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Illvstr. XX. Book. 1.

SOme Men, when for their Actions they procure

A likely colour, (be it nere so vaine)

Proceede as if their Projects were as sure,

As when Sound Reason did their Course maintayne:

And these not much unlike those Children are,

Who through a Storme advent'ring desp'rately,

Had rather on their Heads, a Sive to beare,

Then Cov'rings, that may serve to keepe them drye.

For, at a distance that perchance is thought

A helpfull Shelter; and, yet, proves to those

Who neede the same, a Toy, which profits nought;

Because, each drop of Raine quite through it, goes.

So, they, whose foolish Projects, for a while,

Doe promise their Projectors hopefull ends,

Shall finde them, in the Tryall, to beguile;

And, that both Shame and Want, on them attends.

Such like is their estate, who, (to appeare

Rich-men to others) doe, with Inward-payne,

A gladsome out-ward Port desire to beare;

Though they at last nor Wealth nor Credit gaine.

And, such are all those Hypocrites, who strive

False Hearts beneath Faire-spoken Words to hyde:

For, they o'revaile themselves but with a Sive,

Through which, their purposes at length are spyde.

And, then, they either woefully-lament

Their Brutish-folly, or so hardned grow

In Sinning, that they never can repent,

Nay, jest and scoffe at their owne Overthrow.

But no false Vaile can serve (when God will smite)

To save a Scorner, or an Hypocrite.