George Withers' Emblemes

Though Fortune, hath a powfttll Name,
Teti Vertue overcomes thefame.
109
ILLVSTR. XLVH. Book. 2
•
Snake, (which was by wife Antiquitie
ijj|$| Much us'd , the type of Prudencie to be)
saisl Hetnmcs in a Wtnged-t>all,v/hich doth imply,
That Fickle-fortune, from which, none are free.
Above this Ball, the Snake advanceth too,
The Laurell> and the Sword j which, Emblems are,
Whereby our Authour maketh much adoe,
A Conquejl over Fortune, to declare.
And, well enough this purpofe it befits,
If {Reader) any one of thofe thou be,
Whofe Fortunes mud be mended by their Wits j
And, it affords inftru&ions fit for thee i
For, hence, thou mayft collect, that, no cftate
Can, by Misfortunes means, become fo bad,
But, Prudence (who is Miflreffe over Fate)
May rule it fo, that, good it might be made.
Though Fo>7«»«outlawes, on thy Riches prey,
By Wiftdmc, there is meanes, of getting more j
And, cv'ry rub that's placed in thy way,
Shall make thee walke more fafely, then before.
Nor Poverty, nor Paynes, nor Spigbtfulnejfe,
Nor other Mifcbiefes, that Mifcbance can doe thee,
Shall bring thee any forrow or diftreffe,
Which will not be, at laft, advantage to thee.
Lord, give mefucb a Prudence : for my Fortune
Puts manyfoyles, and cruelltbrujls upon me :
ibyhelpe, long fince,it made me to importune j
And, thou didjl grant it, or fhe bad undone me.
Still, daignc me thy afijlance, Lord, and, than,
Let all Misfortunes, doe the rvorjl they can.
A lifr,