George Withers' Emblemes

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True Vertue, Tvhatfoere betides.
In all extreamcs^mmocrid abides.
Illvstr. x.
Book.
fi Hen, in this Emblem, here, you have efpide,
B The fhape of a triangled Pyramid,
And, haveobferved well, thofe mightie Rockes,
Whofe firme foundation bides the dreadfu'll fhockes
Of angry Neptune ;
you may thereby fee,
How firmly fetled, Vermes reall bee.
For,as the raging Seas, although they roare,
Can make no breach upon the Rockie fhore 5
And, as a true triangled Pyraotide,
Stands faft,and fliewes alike,on ev'ry fide;
So, howfoever -?#?»/«, turnes or winds,
Thofe men, which are indow'd with vertuous minds,
It is impoffible, to drive them from
Thofe Formes,or Stations,which thofe minds become.
And, as the raging Set, with foming threats,
Againft the Rockie-Jhore, but vaincly beats;
So, Envie (hall in vaine, loud bluftrings make,
When vertuous refolutions they would fluke.
For, Vertue, which receives an overthrow,
Was Vertue, not indeed, but in xhejhm.
So farre am I, oh Lord ! from laying claime
To have this Vertue, that, I doe but ayme
At fuch perfeclitn ;
and, can come no nigher
As yet, than to obtaine it
in defire.
But, fixe thou fo,this weake defire of mine,
Vpon the Venues of thy Roc Ice divine,
That I, and that invaluable Stone
May bee incorporated into One
And, then, it will bee neither flume, nor pride,
To fay,my Vertues, will unmev'd abide.
Tfje