The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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To Endimion Porter.
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
To Endimion Porter.
It is (Lord of my Muse and Heart) since lastThy sight inspir'd me, many ages past.
In darkness thick as ill-met Clouds can make,
In sleeps wherein the last Trump scarce could wake
The guilty dead, I lay and hidden more
Than Truth, which testy Disputants explore.
More hid than paths of Snakes, to their deep beds,
Or walkes of Mountaine-Springs from their first Heads:
And when my long forgotten Eies, and Mind,
Awak'd; I thought to see the Sun declin'd
Trough age, to'th' influence of a Star, and Men
So small, that they might live in Wombes agen,
But now, my strength's so giantly, that were
The great Hill-lifters once more toyling here;
Theyl'd choose me out, for active Back, for Bone,
To heave at Pælion first, and heave alone.
Now by the softness of thy noble care,
Reason and Light, my lov'd Companions are;
I may too, ere this Moon be lost, refine
My bloud, and bathe my Temples with thy wine
And then, know my Endimion (thou whose name
To'th World example is, Musick to Fame)
I'le trie if Art, and Nature, able be
From the whole strength, and stock of Poesie,
To pay thee my large debts, such as the poor
In open Blushes, hidden Hearts restore.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |