If this nigh-wasted _Candle_, you shall view, And, heed it well, it may enlighten you To looke with more compassion, on their paines, Who rob themselves, to multiply your gaines. The _Taper_ burnes, to give another light, Ev’n till it selfe, it hath consumed quite; And, all the profit, which it thence doth winne, Is to be snufft, by ev’ry _Commer-in_. This is the Lot of some, whom I have knowne, Who, freely, all their life-time, have bestowne In such industrious labour, as appeares, To further others profits, more then theirs; And, all their _Patrimonies_, well nigh spent, The ruining of others, to prevent. The _wit_, the _strength_, and all the _pow’r_ they had, (Which might, by probability, have made Good meanes to raise them, in this world, as high, As most, who climbe to wealthy dignity) Ev’n these, they have bestow’d, to better them, Who their indeavours, for their paines, contemne. These are those _Lamps_, whose _flames_, from time to time, Have through each _Age_, and through-out ev’ry _Clime_, To one another, that true _Light_ convey’d, Which _Ignorance_, had, els, long since betray’d To utter darknesse. These, despightfull _Pride_ Oft snuffs; and, oft, to put them out, hath try’d. But, from the brightnesse of such _Lights_, as they, We got our _Light of knowledge_, at this day. To _them_, God make us kinder; and to _Him_, More thankfull, that we gain’d such light by _them_. _The safest =Riches=, hee shall gaine, Who alwayes =Faithfull= doth remaine._ [Illustration: DITAT SERVATA FIDES. ILLVSTR. XXXII. _Book. 3_]