By viewing this _fixt-Head_, enwreath’d with _Bayes_, (And, what the _Motto_ round about it sayes) Your Apprehension’s eye, may partly see What _constant Vertues_, in true _Knowledge_ be. For, if right plac’d it be, it ever will Continue in the same condition, still: And, though it make mens manners to be chang’d; Yet, never is it, from it selfe, estrang’d: Nor doth, nor can it, cease to be a _Friend_, What _Fate_ soever, shall on us attend. When _Wealth_ is lost, or faileth to besteed us; Shee findes out honest meanes to cloath and feede us. In _farre_, and _forraigne Lands_, shee will become, As kinde, and as familiar, as at home; And, _travelleth_, without the costly cumber, Of Carriages, or Clokebagges full of Lumber. No _Place_ can from our presence, her enclose; Nor is she frighted from us by our _Foes_. No _Pickthankes_, of her Favours, can bereave us; No _Promises_, can woo her to deceive us. In _Youth_, in _Age_, in _Sickenesse_, and in _Griefe_, Shee bringeth Consolation and reliefe: And, is in all estates, a blessing to us, So constant (and so apt, all helpes to doe us) That, he for whom, such _Knowledge_, God provideth, Enjoyes a _Friend_, that alwaies firme abideth. _Lord_, I am _friendlesse_ left; therefore, to me, This _Knowledge_, and this _Friend_, vouchsafe to bee: For, thou that _Wisdome_ art, (from heav’n descending) Which, neither hath _beginning_, _change_, nor _ending_. _By =Studiousnesse=, in =Vertue’s= waies Men gaine an =universall-praise=._ [Illustration: VIRTUTE AC STUDIO PER ORBEM FAMA PERPETUA COMPARATUR. ILLVSTR. XII. _Book. 3_]