George Withers' Emblemes

Thofe Fields, whichyet appeare not fo,
When Harvcft comes-, will yellow grow*
ILLVSTR. XLIV. Book, i -
[Hen, in the fweet and plcafant Month of May,
We fee both Leaves and Bloflbmes on the Tree,
And view the Meadows in their bell array,
We hopefull are a Ioyfull-Spring to fee ,.
Yet, oft, before the following Uigbtht pafr,
Itchanceth, thztzfafor, or a Frofl,
Doth all thofe forward bloomings wholly wafte ;
And, then, their SweetneJJe and their Beauties loft.
Such, is the ftate of ev'ry rnortall Wight :
In Totitb, our Glories, and our Lufts we fhew j
We fill our felves with ev'ry vaine Delight,
And, will moft thinke on that which may infue.
But, let us learne to heed, as well as know,
That, Spring doth pafle ; that, Summer fleales away 5
And, that the Flotv'r which makes the faireft fhow,
E're many Weckcs, mutt wither and decay.
And, from this Emblem, let each Lab'rntg.Smine
(In whatfoever courfc oflife it be)
Take heart, and hope, amidft his daily painc,
That, of his Travailes, he good fruits mall fee.
ThePlow'd and Harrow'd Field, which, tothineeye,
Seemes like to be the Grave, in which the Seeds
Shall (without hope of rifing) buryed lye,
Becomes the fruit full Wombt, where Plenty breeds.
There7 will be Corns, where nought but Mire appearcs j
The Durty Seed,\vi\\ forme a grceniHi blade
;
The Blade,xvi\\ rife to Stemmes with fruitful! Fares ;
Thofe Eares, will ripen, and he yellow made:
So, if in honcit Hopes, thou perfevere,
A Ioy full Harvefi will at laft appease.
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