 | [To Lodovvicke Lloid ] |  |
[If learning had no laude, mans lyking vvoulde decaye, (avvay.)]
THOMAS CHVRCHYARD, Gent. of Lodo. Fl.
If
learning had no laude, mans lyking vvoulde decaye, (avvay.)
And fevv vvould vvrite or knovvledge seke, if praise vvere pluckt
The laborer hath his hier, to quite his carefull paines:
The noble minde for vvorthie vvorkes, a crovvne of glorie gaines.
The horse toyles all the daye, at night some rest to finde:
The havvke in hope of vvished praye full hie doth beare the vvinde.
Than hee vvho made this booke, of right must reape renoume:
Sith through the trumpet he hath blovvne, a famous fact doth soune.
He shevves by learned lines, our painefull pilgrimes state:
And hovve the Prince and people both, driues out their dreery date.
A pilgrimage vve goe, in pathes of perilles great:
And through the shades of suerties shoe, vve passe to burning heate.
That all consumes by flame, of deepe desire in brest:
VVhose kindled cooales like Aethna smokes, in sulphur voyde of rest.
VVhose sparkes doe flee so farre, they cannot quenched bee:
Except that vvisdome vvater cast, vvhen fier most hote vve see.
UUhat humour leades me thus, I meant to prayse this man:
(As farre as penne and skill may stretch) that first this vvorke began.
And though the svvelling svvannes, that svvimes in povvting pride:
By skovvling brovves tels vvorld that they, this vvorke cannot abide.
I carelesse stande of that, and vvishe those birdes so vvell:
(In greatest glorie that they make, that dovvne their feathers fell.
For if at verteous actes, their vices vainely striue:
The good shall grovv, the bad shall quayle, & sure the best shall thriue
I meane such men as this, that vvell doth vvorke and vvill:
And labours for his countries gaine, and so hee shall doe still.
Shall vvere a garlande gaye, of flovvers that florish fayre:
UUhen painted vveedes that vvants good sap, shal perish in the ayre
Thus as my cunning serues, and cause requires in deede:
I prayse the vvorke and like the man, that giues you this to reede.
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