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28
A HYMNE TO APOLLO.
And, since they seru'd Apollo; iointly fall
Before Latona, and Diana too
In sacred seruice: and doe therefore know
How to make mention of the ancient Trimms
Of men, and women; in their well-made Hymns;
And soften barbarous Nations with their songs.
Being able, all, to speake the seuerall tongu's
Of forreine Nations; and to imitate
Their musiques there, with art so fortunate,
That one would say; there euery one did speake,
And all their tunes, in naturall accents breake.
Their songs, so well compos'd are; and their Art
To answer all soundes, is of such Desart.
But come Latona; and thou king of Flames,
With Phœbe Rectresse, of chaste thoughts in Dames;
Let me salute ye, and your Graces call
Hereafter to my iust memoriall.
And you (O Delian Virgins) doe me grace,
When any strangers of our earthie Race
Whose restlesse life, Affliction hath in chace;
Shall hither come; and question you; Who is
To your chaste eares, of choicest faculties
In sacred Poesie; and with most right
Is Author of your absolut'st delight;
Ye shall your selues doe, all the right ye can,
To answer for our Name: The sightlesse man
Of stonie Chios. All whose Poems, shall
In all last Ages, stand for Capitall.
Before Latona, and Diana too
In sacred seruice: and doe therefore know
How to make mention of the ancient Trimms
Of men, and women; in their well-made Hymns;
And soften barbarous Nations with their songs.
Being able, all, to speake the seuerall tongu's
Of forreine Nations; and to imitate
Their musiques there, with art so fortunate,
That one would say; there euery one did speake,
And all their tunes, in naturall accents breake.
Their songs, so well compos'd are; and their Art
To answer all soundes, is of such Desart.
But come Latona; and thou king of Flames,
With Phœbe Rectresse, of chaste thoughts in Dames;
Let me salute ye, and your Graces call
Hereafter to my iust memoriall.
And you (O Delian Virgins) doe me grace,
When any strangers of our earthie Race
Whose restlesse life, Affliction hath in chace;
Shall hither come; and question you; Who is
To your chaste eares, of choicest faculties
In sacred Poesie; and with most right
Is Author of your absolut'st delight;
Ye shall your selues doe, all the right ye can,
To answer for our Name: The sightlesse man
Of stonie Chios. All whose Poems, shall
In all last Ages, stand for Capitall.
