On the Author, Worke, and Translator.
VVHo tracks this Authors, or Translators Pen,
Shall finde, that either hath read Bookes, and Men:
To say but one, were single. Then it chimes,
When the old words doe strike on the new times,
As in this Spanish Proteus; who, though writ
But in one tongue, was form'd with the worlds wit:
And hath the noblest marke of a good Booke,
That an ill man dares not securely looke
Vpon it, but will loath, or let it passe,
As a deformed face doth a true glasse.
Such Bookes deserue Translators, of like coate
As was the Genius where with they were wrote;
And this hath met that one, that may be stil'd
More then the Foster-father of this Child;
For though Spaine gaue him his first ayre and Vogue,
He would be call'd, henceforth, the English-Rogue,
But that hee's too well suted, in a cloth,
Finer then was his Spanish, if my Oath
Will bee receiu'd in Court; If not, would I
Had cloath'd him so. Here's all I can supply
To your desert, who'haue done it, Friend. And this
Faire Aemulation, and no Enuy is;
When you behold me wish my selfe, the man
That would haue done, that, which you onely can.
Ben: Ionson.