University of Virginia Library

To his Friend the Author, on his Fancies Theater.

Friend , since the choise and most Emphatick phrase
Appeares too slender to enrich thy prayse;
How shall the discord of my jarring skill
Ought but detract from th'honor of thy Quill?
But yet, so just an int'rest in my love
Thy merits clayme, that should I not approve
The rich Exchequer of thy pregnant Braine
To it's true worth, I should appeare a staine.
Come all you Youths fill'd with Phœbean fire,
(As tribute to the Musick of his Lyre)
Bring each with willing Palmes a Daphnean Bough,
And make a Chaplet to impale his Brow,
Into whose Brest Apollo's selfe hath ray'd
Such loftie Raptures, as may well perswade
The transmigration which Pythagoras
Maintain'd for truth, may for authentick passe.
For, when th'inticing pleasure of thy Line,
And teeming Fancies unexhausted Myne
I view, me thinks the Genius of those Three
Admired Laureats are ensphear'd in Thee,
Smooth Shakespeare, neat Randolph, and wittie Ben,
Flow in a mutuall sweetnesse from Thy Pen:
Nature in Thee seemeth Arts parallell,
For Thou art both her Pride and Miracle.
May th'Virgin Candor of thy infant Bayes,
Unravisht, spring, spight of our Critick dayes;
And from Thee such Nectarean Dew distill,
As may the world with admiration fill.