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A Collection of Emblemes

Ancient and Moderne: Quickened VVith Metricall Illvstrations, both Morall and Divine: And disposed into Lotteries, That Instruction, and Good Counsell, may bee furthered by an Honest and Pleasant Recreation. By George Wither

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Illvstr. XX.
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154

Illvstr. XX.

[Looke here, and marke (her sickly birds to feed)]

Our Pelican, by bleeding, thus,
Fulfill'd the Law, and cured Vs.

Looke here, and marke (her sickly birds to feed)
How freely this kinde Pelican doth bleed.
See, how (when other Salves could not be found)
To cure their sorrowes, she, her selfe doth wound;
And, when this holy Emblem, thou shalt see,
Lift up thy soule to him, who dy'd for thee.
For, this our Hieroglyphick would expresse
That Pelican, which in the Wildernesse
Of this vast World, was left (as all alone)
Our miserable Nature to bemone;
And, in whose eyes, the teares of pitty stood,
When he beheld his owne unthankfull Brood
His Favours, and his Mercies, then, contemne,
When with his wings he would have brooded them:
And, sought their endlesse peace to have confirm'd,
Though, to procure his ruine, they were arm'd.
To be their Food, himselfe he freely gave;
His Heart was pierc'd, that he their Soules might save.
Because, they disobey'd the Sacred-will,
He, did the Law of Righteousnesse fulfill;
And, to that end (though guiltlesse he had bin)
Was offred, for our Vniversall-sinne.
Let mee Oh God! for ever, fixe mine eyes
Vpon the Merit of that Sacrifize:
Let me retaine a due commemoration
Of those deare Mercies, and that bloudy Passion,
Which here is meant; and, by true Faith, still, feed
Vpon the drops, this Pelican did bleed;
Yea, let me firme unto thy Law abide,
And, ever love that Flocke, for which he dy'd.