Classic Poem

At such a time as this, when all conclude
Nothing but unconcernment can be rude,
The muses, Madam, will not be deny'd
To be the bride maides where you are the bride
They know in what those wishes have design'd,
What bright opposers they are like to find,
Whose birth and beauty never will give way
To such obscure competitours as they
But yet, as injur'd princes still do strive
To keep their title and their claime alive,
So they affirme they do but aske their due,
Having hereditary right in you.
And they againe would rather undergo
All that malicious ignorance could do,
When fortune all things sacred did oppresse,
Then in this brave ambition want successe.
Admit them, beauteous Madam, then to be
Attendants on this great solemnitie,
And every muse will in a charming straine
Your honour and their owne pretence maintaine
The first your high extraction shall proclaime,
And what endear'd your Auncestors to fame,
Who do not more excell another stemme,
Then your illustrious father hath done them;
Who fortune's stratagems hath so surpast,
As flattery can not reach, nor envy blast;
In whom vice-gerence is a greater thing
Then any crowne, but that of England's King;
Whom foreigne princes do with envy see,
And would be subjects to be such as he
Another shall your mother's glories raise,
And much her beautie, more her vertue praise;
Whose suffering in that noble way and cause,
More veneration then her greatnesse drawes,
And yet how justly is that greatnesse due,
Which she with so much ease can govern too!
Another shall of your great lover sing,
And with his fame inspire some nobler string,
Whom Nature made so handsome and so brave,
And fortune such a lovely mistresse gave.
This shall relate how fervently he woo'd,
And that, how generously 'twas understood:
Shall tell the charmes which did his heart invade,
And then the merits which did yours persuade
But all the muses on you both shall treat,
Who are as justly kind, as you are great,
And by observing you, assure mankind
That love and fortune are no longer blind.