Whether the _Salamander_ be a _Beast_, Or _Precious-Stone_, which overcomes the _Flame_, It skills not; Since, by either is exprest The Meaning which we purpose by the same: Both brooke the _Fire_ unhurt; And (more then so) The fiercer and the longer _Heats_ there are, The livelyer in the same the _Beast_ will grow; And, much the brighter, will the _Stone_ appeare. This _Crowned-Salamander_ in the _Fire_, May, therefore, not unfitly, signifie Those, who in _Fiery Charriots_, doe aspire _Elijah_-like, to _Immortality_: Or, those _Heroicke-spirits_, who unharm’d Have through the _Fires_ of _Troubles_, and _Affliction_, (With _Vertue_, and with _Innocencie_ arm’d) Walkt onward, in the _Path-way_, of _Perfection_. The _Fiery-Tryall_, which like _Wood_ and _Hay_, Consumes the Workes of ev’ry _Wicked-one_; (And maketh all their _Hopes_ to fume away) Doth purifie what _Faithfull-men_ have done. They triumph in the _Flames_, and shall obtaine The glorious _Crowne_ of _Endless-Happinesse_, When all that show of _Blisse_ appeareth vaine, Which _Worldly men_ have seemed to possesse. For, though some _Sinnes_ and _Follies_, gilded are, And shine like purest _Gold_, and _Pretious-Stones_; This _Test_, will finde of what _Allay_ they were, And, make them knowne but _Counterfeited Ones_: For, in this _Fornace_, all such _Wormes_ expire; And, none but _Vertue_ liveth in this _Fire_. _Hee, over all the =Starres= doth raigne, That unto =Wisdome= can attaine._ [Illustration: SAPIENS DOMINABITVR ASTRIS. ILLVSTR. XXXI. _Book. 1._]