Sunday, December 21, 2008

Joyous Winter Solstice


We finde it common (but not comely thou)
That, when a good Endeavour is begot,
Unless, at very first, it equall grow
With our Expectance, we regard it not.

Nor Wit, nor Patience, have we to conceive,
That ev’ry thing, which by Man be wrought,
Proportionable Time, and Means must have;
Before it can be to Perfection, brought.

Yet, ev’ry day, in things of ev’ry kinde,
Experience has informed us, herein;
And, that in many things, a change we finde,
Which at first, would scarce believ’d have bin,

For, though a Gosling will not prove a Swan,
Unruly Colts become well-tamed Steeds.
A Silly Childe growes up a Mighty-Man,
And, Lofty Trees doe Spring from Little Seeds.

Learne, therefore hence, that, nothing you despise,
Because it may, at first, imperfect seeme:
And, know, how all things (in some sort) to prise,
Although, you give them not the best esteeme.

From hence, moreover, learne not to despaire,
When you have just occasion, to pursue
A toylesome worke, or any great affaire:
Since, all things, at the first, from nothing, grew.

And, I myself will, also, learne, from hence,
(Of all my Paines, though little fruits I see)
Nor to repine, nor to receive Offence:
But, rather joy in what befalleth mee,
For, though my Hopes Appear but meanely growne,
They will be Great, when some shall think them none.

Emblem 46 from: George Wither: A collection of Emblemes, Ancient and Moderne, Quickened witheh metricall illustrations, both Morall and divine: And Disposed into lotteries, that instruction, and good counsell, may bee furthered by an honest and pleasant recreation.

5 comments:

TC said...

Lovely.

And I forgot that today is the start of the winter solstice. Only about 90 more days till spring!

Anonymous said...

Hi WS, good advice for us all. Everything has value, a lesson that has come to me later in life. :-)
Frances

Wendy said...

Happy Winter Solstice to you. Thanks for stopping by my blog. How is hubby?

Martha in Michigan said...

Hope all the snow Colorado just got means another year's reprieve in water rationing for southern California. Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

I was enjoying the thought yesterday driving home in the dark at 5 o'clock that we are on the uphill swing to longer days. It's that thought that keeps me going.
Happy New Year, WS and stop by my New Years blog party.