What was the jest doe you aske? I dare repeate it,
And put it home before you shall entreat it ;
He call'd mee Bloxford-man: confesse I must
'T was bitter; and it griev'd mee, in a thrust
That most ungratefull word (Bloxford) to heare
From him, whose breath yet stunk of Oxford

beere :

But let it passe; for I have now passd throw

Their halberds, and worse weapons, their teeth,

too :

And of a worthy officer was invited

To dine; who all their rudeness hath requited:
Where wee had mirth and meat, and a large board
Furnish't with all the kitchin could afford.

But to conclude, to wipe of from before yee
All this which is noe better then a story ;
Had this affront bin done mee by command
Of noble Fenton ", had their captaines hand

" Thomas Ereskine, earl of Fenton.

Directed them to this, I should beleive

I had no cause to jeast, but much to greive :
Or had discerning Pembrooke12 seene this done,
And thought it well bestow'd, I would have run
Where no good man had dwelt, nor learn'd would

fly,

Where noe disease would keepe mee company,

Where it should be preferment to endure
To teach a schoole, or else to starve a cure.

But as it stands, the persons and the cause
Consider well, their manners and their lawes,
Tis no affliction to mee, for even thus

Saint Paul hath fought with beasts at Ephesus,
And I at Windsor. Let this comfort then
Rest with all able and deserving men :

12 William, earl of Pembroke, a poet himself, and an universal patron of learning, whose character is so admirably drawn by Clarendon.

Hee that will please the guard, and not provoke Court-witts, must suite his learning by a cloake : "For at all feasts and masques the doome hath bin,

“A man thrust out and a gay cloake let in.”

Quid immerentes hospites vexas canis,

Ignavus adversus lupos ? ·

ΤΟ

THE PRINCE.

(AFTERWARDS CHARLES THE FIRST.)

Born at Dumferling, November the 19th, 1600; crowned 27th March 1625; beheaded 30th January 1648-9.

(From a Manuscript in Ashmole's Museum.)

FOR ever dear, for ever dreaded prince,
You read some verse of mine a little since,
And so pronounced each word and every letter
Your gratious reading made my verse the better:
Since that your highness doth by gifte exceeding
Make what you read the better for your reading,

Let

my poor muse thus far your grace importune To leave to reade my verse, and read my fortune.

A NEW-YEARES GIFT

TO

MY LORDE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

(Born 28th August 1592; assassinated by Felton,
23d August 1628.)

WHEN I can pay my parents, or my king,
For life, or peace, or any dearer thing;
Then, dearest lord, expect my debt to you
Shall bee as truly paid, as it is due.

But, as no other price or recompence
Serves them, but love, and my obedience;
So nothing payes my lord, but whats above
The reach of hands, 'tis vertue, and my love.
"For, when as goodnesse doth so overflow,
"The conscience bindes not to restore, but owe:"

Requitall were presumption; and you may

Call mee ungratefull, while I strive to pay.