University of Virginia Library

To his worthy Friend Master Philip Massenger, on his Play, Call'd the Renegado.

The bosome of a friend cannot breath foorth
A flattering phrase to speake the noble worth
Of him that hath lodg'd in his honest brest,
So large a title: I among the rest
That honour thee, doe onely seeme to prayse
Wanting the flowers of Art, to decke that Bayes
Merit has crown'd thy Temples with. Know friend
Though there are some who meerely doe commend
To liue i'th Worlds opinion such as can
Censure with Iudgement, no such peece of Man,
Makes vp my spirit; where desert doe's liue,
There will J plant my wonder, and there giue
My best indeauours, to build vp his story
That truely Merits. I did euer glory
To behold Uertue rich, though cruell Fate
Jn scornefull malice doe's beate low their state
That best deserue, when others that but know
Onely to scribble, and no more, of't grow
Greate in their fauours, that would seeme to bee
Patrons of Witt, and modest Poesie:
Yet with your abler Friends, let me say this
Many may striue to equall you, but misse
Of your fayre scope, this worke of yours men may
Throw in the face of enuy, and then say
To those that are in Great-mens thoughts more blest,
Imitate this, And call that worke your best.
Yet Wise-men, in this, and too often, erre
When they their loue before the worke preferre,
If I should say more, some may blame me for't
Seeing your merits speake you, not report.