Читать книгу A Collection of Emblemes, Ancient and Moderne - George Wither - Страница 34

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Illvstr. XXIIII. Book. 1.

IN vaine faire Cynthia never taketh paines,

Nor faints in foll'wing her desired Game;

And, when at any Marke her Bowe she straines,

The winged Arrow surely hits the same.

Her Picture, therefore, in this place doth shew

The Nature of their Mindes who Cynthia-like,

With Constancie their Purposes pursue,

And faint not till they compasse what they seeke.

For, nought more God-like in this World is found,

Then so Resolv'd a man, that nothing may

His Resolution alter or confound,

When any taske of Worth, he doth assay.

Nor, is there greater Basenesse, then those Mindes

That from an Honest-purpose, can be wrought

By Threatnings, Bribes, Smooth-Gales or Boyst'rous-Windes,

What ever colour or excuse be brought.

You then, that would, with Pleasure, Glory gaine,

Diana like, those modest things require,

Which truely may beseeme you to attaine;

And stoutly follow that which you desire:

For, changing though the Moone to us appeare,

She holds a firme Dependence on the Sunne;

And, by a Constant-Motion, in her Sphære

With him, doth in Conjunction often runne:

So, Constant-men, still move their hopes to winne;

But, never by a Motion-indirect;

Nor, will they stop the Course that they are in,

Vntill they bring their purpose to effect.

For, whosoever Honest-things requires,

A Promise hath of all that he desires.