The nimble _Spider_ from his Entrailes drawes A suttle Thread, and curious art doth show In weaving _Nets_, not much unlike those _Lawes_ Which catch _Small-Thieves_, and let the _Great-ones_ goe. For, as the _Cob-web_ takes the lesser _Flyes_, When those of larger size breake through their _Snares_; So, _Poore-men_ smart for little Injuries, When _Rich-men_ scape, whose Guilt is more then theirs. The _Spider_, also representeth such Who very curious are in Trifling-things, And neither Cost, nor Time, nor Labour grutch, In that which neither _Gaine_ nor _Pleasure_ brings. But those whom here that _Creature_ doth implye Are chiefely such, who under cunning shewes Of simple-Meanings (or of Curtesie) Doe silly Men unwarily abuse. Or else, it meanes those greedy-_Cormorants_ Who without touch, of Conscience or Compassion, Seeke how to be enricht by others wants, And bring the _Poore_ to utter Desolation. Avoyd them therefore, though compell’d by need; Or if a _Storme_ inforce, (yee lab’ring _Bees_) That yee must fall among them; Flie with speed From their Commerce, when _Calmes_ your passage frees. Much more, let wastfull _Gallants_ haste from these; Else, when those Idling-painted-_Butterflies_, Have flutter’d-out their _Summer-time_, in ease, (And spent their Wealth in foolish Vanities) The Blasts of _Want_ may force them to be brought For shelter thither, where they shall be caught. _When thou a =Dangerous-Way= dost goe, Walke =surely=, though thy pace be =slowe=._ [Illustration: LENTE SED ATTENTE ILLVSTR. XIX. _Book. 1._]