And take a long leave of sweet poesy;

Britannia's swains, and rivers far by west,

Should hear no more mine oaten melody;

Yet shall the song I sung of them awhile

Unperfect lie, and make no further known

The happy loves of this our pleasant Isle;

Till I have left some record of mine own.

You are the subject now, and, writing you,

I well may versify, not poetize:

Here needs no fiction: for the graces true