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 |  |
18
Illvstr. XVIII.
[The nimble Spider from his Entrailes drawes]
From thence, where Nets and Snares are layd,
Make-hast; lest els you be betray'd.
Make-hast; lest els you be betray'd.
The nimble Spider from his Entrailes drawes
A suttle Thread, and curious art doth show
In weaving Nets, not much unlike those Lawes
Which catch Small-Thieves, and let the Great-ones goe.
For, as the Cob-web takes the lesser Flyes,
When those of larger size breake through their Snares;
So, Poore men smart for little Injuries,
When Rich-men scape, whose Guilt is more then theirs.
A suttle Thread, and curious art doth show
In weaving Nets, not much unlike those Lawes
Which catch Small-Thieves, and let the Great-ones goe.
For, as the Cob-web takes the lesser Flyes,
When those of larger size breake through their Snares;
So, Poore men smart for little Injuries,
When Rich-men scape, whose Guilt is more then theirs.
The Spider, also representeth such
Who very curious are in Trifling things,
And neither Cost, nor Time, nor Labour grutch,
In that which neither Gaine nor Pleasure brings.
But those whom here that Creature doth implye
Are chiefely such, who under cunning shewes
Of simple-Meanings (or of Curtesie)
Doe silly Men unwarily abuse.
Or else, it meanes those greedy-Cormorants
Who without touch, of Conscience or Compassion,
Seeke how to be enricht by others wants,
And bring the Poore to utter Desolation.
Who very curious are in Trifling things,
And neither Cost, nor Time, nor Labour grutch,
In that which neither Gaine nor Pleasure brings.
But those whom here that Creature doth implye
Are chiefely such, who under cunning shewes
Of simple-Meanings (or of Curtesie)
Doe silly Men unwarily abuse.
Or else, it meanes those greedy-Cormorants
Who without touch, of Conscience or Compassion,
Seeke how to be enricht by others wants,
And bring the Poore to utter Desolation.
Avoyd them therefore, though compell'd by need,
Or if a Storme inforce, (yee lab'ring Bees)
That yee must fall among them; Flie with speed
From their Commerce, when Calmes your passage frees.
Much more, let wastfull Gallants haste from these;
Else, when those Idling-painted-Butterflies,
Have flutter'd-out their Summer-time, in ease,
(And spent their Wealth in foolish Vanities)
The Blasts of Want may force them to be brought
For shelter thither, where they shall be caught.
Or if a Storme inforce, (yee lab'ring Bees)
That yee must fall among them; Flie with speed
From their Commerce, when Calmes your passage frees.
Much more, let wastfull Gallants haste from these;
Else, when those Idling-painted-Butterflies,
Have flutter'd-out their Summer-time, in ease,
(And spent their Wealth in foolish Vanities)
The Blasts of Want may force them to be brought
For shelter thither, where they shall be caught.
| A Collection of Emblemes | |