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 |  |
23
Illvstr. XXIII.
[The lick'rish Beare to rob the Honey-Bees]
By Paine, on Pleasures we doe seize;
And, we by Suff'rance, purchase Ease.
And, we by Suff'rance, purchase Ease.
The lick'rish Beare to rob the Honey-Bees
Among their stinging-Swarms thrusts in his pawes;
Adventureth to climbe up hollow Trees,
And from their Cells, the well fill'd Combes he drawes:
Right so, the Sensuall Man that he may gaine
His bruitish Lust, a thousand perills dares;
And, that his Lawlesse-will he may attaine,
Nor Conscience, Credit, Cost, nor Labour spares.
Among their stinging-Swarms thrusts in his pawes;
Adventureth to climbe up hollow Trees,
And from their Cells, the well fill'd Combes he drawes:
Right so, the Sensuall Man that he may gaine
His bruitish Lust, a thousand perills dares;
And, that his Lawlesse-will he may attaine,
Nor Conscience, Credit, Cost, nor Labour spares.
'Twere shamefull basenesse, therefore, if that he
Who knoweth Vertue, and is thought her Lover,
Should so by any Perills frighted bee,
To make him such Affections to give-over.
For, why should that Vaine-Crew whose Valour springs
From beastly Fury, or inflamed-Passion,
Enabled be to compasse bolder things,
Then Sober-Wit, and Grave-Consideration?
Or, why should lisping Wantons, for their Lust
So much adventure as one finger, there,
Where we our Lives in hazard would not thrust
For Vertues Glory, if it needfull were?
For, though her Sweetnesse fast is closed in
With many Thornes, and such a Prickling-guard,
That we must smart, before that Prize we winne,
The Paine is follow'd, with a Rich Reward.
By Suff'ring, I have more Contentment had,
Then ever I acquir'd by Slothfull Ease;
And, I by Griefe, so joyfull have beene made,
That I will beare my Crosse, while God shall please.
For, so at last my Soule may Ioy procure,
I care not, in my Flesh what I endure.
Who knoweth Vertue, and is thought her Lover,
Should so by any Perills frighted bee,
To make him such Affections to give-over.
For, why should that Vaine-Crew whose Valour springs
From beastly Fury, or inflamed-Passion,
Enabled be to compasse bolder things,
Then Sober-Wit, and Grave-Consideration?
Or, why should lisping Wantons, for their Lust
So much adventure as one finger, there,
Where we our Lives in hazard would not thrust
For Vertues Glory, if it needfull were?
For, though her Sweetnesse fast is closed in
With many Thornes, and such a Prickling-guard,
That we must smart, before that Prize we winne,
The Paine is follow'd, with a Rich Reward.
By Suff'ring, I have more Contentment had,
Then ever I acquir'd by Slothfull Ease;
And, I by Griefe, so joyfull have beene made,
That I will beare my Crosse, while God shall please.
For, so at last my Soule may Ioy procure,
I care not, in my Flesh what I endure.
| A Collection of Emblemes | |