The Tvvo Famous Pitcht Battels of Lypsich, and Lutzen wherein the ever-renowned Prince Gustavus the Great lived and died a Conquerour: with an Elegie upon his untimely death, composed in Heroick Verse. By John Russell |
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To his friend the Authour.
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 | The Tvvo Famous Pitcht Battels of Lypsich, and Lutzen |  |
To his friend the Authour.
Ingenious friend, that dost so bravely singThe conquests of the Swethes Victorious King;
Who by thy thundring lines dost seem to follow
Aswell the tents of Mars, as of Apollo;
And in depainting of a bloudie fight
Dost intermingle Terrour with Delight:
Though I could tell thee that thy verses worth
Abundantly will gild and set them forth;
Although I might (without base flatterie) say
Thy forehead doth deserve a wreathe of Bay;
Yet I forbear: thy modestie is such,
I dare not praise, at least, not praise thee much.
Indeed what need'st thou my too slender praise,
To usher thy so sweetly-soaring layes
Into the world; since that the very name
Gustavus will more highly grace the same,
Then if the rarest Laureats choisest quill
To pen thy praise should shew its utmost skill?
How richly is thy work rewarded! See!
Thou mak'st Gustavus live, Gustavus thee:
And by thy loftie Muse I know not now
Whether shall more be honour'd, he or thou.
Sweds Great AUGUSTUS! Oh how could I dwell
Upon that Name! How often could I spell
Its every sacred syllable; and when
I've done't a thousand times, begin agen!
That Name who honours not, Oh may he be
O'rewhelm'd with never-dying infamie!
His blessed Memorie who adoreth not,
Oh may he be eternally forgot!
Thy book, my friend (if I do not mistake)
Will please and sell for Great Gustavus sake.
Stephen Jones, of S. Johns Coll.
| The Tvvo Famous Pitcht Battels of Lypsich, and Lutzen | |