A collection of emblemes, ancient and moderne quickened vvith metricall illustrations, both morall and divine: and disposed into lotteries, that instruction, and good counsell, may bee furthered by an honest and pleasant recreation. By George VVither. The first booke.

They that in Hope, and Silence, live,The best Contentment, may atchive.

[illustration]

IN SILENTIO ET SPE.

ILLVSTR. XI. Book. 2

IF thou desire to cherish true Content, And in a troublous time that course to take, Which may be likely mischieves to prevent, Some use, of this our Hieroglyphick, make. The Fryers Habit, seemeth to import, That, thou (as ancient Monkes and Fryers did) Shouldst live remote, from places of resort, And, in retyrednesse, lye closely hid. The clasped-Booke, doth warne thee, to retaine Thy thoughts within the compasse of thy breast; And, in a quiet silence to remaine, Vntill, thy minde may safely be exprest. That Anchor, doth informe thee, that thou must Walke on in Hope; and, in thy Pilgrimage, Beare up (without despairing or distrust) Those wrongs, and sufferings, which attend thine Age. For, whensoere Oppression groweth rise, Obscurenesse, is more safe than Eminence; Hee, that then keepes his Tongue, may keepe his Life, Till Times will better favour Innocence. Truth spoken where untruth is more approved, Will but enrage the malice of thy foes; And, otherwhile, a wicked man is moved To cease from wrong, if no man him oppose. Let this our Emblem, therefore, counsell thee, Thy life in safe Retyrednesse, to spend: Let, in thy breast, thy thoughts reserved bee, Till thou art layd, where none can thee offend. And, whilst most others, give their Fancie scope, Enjoy thy selfe, in Silence, and in Hope.