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The Authors encouragement not to be discomforted for the follie of euery finde-fault.
If men may credit auncient writs,
or nouels great of fame,
Or wander safelie through the straites,
where Wisedome winnes her name:
or nouels great of fame,
Or wander safelie through the straites,
where Wisedome winnes her name:
Or if deedes done in former daies,
may haue some fresh attyre:
To make the Reader arme himselfe,
a new with fresh desire:
may haue some fresh attyre:
To make the Reader arme himselfe,
a new with fresh desire:
Or if that Poets pennes, may winne
such profit for their paine,
As elder daies did gladlie yeeld,
as guerdon for their gaine,
such profit for their paine,
As elder daies did gladlie yeeld,
as guerdon for their gaine,
Or if that praises spoke in right,
and glorie of a King:
Vnto the Author breed no spight,
but true æternizing:
and glorie of a King:
Vnto the Author breed no spight,
but true æternizing:
Then haue I hit the white
where-at ten thousand shoote:
If acceptance be the leaues,
and gratitude the roote.
where-at ten thousand shoote:
If acceptance be the leaues,
and gratitude the roote.
For why such Dastards as doe doubt,
the noyse of ratling Drum:
By my consent shall neuer be,
prefer'd to Captaines roome.
the noyse of ratling Drum:
By my consent shall neuer be,
prefer'd to Captaines roome.
For he that doubts annoy,
before his sute begin:
May lump in bogue with countrie Kate,
when ventrous Ladies win.
before his sute begin:
May lump in bogue with countrie Kate,
when ventrous Ladies win.
So he that spares the poole to lade,
can hardly come by fish:
Nor he that still conceales his griefe,
can euer win his wish.
can hardly come by fish:
Nor he that still conceales his griefe,
can euer win his wish.
Nor yet the Meacocks minde,
that's drownde in selfe conceit,
Can euer scale Pernassus Tops,
although the pathe be straight.
that's drownde in selfe conceit,
Can euer scale Pernassus Tops,
although the pathe be straight.
So he that feares the frumpe,
of euery lesting swaine:
Conceales the pride of natures gifts,
and spends his time in vaine.
of euery lesting swaine:
Conceales the pride of natures gifts,
and spends his time in vaine.
Each writer must be arm'd,
to beare and brooke a scoffe:
And as it is by follie giuen,
with wisdome shake it off.
to beare and brooke a scoffe:
And as it is by follie giuen,
with wisdome shake it off.
Dispaire not for a scorne,
leane still on patience staffe:
For Pallas clearkes are sifted out,
as Corneis from the Chaffe.
leane still on patience staffe:
For Pallas clearkes are sifted out,
as Corneis from the Chaffe.
Striue thou with all thy strength,
the golden meane to keepe:
Please thou the good, and let the rest
in scorners saddle sleepe.
the golden meane to keepe:
Please thou the good, and let the rest
in scorners saddle sleepe.
Let all the rash rewardes,
not make thee ill apaide,
Thy worke shall keepe thy fame aliue,
when they full lowe are laide.
not make thee ill apaide,
Thy worke shall keepe thy fame aliue,
when they full lowe are laide.
And children yet vnborne,
shall descant on thy deeds,
With treble blessings to the ground,
that bare such happie seeds.
shall descant on thy deeds,
With treble blessings to the ground,
that bare such happie seeds.
Grudge not to loose an inch,
so thou maist gaine an ell:
Feare not at all the fooles reproofe,
if wise-men like thee well.
so thou maist gaine an ell:
Feare not at all the fooles reproofe,
if wise-men like thee well.
Thou must be bought and solde,
by difference of delights:
Some laude the life of bloudy Mars,
some reuerence carpet Knights.
by difference of delights:
Some laude the life of bloudy Mars,
some reuerence carpet Knights.
Some honor loue, some loath her lawe,
some musicke doe esteeme:
Some hunt, some hauke, with seuerall sports
such as they decrest deeme.
some musicke doe esteeme:
Some hunt, some hauke, with seuerall sports
such as they decrest deeme.
Giue euery man his scope,
to loue what he likes best:
Weake is the worke that willing mindes
make not a welcome guest.
to loue what he likes best:
Weake is the worke that willing mindes
make not a welcome guest.
Leaue off thy hope to please,
both Court and countrie too;
Or else thou tak'st in hand a worke,
that Christ could neuer doe.
both Court and countrie too;
Or else thou tak'st in hand a worke,
that Christ could neuer doe.
Driue from thy studie slouth,
with paine be busie still:
So shall thy wants be all excus'd,
and guarded with good wil.
with paine be busie still:
So shall thy wants be all excus'd,
and guarded with good wil.
FINIS.
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