Emblem II.16: A King, that prudently Commands

A King, that prudently Commands,
Becomes the glory of his Lands.

THe Royall-Scepter, Kingly power, implyes;
The Crowne-Imperiall, GLORIE, signifies:
And, by these joyn'd in one, we understand,
A King, that is an honour to his Land.
A Kingdome, is not alwaies eminent,
By having Confines of a large extent;
For, Povertie, and Barbarousnesse, are found
Ev'n in some large Dominions, to abound:
Nor, is it Wealth, which gets a glorious-Name;
For, then, those Lands would spread the widest Fame,
From whence we fetch the Gold and Silver-ore;
And, where we gather Pearles upon the shore:
Nor, have those Countries highest exaltations,
Which breed the strongest, and the Warlikst Nations;
For, proud of their owne powre, they sometimes grow,
And quarrell, till themselves they overthrow.
Nor, doe the chiefest glories, of a Land,
In many Cities, or much People, stand:
For, then, those Kingdomes, most renowned were,
In which Vnchristian Kings, and, Tyrants are.
It is the King by whom a Realme's renowne,
Is either builded up, or overthrowne.
By Solomon, more fam'd was Iudah made,
Then, by the Multitude of men it had:
Great Alexander, glorified Greece,
Throughout the World, which, else had bene a piece
Perhaps obscure; And, Caesar added more
To Rome, then all her greatnesse did before.
Grant, Lord, these Iles, for ever may be blessed,
With what, in this our Emblem is expressed.