Page [unnumbered]
In praise of the Author and his Booke.
IN Britaine soyle there is a garden platte,
Which for the Aire and Nature of the place,
Both holsome is and brauely situate,
Where learning growes and hath a noble grace.
This plat doth yeeld vnto vs diuerse plants,
Which spread in time this Iland round about,
Though some of them good iuice and moisture wants,
Yet many haue both pith and force (no doubt)
Some sharpe of taste, but verie holsome are,
Some not so good, yet verie toothsome bee,
Some toothsome are, and verie good (though rare)
Which all excell ech other in degree.
Not first nor next do please my fancie much,
The last are best, which pleasant profit brings,
Mongst whom this plant, (whose place and grace is such,)
Doth yeeld a flower, which faire and liuely springs.
Greene is the plant, Mamillia the flower,
Cambridge the plat, where plant and flower groes,
London the place which brought it first in power,
The Court a seat most fit for such a rose.
And to be short (if I true prophet be)
Plat, place, and seate, this pleasant rose shall see,
If plant doth please court, citie, and countrie,
And not displease her noble Maiestie.
G. B.
Nomen & ingenium cum debet inesse Poëtae.
Omen ita & genium debet habere liber.
Ore placet Grenus, prodest oculisque colore,
Ingenium genium, nomen & omen habet.
Vt virtutis comes inuidia, sic
Calami comes calumnia.