Observe the nature of that _Fiery-flame_, Which on the _Mountaines_ top so brightly showes; The _Windes_ from every quarter, blow the same, Yea, and to blow it out, their _fury_ blowes; But, lo; the more they _storme_, the more it _shineth_; At every Blast, the _Flame_ ascendeth higher; And, till the _Fuells_ want, that rage confineth, It, will be, still, a great, and glorious _Fire_. Thus fares the man, whom _Vertue_, Beacon-like, Hath fixt upon the _Hills_ of Eminence, At him, the Tempests of mad _Envie_ strike, And, rage against his Piles of Innocence; But, still, the more they wrong him, and the more They seeke to keepe his worth from being knowne, They, daily, make it greater, then before; And, cause his _Fame_, the farther to be blowne. When, therefore, no selfe-doting _Arrogance_, But, _Vertues_, cover’d with a modest vaile, Breake through _obscurity_, and, thee advance To place, where _Envie_ shall thy worth assaile; Discourage not thy selfe: but, stand the shockes Of wrath, and fury. Let them snarle and bite; Pursue thee, with _Detraction_, _Slanders_, _Mockes_, And, all the venom’d Engines of _Despight_, Thou art above their malice; and, the _blaze_ Of thy _Cælestiall-fire_, shall shine so cleare, That, their besotted soules, thou shalt amaze; And, make thy _Splendours_, to their shame, appeare. If this be all, that _Envies_ rage can doe, _Lord, give me_ Vertues, _though I suffer too_. _Even as the =Smoke= doth passe away; So, shall all =Worldly-pompe= decay._ [Illustration: SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MVNDI. ILLVSTR. XXXVI. _Book. 2_]