Cvpid and Psiche Or an Epick Poem of Cupid, and his Mistress. As it was lately presented to the Prince Elector. Written by, Shakerly Marmion |
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To his loving friend, Mr. Shackerley Marmion, the Authour.
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To his loving friend, Mr. Shackerley Marmion, the Authour.
Friend, I have read thy Poem, full of wit,A Master-piece, Ile set my seale to it:
Let Judges reade, and ignorance be gone:
'Tis not for vulgar thumbs to sweat upon
This learned worke: thy Muse flies in her place:
And Eagle-like, lookes Phœbus in the face.
Let those voluminous Authours, that affect
Fame rather great, than good, thy worth reject.
Jewels are small: how'nlike art thou to those,
That tire out Rime, and Verse, till they trot Prose?
And ride the Muses Pegasus, poore jade,
Till he be foundred; and make that their trade:
And to fill up the sufferings of the beast,
Foot it themselves three hundred miles at least.
These have no mercy on the Paper rheames,
But produce plaies, as schole-boys do write theams.
Thou keepst thy Muse in breath, and if men wage
Gold on her head, will better runne the stage:
And 'tis more praise, than hadst thou labour'd in't,
To brand the world with twenty such in print.
Francis Tuckyr.
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