Emblem II.45: Things, to their best perfection come

Things, to their best perfection come,
Not all at once but, some and some

WHen, thou shalt visit, in the Moneth of May,
A costly Garden, in her best array;
And, view the well-grown Trees, the wel-trimm'd Bowers,
The Beds of Herbs, the knots of pleasant flowers,
With all the deckings, and the fine devices,
Perteyning to those earthly Paradises,
Thou canst not well suppose, one day, or two,
Did finish all, which had beene, there, to doe.
Nor dost thou, when young Plants, or new-sowne Lands,
Doe thirst for needfull Watrings, from thy hands,
By Flood-gates, let whole Ponds amongst them come;
But, them besprinklest, rather, some and some;
Lest else, thou marre the Flowres, or chill the Seed,
Or drowne the Saplings, which did moysture need.
Let this experiment, which, to thy thought,
May by this Emblem, now perhaps, be brought,
Perswade thee to consider, that, no actions,
Can come, but by degrees, to their perfections;
And, teach thee, to allot, for every thing,
That leisurely-proceeding, which may bring
The ripenesse, and fulnesse, thou expectest:
And, though thy Hopes, but slowly thou effectest,
Discourage not thy selfe; since, oft they prove
Most prosperous actions, which at leisure move.
By many drops, is made a mighty showre;
And many minutes finish up an houre:
By little, and by little, we possesse
Assurance of the greatest Happinesse.
And, oft, by too much haste, and too much cost,
Great Wealth, geat Honours, and, great Hopes, are lost.