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 |
 |
 | 1. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 4. |
 | A Collection of Emblemes |  |
79
Illvstr. XVII.
[I thinke you would be wise; for, most men seeme]
By Studie, and by Watchfulnesse,
The Jemme of Knowledge, we possesse.
The Jemme of Knowledge, we possesse.
I thinke you would be wise; for, most men seeme
To make of Knowledge very great esteeme.
If such be your desires, this Emblem view;
And, marke how well the Figures, counsell you.
Wee by the Bird of Athens, doe expresse,
That painefull, and that usefull watchfulnesse,
Which ought to bee enjoyned, unto them,
Who seeke a place, in Wisdomes Academ.
For, as an Owle mewes up her selfe by Day,
And watcheth in the Night, to get her prey;
Ev'n so, good Students, neither must be such,
As daily gad; or nightly sleepe too much.
To make of Knowledge very great esteeme.
If such be your desires, this Emblem view;
And, marke how well the Figures, counsell you.
Wee by the Bird of Athens, doe expresse,
That painefull, and that usefull watchfulnesse,
Which ought to bee enjoyned, unto them,
Who seeke a place, in Wisdomes Academ.
For, as an Owle mewes up her selfe by Day,
And watcheth in the Night, to get her prey;
Ev'n so, good Students, neither must be such,
As daily gad; or nightly sleepe too much.
That open-booke, on which the Owle is perch'd,
Affords a Morall, worthy to be search'd:
For, it informes, and, darkly doth advise,
Your Watchings be not after Vanities;
(Or, like their Wakings, who turne dayes to nights,
In following their unlawfull appetites)
And, that, in keeping Home, you doe not spend
Your houres in sloth, or, to some fruitlesse end.
But, rather in good Studies; and, in that,
By which, true Knowledge, is arrived at.
For, if your Studies, and your Wakings, bee
To this intent; you shall that Path-way see
To Wisdome, and to Honour, which was found,
Of them, whose Knowledge hath been most renownd.
But, if your Watchings, and Retyrednesse,
Be for your Lust, or, out of Sottishnesse;
You are not, what th'Athenian-Owle implies,
But, what our English-Owlet signifies.
Affords a Morall, worthy to be search'd:
For, it informes, and, darkly doth advise,
Your Watchings be not after Vanities;
(Or, like their Wakings, who turne dayes to nights,
In following their unlawfull appetites)
And, that, in keeping Home, you doe not spend
Your houres in sloth, or, to some fruitlesse end.
But, rather in good Studies; and, in that,
By which, true Knowledge, is arrived at.
For, if your Studies, and your Wakings, bee
To this intent; you shall that Path-way see
To Wisdome, and to Honour, which was found,
Of them, whose Knowledge hath been most renownd.
But, if your Watchings, and Retyrednesse,
Be for your Lust, or, out of Sottishnesse;
You are not, what th'Athenian-Owle implies,
But, what our English-Owlet signifies.
| A Collection of Emblemes | |