University of Virginia Library

A Genethliacon to the Infant Muse of his dearest Friend.

Dame Nature long projecting, how
Shee might a New-years-gift bestow
Of greatest worth; at length did chuse
To give the World an early Muse,
Shee felt Perfection in her womb
Struggling to get a larger room,
And could not chuse but give it breath
Though by procuring her own death,
She would not her full time out tarry,
Lest bringing forth she might miscarry;
Therefore she rather rips her womb,
Thence gives this rich Depositum.
Nor need we this Abortive fold
In a Lambskin, to keep't from cold:
We need not cry; 'Las spare it yet;
'Tis an untimely tender wit:
Let envy spatter what it can,
This Embryon will prove a man.
Thus thy luxuriant Laurel-sprout
As soon as 't hath its head put out,
Or'e tops old standers! Thus thy Bayes
Vie greennesse with thy tender dayes.