Of Little-Gaines, Let Care Be Had; For, of Small Eares, Great Mowes Are Made
AMong the many Faylings of the Time,
This Emblem giveth Cause to mention one,
Which, unto me, doth seeme the greater Crime,
Because, to many, it appeareth none.
I finde, that petty things are so neglected
(Well nigh of all) in Losings and in Winnings,
As if, what ere they thought to have effected,
Subsisted without Members, or Beginnings.
The Man, that loseth every Month a Penny,
May salve-up Twelve-months Losses, with a Shilling.
But, if of other Losses he hath many,
To save a Pin, at length, he shall be willing.
For, he that sees his Wine-fill’d Vessell drop,
(Although a Drop, in value, be but small)
Should, thence, Occasion take, the Leake to stop,
Lest many Droppings draine him drye of all.
Moreover, they, that will to Greatnesse rise,
A Course, not much unlike to this, must keepe:
They ought not Small-Beginnings to despise;
Nor, strive to runne, before they learne to creepe.
By many single Eares, together brought,
The Hand is fill’d; by Handfulls, we may gaine
A Sheafe; with many Sheaves a Barne is fraught:
Thus, oft, by Little, we doe much obtaine.
Consider this; And, though I wish not thee
To take, of Trifling-things, too great a care;
Yet, know thus much (for truth) it best will bee,
If all things may be weighed as they are:
By slender Losses, great-ones are begunne;
By many trifling Gaines, much Wealth is wonne.
Finis Libri primi.