A Century of Emblems Part 19

THE EPIGRAM.

Who for an epigram would try, nor fail, Puts Attic salt upon his verse's tail.

THE MOROSE MAN.

Carries within his heart a little h.e.l.l, And all his phrases of the sulphur smell.

THE PROUD MAN.

Failing to rule shuts up his swelling breast; Himself he cannot please, and scorns the rest.

THE VAIN MAN.

Craves To Seem First in Matters Great Or Small; Always, in Short, To Be Admired of All.

THE LIKENESS BETWEEN THEM.

In this at least the proud and vain agree; Each in his heart cries, "Fall and wors.h.i.+p me!"

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM.

This, praise devoureth howsoe'er exprest, This, starves in sullen fast denied the best.

TO A TEAR.

O symbol dubious of mirth or woe!

Is't wit, or grief, or onions makes you flow?

TRUTH AND LOVE.

Truth without Love its mark must often miss, It gives a cuff when you expect a kiss.

WAR.

Thousands on distant fields endure and die; Thousands at home can give no reason why.

WEAK AND STRONG.

Some by the strength of others keep alive; But full as many on their weakness thrive.

WISDOM.

Queen of all knowledge, thou, in every age!

Science thy counsellor, and Art thy page.

WIT AND HUMOUR.

Wit from the mind, and Humour from the mode, And each helps Mirth to cheer life's weary road.

WIT, HUMOUR, AND COMEDY.

Humour is mode and form, Wit thought and sprite; Both to combine is Comedy's delight.

WIT, BEAUTY, AND p.r.o.nUNCIATION.

Like Cupid's bow her vermeil lip she bends, And with a tw.a.n.g her flas.h.i.+ng wit descends.

WOMAN LOVES MAN OF RENOWN.

Dearer his name than beauty, youth, and pelf; She'd be his Fame, and blow the trump herself.

YOUTH AND AGE.

About the world Youth loves to peer and cruise, About the world Age loves to hear and muse.