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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 XXVII. Well fare a good Conceit.
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53

EMBLEM XXVII. Well fare a good Conceit.

To Vaine expecters.
As a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devoure. 1. pet. 5. 8.
The roaring Lion ranging for his prey,
At last a silly Sheep falls in his way;
Which he does rend and tear without remorse,
And feed upon with stomack like a horse.
A Dog comes by the while, that fain would share
In that sweet morsel; but he does not dare
Come nigh that rav'nous beast that looks so grim,
Lest he should also be o'th' bones of him.
Fain he'd have stay'd, but on his course he took;
Yet as he went, behinde him still did look,
Pleasing himself on sight thereof to feed,
When he could taste no part thereof indeed.
Thus many thirst for whatsoere they see,
Though to lay hold on it there danger be:
However, they are pleased with the thought,
As if some great advantage it had brought.
Thus heirs impatient till the time shall come
That parents die, and go to their long home,
Spend on the hopes thereof, when after all,
They drink themselves dead ere the prey doth fall.
And idle persons fancie this and t'other
Good fortune will befal, one way or other;
Mean while neglect an honest true endeavour,
And so continue poor and base for ever.