 | The Maid of Honovr |  |
TO MY WORTHY FRIEND THE AVTHOR VPON HIS TRAGÆ-COMÆDY, THE MAID OF HONOVR.
Was not thy Emperor enough beforeFor thee to give, that thou dost give vs more?
I would be just, but cannot: that I know
I did not slander, this I feare I doe.
But pardon mee, if I offend: Thy fire
Let equall Poets praise, while I admire.
Jf any say that I enough have writ,
They are thy foes, and envy at thy wit.
Believe not them, nor mee, they know thy lines
Deserve applause, but speake against their mindes.
I, out of iustice, would commend thy Play,
But (friend forgive mee) 'tis above my way.
One word, and I have done (and from my heart
Would I could speake the whole truth, not the part)
Because 'tis thine; it henceforth will be said,
Not the Maid of Honour, but the Honour'd Maid.
Aston Cokayne.
| The Maid of Honovr | |