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DEDICATORIE.
(From all the windes of Neptunes watrie sphere)
For euer guards the Erymanthian Beare.
Since then your Lordship, settles in your shade
A life retir'd; and no Retreate is made
But to some strength; (for else, tis no Retreate,
But rudely running from your Battailes heate)
I giue this, as your strength: your strength, my Lord,
In Counsailes and Examples, that afford
More Guard, then whole Hosts of corporeal powre,
And more deliuerance, teach the fatall Howre.
Turne not your medcine then, to your disease,
By your too set, and sleight repulse of these,
The Adiuncts of your matchlesse Odysses;
Since on that wisest minde of Man, relies
Refuge from all Liues Infelicities.
Nor sing these, such diuision from them;
But that these spinn the thred of the same streame,
From one selfe Distaffs stuff: for Poesies Pen
(Through al theames) is t'informe the liues of Men:
All whose Retreates, neede strengths of all degrees;
Without which; (had you euen Herculean knees;)
Your foes fresh Charges, would, at length preuaile,
To leaue your Noblest suff'rance, no least saile.
Strength then, the Obiect is of all Retreates;
Strength needes no friends trust; strength, your foes defeates.
Retire to strength then, of eternall things,
And y'are eternall; for our knowing Spring's
Flow into those things that we truely know;
For euer guards the Erymanthian Beare.
Since then your Lordship, settles in your shade
A life retir'd; and no Retreate is made
But to some strength; (for else, tis no Retreate,
But rudely running from your Battailes heate)
I giue this, as your strength: your strength, my Lord,
In Counsailes and Examples, that afford
More Guard, then whole Hosts of corporeal powre,
And more deliuerance, teach the fatall Howre.
Turne not your medcine then, to your disease,
By your too set, and sleight repulse of these,
The Adiuncts of your matchlesse Odysses;
Since on that wisest minde of Man, relies
Refuge from all Liues Infelicities.
Nor sing these, such diuision from them;
But that these spinn the thred of the same streame,
From one selfe Distaffs stuff: for Poesies Pen
(Through al theames) is t'informe the liues of Men:
All whose Retreates, neede strengths of all degrees;
Without which; (had you euen Herculean knees;)
Your foes fresh Charges, would, at length preuaile,
To leaue your Noblest suff'rance, no least saile.
Strength then, the Obiect is of all Retreates;
Strength needes no friends trust; strength, your foes defeates.
Retire to strength then, of eternall things,
And y'are eternall; for our knowing Spring's
Flow into those things that we truely know;
Which
