This book to you 'tis fit I dedicate

Since you, my friend, so well appreciate—

Nay, rather love, our poets of old time,

Responding ever to their notes sublime:

Who, though you treasure most those sons of light,

Whose radiance glitters on the brow of night,

Do not despise the faintest twinkling star

That shines where Shakespeare, Spenser, Milton are:

Who can, like Lamb, a brilliant flower descry

Where all seems sterile to the common eye,