Salmacis and Hermaphroditus Salmacida spolia sine sanguine & sudore.

To the true patronesse of all Poetrie, CALIOPE.

IT is a statute in deepe wisdomes lore, That for his lines none should a patrō chuse By wealth or pouerty, by lesse or more, But who the same is able to peruse; Nor ought a man his labours dedicate, Without a true and sensible desert, To any power of such a mighty state, And such a wise Defendresse as thou art. Thou great and powerfull Muse, then pardon mee, That I presume thy Mayden-cheeke to stayne, In dedicating such a worke to thee, Sprung from the issue of an idle brayne. I vse thee as a woman ought to bee: I consecrate my idle howres to thee.