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EPITHALAMION by GEORGE WITHER

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: BRIGHT NORTHERN STAR, AND GREAT MINERVA'S PEER
Last Line: I'LE FIND A MEANES TO MAKE IT KNOWNE FOR EVER.
Subject(s): WEDDING SONG; EPITHALAMIUM;

Bright @3Northerne@1 Starre, and great @3Minervoes@1 peere,
Sweete @3Lady@1 of this @3Day@1: @3Great Britaines@1 deere.
Loe thy poore @3Vassall@1, that was erst so rude,
With his most @3Rusticke Satyrs@1 to intrude,
Once more like a poore @3Silvan@1 now drawes neare;
And in thy sacred @3Presence@1 dares appeare.
Oh let not that sweete @3Bowe@1 thy @3Brow@1 be bent,
To scarre him with a @3Shaft@1 of discontent:
One looke with @3Anger@1, nay thy gentlest @3Frowne@1,
Is twice enough to cast a @3Greater@1 downe.
My @3Will@1 is ever, never to offend,
These that are good; and what I here intend,
Your @3Worth@1 compels me to. For lately greev'd,
More then can be exprest, or well beleev'd;
Minding for ever to abandon sport,
And live exilde from places of resort;
Carelesse of all, I yeelding to securitie,
Thought to shut up my @3Muse@1 in darke obscuritie:
And in content, the better to repose,
A lonely @3Grove@1 upon a @3Mountaine@1 chose.
East from @3Caer Winn@1, mid-way twixt @3Arle@1 and @3Dis@1,
True @3Springs@1, where @3Britains@1 true @3Arcadia@1 is.
But ere I entred my entended course,
@3Great AEolus@1 began to offer force.
The boisterous @3King@1 was growne so mad with rage,
That all the Earth, was but his furies stage.
@3Fire, Ayre, Earth, Sea@1, were intermixt in one:
Yet @3Fire@1, through @3Water, Earth@1 and @3Ayre@1 shone.
The @3Sea@1, as if she ment to whelme them under,
Beat on the @3Cliffes@1, and rag'd more loud then thunder:
And whil'st the @3vales@1 she with salt waves did fill,
The @3Aire@1 showr'd @3flouds@1, that drencht our highest hill;
And the proud trees, that would no dutie know,
Lay over-turned, twenties in a Row.
Yea, every Man for feare, fell to @3Devotion@1;
Lest the whole @3Ile@1 should have bin drencht in th'Ocean.
Which I perceiving, conjur'd up my @3Muse@1,
The @3Spirit@1, whose good helpe I sometime use:
And though I ment to breake her rest no more,
I was then faine her aide for to implore.
And by her helpe indeed, I came to know,
Why, both the @3Ayre@1 and @3Seas@1 were troubled so.
For having urg'd her, that she would unfold
What cause she knew: Thus much at last she told.
@3Of late@1 (quoth she) @3there is by powers Divine
A match concluded, twixt Great@1 Thame @3and@1 Rhine.
@3Two famous@1 Rivers, @3equall both to@1 Nile@3:
The one, the pride of@1 Europes @3greatest Ile.
Th'other disdaining to be closely pent;
Washes a great part of the@1 Continent.
@3Yet with abundance, doth the@1 Wants @3supply,
Of the still-thirsting@1 Sea, @3that's never dry.
And now@1, these, @3being not alone endear'd,
To mightie@1 Neptune, @3and his watrie@1 Heard@3:
But also to the great and dreadfull@1 Jove,
@3With all his sacred Companies above,
Both have assented by their@1 Loves @3inviting:
To grace (with their owne presence) this@1 Uniting.
Jove @3call'd a@1 Summons @3to the@1 Worlds @3great wonder,
'Twas that we heard of late, which we thought thunder.
A thousand@1 Legions @3he intends to send them,
Of@1 Cherubins @3and@1 Angels @3to attend them:
And those strong@1 Windes, @3that did such blustring keepe,
Were but the@1 Tritons, @3sounding in the@1 Deepe@3;
To warne each@1 River, @3petty@1 Streame @3and@1 Spring,
@3Their aide unto their@1 Soveraigne @3to bring.
The@1 Floods @3and@1 Showres @3that came so plenteous downe,
And lay entrencht in every@1 Field @3and@1 Towne,
@3Were but retainers to the Nobler sort,
That owe their Homage at the@1 Watrie Court@3:
Or else the@1 streames @3not pleas'd with their owne store,
To grace the@1 Thames, @3their@1 Mistris, @3borrowed more.
Exacting from their neighbouring@1 Dales @3and@1 Hills,
@3But by consent all (nought against their wills.)
Yet now, since in this stirre are brought to ground
Many faire buildings, many hundreds drown'd,
And daily found of broken Ships great store,
That lie dismembred upon every shore:
With divers other mischiefes knowne to all,
This is the cause that those great harmes befall.
Whilst other, things in readinesse, did make@1,
Hells @3hatefull@1 Hags @3from out their prisons brake:
And spighting at this hopefull match, began
To wreake their wrath on@1 Ayre, Earth, Sea, @3and@1 Man.
@3Some having shapes of@1 Romish @3shavelings got,
Spew'd out their venome; and began to plot
Which way to thwart it: others made their way
With much distraction thorough@1 Land @3and@1 Sea
@3Extreamely raging. But@1 Almightie Jove
@3Perceives their@1 Hate @3and@1 Envie @3from above:
He'le checke their furie, and in yrons chain'd,
Their libertie abus'd, shall be restrain'd:
Hee'le shut them up, from comming to molest
The Meriments of@1 Hymens @3holy feast.
Where shall be knit that sacred@1 Gordian @3knot,
Which in no age to come shall be forgot.
Which@1 Policie @3nor@1 Force @3shall nere untie,
But must continue to eternitie:
Which for the whole@1 Worlds @3good was fore-decree'd,
With@1 Hope @3expected long; now come indeed.
@3And of whose future@1 glory, worth, @3and@1 merit
@3Much I could speake with@1 a prophetike spirit.
Thus by my @3Muses@1 deare assistance, finding
The cause of this disturbance, with more minding
My Countries welfare, then my owne content,
And longing to behold this @3Tales@1 event:
My lonely life I suddenly forsooke,
And to the @3Court@1 againe my Journey tooke.
Meane-while I saw the furious @3Windes@1 were laid;
The risings of the swelling @3Waters@1 staid.
The @3Winter@1 gan to change in every thing,
And seem'd to borrow mildnesse of the @3Spring@1.
The @3Violet@1 and @3Primrose@1 fresh did grow;
And as in @3Aprill@1, trim'd both @3Cops@1 and @3rowe@1.
The @3Citie@1, that I left in mourning clad,
Drouping, as if it would have still beene sad,
I found deckt up in roabes so neat and trimme,
Faire @3Iris@1 would have look't but stale and dimme
In her best colours, had she there appear'd;
The @3Sorrowes@1 of the @3Court@1 I found well cleer'd,
Their wofull habits quite cast off, and ty'rd
In such a glorious fashion: I admir'd.
All her chiefe @3Peeres@1 and choisest @3beauties@1 to,
In greater pompe, then @3Mortals@1 use to doe,
Wait as attendants. @3Juno's@1 come to see;
Because she heares that this solemnitie
Exceeds faire @3Hippodamia's@1 (where the strife
'Twixt @3her, Minerva@1, and lame @3Vulcans@1 wife
Did first arise,) and with her leades along
A noble, stately, and a mighty throng.
@3Venus@1, (attended with her rarest features,
Sweet lovely-smiling, and heart-moving creatures,
The very fairest @3Jewels@1 of her treasure,
Able to move the senceles stones to pleasure.)
Of all her sweetest @3Saints@1, hath robd their shrines;
And brings them for the Courtiers @3Valentines@1.
Nor doth Dame @3Pallas@1, from these triumphs lurke;
Her noblest wits, she freely sets on worke.
Of late she summond them unto this place,
To doe your maskes and @3Revels@1 better grace.
Here* @3Mars@1 himselfe to, clad in Armour bright,
Hath showne his furie in a bloudless fight;
And both on land and water, sternely drest,
Acted his bloudy @3Stratagems@1 in jest:
Which (to the people, frighted by their error,)
With seeming wounds and death did ad more terror,
Besides, to give the greater cause of wonder,
@3Jove@1 did vouchsafe a ratling peale of thunder:
@3Comets@1 and @3Meteors@1 by the starres exhald,
Were from the @3Middle-Region@1 lately cald;
And to a place appointed made repaire,
To show their fierie Friscols in the aire,
People innumerable doe resort,
As if all @3Europe@1 here would keepe one Court:
Yea, @3Hymen@1 in his Safferon-coloured weed,
To celebrate his rites is full agreed.
All this I see: which seeing, makes me borrow
Some of their mirth a while, and lay downe sorrow.
And yet not this: but rather the delight
My heart doth take in the much hoped sight
Of these thy glories, long already due;
And this sweet comfort, that my eyes doe view
Thy happy Bridegroome, @3Prince Count Palatine@1,
Now thy best friend and truest @3Valentine@1.
Upon whose brow, my minde doth reade the storie
Of mightie @3fame@1, and a true future glorie.
Me thinkes I doe foresee already, how
@3Princes@1 and @3Monarchs@1 at his stirrop bow:
I see him shine in steele; the bloudy fields
Already won, and how his proud @3foe@1 yeelds.
God hath ordaind him happinesse great store:
And yet in nothing is he happy more,
Then in thy love (faire @3Princesse@1:) For (unlesse
@3Heaven@1, like to @3Man@1, be prone to ficklenesse)
Thy @3Fortunes@1 must be greater in effect,
Then @3time@1 makes show of, or @3men@1 can expect.
Yet, notwithstanding all those goods of @3fate@1,
Thy @3Minde@1 shall ever be above thy @3state@1:
For over and beside thy proper merit,
Our last @3Eliza@1 grants her Noble spirit
To be re-doubled on thee; and your @3names@1
Being both one, shall give you both one fames.
Oh blessed thou! and they to whom thou giv'st
The leave for to be attendants where thou liv'st:
And haplesse we, that must of force let goe,
The matchlesse treasure we esteeme of so.
But yet we trust 'tis for our good and thine;
Or else thou shouldst not change thy @3Thame@1 for @3Rhyne@1.
We hope that this will the uniting prove
Of @3Countries@1 and of @3Nations@1 by your @3love@1:
And that from out your blessed loynes, shall come
Another terror to the @3Whore of Rome@1:
And such a stout @3Achilles@1, as shall make
Her tottering Walls and weake foundation shake:
For @3Thetis@1-like, thy fortunes doe require,
Thy @3Issue@1 should be greater then his @3sire@1.
But (@3Gracious Princesse@1) now since thus it fares,
And God so well for you and us prepares:
Since he hath daign'd such honours for to doe you,
And showne himselfe so favourable to you:
Since he hath chang'd your sorrowes, and your sadnes,
Into such great and unexpected gladnesse:
Oh now remember you to be at leasure,
Sometime to thinke on him amidst your pleasure:
Let not these glories of the @3world@1 deceave you,
Nor her vaine favours of your selfe bereave you.
Consider yet for all this Jollitie,
Y'are mortall, and must feele mortalitie:
And that God can in midst of all your Joyes,
Quite dash this pompe, and fill you with annoyes.
@3Triumphes@1 are fit for @3Princes@1; yet we finde
They ought not wholly to take up the minde,
Nor yet to be let passe; as things in vaine:
for out of all things, wit will knowledge gaine.
@3Musique@1 may teach of difference in degree,
The best tun'd @3Common-Weales@1 will framed bee:
And that he moves, and lives with greatest grace,
That unto @3Time@1 and @3Measure@1 ties his pace.
Then let these things be @3Emblemes@1, to present
Your minde with a more lasting true content.
When you behold the infinite resort,
The glory and the splendor of the Court;
What wondrous favours God doth here bequeath you,
How many hundred thousands are beneath you;
And view with admiration your great blisse,
Then with your selfe you may imagine this.
'@3Tis but a blast, or transitory shade@1,
@3Which in the turning of a hand may fade@1.
@3Honours, which you your selfe did never winne@1,
@3And might (had God been pleas'd) anothers binne@1.
@3And thinke, if shadowes have such majestie@1,
@3What are the glories of eternitie@1;
Then by this image of a @3fight on Sea@1,
Wherein you heard the thundring Canons plea;
And saw flames breaking from their murthering throts,
Which in true skirmish, fling resistlesse shots;
Your wisedome may (and will no doubt) begin,
To cast what perill a poore @3Souldiers@1 in:
You will conceave his miseries and cares,
How many dangers, deaths, and wounds he shares:
Then though the most pass't over, and neglect them,
That @3Rethericke@1 will move you to respect them.
And if hereafter, you should hap to see
Such @3Mimick Apes@1 (that Courts disgraces be:)
I meane such Chamber-combatants; who never
Weare other Helmet, then a Hat of @3Bever@1:
Or nere board @3Pinnace@1 but in silken saile;
And in the steed of boysterous shirts of maile,
Goe arm'd in @3Cambrick@1: If that such a @3Kite@1
(I say) should scorne an @3Eagle@1 in your sight;
Your @3wisedome@1 judge (by this experience) can,
Which hath most worth, @3Hermaphrodite@1, or @3Man@1.
The @3nights@1 strange *prospects, made to feed the eies,
with Artfull fiers, mounted in the skies:
Graced with horred claps of sulphury thunders
May make you minde th'Almighties greater wonders.
Nor is there any thing, but you may thence
Reape inward gaine; as well as please the @3Sense@1.
But pardon me (@3oh fairest@1) that am bold,
My heart thus freely, plainely, to unfold.
What though I know, you knew all this before:
My love @3this@1 showes, and that is something more.
Doe not my honest service here disdaine,
I am a faithfull, though an humble Swaine.
I'me none of those that have the meanes or place,
With showes of cost to doe your @3Nuptials@1 grace:
But onely master of mine owne desire,
Am hither come with others to admire.
I am not of those @3Heliconian@1 wits,
Whose pleasing straines the @3Courts@1 knowne humour fits.
But a poore rurall @3Shepheard@1, that for need,
Can make sheepe Musique on an @3Oaten@1 reed:
Yet for my @3love@1 (Ile this be bold to boast)
It is as much to you, as his that's most.
Which, since I no way else can now explaine,
If you'l in midst of all these @3glories@1 daigne
To lend your eares unto my @3Muse@1 so long,
She shall declare it in a @3Wedding song@1.

Epithalamion
@3Valentine@1, good morrow to thee,
Love and service both I owe thee:
And would waite upon thy pleasure;
But I cannot be at leasure:
For, I owe this @3day@1 as debter,
To (a thousand times) thy better.

@3Hymen@1 now will have effected
What hath been so long expected:
@3Thame@1 thy @3Mistris@1, now unwedded;
Soone, must with a @3Prince@1 be bedded.
If thou'lt see her @3Virgin@1 ever,
Come, and doe it now, or never.

Where art thou, oh faire @3Aurora@1?
Call in @3Ver@1 and Lady @3Flora@1:
And you daughters of the @3Morning@1,
In your neat'st, and feat'st adorning:
Cleare your fore-heads, and be sprightfull,
That this @3day@1 may seeme delightfull.

All you @3Nimphs@1 that use the Mountaines,
Or delight in groves and fountaines;
@3Shepheardesses@1, you that dally,
Either upon Hill or Valley:
And you daughters of the @3Bower@1,
That acknowledge @3Vestaes@1 power.

Oh you sleepe too long; awake yee,
See how @3Time@1 doth overtake yee.
Harke, the @3Larke@1 is up and singeth,
And the house with ecchoes ringeth.
Pretious howers, why neglect yee,
Whil'st affaires thus expect yee?

Come away upon my blessing,
The @3Bride-chamber@1 lies to dressing:
Strow the wayes with leaves of Roses,
Some make @3garlands@1, some make @3poses@1:
'Tis a favour, and't may joy you,
That your @3Mistris@1 will employ you.

Where's @3Sabrina@1, with her daughters,
That doe sport about her waters:
Those that with their lockes of @3Amber@1,
Haunt the fruitfull hills of Camber:
We must have to fill the number,
All the @3Nimphs@1 of @3Trent@1 and @3Humber@1.

Fie, your haste is scarce sufficing,
For the @3Bride's@1 awake and rising.
Enter beauties, and attend her;
All your helpes and service lend her:
With your quaint'st and new'st devises,
Trim your Lady, faire @3Thamisis@1.

See; shee's ready: with @3Joyes@1 greet her,
Lads, goe bid the @3Bride-groome@1 meet her:
But from rash approach advise him,
Lest a too much Joy surprize him,
None I ere knew yet, that dared,
View an @3Angell@1 unprepared.

Now unto the @3Church@1 she hies her;
@3Envie@1 bursts, if she espies her:
In her gestures as she paces,
Are united all the @3Graces@1:
Which who sees and hath his senses,
Loves in spight of all defences.

O most true majestick creature!
@3Nobles@1 did you note her feature?
Felt you not an inward motion,
Tempting @3Love@1 to yeeld devotion;
And as you were even desiring,
Something check you for aspiring?

That's her @3Vertue@1 which still tameth
Loose desires, and bad thoughts blameth:
For whil'st others were unruly,
She observ'd @3Diana@1 truly:
And hath by that meanes obtained
Gifts of her that none have gained.

Yon's the @3Bride-groome@1, d'yee not spie him?
See how all the @3Ladies@1 eye him.
@3Venus@1 his perfection findeth,
And no more @3Adonis@1 mindeth.
Much of him my heart divineth:
On whose brow all @3Vertue@1 shineth.

Two such @3Creatures Nature@1 would not
Let one place long keepe: she should not:
One shee'l have (she cares not whether,)
But our @3Loves@1 can spare her neither.
Therefore ere we'le so be spighted,
They in one shall be united.

@3Natures@1 selfe is well contented,
By that meanes to be prevented.
And behold they are retired,
So conjoyn'd, as we desired:
Hand in hand, not onely fixed,
But their hearts, are intermixed.

Happy they and we that see it,
For the good of @3Europe@1 be it.
And heare @3Heaven@1 my devotion,
Make this @3Rhyne@1 and @3Thame@1 an @3Ocean@1:
That it may with might and wonder,
Whelme the pride of @3Tyber@1 under.

Now yon @3Hall@1 their persons shroudeth,
Whither all this people croudeth:
There they feasted are with plenty,
Sweet @3Ambrosia@1 is no deinty.
Groomes quaffe @3Nectar@1; for theres meeter,
Yea, more costly wines and sweeter.

@3Young men all@1, for joy goe ring yee,
And your merriest @3Carols@1 sing yee.
Here's of @3Damzels@1 many choices,
Let them tune their sweetest voyces.
Fet the @3Muses@1 to, to cheare them;
They can ravish all that heare them.

@3Ladies@1, 'tis their @3Highnesse@1 pleasures,
To behold you foot the @3Measures@1:
Lovely gestures addeth graces,
To your bright and @3Angell@1 faces.
Give your active mindes the bridle:
Nothing worse then to be idle.

@3Worthies@1, your affaires forbeare yee,
For the @3State@1 a while may spare yee:
@3Time@1 was, that you loved sporting,
Have you quite forgot your Courting?
@3Joy@1 the heart of @3Cares@1 beguileth:
@3Once a yeere@1 Apollo @3smileth@1.

@3Fellow Shepheards@1, how I pray you,
Can your @3flocks@1 at this time stay you?
Let us also hie us thither,
Let's lay all our wits together,
And some @3Pastorall@1 invent them,
That may show the @3love@1 we ment them.

@3I my selfe@1 though meanest stated,
And in @3Court@1 now almost hated,
Will knit up my @3Scourge@1, and venter
In the midst of them to enter;
For I know, there's no disdaining,
Where I looke for entertaining.

See, me thinkes the very @3season@1,
As if capable of Reason,
Hath laine by her native rigor,
The faire @3Sun-beames@1 have more vigor.
They are @3AEols@1 most endeared:
For the @3Ayre@1's still'd and cleared.

@3Fawnes@1, and @3Lambs@1 and @3Kidds@1 doe play,
In the honour of this @3day@1:
The shrill @3Black-Bird@1, and the @3Thrush@1
Hops about in every bush:
And among the tender twigs,
Chaunt their sweet harmonious jigs.

Yea, and mov'd by this example,
They doe make each @3Grove a temple@1:
Where their @3time@1 the best way using,
They their @3Summer loves@1 are chusing,
And unlesse some @3Churle@1 do wrong them,
There's not an od bird among them.

Yet I heard as I was walking,
Groves and hills by @3Ecchoes@1 talking:
Reeds unto the small brooks whistling,
Whil'st they danc't with pretty rushling.
Then for @3us@1 to sleepe 'twere pitty;
Since @3dumb creatures@1 are so witty.

But oh @3Titan@1, thou dost dally,
Hie thee to thy @3Westerne Valley@1:
Let this night one hower borrow:
She shall pay't againe to morrow:
And if thou'lt that favor do them,
Send thy sister @3Phoebe@1 to them.

But shee's come her selfe unasked,
And brings @3Gods@1 and @3Heroes@1 masked.
None yet saw, or heard in storie,
Such immortall, mortall glorie.
View not, without @3preparation@1;
Lest you faint in @3admiration@1.

Say my @3Lords@1, and speake truth barely,
Mov'd they not exceeding rarely?
Did they not such praises merit,
As if @3flesh@1 had all beene @3spirit@1?
True indeed, yet I must tell them,
There was @3One@1 did farre excell them.

But (alas) this is ill dealing,
@3Night@1 unawares away is stealing:
Their delay the poore @3bed@1 wrongeth,
That for @3Bride@1 with @3Bride-groome@1 longeth:
And above all other places,
Must be blest with their embraces.

@3Revellers@1, then now forbeare yee,
And unto your rests prepare yee:
Let's a while your absence borrow,
@3Sleep@1 to night, and @3dance@1 to morrow.
We could well allow your Courting:
But 'twill hinder better sporting.

They are gone, and @3Night@1 all lonely,
Leaves the @3Bride@1 with @3Bridegroome@1 onely.
@3Muse@1 now tell; (for thou hast power
To flie thorough wall or tower:)
@3What contentments their hearts cheareth;
And how lovely she appeareth@1.

And yet doe not; tell it no man,
@3Rare conceits@1 may so grow common:
Doe not to the @3Vulgar@1 show them,
('Tis enough that @3thou@1 dost know them.)
Their ill hearts are but the @3Center@1,
Where all misconceivings enter.

But thou @3Luna@1 that dost lightly,
Haunt our downes and forrests nightly:
Thou that favour'st generation,
And art helpe to procreation:
See their @3issue@1 thou so cherish,
I may live to see it flourish.

And you @3Planets@1, in whose power
Doth consist these lives of our;
You that teach us @3Divinations@1,
Helpe with all your @3Constellations@1,
How to frame in @3Her@1, a creature,
Blest in @3Fortune, Wit@1, and @3Feature@1.

Lastly, oh you @3Angels@1 ward them,
Set your sacred @3Spels@1 to gard them;
Chase away such feares or terrors,
As not being, seeme through errors:
Yea, let not a @3dreames@1 molesting,
Make them start when they are resting.

But THOU chiefly, most adored,
That shouldst onely be implored:
@3Thou@1 to whom my meaning tendeth,
Whether er'e in show it bendeth:
@3Let them rest to night from sorrow,
And awake with joy to morrow@1.

Oh, to my @3request@1 be heedfull,
Grant them @3that@1, and all things needfull.
Let not these my straines of @3Folly@1,
Make @3true prayer@1 be unholy:
But if I have here offended:
Helpe, forgive, and see it mended.

Daigne me @3this@1. And if my @3Muses@1
Hastie issue she peruses,
Make it unto her seeme gratefull,
Though to all the @3World@1 else hatefull.
But how er'e, yet @3Soule@1 persever
Thus to wish her good for ever.

Thus ends the @3Day@1, together with my Song;
Oh may the Joyes thereof continue long!
Let @3Heavens@1 just, all-seeing, sacred power
Favour this happy marriage day of your;
And blesse you in your chast embraces so,
We @3Britains@1 may behold before you goe
The hopefull Issue we shall count so deare,
And whom (unborne) his foes already feare.
Yea, I desire, that all your sorrowes may
Never be more, then they have been to day.
Which hoping; for acceptance now I sue,
And humbly bid your @3Grace@1 and @3Court@1 adue.
I saw the sight I came for; which I know
Was more then all the world beside could show.
But if amongst @3Apolloes@1 Layes, you can
Be pleas'd to lend a gentle eare to @3Pan@1;
Or thinke your Country @3Shepheard@1 loves as deare,
As if he were a @3Courtier@1, or a @3Peere@1:
Then I, that else must to my @3Cell@1 of paine,
Will joyfull turne unto my @3flocke@1 againe:
And there unto my fellow @3Shepheards@1 tell,
Why @3you@1 are lov'd; wherein @3you@1 doe excell.
And when we drive our @3flocks@1 a field to graze them,
So chaunt your praises, that it shall amaze them:
And thinke that @3Fate@1 hath new recald from death
Their still-lamented, sweete @3Elizabeth@1.
For though they see the @3Court@1 but now and then,
They know @3desert@1 as well as @3Greater@1 men:
And honord @3Fame@1 in them doth live or die,
As well as in the mouth of @3Majestie@1.
But taking granted what I here intreat,
At heaven for you my @3devotions@1 beat:
And though I feare, @3fate@1 will not suffer me
To doe you service, where your @3Fortunes@1 be:
How ere my skill hath yet despised seem'd,
(And my unripened wit been misesteem'd:)
When all this costly @3Showe@1 away shall flit,
And not one live that doth remember it;
If @3Envies@1 trouble let not to persever;
I'le find a meanes to make it knowne for ever.



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