George Withers' Emblemes

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Though Fortune prone true Vermes Foe,
It cannot worke her OverthroTPe^.
ILLVSTR. VI. Book. I.
[Nhappy men are they,whofe Ignorance
So (hvesthem to the Fortunes of the Time,
That they (attending on the Lot oichante) \
Neglect by Virtue, and Deferts, to clime. ^
Poore Heights they be which Fortune rcarcs unto
And, fickle is the Favour {he beftowes
To-day, (he makes 5
to-morrow, doth undoc ȳ
Buildsup, and in an inftant overthrowes.
Oneafie Wbeelts, to Wealth,and Honours high,
She windes men oft 5
before they be aware j
And, when they dreame of raoft Projperitie,
Downe, headlong, throwes them lower thca they were.
You, then, that feeke a moreaflur'd eftate,
On good, and honeft Objecls, fixe your Minde,
And follow Venue, that you may a Fate
Exempt from feareof Change, or Dangers,£ndc.
For, he that's Virtuous, whether high or low
His Fortune feemes (or whether foule or faire
His Path he findcs)or whether friend, or foe,
The Werld doth prove ; regards it not a haire.
His Lofle is Gaine
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his Poverty is Wealth $
The Worlds Contempt, he makes his Diadem j
In SickneJJe, he rej oyceth, as in Health
Yea, Death it felf e, becommeth Lifc^ to him.
He fcaresno difrefpect, no bitter fcorne,
Nor fubtile plottings, nor Opprcflions force
Nay, though the World fliould topfie-turvie turne,
It cannot fright hirr, nor divert his Courfe.
Above all Earthly powreshis Virtue reares him 5
And, up with Eglets wings, to Heav'n itbeareshim.