Classic Poem

K N ow I hate to affect too much obscuritie, & harshnes, because they profit no sence. To note vices, so that no man can vnderstand them, is as fonde, as the French execution in picture. Yet there are some, (too many) that think nothing good, that is so curteous, as to come within their reach. Tearming all Satyres (bastard) which are not palpable darke, and so rough writ, that the hearing of them read, would set a mans teeth on edge. For whose vnseasond pallate I wrote the first Satyre in some places too obscure, in all places misliking me. Yet when by some scuruie chaunce it shal come into the late perfumed fist of iudiciall Torquatus , (that like some rotten stick in a troubled water, hath gotte a great deale of barmy froth to stick to his sides) I know he will vouchsafe it, some of his new-minted Epithets, (as Reall, Intrinsecate, Delphicke ,) when in my conscience hee vnderstands not the least part of it. But from thence proceedes his iudgement. Persius is crabby, because antient, & his ierkes, (being
perticulerly giuen to priuate customes of his time) duskie. Iuuenall (vpon the like occasion) seemes to our iudgement, gloomie. Yet both of them goe a good seemely pace, not stumbling, shuffling. Chaucer is harde euen to our vnderstandings: who knowes not the reason? hovve much more those old Satyres which expresse themselues in termes, that breathed not long euen in their daies. But had we then liued, the vnderstanding of them had been nothing hard. I will not deny there is a seemely decorum to be obserued, and a peculiar kinde of speech for a Satyres lips, which I can willinglier conceiue, then dare to prescribe; yet let me haue the substance rough, not the shadow. I cannot, nay I will not delude your sight with mists; yet I dare defend my plainnes gainst the veriuyce face, of the crabbed'st Satyrist that euer stuttered. Hee that thinks worse of my rimes then my selfe, I scorne him, for he cannot, he that thinks better, is a foole. So fauour mee Good-Opinion , as I am farre from beeing a Suffenus . If thou
perusest mee with an vnpartiall eye, reade on, if otherwise, knowe I neyther value thee, nor thy censure.