University of Virginia Library

To his friend Iohn Tatham Gent. upon his Fancies Theater.

Thou didst not meane thy Theater sho'd be
Common (though publique) to th'Obliquity
Of ev'ry duller eye: 'Tis rais'd too neere,
(Propt by thy Fancies Atlas) to the sphere
Of purest wit, which the dull sonnes of Earth
(Sho'd they afflict the Universe with dearth
Of Ignorance and Envie, pile it up
In envious heapes for their ascent to crop
Thy Bayes) can ne're aspire to: Attempt they may,
And passe our duller ayre; But the cleare Ray
Of thy bright worth appearing, will deprive
Their terrified soule of sence; deceive
Their hopes through their own ruine. And what they have
Now for their steps, anon shall be their grave,
Prest by the weight of Ignorance: But then
Their guilty blushing shame shall rise agen
To scornfull memory, whose black name shall give
More Iustre to thy praises, to survive
'Till Time hath lost himselfe: And this great All
Be brought to its confused Funerall.
Passe not a Zoylists envie, since th'ast knowne
Thy censure through their breath, whose pleasure none
Can without sacriledge dispute. But if
Thy fearefull soule cannot retaine beliefe
Of safety, Iove shall to secure thy feare,
Displace his Bird from's bosome-nest, and there
Harbour thy Muse: But what injustice can
Refuse the God's, and take the word of Man,
Th'ast had a Jury of Immortalls, that
Have given their censure: finde not guilty; what
Bold Heav'n-contemners then dare contradict,
When the Divine Vote's publish their Edict?
The Daphnean Bay graspt by the Frosts cold hand,
Doth grow more freshly greene; thy Muse shall stand
As firme 'gainst Envies storme, till Fame shall be
Proud to record thy still greene memory.