The Crowne of All Homers Workes/To Venus
Appearance
To Venus.
o Cyprian Venus, still my verses vow:
Who Gifts, as sweete as honey doth bestow
On all Mortality. That euer smiles;
And rules a face, that all foes reconciles.
Euer sustaining in her hand, a Flowre,
That all desire keepes, euer in her Powre.
Haile then O Queene of well-built Salamine,
And all the state, that Cyprus doth confine:
Informe my song, with that celestiall fire,
That in thy beauties, kindles all desire.
So shall my Muse, for euer honour Thee,
And any other, thou commend'st to Me.
Who Gifts, as sweete as honey doth bestow
On all Mortality. That euer smiles;
And rules a face, that all foes reconciles.
Euer sustaining in her hand, a Flowre,
That all desire keepes, euer in her Powre.
Haile then O Queene of well-built Salamine,
And all the state, that Cyprus doth confine:
Informe my song, with that celestiall fire,
That in thy beauties, kindles all desire.
So shall my Muse, for euer honour Thee,
And any other, thou commend'st to Me.