Page:Tixall Poetry.djvu/458

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Appendix.

(2.)

THE BARONS WARS

In the Raigne of Edward the Second.

With England’s

Heroicall Epistles.

By Michaell Drayton.

1603.


To the Worthy and his most Honored Friend,

Ma. Walter Aston.

I will not strive m’ invention to inforce,
With needless words your eyes to entertaine :
T’ observe the formall ordinarie course,
That every one so vulgarly doth faine.
Our interchanged and deliberate choice,
Is with more firme and true election sorted,
Than stands in eensure of the common voyce,
That with light humor fondly is transported.

Nor take I patterne of another’s praise,
But what my pen can constantly avowe ;
Nor walke more publique, nor obscurer waies,
Than vertue bids, and judgement will alow.

So shall my love, and best endeavours serve you,
And still shall studie, still so to deserve you.

Michaell Drayton.

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