The poetical works of William Strode ... Now first collected from manuscript and printed sources: to which is added: The floating island a tragi-comedy: Now first reprinted from the original edition of 1655: Edited by Bertram Dobell with a memoir of the author |
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TO SIR EDM. LING |
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 | The poetical works of William Strode |  |
TO SIR EDM. LING
Sir: I had writt in Lattin: but I feareYou thinke tis durty still: and then it were
Unworthy of your hand. If Truth were tolde
Twas cause you turnde my Lattin all to gold.
But yet I hope the payment is as good
In English thankes. When hardly understood
Wee speake outlandish phrase, and thanks by arte,
Wee speake but Tongue-deepe: now tis from the heart.
May I want tongue and heart if I forgett
A thing so rare, a stranger's benefitt.
In writing to a Stranger, men are bent
To make a flourish with nice Complement.
Should I by you, as by a Stranger doe,
Your gift would sweare mee downe you were not so.
Yet give mee leave, Sir, but to darte one worde
From that full store-house where my Thanks I horde:
May every houre that travells through the glasse
Number a new content before it passe:
May you neere wish wherby to want true blisse,
Nor ever want wherby to cause a wish.
| The poetical works of William Strode | |