The Metamorphosis of Pigmalions Image. And Certaine Satyres. At London, Printed for Edmond Matts, & are to be sold at the signe of the hand and Plough in Fleet streete. 1598. 8vo.
TO THE WORLD’S MIGHTY MONARCH,
GOOD OPINION.
Sole regent of affection, perpetual ruler of judgment, most famous justice of censures, only giver of honour, great procurer of advancement, the world’s chief balance, the all of all, and all in all, by whom all things are that that they are, I humbly offer this my poem.
Thou soul of pleasure, honour’s only substance,
Great arbitrator, umpire of the earth,
Whom fleshly epicures call virtue’s essence;
Thou moving orator, whose powerful breath
Sways all men’s judgment—Great Opinion,
Vouchsafe to gild my imperfection.
If thou but deign to grace my blushing style,
And crown my muse with good opinion;
If thou vouchsafe with gracious eye to smile
Upon my young new-born invention,
I’ll sing a hymn in honour of thy name
And add some trophy to enlarge thy fame.
But if thou wilt not with thy deity
Shade and inmask the errors of my pen,
Protect an orphan poet’s infancy,
I will disclose, that all the world shall ken
How partial thou art in honours giving,
Crowning the shade, the substance’ praise depriving.
W. K.[331]
[331] W. K[insayder].—See Introduction, vol. i.