Читать книгу A Collection of Emblemes, Ancient and Moderne - George Wither - Страница 25

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Illvstr. XV. Book. 1.

OBserve I pray you, how the greedy Flame

The Fewell, on an Altar doth consume.

How it destroyeth that which feedes the same,

And how the Nourisher away doth fume.

For, so it fares with Parents that uphold

Their thriftlesse Children in unlawfull Pleasures:

With Cares, it weares them out, ere they are old;

And ere their Lives consume, consumes their Treasures.

So fares it with such Wantons as doe feede

Vnchast Desires; for, ev'ry day they grow

Vntill their Longings, their Supplies exceede,

And, quite devoure those men that fed them so.

So fares it with all those that spend their Youth

In lab'ring to enrich ungratefull Men,

Who, growing Great, and Wealthy, by their Truth,

Returne them Smoke and Ashes backe agen.

So fares it with good States-men, who to keepe

A thankelesse Common-wealth in happy Peace,

Deprive their Mindes of Rest, their Eyes of Sleepe,

And, waste themselves, that others may encrease.

And, so it fares with Men that passe away

Their time in Studies, (and their Healths impaire)

That helps to other men become they may,

And, their defective Knowledges, repaire.

But, let my Flesh, my Time, and my Estate,

Be so consum'd; so spent; so wasted bee,

That they may nourish Grace, and perfit that

For which all these were first bestowd'd on me:

So when I quite am vanish'd out of seeing,

I shall enjoy my Now-concealed-Being.