 | Seianus his Fall |  |
TO BEN. IONSON, on his workes.
May I subscribe a name? dares my bold quillWrite that or good or ill,
Whose frame is of that height, that, to mine eye,
Its head is in the sky?
Yes. Since the most censures, beleeues, and saith
By an implicit faith:
Least their misfortune make them chance amisse,
I'le waft them right by this.
Of all I know thou onely art the man
That dares but what he can:
Yet by performance showes he can do more
Then hath bene done before,
Or will be after. (such assurance giues
Perfection where it liues.)
Words speake thy matter; matter fills thy words;
And choyce that grace affords
That both are best: and both most fitly plac't,
Are with new Venvs grac't
From artfull method. all in this point meet,
With good to mingle sweet.
These are thy lower parts. what stands aboue
Who sees not yet must loue,
When on the Base he reads Ben. Ionsons name,
And heares the rest from Fame.
This from my loue of truth: which payes this due
To your iust worth, not you.
Ed. Heyward.
| Seianus his Fall | |