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Apologie for Poets, against
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Apologie for Poets, against

Of all those Trees which Vestaes Wombe brings foorth,
How fertile, faire, and braue so-e're they bee;
The famous Fig is helde of greatest worth,
And beares the best, and sweetest Fruit, wee see:
And for this cause there is on Earth no Tree,
Except the Fig, that scapes from Thunder free.
A Thunder strange is threatned now of new,
Gainst such as stood in favour once a-day:
Of Poëts yet the number is but few,
Whose Songs are sweet, lyke Figs, and last for aye:
Whilst barren Birkes, Oakes, Firres, are throwne at vnder,
Let Poëts bee, lyke Fig-trees, free from Thunder.
Barbare Musarum Phœbique inimice, quid obstat,
Quin Musæ hostes sint, hostis Apollo tibi?
Insequitur vindicta nefas, mea penna merenti,
Sera licet dederit verbera, sæva dabit.