Emblem III.32: The safest Riches, hee shall gaine

The safest Riches, hee shall gaine,
Who alwayes Faithfull doth remaine.

THe Horne-of-plenty, which Wealth signifies,
The Hand-in-hand, which Plighted faith implies,
(Together being painted) seeme to teach,
That, such as will be honest, shall be rich.
If this be so, why then for Lucre-sake,
Doe many breake the Promises they make?
Why doe they cheat and couzen, lye, and sweare?
Why practise they all Villanies that are?
To compasse Wealth? And, how doe such as they
Inlarge their ill-got Portions, ev'ry day?
Or, whence proceedes it, that sometimes we see
Those men grow poore, who faithfull seeme to bee?
Thus, oft it proves; and, therefore, Falshood can,
In likelihood, much more inrich a man,
Then blamelesse Faith; and, then, the Motto here
Improper to this Emblem, doth appeare.
But, well enough they sute; and, all is true,
Which these things (being thus united) shew.
Should it be then concluded, that all those,
Who poore and honest seeme, have made but showes
Of reall Faith? And, therfore, plagu'd have bin
With publicke lashes, for their private sin?
Indeed, sometime it hath succeeded so:
But, know you should, that, most who richest grow,
In Outward-wealth, are very poore in that,
Which brings true Plentie, and a blest Estate:
And, that, Good men, though poore they seeme to bee,
Have Riches, which the Worldling cannot see,
Now He, who findes himselfe endow'd with such,
(What e're wee thinke him) is exceeding rich.