University of Virginia Library

THE SPEECH AT THE KINGS ENTRANCE AT Burleigh.

If for our thoughts there could but speech be found,
And all that speech be uttered in one sound,
So that some power above us would afford
The meanes to make a language of a word,
It should be welcome: In that onely voyce
We would receive, retaine, enjoy, rejoyce;
And all effects of love, and life dispence,
Till it were call'd a copious eloquence:
For should we vent our spirits (now you are come,)
In other sillables, were as to be dumbe.
Welcome, ô welcome then, and enter here,
The House your bounty hath built, and still doth reere
With those high favours, and those heap't increases,
Which shewes a hand not greev'd, but when it ceases.
The Master is your creature, as the place;
And every good about him is your grace:
Whom though he stand by silent, thinke not rude,
But as a man turn'd art to gratitude.
For what he never can hope, how to restore,
Since while he meditates one, you heape on more.
Vouchsafe to thinke, he onely is opprest
With their aboundance, not that in his breast
His pow'res are stupid growne; for please you enter
Him, and his house, and search them to the center:
You'll finde within no thankes, or vowes there shorter,
For having trusted thus much to his Porter.