Emblem 24

Edited by Victoria E. Burke

This emblem contemplates the marmot as a symbol of marital harmony. Pulter begins her poem by referring to Pliny’s description of the marmot piling grass and herbs on its mate’s belly and then drawing it by the tail into their den. She contrasts that image of shared wealth with human husbands who either neglect or subjugate their wives.

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The1
Marmottanes2
 for Unitie’s Renownd
And for Conjugall Love they may be Crownd
That you may See noe Wisdome they doe lack
They lye alternately upon their Back
T’other with Grass and Herbs doth Load him well
Then by the tayl Shee3
 draws him to their Cell4
They’r neat and Warm they Joyn to build their Nest
In which all Winter they doe Sit and Feast
With Corn and Fruits by them lay’d up in Store
For till next Summer Comes they’l need noe more
Surely they live by Farr more happie lives
Then many Wealthy Husbands and their Wives
Some Noble minds there bee I know will Share
Their pleasure with their Wives as well as Care
But most to Taverns or to Wors will Rome5
Or elce they’l alwais Tirannise6
 at home
If you Should ask mee which of these is worss
Trust mee (I know not) either is A Curss
If Such doe Read these lines to them I Say
The Rat of Pontus’s Lovinger7
 then they.