The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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To Mr. Edward Laurence.
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
To Mr. Edward Laurence.
As some, with care, the Mornings looks survay,To guess their comforts from ensuing day;
So have I watcht thy early youth, to know
How much the World may to thy Manhood owe:
And find thy Life is in her entrance cleere,
As was the Suns new face in his first Spheare;
Ere yet his beames those Clouds and Mists had drawne,
Which since must serve for Cypress and for Lawne
To younger Wits, when he, from Lakes and Woods,
Exhales for sick Aurora, Vayles and Hoods.
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Cleare in his Course, but did on vapours feed;
As his excess of lustre is the cause,
That o're his face those dark'ning Maskes he drawes;
So, since your Morne in glory is begun,
Your Noone must through exhal'd contagions run;
Through mists of common breath, corrupt and crude,
Made of the censures of the Multitude;
And through those Clouds which ever rise and swell
When Envy would o'rcast those that excell.
If mighty vertue, like the Chymists Stone,
Breed busie Spys and dangers where 'tis known;
And should be shyly hid from States, who less
Then private Mindes endure a brave excess.
If Giant-Vertue, the Crowds Monster be;
Not, that they disproportion in it see,
But onely therefore it offends their Eyes,
Because 'tis good above the vulgar size;
If so, then think it not your vertues sloath,
When she awhile delayes her purpos'd growth;
Till you consult, not only what to grow,
But of that fruit, how much 'tis fit to show.
And though I have no vertue, by whose force
I Pilot-like, might dare to guide your Course;
Yet being old (though but a Passenger
That have a little markt, how others steere)
I may suspect where Rocks in ambush stand,
And guess at shallowes of deceitfull sand;
Which of my Art no illustrations are
To recommend my judgment, but my care.
Allow me then, the noble toyle to find
The greatest conduct of each greater Mind
That Fame in her authentick Roles hath read;
In which the Living may consult the dead;
And a Record, and Prophecy may see,
Of what the Heroes were, and thou shalt be.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |