Minerua Britanna or A garden of heroical deuises furnished, and adorned with emblemes and impresa's of sundry natures, newly devised, moralized, and published, by Henry Peacham, Mr. of Artes.

Ex malis moribus bonae leges. To the most iudicious, and learned, Sir FRANCIS BACON, Knight.

[illustration]

THE Viper here, that stung the sheepheard swaine, (While careles of himselfe asleepe he lay,) With Hysope caught, is cut by him in twaine, Her fat might take, the poison quite away, And heale his wound, that wonder tis to see, Such soveraigne helpe, should in a Serpent be.

By this same Leach, is meant the virtuous King, Who can with cunning, out of manners ill, Make wholesome lawes, * 1.1 and take away the sting, Wherewith foule vice, doth greeue the virtuous still: Or can prevent, by quicke and wise foresight,* 1.2 Infection ere, it g••thers further might.

Afra venenato pupugit quem vipera morsu, Dux Gregis antidotum l••esus ab hoste petit: Vipereis itidem leges ex moribus aptas Doctus Apollinea conficit arte SOLON.* 1.3

Notes

• * 1.1

  vitiorum emen∣datricem legem esse oportet Cic: 1. de legibus.
• * 1.2

  Salus Civ••tatis in legibus. Arist:
• * 1.3

  vitiis quae plurima m••nti Foemineae natu••a ••e••it humana mal••gnas Cura dedit leges, et quod natura remittit Invida ••u••a ••egant &c.
• * 1.4

  Ovid Metamor•• lib 10.