The Poetical Works of William Basse (1602-1653): Now for the first time collected and edited with introduction and notes by R. Warwick Bond |
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COMMENDATORY VERSES TO MASSINGER'S
PLAY, “THE BONDMAN.”
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 | The Poetical Works of William Basse |  |
121
COMMENDATORY VERSES TO MASSINGER'S PLAY, “THE BONDMAN.”
The Authors Friend to the Reader.
The Printers haste calls on; I must not driueMy time past Sixe, though I begin at Fiue.
One houre I haue entire, and 'tis enough:
Here are no Gipsie Iigges, no Drumming stuffe,
Dances, or other Trumpery to delight,
Or take by common way the common sight.
The Avthor of this Poem, as he dares
To stand th' austerest Censure, so he cares
As little what it is. His owne Best way
Is, to be Iudge and Avthor of his Play
It is his Knowledge makes him thus secure;
Nor do's he write to please, but to endure.
And (Reader) if you haue disburs'd a shilling
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To haue a large encrease, (if rul'd by me)
You may a Marchant and a Poet be.
'Tis granted for your twelue-pence you did sit,
And See, and Heare, and Vnderstand not yet,
The Avthor (in a Christian pitty) takes
Care of your good, and Prints it for your sakes:
That such as will but venter Six-pence more,
May Know, what they but Saw and Heard before:
'Twill not be money lost, if you can reed,
(Ther's all the doubt now); but your gains exceed
If you can Vnderstand, and you are made
Free of the freest and the noblest trade.
And in the way of Poetry, now adayes,
Of all that are call'd Workes, the best are Playes.
W.B.
| The Poetical Works of William Basse | |