Classic Poem

I ne're was drest in Formes; nor can I bend
My Pen to flatter any, nor commend,
Unlesse desert or honour doe present
Unto my verse a worthy argument.
You are my Freind, and in that word to mee
Stand blazon'd in your noblest Heraldry;
That Stile presents you full, and does relate
The Bounty of your Love, and my owne Fate,
Both which conspir'd to make mee Yours. A Choice
Which needes must in the giddy people's voice,
That only judge the outside, and like Apes
Play with our names, and comment on our Shapes,
Appeare too light: But it lyes you upon
To justify the disproportion.
Truth be my record, I durst not presume
To seek to you; Twas you that did assume
Mee to your Bosome. Wherein you subdu'd
One that can serve you, though ne're could intrude
Upon Great Titles; nor knowes how t'invade
Acquaintance: Like such as are only pay'd
With great men's smiles, If that the Passant Lord
Let fall a forc't salute, or but afford
The Nod Regardant. It was Test enough
For mee, You ne're did find such servile stuff
Couch't in my temper. I can freely say,
I doe not love you in that common way
For which Great ones are lov'd in this false Time:
I have no wish to gaine, nor will to climbe;
I cannot pawne my freedome, nor outlive
My Liberty, for all that you can give.
And sure, you may retaine good cheap such freinds,
Who not your Fortune make, but You, their Ends.
I speak not this to vaunt in my owne Story;
All these additions are unto your glory.
Who, counter to the World, use to elect,
Not to take up on trust, what you affect.
Indeed 'tis seldome seene, that such as you
Adopt a Friend, or for acquaintance sue;
Yet you did this vouchsafe, you did descend
Belowe your self, to raise an humble freind,
And fix him in your Love: where I will stand
The constant Subject of your free command.
Had I no aiery thoughts, sure, you would teach
Mee higher then my owne dull Spheare to reach:
And by Reflexe instruct mee to appeare
Somthing (though course and plaine) fitt for your weare.
Know, Best of Freinds, however wild report
May justly say I am unapt to sort
With your opinion or society,
(Which truth would shame mee did I it deny)
There's something in mee sayes, I dare make good,
When honour calls mee, all I want in Blood.
Putt off your Gyant Titles, then I can
Stand in your judgment's blank an equall man.
Though Hills advanced are above the Plaine,
They are but higher Earth; nor must disdaine
Allyance with the Vale: wee see a Spade
Can levell them, and make a Mount a Glade.
Howe're wee differ in the Herald's Book,
He that Mankind's Extraction shall look
In Nature's Rolles, must graunt, wee all agree
In our Best part's Immortal Pedigree.
You must by that Perspective only view
My Service, else 'twill ne're shew worthy You.
You see I court you bluntly, like a Freind,
Not like a Mistris; My Muse is not penn'd
For smooth and oyly flights: And I indent
To use more Honesty then Complement.
But I have done; In liew of all you give
Receave his thankfull Tribute, who must live
Your vow'd Observer, and devotes a Heart
Which will in Death seale the bold Counterpart.