George Withers' Emblemes

A Vcrtue hidden, or not us'd.
Is either Sloth , or Grace abus'd.
181
ILLVSTR. XLVII. Book,
[He World hath fharaeleiTe Borers, who pretend,
In fundry matters, to be skill'd fo well,
That, were they plcafed, fo their houres to fpend,
They fay, they could in many things excell.
But, though they make their hearers to beleeve,
That, out of Modefiie their Gifts they hide,
In them wee very plainely may perceive,
Or Sloth, ot Envy ,lgnorance, eye Pride.
When other mens endeavours they perufe,
They either carpe at what they cannot mend;
Or elfe of Arrogance doe thofc accufe,
Who, to the publike view, their Works commend.
If thefe men fay, that they can Poetize,
But, will not ;
they are falfe in faying fo i
For, he, whofe Wt a little that way lies,
Will doing bee, though hee himfelfe undoe.
If they, in other ¥Acuities are learned,
And,ftiIl,forbeare their Talents to imploy ;
The trueft Knowledge, yet, is undifcerned,
And, that, they merit not, which they injoy.
Yea, fuch as hide the Gifts they have received,
(Or ufe them not, as well as they are able)
Are likefayre Eyes, of ufefull fight bereaved;
Or, lighted Candles , underneath a Table.
Their gloriouft part, is but a Painted- cloatlt,
Whofe Figures, to the wall- ward, ftill arc hung.
Their hidden Fe/tues, are apparant Sloth ;
And, all their life, is to the publike wrong:
For, they doe reape the Fruits, by many fowne,
And, leave to others , nothing of their owne.
The
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