51
And such low pride is safe: for though the Bay
Lightning, nor Winds can blast, yet Envy may.
If hidden still from thee, I should have lesse
To answer now, for glory, and excesse:
My surfets had not reach'd the cunning yet,
To seeke an expiation from their wit:
For more than Village Ale, and drowsie Beere,
(Cawdles, and Broth to the dull Islander)
I nere had wish'd; now, My Man, hot, and dry,
With fierce transcriptions of my Poesie;
Cryes, Sir, I thirst! then strait I bid him chuse
(As Poets Prentices did surely use
Of Greece, and Rome) some cleere, cheap Brook; there stay,
And drinke at Natures charge his thirst away:
Though Fasts (more than are taught i'th Kalender)
Had made him weake; this gave him strength to sweare;
And urge, that after Horace the divine
Mæcenas knew, his Slaves drunke ever Wine:
So whilst Endimion lives, hee vowes to pierce
Old Gascoine Caske, or not transcribe a verse.
If never knowne to thee, missing the skill
How to doe good, I should have found my ill
Lightning, nor Winds can blast, yet Envy may.
If hidden still from thee, I should have lesse
To answer now, for glory, and excesse:
My surfets had not reach'd the cunning yet,
To seeke an expiation from their wit:
For more than Village Ale, and drowsie Beere,
(Cawdles, and Broth to the dull Islander)
I nere had wish'd; now, My Man, hot, and dry,
With fierce transcriptions of my Poesie;
Cryes, Sir, I thirst! then strait I bid him chuse
(As Poets Prentices did surely use
Of Greece, and Rome) some cleere, cheap Brook; there stay,
And drinke at Natures charge his thirst away:
Though Fasts (more than are taught i'th Kalender)
Had made him weake; this gave him strength to sweare;
And urge, that after Horace the divine
Mæcenas knew, his Slaves drunke ever Wine:
So whilst Endimion lives, hee vowes to pierce
Old Gascoine Caske, or not transcribe a verse.
If never knowne to thee, missing the skill
How to doe good, I should have found my ill
Excus
