To my honest friend, Iohn Taylor.
What
shall I say, kind Friend, to let thee know
How worthily I doe this worke esteeme?
Whereof I thinke I cannot too much deeme,
From which I find a world of wit doth flow.
The poore vnpollisht praise I can bestow
Vpon this well deseruing worke of thine,
Which heere I freely offer at thy Shrine,
Is like a Taper, when the Sunne doth showe,
Or bellowes helpe for Eol's breath to blow:
For thou as much hast soard beyond the straine,
Whereto our common Muses doe attaine:
As Cintyhaes light exceeds the wormes that glow.
And were my Muse reple at with learned phrase,
The world should know thy work deserueth praise.
Thine in the best of friendship, Richard Leigh.