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Emblems Divine, Moral, Natural and Historical

Expressed in Sculpture, and Applied to the several Ages, Occasions, and Conditions of the Life of Man. By a person of Quality

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EMBLEM XVI. Others Harms, our Arms.
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EMBLEM XVI. Others Harms, our Arms.

To the Imprudent.
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, pro: 23. 3.
Behold this Gamester here, how he's intent;
He dreads no danger, nor no sad event:
He's not concern'd at all with frights or fears,
Although the house do flame about his ears.
Yet wisdom would us teach, when danger's nigh,
That to secure our selves we should apply;
And when a fire in neighbours house is known,
Then to be careful to secure our own.
Archimedes, that man of great renown,
Was so concern'd for Syracuse his Town,
That he for its defence was plodding on,
Even till the enemy the Town had won.
Madness it is to think we're danger-free
When midst of dangers we encompass'd be.
As if when foes a Citie do distress,
Th'inhabitants should think their danger less!
Yea, they that do to others help deny,
Or else defer, in their necessity,
May justly then from other men expect
In greatest need to finde the like neglect.
When mischief is begun, let's not delay,
But it suppress with all the speed we may:
For when beginnings we with care keep down,
We may be sure its conquest is our own.