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To his worthy friend Master Shackerley Marmion, upon his Poem of Cupid and Psyche.

To give the world assurance, in this cold
And leaden age, that Love must ne're be old,
Cupid and Psyche thou hast renderd more
Youthfull and faire, than did the age of gold:
And if the sweetnesse they had heretofore
Found least decay; thou dost it now restore
With large encrease, instructing Love to love,
And in his Mistresse more affection move,
In this thy Poem; which thou hadst a pen
From Loves owne wing to write, powerfull above
His shafts: For thou some Iron hearts of men
Hast made in Love with Poesie; that till then
Could not discerne her beauty, and lesse see
Her exc'lence, as it is drawne out by thee,
In perfect Love-lines: Cupid smiles to see't,
And crownes his Mistresse with thy Poetry,
Compos'd of syllables, that kisse more sweete
Then Violets and Roses when they meeet:
And we, thine Arts just Lovers, as we looke
On Cupid kissing Psyche, kisse thy Booke.
Rich. Brome.