Emblem I.20: A Sive, of shelter maketh show

A Sive, of shelter maketh show;
But ev'ry Storme will through it goe.

SOme Men, when for their Actions they procure
A likely colour, (be it nere so vaine)
Proceede as if their Projects were as sure,
As when Sound Reason did their Course maintayne:
And these not much unlike those Children are,
Who through a Storme advent'ring desp'rately,
Had rather on their Heads, a Sive to beare,
Then Cov'rings, that may serve to keepe them drye.
For, at a distance that perchance is thought
A helpfull Shelter; and, yet, proves to those
Who neede the same, a Toy, which profits nought;
Because, each drop of Rane quite through it, goes.
So, they, whose foolish Projects, for a while,
Doe promise their Projectors hopefull ends,
Shall finde them, in the Tryall, to beguile;
And, that both Shame and Want, on them attends.
Such like is their estate, who, (to appeare
Rich-men to others) doe, with Inward-payne,
A gladsome out-ward Port desire to beare;
Though they at last nor Wealth nor Credit gaine.
And, such are all those Hypocrites, who strive
False Hearts beneath Faire spoken Words to hyde:
For, they o'evaile themselves but with a Sive,
Through which, their purposes at length are spyde.
And, then, they either woefully-lament
Their Bruitish-folly, or so hardned grow
In Sinning, that they never can repent,
Nay, jest and scoffe at their owne Overthrow.
But no false Vaile can serve (when God will smite)
To save a Scorner, or an Hypocrite.