Fair’st _Blossome_ of our hopes; and _Morning-starre_ To all these _Ilands_, which inclosed are By _Neptunes_ armes, within our Northern _climes_; And who (wee trust) shall rise, in future times, To be the brightest _Light_, that, then will shine, Betwixt the _Artick-Circle_, and the LINE. To YOV (as now you are) that I present These EMBLEMS, 'tis not so impertinent As those may thinke it, who have neither seene What, of your _Cradle-sports_, hath heeded beene; Nor heard how many serious _Questionings_, Your _Child-hood_ frameth, out of trifling things: And, if mine aime I have not much mistooke, I come not oversoone with such a _Booke_. So long as in this _Infant-Age_ you are, (Wherein, the speechlesse _Portraitures_ appeare A pleasurefull delight) your HIGHNESSE may Among our EMBLEMS, finde a _Harmelesse-play_: And, those mute _Objects_ will from time to time, Still _Riper_, seeme, till you to _ripenesse_ clime. When their dumb _Figures_, no more sport can make, Their _Illustrations_, will begin to speake; And, ev’ry day, new matter still disclose, Vntill your _Iudgement_ to perfection growes. They likewise, who their _Services_, to do Frequent your _Presence_, may have pleasure too, From this your _Play-game_: yea, and some perchance, May cure a _Folly_, or an _Ignorance_ By that, which they shall either heare or view In these our _Emblems_, when they wait on _You_; Or, shall be called, by your EXCELLENCE, To try what LOT, they shall obtaine from thence. It may, moreover, much increase the sport, Which is allowed in a vertuous COVRT; When they whose faults have long suspected bin, Shall draw forth private Censures of their Sin, And, heare their EMBLEMS, openly, display, What, others dare not, but in private, say: Nor will, to YOV, the MORALS be in vaine, Ev’n when to manly Knowledge you attaine; For, though to _Teach_, it will not them become To be _Remembrancers_, they may presume: And, that which in their _Child-hood_, men shall heed, Will soonest come to minde, in time of need. Incourag’d by these _Hopes_, I thought it meet To lay this humble _Present_ at your feet. _Accept it, now_; and, please to favour _me_, When I growe _old_, and, You a _Man_ shall be. _To your Highnesse_ _most humbly devoted_, GEO: WITHER. TO THE MOST HIGH-BORNE and hopeful Prince _JAMES, Duke of YORKE, &c._ Sweet PRINCE,