(6.)
From the Preface to Polyolbion
1612.
Whatever is herein that tastes of a free spirit, I thankfully confesse it to proceed from the continual bounty of my truly noble friend, Sir Walter Aston; which hath given me the best of those houres, whose leasure hath effected this which I now publish.
(7.)
To the Noble
Sir Walter Aston,
Knight of the Honourable Order of the Bath,
Baronet,
And of His Majesties Privi Chamber.[1]
1619.
These my few poems, the workes of that maiden reigne, in the spring of our acquaintance, as it pleased you then to patronize, as I singly set them forth; so now collected into this small volume, I make the best present that my poore abilitie is able to tender you. Howsoever they may appeare to these more prodigious daies I know not; but thus much I will say to mine owne disadvantage, (should they hap to be unwelcome to these times) that they were the fruit of that muse-nursing season, before this frosty boreas, (I meane the world's coldnesse) had nipt our flowrie Tempe, that with his pestilentiall fogs is like utterly to poyson the Pierean spring, do not Apollo mightily protect it: before I say hell
had sent up her blacke furies, that in every corner breathe their venome in the face of
- ↑ This is not in Anderson's or Chalmers's edition.
