An Ode to N.B.

The Heathen Poets in the dark could cry
To this or t'other Deity
To save from dainger, or bestow
What so'ever They had need of heer below

And shall neglect and sloth soe dimm our sight
As for to turn our Day to Night
And downwards point our cares, and mindes
Which, Joy in earthly goods alone confines

Noe: Lett our humbled thoughts be taught to sore
(For by descent ascent's made more)
And by the Fabrick learn t'erect
Praises unto th'Almighty Architect

Then dainger-free, and blest with evry thing
Boads good, or may contentment bring
Wee'r sure to be; nor can we want
Sooner than He is ready for to grant

Doe This Worlds waves-resembling-Stormes begett
Fear of a shipwrack being over-sett?
Hee's both the Neptune of the Seas
And Jupiter who can their rage appeas

Or would we send a Vowe, or Prair, to win,
What our affections most are in
Let their adress to Him but fly
And 'twill return crowned with Victory

Noe wishes charmd by Enemies Magick shall
Have powre my freedom to enthrall
Nor wherin others doe excell
Shall fond Ambition hurry me to dwell

I will not sell an inch of that same clew
Of thred the middle sister drew
For Pelf, but in it pleasure take
Till it be wound up and a Bottom make.

'Tis not the gratefull Soyle that can invite
My pen in praise of it to write
But wher both earth and ayre conferr
How they may perfect'st health administer
Lett rich Calabria glory in her store
And both the Indies in their Ore
Whilst the immoderat Heat doth tell
The Ayres infection in each Paralell

What if Sardinia swell with lusty corn
Or Clusters Calibus adorn
When as the Sun in Cancer Lies
He sends a general scorching through those skies.

The Merchant full fraight with the hopes of gain
Ventures his bottom on the Main
And though he send one Pole to bed
To raise the other, yet's unpunnished

This shall not make me venture more
Than wher my lyrick licks the shore
[Wittellsy] shall sett bounds alone
To all my future Navigation

My appetites allurements I'le confine
T'a sallett and a cup of wine
Wherto a frend or two shall be
Invited to preserve society

And though through Time my youth must wayn
Into an Age condemnd to pain
Yet not quite cast Ile sue to have
Some mirth still to attend me to my grave

And if the Sisters soe much favour lend
To Lullworth I my course will tend
(A Place I fancy most) and thear
The remnant of my borrowed minutes wear

Drawing them longer by that Ayre which fills
The concave 'twixt those brest-like Hills
Sent out of Thetis lap to show
What Homage to the Castle It doth owe

Round about which the numble-footed deer
Trip it as if they Faries were
Whilst Homwards-bound a rowling wood
Far ofe I may descry upon the Flood

Yet not puff't up with Joy, nor Shook with Fear
Whilst I am noe adventurer
For Cuntries sake I wish betide
Good speed unto the Vessells as they ride

When I the Ankor of my cares would waygh
To merth bequeathing half a day
My sailes strait with a land-wind full
Ne'ar slaken till they bring me salf to Wool

Wher Tom and I may freely make reports
What happend in each-others sports
He with his Doggs, I with my Hooke
What Foxes, Hares or Fishes we had tooke

And thus beguiling Time, Till'ts Blacker winge
Shadows us for a Covering
At last we part with full intent
The next Daves Light shall break this bannishment