The Times' Whistle Or A Newe Daunce of Seuen Satires, and other Poems: Compiled by R. C., Gent. [i.e. Richard Corbett]. Now First Edited from Ms. Y. 8. 3. in the Library of Canterbury Cathedral: With introduction, notes, and glossary, By J. M. Cowper |
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A Ioue principium Musæ. |
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 | The Times' Whistle |  |
A Ioue principium Musæ.
When first I did intend to write 'gainst sinne,My Muse was in suspence how to beginne;
What crime to put i' th' forefront of my booke,
Not through defect (let me not be mistooke)
Of number, for the world abounds in vice,
But 'cause 'twas somewhat hard to breake the ice
To any; but at last methought 'twas fitt
First to inveigh 'gainst those that doe committ
The greatst offences; whom I tooke to be
Our Ath[e]ists, which striue to roote vp the tree
Of true religion: by these reasons movd:—
First, that this sinne might be from vs remov'd;
Without the which, it were in vaine to taxe
Other offences, of what note or sexe
Soever; next, because this kinde of men
Doth most dishoner God; and lastly, when
All that we are is his, from whom alone
We doe all good deriue, when every one
Moues by his power, lives by his permission,
And can doe nothing if the prohibition
Of the Almighty doe oppugne; it lies
Only in him to end each enterprise.
These things concurring, I my selfe did sitt
To vse the inchoation of my witte
First in his cause, by whose direction
I hope to bring the rest vnto perfection.
| The Times' Whistle | |