Illustration

Reader, this emblem darkly represents

The book's chief scope, and principal contents,

Yet since these birds, beasts, heart, stone, string, and tree

Do more imply than at first glance you see,

Our courteous muse, which cannot be unkind,

Intends more plainly to divulge her mind.

You see the shadows, would you see the things

She couches under them? then view her wings.

A gracious heart here learns the art of soaring up on high upon the wings of earthly things that underfoot do lie. No bird that flies beneath the skies but by this holy craft will lend a feather to help it there and give the heart a waft. The string and stone shows every one when faith mounts up and sings how carnal sense can draw it hence, pinion and clip its wings. Birds, beasts, and trees teach mysteries if sinners be not blocks, they'll quickly mend when God does send teachers in droves and flocks. T Cross sculpsit