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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 | A Collection of Emblemes |  |
223
Illvstr. XV
[The Gift of Kingdomes, Children, and good-Wives]
The King, his pow'r from God receives:
For, hee alone the Scepter gives.
For, hee alone the Scepter gives.
The Gift of Kingdomes, Children, and good-Wives,
Are three of God's most choice Prerogatives,
In temp'rall Blessings; and, of all these three,
The gifts of Kingdomes, his rar'st Favours bee:
For, in five hundred Millions, there's not one,
Whom this high Honour is conferr'd upon;
Nor is there any knowne Estate on earth,
(Whereto wee come, by Merit, or by Birth)
Which can, to any man assurance bring,
That, hee shall either live, or die a King.
The Morning-Starre, that's Heire unto a Crowne,
Oft sets, before the shining-Sunne is downe;
And, some, that once a glorious Empire swayd,
Did lose their Kingdomes, e're their heads were layd.
Are three of God's most choice Prerogatives,
In temp'rall Blessings; and, of all these three,
The gifts of Kingdomes, his rar'st Favours bee:
For, in five hundred Millions, there's not one,
Whom this high Honour is conferr'd upon;
Nor is there any knowne Estate on earth,
(Whereto wee come, by Merit, or by Birth)
Which can, to any man assurance bring,
That, hee shall either live, or die a King.
The Morning-Starre, that's Heire unto a Crowne,
Oft sets, before the shining-Sunne is downe;
And, some, that once a glorious Empire swayd,
Did lose their Kingdomes, e're their heads were layd.
The greatest earthly Monarch hath no powre,
To keepe his Throne one minute of an houre,
(Vse all the meanes, and policies hee can)
If God will give it to another man.
Hee, when Belshazzar was in high'st estate,
His Kingdome to the Persians did translate.
King Saul, and Rehoboam, could not stay
The Royalties, which God would give away;
And, Hee that was the proudest of the rest,
God, changed from a King, into a Beast.
To keepe his Throne one minute of an houre,
(Vse all the meanes, and policies hee can)
If God will give it to another man.
Hee, when Belshazzar was in high'st estate,
His Kingdome to the Persians did translate.
King Saul, and Rehoboam, could not stay
The Royalties, which God would give away;
And, Hee that was the proudest of the rest,
God, changed from a King, into a Beast.
Nor is there any man so meane, but hee,
When God shall please, an Emperour may bee.
Some, from the Pot kilne, from the Sheep cote, some,
Hee raised hath, great Princes to become:
Yea, hee o're heav'n and earth, hath rear'd his Throne,
That was on earth, the most despised one.
When God shall please, an Emperour may bee.
Some, from the Pot kilne, from the Sheep cote, some,
Hee raised hath, great Princes to become:
Yea, hee o're heav'n and earth, hath rear'd his Throne,
That was on earth, the most despised one.
| A Collection of Emblemes | |