University of Virginia Library

To my Judicious and learned friend the Author vpon his ingenious poem the Gratefull seruant.

Though I well know, that my obscurer name
Listed which theirs, who heere aduance thy fame
Cannot adde to it, giue me leaue to be
Among the rest a modest votarie
At the altar of thy muse, I dare not raise
Giant Hyperboles vnto thy praise,
Or hope it can find credit in this age
Though I should sweare in each triumphant page
Of this thy worke, thers no line but of weight
And poesie it selfe shewne at the height
Such common places friend will not agree
With thy owne vote and my integrity
Ile steere a midde way, haue cleare truth my guide
And vrge a praise which cannot be denyde
Here are no forc'd expressions, no rack'd phraze
No Babell compositions to amaze
The tortur'd reader, no beleeu'd defence
To strengthen the bold atheists insolence,
No obscene sillable, that may compell
A blush from a chast maide, but all so well
Exprest and orderd, as wise men must say
It is a gratefull Poem a good play
And such as read, ingenuously shall find,
Few haue out strip'd thee, many halt behind.