Classic Poem

TO THE Right NOBLE AND VERTUOUS L ADY, THE L ADY B RIDGET , C OUNTESS OF L INDSEY, AND B ARONESS OF E RESBIE AND R ICOT .

1.

T HIS Laureat Nymph, one of the daughters nine
Of fruitfull Memory, whose maine delight
Is various verse, to honour those who shine
In noble deeds, true fame, and vertues bright
(And therefore by her Parents both divine
By name of Polihymnia stiled right),
No more contented with the slender light
Of my poore bower. Thus venters to arise
Into the rayes of your resplendant eyes.

2.

For why, she (like her other sisters) knowes
Renowned Ricots garlands still are seene
Like to the Bayes that on Pernassus growes,
And there shall last eternally as greene:
Where Love in friends, and feare in forraigne foes
To Norreys name in former dayes, are seene
As fresh as if they yesterday had beene:
And you (Rare Lady) both in birth and spirit
The only heire that all their worthes inherit.

3.

Now since the happy humor of this Muse
(Happy in choyce of noblenesse so true)
Aymes at your vertuous hand, lest she should loose
Through my obscuritie the way thereto,
She humbly sues that she the light may use
Of your bright eyes to lead her unto you
Load-star too radiant such prize to view,
But noble grace enriches what is poore,
The lesse the merit, th' honor is the more.

4.

For had not you into this twofold light,
Of Muse-befreinding Phaebus , and your owne,
Commanded them, my slender Poems might
In dark obscuritye have slept unknowne,
Whence, so by you redeem'd. These (as your right,
Illustrious Lady ) wait on you alone,
Their life to lengthen, by depending on
Your name and vertues that will live renown'd
While Fame has breath her ivory Trump to sound.