My hopefull _Friends_ at thrice five yeares and three, Without a _Guide_ (into the World alone) To seeke my _Fortune_, did adventure mee; And, many hazards, I alighted on. First, _Englands_ greatest _Rendevouz_ I sought, Where VICE and VERTVE at the highest sit; And, thither, both a _Minde_ and _Bodie_ brought, For neither of their Services unfit. Both, woo’d my _Youth_: And, both perswaded so, That (like the _Young man_ in our _Emblem_ here) I stood, and cry’d, _Ah! which way shall I goe?_ To me so pleasing both their Offers were. VICE, _Pleasures_ best Contentments promist mee, And what the wanton _Flesh_ desires to have: Quoth VERTVE, _I will Wisdome give to thee, And those brave things, which noblest Mindes doe crave_. _Serve me_ said VICE, _and thou shalt soone acquire All those Atchievements which my Service brings_: _Serve me_ said VERTVE, _and Ile raise thee higher, Then VICES can, and teach thee better things_. Whil’st thus they strove to gaine me, I espyde Grim _Death_ attending VICE; and, that her Face Was but a painted _Vizard_, which did hide The foul’st Deformity that ever was. _LORD, grant me grace for evermore to view Her Vglinesse: And, that I viewing it, Her Falsehoods and allurements may eschew; And on faire VERTVE my Affection set; Her Beauties contemplate, her Love embrace, And by her safe Direction, runne my Race._ _By =Paine=, on =Pleasures= we doe seize; And, we by =Suff’rance=, purchase =Ease=._ [Illustration: PATIOR VT POTIAR ILLVSTR. XXIII. _Book. 1._]