University of Virginia Library

Another.

[Svch is the Verse thou Writ'st, that who reades Thine]

Svch is the Verse thou Writ'st, that who reades Thine
Can never be content to suffer Mine:
Such is the Verse I Write, that reading Mine,
I hardly can beleeve I have read Thine:
And wonder, that their Excellence once knowne,
I nor correct, nor yet conceale mine owne.
Yet though I Danger feare, then Censure lesse;
Nor apprehend a Breach, like to a Presse:
Thy Merits, now the second time, inflame
To sacrifice the Remnant of my Shame.
Nor yet (as first) Alone, but joyn'd with Those
Who make the loftiest Verse, seeme humblest Prose.
Thus did our Master, to his Praise, desire
That Babes should with Philosophers conspire:
And Infants their Hosanna's should unite
With the so Famous Areopagite.
Perhaps my Stile too, is for Praise most fit;
Those shew their Iudgment least, who shew their wit:
And are suspected, least their subtiller Aime
Be rather to attaine, then to give Fame.
Perhaps whil'st I my Earth doe interpose
Betwixt thy Sunne and Them, I may aid those
Who have but feebler Eyes and weaker Sight,
To beare thy Beames, and to support thy Light.
So thy Ecclipse, by neighbouring Darkenesse made,
VVere no injurious, but a usefull Shade:
How e're I finish heere, my Muse her Daies
Ends in expressing thy deserved Praise:
VVhose fate in this seemes fortunately cast,
To have so just an Action for her Last.
And since there are, who have been taught, that Death
Inspireth Prophecie, expelling Breath.
I hope, when these foretell, what happie Gaines
Posteritie shall reape from these thy Paines:
Nor yet from these alone, but how thy Pen,
Earth-like, shall yearely give new Gifts to Men:
And Thou fresh Praise, and we fresh Good receive
(For he who Thus can write can never Leave)
How Time in them shall never force a Breach;
But they shall alwayes Live and alwaies Teach:
That the sole likelihood which these present,
Will from the more rais'd Soules command Assent;
And the so taught, will not Beliefe refuse,
To the last Accents of a Dying Muse.