TO
THE PRINCE.
(AFTERWARDS CHARLES THE FIRST.)
Born at Dumferling, November the 19th, 1600; crowned 27th March 1625; beheaded 30th January 1648-9.
(From a Manuscript in Ashmole’s Museum.)
For ever dear, for ever dreaded prince,
You read some verse of mine a little since,
And so pronounced each word and every letter
Your gratious reading made my verse the better:
Since that your highness doth by gifte exceeding
Make what you read the better for your reading,