Nympha libethris, or, The Cotswold muse presenting some extempore verses to the imitation of yong [sic] scholars : in four parts.

XX••X. An English Library. To Ri. Sackvill.

SIr, you'r my Scholar, and desire that I Should choose you out an English Library: Not that you doe despise Latine or Greek, But Knowledge also in your own Tongue seek.

Too many Books distract the mind: a dozen Are worth a Hundred, if they be well chosen. I commend These to you, not that I wo'd Disparage others: They may be as good. First Hammonds Catechism, if to guide your life, You'l read Divinity, and not for strife. With whom (sending disputes to the Schoole) Joyn Taylors Samplar Jesus, and His Rule. That Ancient Worthies footsteps you may tread, The Generall History of R••leigh read: In speciall, your own Countrys actions make Your study, where Camden and Baker take. That you may raise such Observation, Peruse the Aphorisms of Dabington. Church-story, when she was pure, when vitious, You'l shortly see in my severe Sulpiti••s. The Mathematics a noble study be, Read Euchid Englished by Doctor Dee. Adde, if you please to be led further on, Maest••in and my Pitiscu••, when th'are done. The Globes admired use, I'd have you know; And that the learned Gregory will show. For Morall precepts to your Senault soon The Author adde, Of Wisdome writes, Charon. When weary you throw the Graver P••ose away Refresh your spirits with witty Fletcher. play. Sometimes run ore the books of modern news, And doe not scorne the Ʋerse of my plain Musc. But now, because among all cares, but One Is needfull, I'l end with Religion. The Bible is God's book. Like Borromee, Read every day the Gospel on your knee. To give you light in places dubious, I doe prepare some Notes of Grotius. That you may not be abus'd by Schismetics, Read Hookers 'Clesiastic Poetics.

You'l know the Rights both of the Church and state, By studying Grotius, whom I tranflate. 'Tother rare piece, De veritate, can 'Gainst Jew, Turk, Pagan prove Truth Christian And, though 'tis hard to allow it in his sense, Read Doctor Hackwill of Gods providence. When you have read these Authors, for the ••est, I leave you to your self, to choose what's best. This precept, pray take from me for a Close, Confer, and what you read you will ne'r lose.