In honour of Du Bartas^ i 6 4 i *
\ mong the happy wits this age hath fhown, -^ ^ Great, dear, fweet Bartas thou art matchlefs
known; M}^ raviflVd Eyes and heart with faltering tongue, In humble wile have vow'd their fervice long. But knowing th' task fo great, & ftrength but fmall, Gave o're the work before begun withal. My dazled fight of late reviewed thy lines, Where Art, and more then Art, in nature fhines, Refle6lion from their beaming Altitude, Did thaw my frozen hearts ingratitude; Which Rayes darting upon fome richer ground, [207] Had caufed flours and fruits foon to abound; But barren I m}' Dafey here do bring, A homely flour in this my latter Spring, .If Summer, or my Autumn age do yield. Flours, fruits, in Garden, Orchard, or in Field, They fhall be confecrated in my Verfe, And proftrate offered at great Bartas Herfe;
- For an account of Du Bartas, see Introduction.
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