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 |  |
97
Illvstr. XXXV.
[Observe the nature of that Fiery-flame]
The more contrary Windes doe blow,
The greater Vertues praise will grow.
The greater Vertues praise will grow.
Observe the nature of that Fiery-flame,
Which on the Mountaines top so brightly showes;
The Windes from every quarter, blow the same,
Yea, and to blow it out, their fury blowes;
But, lo; the more they storme, the more it shineth;
At every Blast, the Flame ascendeth higher;
And, till the Fuells want, that rage confineth,
It, will be, still, a great, and glorious Fire.
Which on the Mountaines top so brightly showes;
The Windes from every quarter, blow the same,
Yea, and to blow it out, their fury blowes;
But, lo; the more they storme, the more it shineth;
At every Blast, the Flame ascendeth higher;
And, till the Fuells want, that rage confineth,
It, will be, still, a great, and glorious Fire.
Thus fares the man, whom Vertue, Beacon-like,
Hath fixt upon the Hills of Eminence,
At him, the Tempests of mad Envie strike,
And, rage against his Piles of Innocence;
But, still, the more they wrong him, and the more
They seeke to keepe his worth from being knowne,
They, daily, make it greater, then before;
And, cause his Fame, the farther to be blowne.
Hath fixt upon the Hills of Eminence,
At him, the Tempests of mad Envie strike,
And, rage against his Piles of Innocence;
But, still, the more they wrong him, and the more
They seeke to keepe his worth from being knowne,
They, daily, make it greater, then before;
And, cause his Fame, the farther to be blowne.
When, therefore, no selfe-doting Arrogance,
But, Vertues cover'd with a modest vaile,
Breake through obscurity, and, thee advance
To place, where Envie shall thy worth assaile;
Discourage not thy selfe: but, stand the shockes
Of wrath, and fury. Let them snarle and bite;
Pursue thee, with Detraction, Slanders, Mockes,
And, all the venom'd Engines of Despight,
Thou art above their malice; and, the blaze
Of thy Cælestiall-fire, shall shine so cleare,
That, their besotted soules, thou shalt amaze;
And, make thy Splendours, to their shame, appeare.
If this be all, that Envies rage can doe,
Lord, give me Vertues, though I suffer too.
But, Vertues cover'd with a modest vaile,
Breake through obscurity, and, thee advance
To place, where Envie shall thy worth assaile;
Discourage not thy selfe: but, stand the shockes
Of wrath, and fury. Let them snarle and bite;
Pursue thee, with Detraction, Slanders, Mockes,
And, all the venom'd Engines of Despight,
Thou art above their malice; and, the blaze
Of thy Cælestiall-fire, shall shine so cleare,
That, their besotted soules, thou shalt amaze;
And, make thy Splendours, to their shame, appeare.
If this be all, that Envies rage can doe,
Lord, give me Vertues, though I suffer too.
| A Collection of Emblemes | |