To the right honourable Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord high Chauncelor of England. &c.

Those prudent heads, that with theire counsels wise

Whylom the Pillours of th’earth did sustaine,

And taught ambitious Rome to tyrannise,

And in the neck of all the world to rayne,

Oft from those graue affaires were wont abstaine,

With the sweet Lady Muses for to play:

So Ennius the elder Africane,

So Maro oft did Cæsars cares allay.

So you great Lord, that with your counsell sway