Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO HIS INGENIOUS AND WORTHY FRIEND THE AUTHOR, by EDWARD HEYWARD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO HIS INGENIOUS AND WORTHY FRIEND THE AUTHOR, by                    
First Line: He that will tune his oaten-pipe aright
Last Line: That not commends a voice so sweet, so young.
Subject(s): Browne, William (1591-1645)


HE that will tune his oaten-pipe aright
To great Apollo's harp; he that will write
A living poem, must have many years,
And settled judgment 'mongst his equal peers,
In well-rigg'd bark to steer his doubtful course;
Lest secret, rocky envy, or the source
Of frothy, but sky-tow'ring arrogance,
Or fleeting, sandy vulgar-censure chance
To leave him shipwreck'd on the desert main,
Imploring aged Neptune's help in vain.
The younger cygnet, even at best, doth tear
With his harsh squealings the melodious ear:
It is the old and dying swan that sings
Notes worthy life, worthy the Thespian springs.
But thou art young; and yet thy voice as sweet,
Thy verse as smooth, composure as discreet
As any swan's whose tuneful notes are spent
On Thames his banks; which makes me confident,
He knows no music, hath nor ears, nor tongue,
That not commends a voice so sweet, so young.





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