Classic Poem

Gentle, or vngentle hand that holdest me, let not thine eye be cast vpon priuatnes, for I protest I glaunce not on it. If thou hast perused me, what lesser fauour canst thou graunt then not to abuse me with vniust application? Yet I feare me, I shall be much, much, iniuried by two sorts of readers: the one being ignorant, not knowing the nature of a Satyre, (which is vnder fained priuate names, to note generall vices,) will needes wrest each fayned name to a priuate vnfained person. The other too subtile, bearing a priuate malice to some greater personage then hee dare in his owne person seeme to maligne, will striue by a forced application of my generall reproofes to broach his priuate hatred. Then the which I know not a greater iniury can be offered to a Satyrist. I durst presume, knew they how guiltlesse, and how free I were from prying into priuatnes, they would blush to thinke, how much they wrong themselues, in seeking to iniure me. Let this protestation satisfie our curious searchers. So may I obtayne my best hopes, as I am free from endeuoring to blast any priuate mans good name. If any one (forced with his owne guilt) will turne it home and say Tis I , I cannot hinder him. Neyther doe I iniure him. For other faults of Poesie, I craue no pardon, in that I scorne all pennance the bitterest censurer can impose vpon me. Thus (wishing each man to leaue enquiring who I am, and learne to know himselfe,) I take a solemne congee of this fusty world. Theriomastix .