moralize

[…] his Ladie reaching him a Marigold, he began to moralize of it thus merely. I meruaile the Poets that were so prodigall in painting the amorous affection of the Sunne to his Hyacinth, did neuer obserue the relation of loue twixt him and the Marigold:

“Unless I heard the whole repeated I cannot continue it,” she said. / “Yet it was quickly learned—‘soon gained, soon gone,’” moralized the tutor.

Let gratefull Aromatick odours burne,

Let pious incense smoake, for the returne

Of Great Flaminius, in whom abide

More Art, then raised Athens to her pride,

More civill Ethicks he containe, then may

Well moralize all sauage India.

For since good and bad stars moralize not our actions, and neither excuse nor commend, acquit or condemn our good or bad deeds at the present or last bar […] not celestial figures, but virtuous schemes must denominate and state our actions.

Did he not moralize this spectacle?

Kind Nature’s charities his steps attend,

In every babbling brook he finds a friend,

While chast’ning thoughts of sweetest use, bestowed

By Wisdom, moralize his pensive road.