Emblem III.35: Doe not the golden Meane, exceed

Doe not the golden Meane, exceed,
In Word, in Passion, nor in Deed.

AS is the head-strong Horse, and blockish Mule,
Ev'n such, without the Bridle, and the Rule,
Our Nature growes; and, is as mischievous,
Till Grace, and Reason, come to governe us.
The Square, and Bridle, therefore let us heed,
And, thereby learne to know, what helpes wee need;
Lest, else, (they fayling, timely, to bee had)
Quite out of Order, wee, at length, bee made.
The Square, (which is an usefull Instrument,
To shape foorth senselesse Formes) may represent
The Law: Because, Mankind, (which is by Nature,
Almost as dull, as is the senselesse-creature,)
Is thereby, from the native-rudenesse, wrought;
And in the Way of honest-living taught.
The Bridle, (which Invention did contrive,
To ule, and guide the Creature-sensitive)
May type foh Discipline; which, when the Law,
Hath school'd the Wit, must keepe the Will in awe.
And, hee that can by these, his Passions bound,
This Emblems meaning, usefully, hath found.
Lord, let thy sacred Law, at all times, bee
A Rule, a Master, and a Glasse to mee;
(A Bridle, and a Light) that I may, still,
Both know my Dutie, and obey thy Will.
Direct my Feet; my Hands, instruct thou so,
That I may neither wander, nor misdoe.
My Lookes, my Hearing, and my Wordes confine,
To keepe still firme, to ev'ry Word of thine.
On thee, let also my Desires attend:
And, let me hold this temper, till mine end.