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 THE LADY KNIGHTON |
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 | The poetical works of William Strode |  |
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TO THE LADY KNIGHTON
Madam: due thanks are lodgde within my breastAs close as when your enigmatique chest
Embracde the hidden Angell, which I found
Like Danäe, or like to Rosamonde
Wrapt in a winding labirynth. But then
I thought mine eyes a prodigy had seene,
Two Angells joynd in one; the first a badd one,
The other good: twas Michael and the Dragon.
This is the morall if wee reade it well,
The selfe same Gold contains both heaven and hell:
To good men tis an Angell: but the evill
While they possesse it treasure upp the Divell.
O may that valiant Angell, whose bright face
Was figurde in your Golde, whose glory was
No lesse exprest in the materiall
Than in the stampe it was informde withall;
May he still guard your side and where you dwell
May still your Champion bee Saynt Michaëll.
What though that frayle Disease long siege hath layde
Unto your body? Never be dismayde.
The Languisher breaths long oft times wee see:
So soddayn blasts blow downe a sturdy Tree
When shivering Shrubs hold out: the firme and strong
Are strucke with casuall blows: the weake live long
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And fayrly pace, whilst others runne in hast.
Thinke when your palsy and the night is fledde
Twas part of Death; and when you rise from bed
Thinke that of all your limbs, the weakest one
Hath tasted of the Resurrection.
Thanks was my Theame: but let me thank or pray
It issues from one head, what ere I say.
O, may your dayes bee all as good as long;
May no ill happe or passion dare to wrong
Your quiet peace with the least griefe or feare,
And may your Heart keepe Christmas all the year.
| The poetical works of William Strode | |