University of Virginia Library



The Authors Commendation of the Right Honorable Earle of Oxenford.

E xcept I should in freendship seeme ingrate,
D enying duty, where to I am bound:
W ith letting slip your Honnors woorthy state,
A t all assayes, which I haue Noble found.
R ight well I might refrayne to handle pen:
D enouncing aye the company of men.
D own dire despayre, let courage come in place,
E xalt his fame whom Honnor dooth imbrace.
V ertue hath aye adornd your valiant hart,
E xampled by your deeds of lasting fame:
R egarding such as take God Mars his parte,
E che where by proofe, in Honnor and in name.
E che one dooth knowe no fables I expresse,
A s though I should encroche for priuate gayne:
R egard you may (at pleasure) I confesse,
L etting that passe, I vouch to dread no paine.
E che where, gainst such as can my faith distaine.
O r once can say, he deales with flatterye:
F orging his tales to please the fantasye.
O f mine intent your Honnor iudge I craue,
X ephirus blowe your Fame to Orient skyes:
E xtoll I pray this valiant Brittayne braue,
N ot seeming once Bellona to despise.
F or valliantnes beholde young Cæsar heere,
O r Hanniball loe Hercules in place:
R ing foorth (I say) his Fame both farre and neere,
D out not to say, De Vere will foes deface.