Читать книгу A Collection of Emblemes, Ancient and Moderne - George Wither - Страница 19

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Illvstr. IX. Book. 1.

AN Owle (the Hieroglyphicke us'd for Night)

Twixt Mercury and Pallas, here takes place,

Vpon a crown'd Caduceus fixt upright;

And, each a Cornucopia doth imbrace.

Through which darke Emblem, I this Light perceive;

That, such as would the Wit and Wealth acquire,

Which may the Crowne of approbation have,

Must wake by Night, to compasse their desire.

For, this Mercurian-Wand, doth Wit expresse;

The Cornu-copia, Wealthinesse implies;

Both gained by a studious Watchfulnesse;

Which, here, the Bird of Athens signifies.

Nor, by this Emblem, are we taught alone,

That, (when great Vndertakings are intended)

We Sloth, and lumpish Drowsinesse must shunne;

But, Rashnesse, also, here is reprehended.

Take Counsell of thy Pillow, (saith our Sawe)

And, ere in waighty Matters thou proceede,

Consider well upon them; lest they draw

Some Afterclap, which may thy Mischiefe breede.

I, for my seriou'st Muses, chuse the Night;

(More friend to Meditation, then the Day)

That neither Noyse, nor Objects of the Sight,

Nor bus'nesses, withdraw my Thoughts away,

By Night, we best may ruminate upon

Our Purposes; Then, best, we may enquire

What Actions wee amisse, or well, have done;

And, then, may best into our Selves retire:

For, of the World-without, when most we see,

Then, blindest to the World-within, are wee.