Ivvenilia :: :: University of Virginia Library

These Iuvenilia (or these youth-pastimes)
Set forth in homely and unpolish't Rhimes,
Let none despise: for whatsoere they seeme
They have their fate, their use, and their esteeme.
And will be read; when those more seeming wise,
Have farre lesse use and shorter Destinies.
Nor read you them, with that Censorious eye,
As if you look't for curiou'st Poesey.
If that be sought for others can afford
Large volumes, and with Art far better stor'd.
And this our Author answers our desire,
If for his riper labours you enquire.

Here you shall see what Nature could impart,
E'er he had Time or Meanes, to compasse Art:
What straines a native honesty could reach;
What knowledge and, what boldnesse it can teach:
And, that in Truth a Majestie there is,
Though masked in despised simplenesse.

Among the Learn'd, this Author hath no name,
Nor did he this way thinke to purchase Fame;
For when he this composed it was more,
Then he had read in twice twelve Moneths before.
And by his latter Studies, some discerne,
That first he writ and then began to learne.
Be't what it will; tis that he meanes shall passe,
To shew how foolish, and how wise he was.

No Criticke now doth in these Poemes see,
A blemish or a scape more soone than he.

He knowes as well as they, what seemes amisse
In these inventions, and what childish is.
He knowes how farre they differ from those Layes,
By which the learned Poet hunts for praise:
And wherein those absurdities doe lie,
Which to their thinking marre his Poesie.
And yet he will not mend them: For his name
I loved more and higher flies his Fame,
By these despised Numbers than their pride
Can raise them yet, who did his lines deride.
And that his Matter will be priz'd he knowes;
When their fil'd language out of fashion growes.

Thus therefore uncorrected and untrim'd,
You have these Poemes, as they first were limb'd:
Which (though some may dislike) some wil approve.
For many men will leave a pruned Grove,
And curious Garden-Allies, to goe see,
What pleasures in untilled Mountaines be:
And much delights in Woods to take the shade,
Of artlesse Arbors, by rude Nature made.

Beside; as there be many men who long
To see of what complexion being young
Their bodies were, and to that purpose save,
Vnalter'd those their Pictures which they have.
So, he thus having drawne (as here you find)
In childish yeeres the picture of his Minde,
Vnalter'd leaves it that in time to come
It may appeare how much he changeth from
The same he was: And that beseene it may,
How he amends, growes worse, or keepes a stay.
Then whether he could better this or no,
His purpose is some other way to show.