Classic Poem

To my Sonn Charles in prayse of Horsemanship

On Hunting some, on Fowling Others muse
Or else else commend the Craft that Fishers use
Suting Each Season with a Pass time fit
Wherin Variety mought sweeten it
It sores above my Patience to wayt
Upon the Fowlers Net or Fishers Bayt
Or to be caught with Hunting and the Hound
But with that horse which justly beats the Ground
Thence I th'Elixir of Delight and Pleasure
Drawe out, and of all Others deem't a Treasure
And t'be Esteemd of Exercise the Prime
Deserving best a Verse and well tund Rime
O for a Muse now wear propitious
To dip my Pen i'th'Spring of Pegasus
Wherby I mought preferr before the Rest
This noble Art of Horsemanship as Best:
Fair Junoes Throne Rash Icarus did prove
And Phaeton His Fathers Charror drove
To Their Destruction both, with winged steed
Andromeda by Perseus was freed
Both Witt and Skill to Alexander came
When He Bucephalus first strove to tame.
Diversities to Divers best agree
But 'bove all Science This best sutes to Me
To Ride well; and soe moderate my hand
And Leg, that Horses may be at Command:
He that by Venus Power enfeebled is
Or Bacchus Charmes cannot accord with this
But He whom Temprance doth commend for wise
Alones the Master of This Exercise
Noe weather hinders This, noe Rayn, nor Snowe
Nor whither the winds Mists or Frosts doe blowe
But as the weather's Coulder it invites
More Aptitude unto These high Delights
Which if One would with Other Arts compare
Then waigh them in a Ballance regular
He should this art of Horsemanship then finde
For Health to Body and for Good to minde
Soe far out strip All Others without trouble
As Cedars Shrubs, or Lofty Pines doe Stubble.