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 |
 |
 | A Collection of Emblemes |  |
9
Illvstr. IX.
[An Owle (the Hieroglyphicke us'd for Night)]
Before thou bring thy Workes to Light,
Consider on them, in the Night.
Consider on them, in the Night.
An
Owle (the Hieroglyphicke us'd for Night)
Twixt Mercury and Pallas, here takes place,
Vpon a crown'd Caduceus fixt upright;
And, each a Cornucopia doth imbrace.
Through which darke Emblem, I this Light perceive;
That, such as would the Wit and Wealth acquire,
Which may the Crowne of approbation have,
Must wake by Night, to compasse their desire.
For, this Mercurian-Wand, doth Wit expresse;
The Cornu-copia, Wealthinesse implies;
Both gained by a studious Watchfulnesse;
Which, here, the Bird of Athens signifies.
Twixt Mercury and Pallas, here takes place,
Vpon a crown'd Caduceus fixt upright;
And, each a Cornucopia doth imbrace.
Through which darke Emblem, I this Light perceive;
That, such as would the Wit and Wealth acquire,
Which may the Crowne of approbation have,
Must wake by Night, to compasse their desire.
For, this Mercurian-Wand, doth Wit expresse;
The Cornu-copia, Wealthinesse implies;
Both gained by a studious Watchfulnesse;
Which, here, the Bird of Athens signifies.
Nor, by this Emblem, are we taught alone,
That, (when great Vndertakings are intended)
We Sloth, and lumpish Drowsinesse must shunne;
But, Rashnesse, also, here is reprehended.
Take Counsell of thy Pillow, (saith our Sawe)
And, ere in waighty Matters thou proceede,
Consider well upon them; lest they draw
Some Afterclaps, which may thy Mischiefe breede.
That, (when great Vndertakings are intended)
We Sloth, and lumpish Drowsinesse must shunne;
But, Rashnesse, also, here is reprehended.
Take Counsell of thy Pillow, (saith our Sawe)
And, ere in waighty Matters thou proceede,
Consider well upon them; lest they draw
Some Afterclaps, which may thy Mischiefe breede.
I, for my seriou'st Muses, chuse the Night;
(More friend to Meditation, then the Day)
That neither Noyse, nor Objects of the Sight,
Nor bus'nesses, withdraw my Thoughts away,
By Night, we best may ruminate upon
Our Purposes; Then, best, we may enquire
What Actions wee amisse, or well, have done;
And, then, may best into our Selves retire:
For, of the World-without, when most we see,
Then, blindest to the World-within, are wee.
(More friend to Meditation, then the Day)
That neither Noyse, nor Objects of the Sight,
Nor bus'nesses, withdraw my Thoughts away,
By Night, we best may ruminate upon
Our Purposes; Then, best, we may enquire
What Actions wee amisse, or well, have done;
And, then, may best into our Selves retire:
For, of the World-without, when most we see,
Then, blindest to the World-within, are wee.
| A Collection of Emblemes | |