When thou behold’st, upon a _Day of State_, The _King_ (or, some inferiour _Magistrate_) Walke forth in publicke, and the royall _Mace_, The _Sword_, or _Scepter_ borne before his face: Suppose thou not, that those are carried, so, In ostentation, or for idle show. These vulgar _Emblems_, are significant; And, that _authority_, which _Princes_ grant To _Bodies-politicke_, was, heretofore Declared, by those _Ensignes_, which they bore. The bruzing _Mace_ (although, perhaps, with us, It be not in these times, restrained thus) That branch of _Royall-power_ did signifie, Which doth by _Fines_, or _losse of liberty_, Correct Offenders. By the _Sword_, they meant, That larger branch of _pow’r_, to represent, Which takes the _Malefactors_ life away; And, armes it selfe, when _Rebells_ disobay. As often, therefore, as thou shalt espie Such _Hieroglyphickes_ of _Authority_; Be mindefull, and advis’d (how meane soere The _Persons_, or the _Places_ may appeare, Who get this _pow’r_) that still thou honour them: Lest, thou in those, the pow’r of _God_ contemne. If not for theirs, yet for thy _Sov’raignes_ cause, Whom these doe personate; Or, for the _Lawes_, (Which threaten punishment) thy selfe submit; And, suffer what _Authority_ thinkes fit: For, whatsoere they be that guide the _Reyne_, _He_, gave the _pow’r_, who gave it, not, in vaine. _He, that concealed things will finde, Must looke =before= him, and =behinde=._ [Illustration: PANDO RECONDITA. ILLVSTR. IV. _Book. 3_]