S Sweete Muse strike vp thy siluer string,
I In shrill consort thy shake but straine,
R Reflecting peales let Cosmos ring,
R Resound Apolloes piercing vaine:
A Arise and rowse thy selfe with speede,
V Vse no delay but do the deede.
F Feare not, for Momus nor his mates
E Encounter dare with rare renowne,
H Honour with Armes defends the states,
O Of those whom due desert doth crowne,
R Recount at large what trump of fame,
S Sounds in the praise of Horseu name.
E Engraude in golden letters write,
Y Your censure sage with due aduices
K Knowne trueth ne snaky enuies spite,
N Nor wrath can touch in any wise,
I Into thy Poem though there prie,
G Grose Zoilus with squinted eie.
H Harsh, and too rude I must confesse
T The Poem is to moue delight
Yet force of duety would no lesse,
But it present in open sight:
For what my wit cannot discharge,
My will surely supplies at large.
His valour daunts the valiantst heart,
His wisedome worthy worship winnes,
His perfect zeale by due desart
To highest point of honour climes:
His hand the sword most iustly guides,
And therewith causes due decides.
His wit doth Orphanes wrong redresse,
His hand relieues the needy heart,
His word the widowes wo doth ease,
He double doth reward desart:
He naught attempts in any case
Whereby he may incurre disgrace.
His chiefest care his countries loue,
His chiefest loue his countries care,
Whose care considered, well doth proue
His loue, the countrey cannot spare:
Whom countriemen do so adore,
That worship neuer man had more.
To Prince he true lieutenant is,
To common weale a faithfull knight,
Her Grace his seruice cannot misse,
Nor common weale so worthy a wight.
Whom Ioue so Prince and subiects ioy
Preserue and keepe from all annoy.