PREFACE TO THE ADDITIONAL ODES OF 1619.
To the worthy Knight, and my noble friend,
Sir Henry Goodere, a Gentleman of
His Majesty's Privy Chamber.
Hese Lyric pieces, short, and few,
Most worthy Sir, I send to you;
To read them be not weary!
They may become John Hewes his lyre,
Which oft, at Polesworth,[12] by the fire,
Hath made us gravely merry.
Believe it, he must have the trick
Of Ryming, with Invention quick,
That should do Lyrics well:
But how I have done in this kind,
Though in myself I cannot find,
Your judgment best can tell.
Th' old British Bards (upon their harps
For falling Flats, and rising Sharps,
That curiously were strung)
To stir their Youth to warlike rage,
Or their wild fury to assuage,
In these loose Numbers sung.
No more I, for fools' censure pass,
Than for the braying of an ass;
Nor once mine ear will lend them:
If you but please to take in gree
These Odes, sufficient 'tis to me:
Your liking can commend them.
Yours,
Michael Drayton.