Classic Poem

My Lord
Soe subiect to the worser fame
Are euen the best that clayme a Poets name
Especially poore they that serue the stage
Though worthily in this Verse-halting Age
And that dread curse soe heauie yet doth lie
W ch the wrong'd Fates falne out w th Mercurie
Pronounc'd foreuer to attend vpon
All such as onely dreame of Helicon.
That durst I sweare cheated by selfe opinion
I were Apolloes or the Muses Mynion
Reason would yet assure me, t'is decreed
Such as are Poets borne, are borne to need
If the most worthy then, whose pay's but praise
Or a few spriggs from the now withering bayes
Grone vnderneath their wants what hope haue I
Scarce yet allowed one of the Company. /
Of better fortune, That w th their good parts
Euen want the wayes the bold and thriuing arts
By w ch they grow remarkeable and are priz'd
Since sure I could not liue a thing despiz'd
Durst I professe t'were in my power to giue
A patron that should euer make him liue
Or tell great Lords that the maine Reason why
They hold A Poets prayses flatterie
Is their owne guilt, that since they left to doe
Things worthy praise euen praise is odious too
Some few there are that by boldness thriue
W ch yet I dare not follow; others striue
In some high mynded Ladies grace to stand
Euer prouided that her liberall hand
Pay for the Vertues they bestow vpon her
And soe long shees the miracle and the honor
Of her whole Sex, and has forsooth more worth
Then was in any Sparta e're brought forth
But when the Bounty failes a change is neare
And shee's not then what once shee did appeare
For the new Giuer shee dead must inherit
What was by purchase gott and not by merit
Lett them write well that doe this and in grace
I would not for a pension or A place /
Part soe w th myne owne Candor, lett me rather
Liue poorely on those toyes toyes I would not father
Not knowne beyond A Player or A Man
That does pursue the course that I haue ran
Ere soe grow famous: yet w th any paine
Or honest industry could I obteyne
A noble Fauorer, I might write and doe
Like others of more name and gett one too
Or els my Genius is false. I know
That Iohnson much of what he has does owe
To you and to your familie, and is neuer
Slow to professe it, nor had Fletcher euer
Such Reputation, and credit wonne
But by his honord Patron, Huntington
Vnimitable Spencer ne're had been
Soe famous for his matchlesse Fairie Queene
Had he not found a Sydney to preferr
His plaine way in his Shepheards Calender
Nay Virgills selfe (or Martiall does lye)
Could hardly frame a poore Gnatts Elegie
Before Mecaenas cherisht him; and then
He streight conceiu'd Aeneas and the men
That found out Italie. These are Presidents
I cite w th reuerence: my lowe intents
Looke not soe high, yet some worke I might frame /
That should nor wrong my duty nor your Name.
Were but your Lo: pp pleas'd to cast an eye
Of fauour on my trodd downe pouertie
How euer I confesse myselfe to be
Euer most bound for your best charitie
To others that feed on it, and will pay
My prayers w th theirs that as y u doe y u may
Liue long, belou'd and honor'd doubtles then,
Soe cleere a life will find a worthier Penn.
For me I rest assur'd besides the glory
T'wold make a Poet but to write your story.