George Withers' Emblemes

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In Dotth, no Difference is made*
Ber^ee^e-thfSct^tct^andthe Spade.
ILLVSTR. XLVIII.
Ink. i
Et no man be fo fotcifh as to drearae,
Though all Men in their Death made equall arc,
That, therfore, they may gather by this Jhtame,
That, Parity, [a Life-time, fitting were.
For, as the Bodies Members (which in Death
Have all the like efteeme) had their Degrees,
And Honours, differing in time of breath $
The fame (in States) Difcretion comely fees.
Nor, mould we hence inferre, that it were juft
To difefleeme the breathleffe Careajfes
Of Kings and Princes, when they fleepe in Daft ;
For, Civill-Rcverence is due to thefe.
Nor, ought we, in their Life-time, to apply
The Truth, which by this Emblem is declar'd,
The Dignities ofMen to vilifie ;
Or, bring upon their Perfons lefle regard.
That, which from hence, I rather wifh to preach,
Is this ;
that ev'ry Man of each degree,
Would marke it fo, that he, himfelfe might teach
What thoughts and deeds, to him rnoft proper be.
Jf he be great • let him remember, then,
That (fince, nor Wealth, nor Title, can procure him
Exemption f« om the Doomcs of other Men)
He ought to feeke, how J'crtue may fecure him.
If he be Poorc • let him tlvs Comfort take,
That, though, awhile, he be affli^ed here,
Yet, Death .ray him as fully happy make,
As he,that doth a Crowne -lmperiallwcsxc.
For, when his Fatall-blow, Death comes to (hike,
He, makes the Beggar, and the King, alike.
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