Emblem III.43: A Mischiefe, hardly can be done

A Mischiefe, hardly can be done,
Where many-pow'rs are knit in one.

OBserve the Sheafe of Arrowes, figur'd here;
And, how the pow'r, and fury, of the Beare
(Though hee attempt it) no device can finde
To breake one slender-shaft, while they are joyn'd:
Whereas, were they divided, strength but small,
Like rotten Kexes, would soone breake them all.
This Emblem, therefore, fitly doth imply
That Safeguard, which is found in Vnity;
And, shewes, that, when Dis-union is begunne,
It breedeth dangers, where before were none.
The Psalmist, numerous Off-springs, doth compare
To Quivers, that with Shafts replenish'd are.
When Vnity hath knit them in her hands,
They prove like Arrowes in a Gyants hands.
And, though, for these, their Foes in wayt have layd,
They shall not be supriz'd, nor made afrayd.
Consider this, yee Children of one Sire,
'Twixt whom, is kind ad some contentious fire,
And, reconciled be, left , at length,
Consume away the marrow of your strength;
Or, by dividing, of your joyned-pow'r,
Make way for those, who studie to devoure.
Yea, let us all consider, as we ought,
What Lesson, by this Emblem, we are taught.
For, wee are Brethren all; and (by a Bloud
More precious, then our nat'rall Brother-hood)
Not knit, alone, but mingled, as it were,
Into a League; which is, by much, more deare,
And, much more dangerous, to be undone,
Then all the Bands, that can he thought upon.