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 | Ivvenilia |  |
To the Lord Ridgevvay.
Sir, you first grac'd and gratifi'd my Muse,
Which ne'er durst trie till thē what she could do:
That which I did, unto my selfe was news,
A matter I was little us'd unto:
Had you those first endeavours not approv'd,
Perhaps I had for ever silence kept;
But now your good encouragement hath mov'd,
And rouz'd my Spirits that before time slept;
For which I vow'd a gift that should be better,
Accept this for't, and Ile be still your debter.
Which ne'er durst trie till thē what she could do:
272
A matter I was little us'd unto:
Had you those first endeavours not approv'd,
Perhaps I had for ever silence kept;
But now your good encouragement hath mov'd,
And rouz'd my Spirits that before time slept;
For which I vow'd a gift that should be better,
Accept this for't, and Ile be still your debter.
Here you shall see the Images of Men
More savage than the wildest Irish kern:
Abuses whipt and stript, and whipt agen;
I know your judgement can the truth discerne.
Now so you well will think of this my Rime,
I've such a minde yet to Saint Patricks Ile,
That if my Fate and Fortunes give me time;
I purpose to revisite you a while,
And make those sparks of honour to flame high
That rak'd up in oblivions cinders lie.
More savage than the wildest Irish kern:
Abuses whipt and stript, and whipt agen;
I know your judgement can the truth discerne.
Now so you well will think of this my Rime,
I've such a minde yet to Saint Patricks Ile,
That if my Fate and Fortunes give me time;
I purpose to revisite you a while,
And make those sparks of honour to flame high
That rak'd up in oblivions cinders lie.
| Ivvenilia | |