| AFTER those reverend papers, whose soule is | |
| Our good and great Kings lov'd hand and fear'd name, | |
| By which to you he derives much of his, | |
| And (how he may) makes you almost the same, | |
| |
| A Taper of his Torch, a copie writ | 5 |
| From his Originall, and a faire beame | |
| Of the same warme, and dazeling Sun, though it | |
| Must in another Sphere his vertue streame: | |
| |
| After those learned papers which your hand | |
| Hath stor'd with notes of use and pleasure too, | 10 |
| From which rich treasury you may command | |
| Fit matter whether you will write or doe: | |
| |
| After those loving papers, where friends send | |
| With glad griefe, to your Sea-ward steps, farewel, | |
| Which thicken on you now, as prayers ascend | 15 |
| To heaven in troupes at'a good mans passing bell: | |
| |
| Admit this honest paper, and allow | |
| It such an audience as your selfe would aske; | |
| What you must say at Venice this meanes now, | |
| And hath for nature, what you have for taske: | 20 |
| |
| To sweare much love, not to be chang'd before | |
| Honour alone will to your fortune fit; | |
| Nor shall I then honour your fortune, more | |
| Then I have done your honour wanting it. | |
| |
| But'tis an easier load (though both oppresse) | 25 |
| To want, then governe greatnesse, for wee are | |
| In that, our owne and onely businesse, | |
| In this, wee must for others vices care; | |
| |
| 'Tis therefore well your spirits now are plac'd | |
| In their last Furnace, in activity; | 30 |
| Which fits them (Schooles and Courts and Warres o'rpast) | |
| To touch and test in any best degree. | |
| |
| For mee, (if there be such a thing as I) | |
| Fortune (if there be such a thing as shee) | |
| Spies that I beare so well her tyranny, | 35 |
| That she thinks nothing else so fit for mee; | |
| |
| But though she part us, to heare my oft prayers | |
| For your increase, God is as neere mee here; | |
| And to send you what I shall begge, his staires | |
| In length and ease are alike every where. | 40 |
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