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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. IX.
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9

Illvstr. IX.

[An Owle (the Hieroglyphicke us'd for Night)]

Before thou bring thy Workes to Light,
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.
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.
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.