Classic Poem

I KNEW YOU NOT ; therefore what I may say
Is free from Passion; other People may
Distinguish in your workes; which unto mee
Appears like Sizors of Impietie,
To part the Webbe, which you still kept intire
And loved it Soe. As in the Globe, noe higher
Nor lower, properlie is understood;
Soe in your orbed witt, I know noe Flood
To drowne the others Earth; noe Element
But was soe pois'd, it made one Excellent,
Equallie moveing Sphere. Others, who knew
Your severall parts, may give, as they thinke due;
For me, I am forbid; what you thought fitt
To joyne (Your Selves) I will not Sever itt.
Fletcher, and Beaumont! who shall ere devide
These noble Twinn's? Twins, by the Surer side;
Crossing the vulgar mouth, who gape, and Yawne;
Credit, or Kindred, meerlye by the Spawne;
And can see nothing higher. Mother witt
Was still their Charter; & they claime by't yet.
You, Sons of Phebus, (bright as his owne Light
Unto our Ile, late wrapt up in the night
Of Ignorance, where witt might but appeare
Like owles, in Twilight) have redeem'd us here;
And like those happie Fires, (Auspicious still
To Navigators, joyn'd; if Single, ill
And Fate-portending) you revived have
Witts Barke, long tost upon a dangerous wave;
And Shine, to guide and Comfort those, who trye
That ocean, for some new Discoverie.
If there be any world, beyond what you
Have given Maps for; Straights which none yet know,
Yet some shall undertake; Your joyned Flames
Direct em; who, to Celebrate your Names,
Shall Pillars raise inscribed, by what Light
They past the false Fires: & arrived right
In the safe Port, of — thus to you
Future Endeavours, must be ascribed too.

Soe long as Socke, or Buskin treads the Stage,
Beaumont and Fletcher shall enrich the Age;
Or Should the Malice, of hot mouth's proceed
To Silence Theaters; let even Witt bleed
To death in Catharr's, and the raging fire
Of Envie, Swallow truth, when they expire.