PROLOGUE.
With preface meet, and notes profound,
Imprinted fair, and well y-bound.
All suddenly then home I sped,
And did ev'n as my lord had said.
Imprinted fair, and well y-bound.
All suddenly then home I sped,
And did ev'n as my lord had said.
Lo here, thou hast mine eclogues fair,
But let not these detain thine ear.
Let not th' affairs of States and Kings
Wait while our Bowzybeus sings.
Rather than verse of simple swain
Should stay the trade of France or Spain,
Or for the plaint of parson's maid,
Yon Emperor's packets be delay'd;
In sooth, I swear by holy Paul,
I'd burn book, preface, notes and all.
But let not these detain thine ear.
Let not th' affairs of States and Kings
Wait while our Bowzybeus sings.
Rather than verse of simple swain
Should stay the trade of France or Spain,
Or for the plaint of parson's maid,
Yon Emperor's packets be delay'd;
In sooth, I swear by holy Paul,
I'd burn book, preface, notes and all.
April, 1714.
