University of Virginia Library

The Explanation of the Embleme.

This little Embleme here doth represent,
The blest condition, of a man content.
The Place he lyes on, is a mighty Rocke:
To shew that he contemnes and makes a mocke
Of Force, or Vnderminers. We expresse,
What others thinke him, by his Nakednesse.
His Mantle with Hearts-ease ywrought, doth show,
What He, doth of his owne well-being know.
The Pillar, on whose Base, his head doth rest;
Hath Fortitude and Constancie exprest.
The Cornu-Copia that so neere him lyes;
Declares, that He enough hath to suffice:
And that he can be pleas'd, with what the Fields,
Or what the fruitfull Tree, by Nature yeelds.
That pleasant Prospective, in which you see,
Groves, Rivers, Laundes, and Palaces there be;
Lyes farre below Him; and is that, in which
The truest happy Man is seldome rich.
The words, NEC HABEO, he doth there bestow
And what he meanes, doth with his finger show.
Above him hover Angels, and his Eye,
He fixing, on the glorious Heavens on high;
(From whence a Ray into his brest descends)
His other word, NEC CAREO, thither sends:
To intimate, that He can nothing need,
Whom Angels guard, and God himselfe doth feed:
By force, or slye Temptations, to prevaile
Both Temporall, and Ghostly Foes assaile,
His naked person' but without a wound,
Their Darts are broake; or, backe on them rebound.
So with NEC CVRO, Those he entertaines:
And to expresse, how highly He disdaines
The best Contents, the World affoord him may;
A Globe Terrestriall he doth spurne away.