George Withers' Emblemes

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xA Shepherd carefutt of the Sheepe,
At all times, faitbfull Watch doth keepe.
If?
ILLVSTR.XV.
Book,-
jHe Figure of a Smke in elder dayes,
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Was us'd in Hiercglypbick }many wayes
Bur, when one Foote, thus grafp'd a Peple-jlone,
The othet being flrmely fixed on
The Staffe Epijcep4// i
in that pofition,
It makes an Emblem, of a late edition
By fome, thought not improper, to expreffe
Their p unefull, and their ferious, watchfulmffe,
Who take upon themfelves, the Pajlordll care •
And, in that Function, truely xvatcbfuli are.
Ths Skpherdf-Crooke, doih fome exprcflion make
Of that regard, which, of their Floch y they take.
The Pcble in tbc Foete, doth fecmeto (howe,
That, thefc muft farther diligence beftowe,
( And, ufe their utmoif pow r) themfelves to keepe
From Jlotbfitll Eafe • and from intern p'xztejltepe :
For, he that hath fuch Ditties undcrtooke
( And, muft the lives of others overlooked
Shall fmdehimfelfe,unto himfelfc become
A burthen, and a Charge morerroublelome
Then all his Floeke, unles, he dill provi ic
His owne, afwcll as others tvdies, to guide.
Now, though this Emblems Morail doth concerne
ThtCUrgit m)ft; yet, hence we all may learnc
Strict watch to keepe • lincc, un*o all that bee,
A Wdtcbmins place belongs, in fome degree.
Wnich, to discharge, if W"c endeavour, (till,
Our u jiyerfill shepherd aide us will,
A id us from harmes and error he will keepe,
For, Htt ibatga ir klh Ifr'elldotb not (Icepe,