To my truly beloved Friend, Master Brown, on his Pastorals

Some men, of books or friends not speaking right,
May hurt them more with praise, than foes with spight.
But I have seen thy work, and I know thee:
And, if thou list thyself, what thou canst be.
For, though but early in these paths thou tread,
I find thee write most worthy to be read.
It must be thine own judgment, yet, that sends
This thy work forth; that judgment mine commends.
And, where the most read books, on authors' fames,
Or, like our money-brokers, take up names
On credit, and are cozen'd; see, that thou
By offering not more sureties, than enow,
Hold thine own worth unbroke; which is so good
Upon the Exchange of Letters, as I wou'd
More of our writers would like thee, not swell
With the how much they set forth, but the how well.