Hymnus tabaci a poem in honour of tabaco. Heroïcally composed by Raphael Thorius: made English by Peter Hausted Mr of Arts Camb.

RAPHAEL THORIUS To LUDOWIC à KINSCHOT.

FOr so great a benefit I give my utmost thanks most renowned Sir, not to you a∣lone but to those great men also, Rutger∣sius, and Heinsius, by whose liberality and your own I have been so spendidly en∣tertain'd: not as a stranger, but as the fa∣miliar Parish Priest, intending perhaps with my conceits to add unto your merriment. I never thought Apollo had bequeath'd so good an omen to this little Poem, as to make it acceptable to such palats, or that indeed it would have become the age of six∣teen yeers being rashly put forth, unwarily

undertak'n, and without care composed. Notwithstanding since by its own good fate, it hath found such courteous entertainment; I will neither take from it the benefit of its own happy genious, nor deceive your expecta∣tion. But shall be rather liberal to those who are liberal, joyning a younger brother to it, something better habited: Both I freely of∣fer to the judgements both of your self, and those before mentioned. Send it to the Press when you think best convenient: but being abroad, cherish it; be favouroble also to the father, and defend against the cen∣sure of severe Cato's, an old man playing among children. But that I have given to you what to other friends hath been deni∣ed, the place and persons are sufficient rea∣sons: for here it is a crime to be a Poet, neither is he accounted wise that after the

first appearance of his beard, sleepes in Per∣nassus: Otherwise is your opinion, to whom the Muses in gray haires are acceptable, and who easily acquit Sophocles, his Tragedy being read, from the accusation of madness; Moreover, being in this kind of learning e∣steem'd Princes, not undeservedly ye sustain the part of Judges, no man daring to contra∣dict your sentence. And this doth also com∣fort me in throwing so hazardous a die, that what you have once approved, no man will venture to disprove. But to you, the best of men, I give many and particular thanks, that being in face unknown, you abounded in so much friendship toward me, that you thought me worthy of your love, and lastly have undertaken the care of this infant and helpless Poem: Which to requite, I can onely subscribe to your requests and

remain a willing observe of your commands. I send you therefore the first hymn correct∣ed, to which, more furniture being added, I have joyn'd the second. Although I had rather intitle them a book then a hymn: I should more carefully excuse the lightness of the subject, were not the argument sutable to my art: However it be, I never shall repent to appear upon the scene with such autho∣rities. Your elegant Epigram I shall be glad to see in the front, to the ornament both of the Work and of the Work-man; who, in the threshold of our friendship, gives you his hand as the pledge of his eternal fidelity. Farewel.

London, Febr. 18. 1625.