 | The Works of Michael Drayton |  |
506
TO MY NOBLE FRIEND MR. ROBERT DOVER, on his brave annuall Assemblies upon Cotswold.
[_]
[From Matthew Walbancke's Annalia Dubrensia. Upon the yeerely celebration of Mr. Robert Dovers Olimpick Games upon Cotswold-Hills, 1636.]
That dost in these dull yron Times revive
The golden Ages glories; which poore Wee
Had not so much as dream't on but for Thee?
As those brave Grecians in their happy dayes,
On Mount Olympus to their Hercules
Ordain'd their games Olimpick, and so nam'd
Of that great Mountaine; for those pastimes fam'd:
Where then their able Youth, Leapt, Wrestled, Ran,
Threw the arm'd Dart; and honour'd was the Man
That was the Victor; In the Circute there
The nimble Rider, and skil'd Chariotere
Strove for the Garland; In those noble Times
There to their Harpes the Poets sang their Rimes;
That whilst Greece flourisht, and was onely then
Nurse of all Arts, and of all famous men:
Numbring their yeers, still their accounts they made,
Either from this or that Olimpiade.
So Dover, from these Games, by thee begun,
Wee'l reckon Ours, as time away doth run.
Wee'l have thy Statue in some Rocke cut out,
With brave Inscriptions garnished about;
And under written, Loe, this was the man,
Dover, that first these noble Sports began.
Ladds of the Hills, and Lasses of the Vale,
In many a song, and many a merry Tale
Shall mention Thee; and having leave to play,
Unto thy name shall make a Holy day.
The Cotswold Shepheards as their flocks they keepe,
To put off lazie drowsinesse and sleepe,
Shall sit to tell, and heare thy Story tould,
That night shall come ere they their flocks can fould.
Michaell Drayton.
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