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195

OCCASIONAL POEMS

196

In honour of the Author by Tho: Campion Doctor in Physicke. To the Reader.
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Prefixed to Barnabe Barnes's Foure Bookes of Offices: Enabling Privat persons for the special service of all good Princes and Policies, 1606.

Though neither thou doost keepe the Keyes of State,
Nor yet the counsels (Reader) what of that?
Though th'art no Law-pronouncer mark't by fate,
Nor field-commander (Reader) what of that?
Blanch not this Booke; for if thou mind'st to be
Vertuous, and honest, it belongs to thee.
Here is the Scoole of Temperance, and Wit,
Of Justice, and all formes that tend to it;
Here Fortitude doth teach to live and die,
Then, Reader, love this Booke, or rather buy.
197

To the Worthy Author.
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Prefixed to Ayres (1609) by Alfonso Ferrabosco the Younger (ca. 1580–1628).

Musicks maister, and the offspring
Of rich Musicks Father,
Old Alfonso's Image living,
These faire flowers you gather
Scatter through the Brittish soile;
Give thy fame free wing,
And gaine the merit of thy toyle:
Wee, whose loves affect to praise thee,
Beyond thine owne deserts can never raise thee.
By T. Campion, Doctor in Physicke.
199

Of this Ensuing Discourse.
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Prefixed to A Briefe Discourse of the true (but neglected) use of Charact'ring the Degrees by their Perfection, Imperfection, and Diminution in Measurable Musicke, against the Common Practise and Custome of these Times, published in 1614 by Thomas Ravenscroft (ca. 1582–1635)

Markes that did limit Lands in former times
None durst remove; so much the common good
Prevail'd with all men; 'twas the worst of crimes.
The like in Musicke may be understood,
For That the treasure of the Soule is, next
To the rich Store-house of Divinity:
Both comfort Soules that are with care perplext,
And set the Spirit Both from passions free.
The Markes that limit Musicke heere are taught,
So fixt of ould, which none by right can change,
Though Use much alteration hath wrought,
To Musickes Fathers that would now seeme strange.
The best embrace, which herein you may finde,
And th'Author praise for his good Worke and Minde.
THO: CAMPION.
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