617 This lowly Muse, that learns like steps to trace,
like > similar
618 Flies for like aid to your patronage; 619 (That are the great Maecenas of this age,
That are > [You who are]
620 As well to all that civil arts profess
As well > Both
621 As those that are inspired with martial rage),
As > [And to]
622 And craves protection of her feebleness: 623 Which if you yield, perhaps you may her raise 624 In bigger tunes to sound your living praise. 625 E. S. 626 627 628 To the right noble Lord and most valiaunt Captaine, 629 Sir Iohn Norris knight, Lord president of Mounster. 630 631 WHo euer gaue more honourable prize 632 To the sweet Muse, then did the Martiall crew; 633 That their braue deeds she might immortalize 634 In her shril tromp, and sound their praises dew? 635 Who then ought more to fauour her, then you 636 Moste noble Lord, the honor of this age, 637 And Precedent of all that armes ensue? 638 Whose warlike prowesse and manly courage, 639 Tempred with reason and aduizement sage 640 Hath fild sad Belgicke with victorious spoile, 641 In Fraunce and Ireland left a famous gage, 642 And lately shakt the Lusitanian soile. 643 Sith then each where thou hast dispredd thy fame, 644 Loue him, that hath eternized your name. 645 E. S. 646 627 628 To the Right Noble Lord and Most Valiant Captain, 629 Sir John Norris, Knight, Lord President of Munster
John Norris > (1547?-1597, a commander of the land forces in the
Netherlands during the Armada campaign)