Classic Poem

To my much honored, approoued, and beloued friend, Sr Iohn Sammes Knight.

To you these gamesome measures nimbly moue
To shew in ernest how my Muse desires
To shew how much shee honors you for loue
Which I haue proued in Afflictions fyres:
No greater proofe Mistrust itselfe requires:
Then as to him I loue for tryed trust,
And loues the mirth that well the Muse attires, —
I send these toyes to read, which vent I must,
Or Mirth will madde my braines, which them inspires,
To see the follies which in all appeare:
And mee among the rest, who still do lust
To ouer runne them in my Rimes' careere:
Then take and reade, but if they welcome bee,
Laugh not at them but when you smile on me