ANONYMOUS.
A PRAISE OF MISTRESS RYCE.
[TOTTEL'S Miscellany.]
Heard when fame with thund'ring voice, did summon to appear
The chief of Nature's children, all that kind hath placed here;
To view what bruit by virtue got, their lives could justly crave,
And bade them show what praise by truth, they worthy were to have.
Wherewith I saw how VENUS came, and put herself in place;
And gave her ladies leave at large, to stand and plead their case.
Each one was called by name a row, in that assembly there;
That hence are gone, or here remains in Court or otherwhere.
A solemn silence was proclaimed, the judges sate and heard
What truth could tell or craft could feign, and who should be preferred.
Then BEAUTY stept before the bar, whose breast and neck were bare:
With hair trusst up, and on her head a caul of gold she ware.
Thus CUPID'S thralls began to flock, whose hungry eyes did say
That she had stained all the dames that present were that day.
For ere she spake, with whispering words the press was filled throughout;
And FANCY forced common voice, thereat to give a shout.
Which cried to FAME, "Take forth thy trump and sound her praise on high,
