University of Virginia Library



To the Authour.

Would'st thou haue ta'ne my counsell (dearest friend)
Some humble Dedication thou hadst penn'd
To foule Detraction, swearing thou doest owe
Thy worke to her; because that shee doth show
By strength of Argument thy Labours bee
Most white, and from all base aspersions free.
For Envy's Vertues parasite, and feeds
Vpon her trencher, then this worke must needs
Bee good, which doth at its sole charge maintaine
Envie so well that shee doth burst againe,
And split her strutting gorge, she goes before
Laughter in fatnesse, and commends thee more.