|

To
the Author.
| T |
He matchlesse
Lustre of faire poesie,
Which erst was bury'd in
old Romes decayes,
Now 'gins with height of
rising maiesty, |
Her dust-wrapt head from rotten
tombes to rayse,
And
with fresh splendor gilds her toplesse crest,
Rearing
her palace in our Poets brest.
The wanton Ouid,
whose inticing rimes
Haue with attractiue wonder
forc't attention,
No more shall be admir'd at:
for these times
Produce a Poet, whose more
mouing passion
VVill
teare the loue-sick mirtle from his browes,
T'adorne
his Temple with deserued bowes.
The strongest Marble feares
the smallest rayne:
The rusting Canker eates the
purest gold:
Honours best dye dreads enuies
blackest stayne:
The crimson badge of beautie
must waxe old.
But
this faire issue of thy fruitfull brayne,
Nor
dreads age, enuie, cankring rust, or rayne.
A.
F.
[A3v] The
|