George Withers' Emblemes

:
'rt-
Our Pelican, bybleedingithus,
FulfiFd the Law, and cured Vs.
Illvstr. XX.
Btik.3
poke here, and marke (her fickly birds to feed)
How freely this kinde Pelican doth bleed.
See, how (when other Salves could not be found,'
To cure their forrowcs, fhe, her felfe doth wound 5
And, when this holy Emhlcm,thou (halt fee,
Lift up thy fouleto him, who dy'd for thee.
For, this our Hieroglyphic!: would exprefle
That Pelican, which in the Wildernefje
Of thlsvzftWerld, was left (as all alone;
Our miferable Nature to bemone 5
And, in whofe eyes, the teares of pitry flood,
When he beheld his owne unthankful! Brood
His Favours, and his Mercies, then, conttmne,
When with his wings he would have brooded them
And, fought their cndlcfle peace to have confirtn'd,
Though, to procure his ruine,they were aim'd.
To be their Food, himfelfe he freely gave ;
His Heart was pierc'd,that he their Souks might lave.
Becaufe, they difobey'd the Sacred-will,
He, did the Law of Right toufnejje MRU .
And, to that end (though guiltleiTe he had bin)
Was offred, for our VmverfaH-finne.
Let mee Oh Goal forever, fixe mine eyes
Vpon the Merit of that Sacr-fze :
Let me retaineadue commemoration
Of thofe deare Mercies, and that bloudy Papon,
Which here is meant ; and, by true Faith, ftill, feed
Vpon the drops, this Pelican did bleed j
Yea, let me firme unto thy Law abide,
And, ever love that Fltcke, for which he dy'd.
Bee