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To the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privie-Councell.
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268

To the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privie-Councell.

Epigram 6.

Most honour'd Lords; I here present this Book
To your grave Censures, not to shew my Art:
N'er did you on so rude a matter look;
Yet 'tis the token of an honest heart.
I did it not to please or flatter any,
Nor have I made it for the thirst of gain;
For I am sure it will not humour many,
And I expect much hatred for my pain.
Here something you may see that now requires
Your care and providence to hav't amended:
That is the height, to which my Muse aspires,
And whereto I have all my labour tended.
It may be there be some out of their hate
Will mis-interpret what is plainly meant;
Or taxe me as too saucy with the State,
In hope to make me for the truth be shent:
Yet know, Great Lords, I do acknowledge here,
It is your wisedomes that next God maintains
This Kingdomes good. And from my heart I beare
A reverent respect unto your pains.
I do not, as such fain would have it seem,
Presume to teach your wisedomes what is best;
I do not my own knowledge so esteem:
Vile self-conceit I (from my heart) detest.
But for because I know the piercing'st eye
Can never into all abuses see:
And sith the greatest in authoritie
May not behold sometime so much as wee:

269

What therefore I have thought to be amisse,
And worth amending I have told it here:
I know your Honours will be pleas'd in this,
Though some (it may be) cannot rage forbeare.
But if there's any take this writing badly,
Had it told all, it would have vext him madly.