George Withers' Emblemes

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As* to EWorld /naked earnest
So> naked-ftript I leave thefame^.
ILLVSTR. XII.
Book.i,
|Hrice happy is that Man whole Thoughts doc reare
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His Minde above that pitch the Worldling &ks s
And by his Contemplations, hovers where
He vicwes things mortall, with unbleared eyes.
What Trifles then doe Villages andTowoes
Large Fields or Fltckes of fruitfull CatteU fceme i
Nay, what poorc things are Miters, Scepters, Crownes,
And all thofe Glories which Men mod efteeme i
Though he that hath among them, his Delight,
Brave things imagines them (becaufc they blinde
Withfomefalfe Luftrehis beguiled fight)
He that's above them, their meane-Worth may finde.
Lord, to that Blejfed-Station me convey
Where I may view the World, and view her fo,
That I her true Condition may furvey
And all her Imperfe&ions rightly know.
Remember me, that once there was a Day
When thou didft weane me from them with content,
Ev'n when fhut up within thofe Gates I lay
Through which the Flague-infitcling Angel wenr.
And, let me ftill remember, that an Hourc
Is hourely comming on, wherein I fhall
(Though I had all the World within my powre)
Be naked ftripr, and turned out of all.
But minde me, chiefcly,that I never cleave
Too clofely to my Selfe j and caufe thou me,
Not other Earthly things alone to leave,
But to forfake my Selfe for love of Thee:
That I may fay, now 1 have all things left,
Before that I ofall things, am bereft.
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