Britains Genius, Poem 3
Aliquid ex improviſo.
THe Author will not, now, this Poem ſend
Unto the King; becauſe it may offend.
But, if to give it, he had lawfull way,
He downe would kneel; and, thus would humbly ſay.
Dear Sir, be pleaſed to peruſe this Book,
With undiſtempred heart, and gracious look;
And, though ſome Paſſages, may harſh appear,
Read out with patience, what is written here:
For, as with you, and your affaires it ſtands,
My due allegeance, ſtrictly me commands,
That, I ſhould plainely deal, and boldly do,
What, my well meaning heart did prompt me to
And I have hope, you ſhall receive by me,
A wholſome Pill, although it bitter be.
I could not flatter, when you were at height:
Nor would I to your ſuffrings, add the weight
Of halfe a graine, (to purchaſe my own health,
Though I were ſick) for all your former wealth.
So tender am I, and ſo much afraid,
To lay on more, where GOD enough hath laid;
Till I may be aſſur'd, that you contemn
His mercies; and proceed, in ſpight of him.
And, I, had now been pleas'd, with words more calme,
To have expreſt my mind; and with ſoft balme,
To have anointed you; but that thereby,
Some (who, it may be, have an evill eye)
Might find occaſion to obſtruct that cure,
Which, by this courſe, may ſpeedy be, and ſure.
Your wiſedome findes my meaning, if your heart
Hath any ſympathizing with my art;
And, I ſhall ſoon perceive it, when I know
What countenance you hereupon beſtow.
If I diſcover not an operation,
According to my honeſt expectation,
I ſhall deſiſt. But, if reſpect you give
To my intent, in this ſharp Corroſive;
I ſhall endeavour, to provide a dos,
That may cloſe up your wounds, repair your loſſe;
And, give you good aſſurance, in the end,
That, he who ſeem'd your foe, hath been your friend:
Yea dares be ſo; if you dare be your owne,
Though, ten times more affliction, preſt you down;
And act for you, as far as he is able,
His part, of Mouſe and Lion, in the Fable;
Though both his foes, and yours ſtood looking on him,
And, threatned all the ſpight that could be done him:
For, with a Theefe, that Penitent ſhall be,
A Crucifying, undergo would he,
Much rather, then enjoy his preſervation,
With Barabbas, by publike acclamation.
Quae nocent, docent;
BUT, Ex nihilo nihil fit.
FINIS.
Faults eſcaped.
SOme faults, have been commited by the Printer;
Some, have eſcap'd the Author, peradventure:
The firſt, correct your ſelves, as you ſhall find them;
The laſt, paſſe by, as if you did not mind them,
Forgiving, as of him, you are forgiven;
So, we ſhall all be friends, and reck'nings even.
Errata.
Pag. 49. lin. 12. read Square out. lin. 32. r. furniſh'd be. p. 52. l. 2. read could receive, l. 8. read them of, p. 53. l. 8. read griev'd, p. 54. l. 12. read, they ſeem. p. 55. l. 9. read all men, p. 57. l. 3. read 'Tis I, (this. l. 27. read yerning p. 59. l. 24. read thoſe, p. 61. l. 6. read 'tis not, p. 67. 5. let ev'ry. p. 68. l. 7. projected, p. 80. l. 6. read beget. p. 84. l. 3. of any ſenſe.
End of the text · George Wither, Britains Genius (1648)