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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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A WRIT OF PREVENTION Concerning the Avthors Dedication of the foure following Bookes, to those Royall, Princely, and Illustrious Personages, whose Names are mentioned in this Leafe.
  
  
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A WRIT OF PREVENTION Concerning the Avthors Dedication of the foure following Bookes, to those Royall, Princely, and Illustrious Personages, whose Names are mentioned in this Leafe.

I have not often us'd, with Epigrames,
Or, with Inscriptions unto many Names,
To charge my Bookes: Nor, had I done it, now,
If I, to pay the Duties which I owe,
Had other meanes; Or, any better Wayes
To honour them, whose Vertue merits praise.
In ARCHITECT, it giveth good content,
(And passeth for a praisefull Ornament)
If, to adorne the FORE-FRONTS, Builders reare
The Statues of their Soveraigne-Princes, there;
And, trimme the Outsides, of the other Sqvares
With Portraitures of some Heroicke PEERES.
If, therefore, I (the more to beautifie
This Portion of my Mvses Gallerie)
Doe, here, presume to place, the NAMES of those
To whose Deserts, my Love remembrance owes,
I hope 'twill none offend. For, most, who see
Their worthy mention, in this Booke, to bee,
Will thinke them honor'd: And, perhaps, it may
(To their high praise) be found, another day,
That, in these Leaves their Names wil stand unrac'd,
When many fairer STRVCTVRES, are defac'd.