George Withers' Emblemes

J pine,i#/tf others may not per ift>->
tAndwa&c my Sclfe, their Life to cheri/h.
7 *
ILLVSTH. XV. Book, i,
'Bfervc I pray you, how the greedy Flame
The FeweS, on an Altar doth confume.
How it deftroyeth that which feedes the iame s
And how the Nourijher away doth fume.
For, fo it fares with Parents that uphold
Their thriftleffc Children in unlawfull Pleafures t
With Cares, it wearcsrhem out, ere they are old ;
And ere their Lives confume, confumes their Trcafures.
So fares it with fuch Wantons as doe fcede
Vnchaft Defires ; for, ev'ry day they grow
Vntill their Longings, their Supplies exceede,
And, quite devouiethofc men that fed them Co.
So fares it with all thofc that fpend their Toutb
In lab'ring to enrich ungrateful! Men,
Who, growing Great, and Wealthy, by their Truth,
Returnc them Smoke and Apes backeagen.
So fares it with good Statefmen, who to keepe
A thankeleiTe Commonwealth in happy Peace,
Deprive their Mindes of Reft, their Eyes of Sleepe,
And, waftethcmfelves, that others may encrcafe.
And, fo it fares with Men that parTc away
Their time in Studtts, (and their Healths impaire)
That helps to other men become they may,
And,their defective Knowledges, rcpaire.
Rut, let my Flefb, my Time,md my Efltte,
Re fo confum'd j fo
•
(pent fo wafk-d bee,
7 hat they may noiu ifii Grace , and pci fit that
For which all thefe were firftbeftovvd'd on incj
So when 1 quire am vanifh'd our ov feeing,
I (hall enjoy my Nt-v- concealed Being.
IVh-