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 |  |
19
Illvstr. XXI.
[Experience proves, that Men who trust upon]
When thou a Dangerous-Way dost goe,
Walke surely, though thy pace be slowe.
Walke surely, though thy pace be slowe.
Experience
proves, that Men who trust upon
Their Nat'rall parts, too much, oft lose the Day,
And, faile in that which els they might have done,
By vainely trifling pretious Time away.
Their Nat'rall parts, too much, oft lose the Day,
And, faile in that which els they might have done,
By vainely trifling pretious Time away.
It also shewes, that many Men have sought
With so much Rashnesse, those things they desir'd,
That they have brought most likely Hopes to nought;
And, in the middle of their Courses, tir'd.
And, not a few, are found who so much wrong
Gods Gratiousnesse, as if their thinkings were,
That (seeing he deferres his Iudgements long)
His Vengeance, he, for ever, would forbeare:
But, such as these may see wherein they faile,
And, what would fitter be for them to doe,
If they would contemplate the slow-pac'd Snaile;
Or, this our Hieroglyphicke looke into:
With so much Rashnesse, those things they desir'd,
That they have brought most likely Hopes to nought;
And, in the middle of their Courses, tir'd.
And, not a few, are found who so much wrong
Gods Gratiousnesse, as if their thinkings were,
That (seeing he deferres his Iudgements long)
His Vengeance, he, for ever, would forbeare:
But, such as these may see wherein they faile,
And, what would fitter be for them to doe,
If they would contemplate the slow-pac'd Snaile;
Or, this our Hieroglyphicke looke into:
For, thence we learne, that Perseverance brings
Large Workes to end, though slowly they creepe on;
And, that Continuance perfects many things,
Which seeme, at first, unlikely to be done.
Large Workes to end, though slowly they creepe on;
And, that Continuance perfects many things,
Which seeme, at first, unlikely to be done.
It warnes, likewise, that some Affaires require
More Heed then Haste: And that the Course we take,
Should suite as well our Strength, as our Desire;
Else (as our Proverbe saith) Haste, Waste may make.
And, in a Mysticke-sense, it seemes to preach
Repentance and Amendment, unto those
Who live, as if they liv'd beyond Gods reach;
Because, he long deferres deserved Blowes:
For, though Iust-Vengeance moveth like a Snaile,
And slowly comes; her comming will not faile.
More Heed then Haste: And that the Course we take,
Should suite as well our Strength, as our Desire;
Else (as our Proverbe saith) Haste, Waste may make.
And, in a Mysticke-sense, it seemes to preach
Repentance and Amendment, unto those
Who live, as if they liv'd beyond Gods reach;
Because, he long deferres deserved Blowes:
For, though Iust-Vengeance moveth like a Snaile,
And slowly comes; her comming will not faile.
| A Collection of Emblemes | |