Classic Poem

Among the faults we fell to by our fall
No one diuides vs more from Piety
Then doth self-Loue, which is the sum of all
The fowle Deformities we caught thereby:
Hence follow our Follies and crimes capitall;
This Fount (wherein, [Narcissus like] we looke)
Drownes vs in Elame, which Heaun, nor Earth can brook.
Hence is it that we others glorious Guifts
Do hold as base; and ours [though meer Defects]
We do adore: and vse all canning shifts
To haue them held for glorious Effects!
To this lend all our [Wit-purloynlng] Drifts,
Which we in others held, nor Wit, nor Sense:
But, being Ours (stolne) both haue excellence
Hence is it that we can no more endure
Anothers praises, then our owne dispraise:
Hence seek we others blemish to procure,
That, on their soile, we may our glory raise:
We cannot shine directly being obscure,
Then, indirectly do we send some Beames
Of glory-vaine, on Self-loues vainer Streames
Hence, Men of Art depraue each others Skill,
Sith it they view with Luciferian Eyes:
Hence, Poets do each others praises kill
With keen Innectiues that from hence arise:
Hence spare they none whom they haue powr to spill:
And they haue powr to spill themselues, and all
[If they be great] that stand but neere their fail.
That Poets should be made to vomit words,
[As being so rawe Wittes Mawe could not digest]
Hath to Wittes praise, bin as so many swords
To kill it quite in earnest, and in Iest:
Then, to vntrusse him [before Knights, and Lords]
Whose Muse hath power to vntrusse what not?
Was a vaine cast, though cast to hitt a Blott
O Imps of Phœbus, whie, ô why doe yee
Imploy the Pow'r of your Diuinity
(Which should but foyle Vice from which we should flee!)
Vpon impeaching your owne Quality?
O grace the gracelesse, you that glorious bee:
Who cannot grace your selues more then to giue.
A large allowance, poore wittes to relieue.