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 |  |
92
Illvstr. XXX.
[Doe men suppose, when Gods free-giving Hand]
Where, Labour, wisely, is imploy'd,
Deserved Glory, is injoy'd.
Deserved Glory, is injoy'd.
Doe men suppose, when Gods free-giving Hand,
Doth by their Friends, or, by Inheritance,
To Wealth, or Titles, raise them in the Land,
That, those, to Lasting-glories, them advance?
Or, can men thinke, such Goods, or Gifts of Nature,
As Nimble-apprehensions, Memory,
An Able-body, or, a comely Feature
(Without improvement) them, shall dignifie?
May Sloth, and Idlenesse, be warrantable,
In us, because our Fathers have been rich?
Or, are wee, therefore, truely honourable,
Because our Predecessours, have beene such?
When, nor our Fortunes, nor our naturall parts,
In any measure, are improved by us,
Are others bound (as if we had deserts)
With Attributes of Honour to belye us?
Doth by their Friends, or, by Inheritance,
To Wealth, or Titles, raise them in the Land,
That, those, to Lasting-glories, them advance?
Or, can men thinke, such Goods, or Gifts of Nature,
As Nimble-apprehensions, Memory,
An Able-body, or, a comely Feature
(Without improvement) them, shall dignifie?
May Sloth, and Idlenesse, be warrantable,
In us, because our Fathers have been rich?
Or, are wee, therefore, truely honourable,
Because our Predecessours, have beene such?
When, nor our Fortunes, nor our naturall parts,
In any measure, are improved by us,
Are others bound (as if we had deserts)
With Attributes of Honour to belye us?
No, no; the more our Predecessours left,
(Yea, and, the more, by nature, we enjoy)
We, of the more esteeme, shall be bereft;
Because, our Talents, we doe mis-imploy.
True Glory, doth on Labour, still attend;
But, without Labour, Glory we have none.
She, crownes good Workmen, when their Works have end;
And, Shame, gives payment, where is nothing done.
(Yea, and, the more, by nature, we enjoy)
We, of the more esteeme, shall be bereft;
Because, our Talents, we doe mis-imploy.
True Glory, doth on Labour, still attend;
But, without Labour, Glory we have none.
She, crownes good Workmen, when their Works have end;
And, Shame, gives payment, where is nothing done.
Laborious, therefore, bee; But, lest the Spade
(which, here, doth Labour meane) thou use in vaine,
The Serpent, thereunto, be sure thou adde;
That is, Let Prudence guide thy taking paine.
For, where, a wise-endeavour, shall be found,
A Wreath of Glory, will inclose it round.
(which, here, doth Labour meane) thou use in vaine,
The Serpent, thereunto, be sure thou adde;
That is, Let Prudence guide thy taking paine.
For, where, a wise-endeavour, shall be found,
A Wreath of Glory, will inclose it round.
| A Collection of Emblemes | |