George Withers' Emblemes

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When each man keepes unto his Trade,
Theth aU things better Ijeill be made.
ILLVSTR.XIV. Book. 3
>E more mould thrive, and erre the fcldomer,
If we were like this honeft Carpenter,
Whofe Emblem, in reproofe ofthofe, is made,
That love to meddle, farther then their Trade.
But, moft are now exceeding cunning growne
In ev'ry mans aflfaircs, except their owne :
Yea, Cobkrs thinkc themfelves not onely able,
To cenfure ; but,to mend Afetet Table.
Gr«/-ji/«,fometime, will gravely undertake
To teach, how Broomes and Atorter, we fhould make.
Their Indifcretions, Peafants imitate,
And boldly meddle with affaires of State.
Some Hettfmves teach their Teachers how to pray
Some C larks, have fhew'd themfelves, as wife as they;
And in their Callings, as difcreet have bin,
As if they taught their Grandames how to fpime
And, ir"thefeC«/?«»M,laft a few more Ages,
All Countries will be nothing els, but Stages
Of evill-acled, and miftaken parts j
Or, Galtemaufries, ofimperfect Kjirts.
But, I my felfe (you'l fay ) have medlings made,
In things, that are improper to my Trade.
No ; for, the M VS E S are in all things free ;
Fit fubjeft of their Ferfe, all Creatures be 5
And, there is nothing nam'd fo raeane, or great,
Whereofthey have not Liberty to treat.
Both Earth and Hfav'», are open unto thefe j
And (when to take more libertic they pleale)
They Worlds, and fl/jig^create, which never were j
And, when they lift, they flay, and meddle, there.