ENCOM. 1. TO BRITAINE. (Book 1)
T'Admire these appositions when them stand
By are iudicious; not to vnderstand
Will force thy wonder censur'd. Properly stand
Who ere would greet a King, should with his Land
Proclaime's acquaintance. Britaine I may sing
The fairest Land rul'd by the worthiest King;
Altissimè: super-Ela. Nearest dumbe
Speake of thy praisers praise; not sing't but hum
T'aland so worth, vnequal'd: should my Muse
(Charg'd with loues-duties-zeale,) the speech refuse
The land and nature ownes? and others vse?
That were to publish. But them cannot chuse
Speakes English. This contempt to strangers knowne:
They'l find iust cause to disesteeme our owne
After wee catch at theirs. Who did digresse
Grecian? or Romane? Homers worthinesse
Got wing in Greece, he did not's country scorne.
And Virgil; all grant famous'd first, and borne
In Mantua. Britaine, we may be bold
To speake thee well as Greeke, or Romane could,
Speake Greece, or Rome. And if bee lost, thy part
Of glory: The defect comes to our Art
And claimes th'originall. O I spye the cause,
Defection 'tis, that th'imperfection drawes