To the Honourable my much honoured friend, R. B. Esquire.

WHile you dare trust the loudest▪ tongue of fame,
The zeale you beare your Mist…esse to proclaim▪
To th' talking world: I in the silenst grove,
Scarce to my selfe dare whisper that I lo…e
Thee, titles Brud'nell, riches thee adorne,
And vigorous youth to vice not headlong borne
By th' tide of custome: Which I value more
Th…n what blind superstitious fooles adore,
Who greatn…ss… in the chaire of bliss… enthrone,
Greatnesse we borrow, Ver…ue is o…r owne.
In thy attempt be prosperou…, and when ere
Thou shalt prefix the houre; May Hym…n weare
His b…ightest robe; where some fam'd Persian shall
Worke by the wonder of her needle all
The nup…i…ll joyes; which (if we Poets be
True Propheis) bounteous heaven designes fo… thee.
I envie not, but glory in thy fate,
While in the narrow limits of my state
I b…und my hopes Which if Castara daigne
Once to entitle he…s; the wealthiest graine
My earth, untild shall beare; my trees shall grone
Vnder their frui…full burthen, and at one
And the same season▪ Nature forth shall bring
Riches of A…tumne, pleasures of the Spring.
But digge and thou shalt finde a purer Mine
Then th' In…ians boast: Taste of this generous Vine,
And her blood sweeter will than Nectar prove,
Such miracles wait on a noble love.
B…t should she scorne my suite, I'le …rend that path
Which none but some sad Fairy beaten hath.
There force wrong'd Philomel, hearing my m…ne,
To …igh my greater griefes, forget her owne.