 | The flea |  |
In laudem Authoris.
Homer
(the glory of the learned Greekes)
To wright of Frogges & Mice did thinke no scorne
Th'admired Roman Maro also seekes
With his sweet songs the little Gnat t'adorne.
Great Orpheus Harpe layd by, they'l fill their cheekes
As other Shepherds done with pypes of Corne:
Yet can at will lay by their Oaten reedes,
And sing of battailes and of knightly deedes.
To wright of Frogges & Mice did thinke no scorne
Th'admired Roman Maro also seekes
With his sweet songs the little Gnat t'adorne.
Great Orpheus Harpe layd by, they'l fill their cheekes
As other Shepherds done with pypes of Corne:
Yet can at will lay by their Oaten reedes,
And sing of battailes and of knightly deedes.
One tels vs of a metamorphos'd Asse,
An other Folly highly doth commend;
He proues nath'lesse, his wit vnchanged was,
And this his time oft time could better spend.
Neither of those but at his pleasure, has
Matter of worth with good aduisement pend.
Either of those (the wonder of his age)
Vnder base subjects shadowe matter sage.
An other Folly highly doth commend;
He proues nath'lesse, his wit vnchanged was,
And this his time oft time could better spend.
Neither of those but at his pleasure, has
Matter of worth with good aduisement pend.
Either of those (the wonder of his age)
Vnder base subjects shadowe matter sage.
Now let who list this as a toye dispise,
Such worthy Patrones since thou hast in store:
What though thy subject be of little price?
Thy wit appeeres thereby to be the more,
Then let thy Flea step forth, since Frogges and Mice
And little Gnats haue led the way before.
Feare not though Momus brood still carping bee,
He snarl'd at Homer, let them barke at thee.
Such worthy Patrones since thou hast in store:
What though thy subject be of little price?
Thy wit appeeres thereby to be the more,
Then let thy Flea step forth, since Frogges and Mice
And little Gnats haue led the way before.
Feare not though Momus brood still carping bee,
He snarl'd at Homer, let them barke at thee.
R. P. Gent
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