Epistle Dedicatory to Her Grace the Duchess

When Brutus with the rest did Cesar doom,
And by his Death gave liberty to Rome:
Great Cato's Daughter his dear faithful Wife,
That knew the Secret of that fatal Strife,
From her lov'd Husband's side would never part,
Both had one Will, one Courage, and one Heart,
Her generous Virtue thought it […] to share
Part of his Ioy, and nothing of his Care;
And therefore all his Harms with Patience bore,
And when he dy'd she likewise was no more:
Her Virtues, Madam, flourish now in you,
A second Porcia, Faithful, Chast and True,
With Heavens divinest Gifts your Heart is stor'd,
And Wove into the Merits of your Lord;
So fast, and with Affection so sublime,
You can look down with Scorn on Death and Time:
Since then Great Albemarle inspires my Muse,
Vpon a Theme 'tis fit the World peruse;
Who should I beg to Consecrate my Lines,
But you, who know how bright his Virtue shines,
You, who have made the business of your Life,
To shew the World, a Pattern of a Wi•e,
Ioy'd at your Lord's good Chance, griev'd at his Ill,
Kind, Wise, and what's most Rare Obedient, to his Will:
More I could say, nay so much might be said,
These swelling Lines would tire ye to Read.
If I could boast of a Poetick Art,
To speak your Praise, lavish as your Desert,
No Flight could be too high, no Thought too strong,
Nor could the Poem ever be too long.
But modest Pens, that dare not be too bold,
Know Truth, the shortest way is wisest told.