians welfare by his worldly treasure:
An Angel hath no gold, no beasts, nor land,
And yet he is not poor; his wealth doth stand
In better things: although the just mans store
Is small; he hath enough, and needs no more
God doth his grace instead of wealth impart,
And with contentment doth enrich his heart.
The bad mans wealth with discontent doth dwell,
His heaven is but intermixt with hell;
Be not in love with gold: a golden purse
Is without grace no blessing, but a curse.
Flamma sine Fumo | ||