T’is true, a _wither’d-branch_ I am, and seeme To some, as voyd of _Hopes_, as of esteeme; For, in their judgements, I appeare to be A saplesse _Bough_, quite broken from the Tree, (Ev’n such as that, in this our _Emblem_, here) And, yet, I neither feele _Despaire_, nor _Feare_; For, I have seene (e’re now) a little _Spray_, (Rent from her _Stemme_) lye trodden by the way, Three moneths together; which, when _Spring_ drew on, To take an unexpected Root begun; (Yea, grew to bee a Tree) and, growing, stood, When those great _Groves_, were fell’d for firing-wood, Which once had high esteeme; and sprung unhurt, While that poore _Branch_, lay sleighted in the durt. Nay, I have seene such _twiggs_, afford them shade, By whom they were the meanest shrippings made, Of all the _Wood_; And, you may live to see, (For ought yet knowne) some such event in mee. And, what if all who know mee, see me dead, Before those _hopes_ begin to spring and spread? Have therefore they that hate me, cause to boast, As if mine expectations I had lost? No sure: For, I, who by _Faith’s_ eyes have seene, Old _Aarons_ wither’d _Rod_ grow fresh and greene; And also viewed (by the selfe-same _Eyes_) _Him_, whom that _Rod_, most rightly typifies, _Fall_ by a shamefull _Death_, and _rise_, in spight Of _Death_, and _Shame_, unto the glorioust _height_. Ev’n I, beleeve my _Hope_ shall bee possest, And, therefore, (ev’n in _Death_) in _Hope_ I’le rest. _True =Vertue=, whatsoere betides, In all =extreames=, unmoov’d abides._ [Illustration: NESCIT LABI VIRTUS. ILLVSTR. X. _Book. 4_]