XVII.
[Yf Poets haue done well in times long past]
The Author not yet hauing forgotten the songe of
his mistres, maketh her in this passion a seconde
Phoenix, though not of Arabia, and yet no lesse acceptable
to Apollo, then is that bird of Arabia.
And the cheife causes why Sol shoulde fauour
hir, he accounteth to be these two, hir excellent
beawtie, and hir skill in musike, of which
two qualities Sol is well knowen to be an especiall
cheife patrone, and sometimes the only author
or giuer of the same.
Yf
Poets haue done well in times long past,
To glose on trifling toyes of little price:
Why should not I presume to fame as fast,
Espying forth a ground of good deuise?
A Sacred Nimph is ground whereon ile write,
The fairest Nimph that euer yet saw light.
And since her song hath fild mine eares with ioye,
Hir vertues pleas'd my minde, hir face mine eye,
I dare affirme what some will thinke a toy,
She Phœnix is, though not of Arabie;
And yet the plumes about hir neck are bright,
Vide Plinium natur. hist. lib. 10 cap. 2.
And Sol him selfe in her hath chiefe delight.
You that will know why Sol afoordes her leue,
Seeke but the cawse why Peakocks draw the place,
Where Iuno sitts; why Venus likes the Doue;
Or why the Owle befitts Mineruaes grace;
Then yf you grudge, that she to Sol belonge,
Marke but hir face, and heare hir skill in songe.
