The Metamorphosis of Tabacco :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Metamorphosis of Tabacco

[by Sir John Beaumont]

Beaumont, John (1583-1627)

[section]

Ad mare riuuli.

IN LAVDEM AVTHORIS

[Graunt me smooth vtt'rance Muses to reherse]

[See how the chatt'ring throngs of Poets vaine]

[Whom Helicon, and Tempe doe adorne]

[If that the Bee, whose winter paines are rest]

[What my poore Muse can doe, she vowes it thine]

[Sometimes all man, that hath vs'd soule and breath]

To the white Reader.

[My new-borne Muse assaies her tender wing]

[I doe inuoke none but thy selfe to praise thee]

[The tender plant, which goodly fruit hath bore]

THE METAMORPHOSIS OF TABACCO.

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[The tender plant, which goodly fruit hath bore]

The tender plant, which goodly fruit hath bore,
Being growne doth promise farre more beautious store:
Seeing thy youths prime a worthie worke hath dight,
What shall thy riper Muse produce to light?
Tabaccoes spring, transforming, soueraigntie
Set'st forth with truth, fictions, Philosophie,
Merits enroulement with Mœonian quill
Thy wit, zeale, labours, and thy learned skill.
Doctrina, ingenio, studijs, pietate, labore,
Exupera, polle, profice, cresce, vige.

I. P.