University of Virginia Library

A Letter to the Lady D. S. sent with a New Comedy.

Madam , who make the glory of your blood
No priviledge at all to be lesse good;
Pardon the rudenes of a Comedy,
That (taught too great ambition) would flie
To kisse your white hand, and receive from thence,
Both an authority, and innocence.
'Tis not this great man, nor this Prince, whose fame
Can more advance a Poem, then your name,
To whose dear vertue truth is bound, and we,
That there is so much left for history.
I do acknowledge custom, that to men
Such Poems are presented, but my pen
Is not engaged, nor can allow too far
A Salique law in Poetry, to bar
Ladies th'inheritance of wit, whose soul
Is active, and not able to controul,
As some usurp the chair, which write a stile
To breathe the Reader better then a mile;
But no such empty titles buy my flame,
Nor will I sin so much to shew their name
In print; some servile Muses be their drudge,
That sweat to find a Patron, not a Judge.
To you great Lady then, in whom do meet
Candor and Judgement, humble at your feet
I throw these papers, wishing you may see
Joyes multiplyed, to your eternity.