Darest thou my muse present thy Battlike winge,
before the eyes of Brittanes mighty kinge?
Hee that all other states exceedes as farre
as doth the sunne a litle glimmering starre
To whose blest birth the Cherubins did tender
all the endowments for a princely splendor
You lines, excuse my boldness in this matter
and tell the truth; my hart's too big to flatter.
Yf in the search of this world I could find
one to exceed the vertues of thy minde
the height of my ambition would aspire
to offer up these sparckles to that fire.
since all fall shorte of thy soules qualitye
more short then of thy states abilitye:
Tis thy attractive goodnes gives mee scope
to come (dread soveraigne) on the [arm]es of hope
and offer up this tribute to thy meritt
this sacrifice to thy devinest spiritt.
I know in God there doth noe ill abide
nor in his true Epitome, noe pride
Thou art the nursing father of all pietye
the mightye champion for the Deitye.
This of the high Jehovah I doe singe
to whome doth this belonge, but to the kinge
Great God of heaven, thankes for thy gracious favours
Great King on earth, accept the poor endeavours