University of Virginia Library

To the true deuoted Reader.

All curious quaint, abiliments exil'd,
In humblest habit, now my verse compil'd
Like a poore Pilgrim all alone I stand,
Taking my iourney to the holy land:
And faine would haue, since thus thransported hether,
All sorts and sects associate me thether,
But all (alas, woe worth) doe me disdaine,
& one my Palmers weed, with scorn complaine
Vp-brayding me, that I sometime of yore,
Triumphant vertues vestures viuely wore:
Which thogh those lines a prisners pace do walk,
Which whilom did in Courtly measure stalke.
To open view, now they expose their faults,
Though like a weakling ye on crowches haults.
The fading flower of those youthfull times,
Now rest of power, bewailes her ruthful crimes.
And ruminating on a sea of sinne,
Bewraies without, what her betrayes within:
Then with my Pœms, plaine wreck't dispence,
Deuour'd in zeale, is oft distrac't in sence.
Let not the rashnes of demolish't Time,
Explode my harshnes, and vnpolisht rime:
Nor shun me now, though I like lowly Iob,
This leprous Corps of sin with raggs enrobe.
But sit by me, read me and turne me o're,
And with thine vngments, gently salue my sore.
within this Port, wee'le Anchour safe frō rockes
Frō swelling billowes, rageing gusts & shockes.
Til Thetis, Halcion, Neptunes, storke doth haile
Then shall our Gallion spread a loftier saile,
And frō outragious stormes & tempests stand,
For safe arriuall in the holy land.