University of Virginia Library

To his deare friend, Thomas Riley.

I will not say I on our stage have seen
A second Roscius; that too poore had been:
But I have seen a Proteus, that can take
What shape he please, and in an instant make
Himself to any thing; be that, or this,
By voluntary metamorphosis.
When thou dost act, men think it not a play;
But all they see is reall: O that day,
(When I had cause to blush that this poore thing
Did kisse a queens hand, and salute a king)
How often had I lost thee? I could finde
One of thy stature, but in every kinde
Alter'd from him I knew; nay, I in thee
Could all professions, and all passions see.
When thou art pleas'd to act an angry part,
Thou fright'st the audience; and with nimble art
Turn'd Lover, thou dost that so lively too,
Men think that Cupid taught thee how to wooe.
T'expresse thee all would ask a better pen;
Thou art, though little, the whole mappe of men.
In deeper knowledge and Philosophie
Thou truely art what others seem to be,
Whose learning is all face: as 'twere thy fate
There not to act, where most do personate.
All this in one so small; nature made thee
To show her cunning in epitomie;
While others (that seem giants in the arts,
Such as have stronger limbes, but weaker parts)
Are like a volume, that contains lesse in't,
And yet looks big, 'cause 'tis a larger print.
I should my self have too ungratefull shown,
Sent I not thee my book:—Take't, 'tis thine own.
For thus farre my confession shall be free,
I writ this Comedie, but 'twas made by thee.