English poem
To Sir Walter Aston, Knight Of The Honourable Order Of The Bath, And My Most Worthy Patron
I will not striue m' inuention to inforce, With needlesse words your eyes to entertaine, T' obserue the formall ordinarie course That euerie one so vulgarly doth faine: Our interchanged and deliberate choise, Is with more firme and true election sorted, Then stands in censure of the common voice. That with light humor fondly is transported: Nor take I patterne of another's praise, Then what my pen may constantly avow. Nor walke more publique nor obscurer waies Then vertue bids, and iudgement will allow; So shall my tone, and best endeuours serue you, And still shall studie, still so to deserue you. Michaell Drayton.
More by Michael Drayton
- To My Frinds the Camber-Britans and Theyr Harp
- To My Most Dearely-Loued Friend Henery Reynolds Esquire, Of Poets & Poesie
- To My Noble Friend Master William Browne, Of The Euill Time
- To My Worthy Frend, Master John Sauage Of The Inner Temple
- To The Cambro-Britans And Their Harpe, His Ballad Of Agincovrt
- To The Deere Chyld Of The Muses, And His Euer Kind Mec'Nas, Ma. Anthony Cooke, Esquire
- To The New Yeere
- To The Noble Lady, The Lady I.S. Of Worldly Crosses