Читать книгу A Collection of Emblemes, Ancient and Moderne - George Wither - Страница 27

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Illvstr. XVII. Book. 1.

WHy should the foolish World discourage Men,

In just endurances? or bid them shunne

Good Actions, 'cause they suffer now and then,

For Doing well, as if some Ill were done?

Ere Plates extended are, they must abide

A thousand hamm'rings; And, then that which fill'd

So little roome, it scarce your Hand could hide,

Will serve a goodly Monument to gild.

So, he that hopes to winne an honest Name,

Must many blowes of Fortune undergoe,

And hazard, oft, the blast of Evill-Fame,

Before a Good-Report her Trumpe will blow.

A thousand Worthies had unworthily

Been raked up in Ashes and in Clay,

Vnknowne and bury'd in Obscurity,

If Malice had not fil'd their Rust away.

But, lo; their lasting prayses now are spread,

And rais'd, by Adverse-Chance, to such a height,

That they most glorious are, now they are dead;

And live in Injuries, and Deaths, despight.

For, by Afflictions, man refined growes,

And, (as the Gold prepared in the Fire)

Receiveth such a Forme by wrongs and blowes,

That hee becomes the Iewell we desire.

To thee therefore, Oh God! My Prayers are

Not to be freed from Griefes and Troubles quite:

But, that they may be such as I can beare;

And, serve to make me precious in thy Sight.

This please me shall, though all my Life time, I

Betweene thine Anvill and the Hammer, lie.