_M_ 14

Thy Chance is doubtfull; and, as yet, I know not, what to say of it; But, this I know, a foe thou art To what thine Emblem hath, in part, Expressed by a Mimicke Shape; Or, thou, thy selfe, art such an Ape. Now, which of these, pertaines to thee, Let them, that know thee, Iudges bee.

See, Emb. XIV.

15

Thy Vertues he may wrong, that sayes Thou spend’st thy selfe, in wanton wayes; But, some have thought, and sayd of late, That, those thou lov’st, consume thy state: Yet, spare nor Time, nor Substance, tho, Where, them, thou oughtest to bestow; But, to thine Emblem turne, and, see When Life, and Wealth, well ventur’d bee.

See, Emb. XV.

16

Though Troubles, you may have (or had) Enough, to make some others mad; Yet, be content: for, they, that are As weake, have had as much to beare; And, that, which Malice did contrive, To make them poore, hath made them thrive. That Emblem, which, by Lot, you drew, Prognosticates, as much, for you.

See, Emb. XVI.

17

Though, you suffer blame and paine, You, at last, may Comfort gaine, (Sharing Honours, truely gotten, When, your Foes are dead, and rotten) For, of this, you have a pawne, In the Lot, that you have drawne; And, by that, it may appeare, What your paines, and wages, are.

See, Emb. XVII.

18

Take you serious heed, I pray, Whither, you doe goe to day; Whom you credite; and, for whom You, ingaged, shall become; And, unlesse you wish for Sorrow, Be as provident, to morrow: For, there are some traps and Snares, Which, may take you unawares.

See, Emb. XVIII.

19

Your Wit, so much, you trust upon, That, weaker Meanes hath yours out-gone; Sometime, you runne, when there is need Of much more Warinesse, then Speed. But, you, to God-ward, worse have err’d; And, yet, Amendment is deferr’d. See, therefore, what your Chance doth say, And, take good Counsell, while you may.

See, Emb. XIX.

20

Take heed, you doe not quite forget, That you are dauncing in a Net: More, then a few, your Course doe see, Though, you, suppose, unseene to be. Your Fault, we will no nearer touch; Me-thinkes your Emblem blabs too much: But, if, you minde, what is amisse, You, shall be nere the worse, for this.

See, Emb. XX.

21

Let such, as draw this Lot, have care, For Death, and Sorrow, to prepare All times, to come, lest one of these, Their persons, unexpected, seize: For, them, or some of theirs, to stay, Pale Death, drawes neerer, ev’ry day. Yet, let them not, disheartned, bee: For, in their Emblem, they shall see, Death, may (though, in appearance, grim) Become, a blessing, unto them.

See, Emb. XXI.

22

With Mary, thou art one of those, By whom, the better part, is chose; And, though, thou tempted art, astray, Continu’st in a lawfull way. Give God the praise, with heart unfaign’d, That, he, such Grace to thee, hath dain’d; And, view thy Lot, where thou shalt see, What Hag, hath layd a Trap, for thee.

See, Emb. XXII.

23

Although, that, thou demure appeare, For Pleasure, there is no man here Will venture more: And, some there are, Who thinke you venture over farre: Hereof, consider well, therefore, E’re, so, you venture, any more; And, in your Lotted Emblem, see, For what, your Suffrings ought to bee.

See, Emb. XXIII.

24

If ought, thou purpose, to assay, Pursue the same, without delay; And, if thou meane to gather fruit, Be constant in thy Hopes pursuit: For, by thine Emblem, thou mayst finde, Thy Starres, to thee, are well-inclin’d; Provided, thy Attempts be good: For, that, is ever understood.

See, Emb. XXIV.

25

Take heed, thou love not their deceipt, Who Number give, in steed of Weight; Nor, let their Fansies, thee abuse, Who, such-like foolish Customes, use. Perhaps, it may concerne thee, much, To know the Vanities of such; And, who they are: Marke, therfore, what Thine Emblem, will, to thee relate.

See, Emb. XXV.

26

Thou, to Impatience, art inclin’d; And, hast a discontented Minde; That, therfore, thou mayst Patience learne, And, thine owne Over-sights discerne, Thy Lot (as to a Schoole to day) Hath sent thee to the Squirrells Dray; For, she instructs thee, to indure, Till, thou, a better state, procure.

See, Emb. XXVI.

27

Your Lot, is very much to blame, Or else, your person, or, your Name Hath injur’d beene, or, may have wrong By some loose wanton, ere’t be long: Therfore, e’re, hence, you passe away, Marke, what your Emblem, now, doth say. Perhaps, by drawing of this Lot, Some Harmes prevention may be got.

See, Emb. XXVII.

28

Vpon your head, those weights were laid, Which, your Endeavours, downeward waigh’d; For, those, who doe your weale envie, Much feare, your top will spring too high; Nay, yet, some Burthen, you sustaine: But, what their Malice will obtaine, Your Emblem prophesies; if you, With Patience, Honest-wayes, pursue.

See, Emb. XXVIII.

29

This Lot, befell thee, for the nonce; For, if things come not, all at once, Thou, to despairing, soone, dost runne, Or, leav’st the Worke, that’s well begun: Which, to prevent, regardfull be Of what thine Emblem counsells thee.

See, Emb. XXIX.

30

Afflictions, are thy chiefest Lot; Yea, great ones, too: yet, murmure not. For, all, must fiery tryalls bide, And, from their Drosse be purify’d. Therefore, though this, in sport, be done, Thy Morall’d Emblem, looke upon; And, learne, those Vertues to acquire, Which, will not perish in the Fire.

See, Emb. XXX.

31

You seeke a Lot, which, proving bad, Would, peradventure, make you sad; But, this may please: for, you are taught To mend a Fortune, that is naught; And, armed, with such Counsell, here, That, you, no Destiny, need feare. Now, if you come to Harme, or Shame, Vpon the Starres, lay not the blame.

See, Emb. XXXI.