Poems, and phancies written By the Thrice Noble, Illustrious, And Excellent Princess The Lady Marchioness of Newcastle [i.e. Margaret Cavendish]. The Second Impression, much Altered and Corrected |
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Of the Style of this Book.
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 | Poems, and phancies |  |
Of the Style of this Book.
I language want, to Dress my Fancies in,The Hair's uncurl'd, the Garments loose and thin;
Had they but Silver-lace, to make them Gay,
They'ld be more Courted, than in poor Array;
Or had they Art, would make a better show:
But they are Plain, yet Cleanly do they go.
The World in Bravery doth take delight,
And Glist'ring shews do more attract the Sight;
For every One doth honour a rich Hood,
As if the Outside made the Inside good;
And every One doth Bow, and give the Place,
Not to the Person but the Silver-lace.
Let me intreat ye' in my poor Book's behalf,
That all may not Adore the Golden Calf;
Consider pray, that Gold no Life doth bring,
And Life in Nature is the Richest thing:
So Fancy is the Soul in Poetry,
And if not good, the Poem ill must be:
Be Just, let Fancy have the upper place,
And then my Verses may perchance find Grace;
If Flatt'ring Language all the Passions rule,
Then Sense, I fear, will be a meer Dull Fool.
| Poems, and phancies | |