Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE READER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Reader, sith it is the fashion
Last Line: My rhythmes 'fore thou them understand.


READER, sith it is the fashion
To bestow some salutation,
I greet thee; give free leave to look
And nearly view my opened Book.
But see then that thine eyes be clear
If ought thou wouldst discover there.
Expect from me no Teian strain,
No light wanton Lesbian vein:
Though well I wot the vulgar spright
Such Harmony doth more strongly smite.
Silent Seccesse, wast Solitude
Deep searching thoughts often renew'd,
Stiffe conflict 'gainst importunate vice,
That daily doth the Soul entice
From her high throne of circuling light
To plunge her in Infernall Night:
Collection of the mind from stroke
Of this worlds Magick, that doth choke
Her with foul smothering mists and stench,
And in Lethaen waves her drench:
A daily Death, drad Agony,
Privation, dry Sterility;
Who is well entred in those wayes
Fitt'st man to read my lofty layes.
But whom lust, wrath and fear controule,
Scarce know their body from their soul.
If any such chance hear my verse,
Dark numerous Nothings I rehearse
To them; measure out an idle sound,
In which no inward sense is found.
Thus sing I to cragg'd clifts, and hils,
To sighing winds, to murmuring rills,
To wastefull woods, to empty groves,
Such things as my dear mind most loves.
But they heed not my heavenly passion,
Fast fixt on their own operation.
On chalky rocks hard by the Sea,
Safe guided by fair Cynthia,
I strike my silver-sounded lyre,
First struck my self by some strong fire;
And all the while her wavering ray,
Reflected from fluid glasse doth play
On the white banks. But all are deaf
Unto my Muse, that is most lief
To mine own self. So they nor blame
My pleasant notes, nor praise the same.
Nor do thou, Reader, rashly brand
My rhythmes 'fore thou them understand.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net