 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
3
To the meeke ingenuous Reader.
Though much contempt is cast on Poesie,
The Meek, and men of Ingenuity,
Sill, entertaine her with respective eares,
When, on her proper Errand shee appeares.
For, Sacred-things, and Things most pertinent
To Mans well being, by that Instrument,
Have been conveyed, ev'n in ev'ry Nation,
(Yea, and almost, in ev'ry Generation)
Some Poets have prov'd Prophets, to foretell,
Things Future, many years ere they befell.
And sure, the Latines, to imply the same,
To Poets, and to Prophets gave one Name.
The Meek, and men of Ingenuity,
Sill, entertaine her with respective eares,
When, on her proper Errand shee appeares.
For, Sacred-things, and Things most pertinent
To Mans well being, by that Instrument,
Have been conveyed, ev'n in ev'ry Nation,
(Yea, and almost, in ev'ry Generation)
Some Poets have prov'd Prophets, to foretell,
Things Future, many years ere they befell.
And sure, the Latines, to imply the same,
To Poets, and to Prophets gave one Name.
To You, therefore, this Poem will not seem
Unusefull, or unworthy of esteem;
Nor shall, to you, the matter be in vaine,
Nor want that End, whereto it may pertaine;
But, stir up those Affections, and that Care
Which may awake you, timely, to prepare
Against the sad, and Evill day, wherein
The Scorners must have payment for their sin.
For, This, will passe by Them, as doth a Blast,
Whereof, but few take heed, till it be past,
And, leaves Effects behind it which may show
What Blast it was, and whence that wind did blow.
Unusefull, or unworthy of esteem;
Nor shall, to you, the matter be in vaine,
Nor want that End, whereto it may pertaine;
But, stir up those Affections, and that Care
Which may awake you, timely, to prepare
Against the sad, and Evill day, wherein
The Scorners must have payment for their sin.
For, This, will passe by Them, as doth a Blast,
Whereof, but few take heed, till it be past,
And, leaves Effects behind it which may show
What Blast it was, and whence that wind did blow.
To you, therefore, the Author recommends
These musings, as to them, among his Friends,
Who, shall possesse the Earth, when those who flout
At wholesome Counsell, shall be rooted out.
He to your Doome appeales: And if but Three,
Who, zealous of the Publike safety be;
Or, but two wisemen; Or, but One, who loves
The Peace of GOD, these Raptures well approves;
He shall be honour'd, by such Approbations,
More, then by all the Fooles of these three Nations.
These musings, as to them, among his Friends,
Who, shall possesse the Earth, when those who flout
At wholesome Counsell, shall be rooted out.
He to your Doome appeales: And if but Three,
Who, zealous of the Publike safety be;
Or, but two wisemen; Or, but One, who loves
The Peace of GOD, these Raptures well approves;
He shall be honour'd, by such Approbations,
More, then by all the Fooles of these three Nations.
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |