The Blazon of Iealovsie A Subiect not written of by any heretofore. First written in Italian, by that learned Gentleman Benedetto Varchi ... And Translated into English, with speciall Notes vpon the same; by R. T. [i.e. Robert Tofte] |
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TO THE IVDICIOVS VNDERSTANDER:
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 | The Blazon of Iealovsie |  |
TO THE IVDICIOVS VNDERSTANDER:
To the Ignorant Reader: and to the base Carper whatsoeuer.
Learned ) to you, whose true GentilitieIs match't with Vertue in Affinitie,
Into whose fluent Vaine, the Muses nine
Distill all Knowledge, Humane and Diuine,
Who haue the gifts of Tongues to vnderstand,
(Pure Linguists right) the state of euery Land:
Whose Eglets Spirits to mount on high are found,
And not as fearefull Swallow, lowe on ground:
Whose boundlesse Ocean of Intelligence,
Containes (of Artes) the subtile Quintessence.
Your curteous Nature, being so sweetly fram'd,
As it commends, what's worthier to be blam'd:
To you alone, and vnto none but you,
I offer vp my Selfe, and Booke, as due.
As for that golden Skonse with leaden VVit,
I scorne, for scorne, doth Ignorance best fit.
Rich dunghill Midas with his Asses eares,
VVho (with his Heeles) not with Discretion heares:
The perfum'd gilt-Spurre Muske-Cat, Valours shame,
Who is not (as he counterfeits) the same:
And yet disgracefull Blowes and words will take:
Whose Speech and Ruffe seeme Both, as One to be,
Of the new Set, (Twins in Formalitie,)
Where, if you barre him from his Common places,
He is tongue-tide then, for therein his chiefe grace is,
Whose Apish Trickes and Nods, with ducking low,
The perfect Type of Vanitie doth show,
Whilst (capring for the nonce) his Coyne must ijngle,
His sole Attendance being his loathsome Ingle:
Thinking he should be prays'd for his pyde Cloathes,
(For he no better parts (than these are) showes:)
All such, I barre, and banish from my Booke,
Lest they profane it with vnhallowed Looke.
Their musty Scoffes I bandy them againe,
As strucken Ball flyes backe from whence it came.
These wry-mouth'd Curs that barke, but dare not bite;
(Their Mothers (but not Fathers) Children right;)
Ile scourge from hence, and gaule them to the quicke,
Whilst on themselues, not me, they poison spit.
But vnto you (Iudicious) all Respect,
Ass to the Scoffers Hate and base Neglect:
Nor (if they are marryed) doe I wish them worse,
Then to be plagu'd with Iealovsies blacke Curse.
And he that (causelesse) with my Booke findes fault,
I will maintaine with Vulcans Crest doth halt;
Iudge (mildely) with sober Discretion then,
So shall you be like Angels, and not Men.
R. T.
| The Blazon of Iealovsie | |