A Century of Emblems Part 18

What suits their turn is providential all; That which does not by other names they call.

OBSCURE SPECULATION.

If "fools rush in where angels fear to tread,"

When wise men follow what is to be said?

ORIGINALITY.

A dexterous following is admired by all, But few dare praise the brave original.

PAINTERS.

Painters are men, and haply Claude and t.i.tian Discussed as we brown pink, and composition.

PEACE AND WAR.

Broken is many a heart by war accurst; Some think by peace and plenty they would burst.

POINT OF VIEW.

He views all subjects from one point alone; Need it be said that point is just his own?

PRE-RAFFAELITES.

Make to the whole subservient every part; Your piecemeal excellence shows skill not art.

PRIDE.

"I have no pride, not I," the donkey cries; "What can an a.s.s be proud of?" fox replies.

PRIDE IN SMALL MATTERS.

"How splendidly I milk!" you make me laugh; Who milks a cow the best must be a calf!

PROOF OF WORTH.

Slight not the world, but still console thy breast When those esteem thee most who know thee best.

RECRIMINATION.

Do not recriminate; that biting strain Backward and forward will saw love in twain.

SCHOLARs.h.i.+P.

For scholars.h.i.+p few read, not one in twenty; But make it Fellows.h.i.+p, and you'll find plenty.

SCRIPTURE AND PRIDE.

Who weighs his worth by G.o.d's eternal word Finds pride a curse, and vanity absurd.

SELF.

On your own merits to descant be shy, Or false, or true, the end is vanity.

SELF-LOVE.

Monimia's constancy we all must feel, She loves herself, and is as true as steel.

SHAKSPEARE AND MILTON.

A lofty Christian shrine our Milton is, But Shakspeare is the world's metropolis.

SLOW WIFE AND FAST HUSBAND.

On his wild ways as calmly smileth she, As the May moon upon a roaring sea.

SORROW.

Sorrow's dark storm he blesses through all years Who finds the priceless pearl among his tears.

TENNYSON AND PETRARCH.

Love's laureate crown Italian Petrarch won; Friends.h.i.+p's we twine for British Tennyson.

TERROR.

The quivering flesh ignores the will's control, Unnerved beneath the palsy of the soul.