The Works of William Fowler Secretary to Queen Anne, Wife of James VI. Edited with introduction, appendix, notes and glossary by Henry W. Meikle |
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| II. |
| III. | ANE ANSWER
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| IV. |
| V. |
 | The Works of William Fowler |  |
395
ANE ANSWER
To his vnknowin freind, whom he wisheth with all his hart to knowe.
Although that Vertue soverane, and Love bene most condingFor to have praise, and gaine renown aboue all earthlie thing,
Wherethrough is gott, as men deserve, of right eternall name,
That tract of tyme can not destroy, or blot away the same.
My freind of laitt, unknowin ȝit, I hold me close a whyill,
If oght I can, whill tyme may serve to vtter furth my styill,
My scribling and vnskilfull pen hath brought now to ane end
The worke which I vnto ȝour fyill most glaidlie wold commend.
Sen that ȝe vrge, and vthers so no longer to delay,
If that my Muse will grant me ayd, I shall do as I may.
I haue not drunkt of Helicon, nor hant Parnassus hill,
for to professs in Poësie that I have art, or skill,
Bot as now this, now that did move, and fancie tuik delytt,
When tyme wes sparde from gryter cares I vsde sum thing to wryt,
And not so much in to this sort, where vulgar toung is hard,
As in the Latin most to frame I had alway regard,
I thank ȝow for ȝour courtesie till I may know, or sie
My loving freind, which lovinglie hath wrytt thus vnto me.
| The Works of William Fowler | |