Classic Poem

To my right worthy friend and truly generous gentleman Henry Sherley Esquire.

Could I but sett thee forth as I desire
Or as thy nature Nature doth attire.
In these cold watry hues, where all may see
The glorie of the ground-worke laid in thee:
Then should my coulers (though but thinly laid)
Adde no small beautie to thy parts displaid
But as to lay vpon a curious print
Faire coulors thick, is not to paint in print;
Because each principall deliniament
Is drownd in coulor of lesse ornament:
So knowing this, thus thinnly I bestow
My coulors on thee; so to see thee through;
Who (if my loue my iudgment not abuse)
Are farre more faire then well layd fairest hues.