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Vpon the Authors Elaborate Pains in these his Labours.
VVHO in his Writings seeks all men to please, Is not unlike the Merchant on the Seas, Meeting with rocks, winds, pyrates, shelves and sands, Yet boldly ventures, ere at home he lands His Ship full fraught, returned safe and sound, Discharg'd of Wealth, wherewith she did abound, He sits him still, and lives at quiet ease, Thinks the Land better then the boystrous Seas; Even so our Friend in these ungratefull times Hath brought home learning bred in Forraign Clymes, Is sure to meet with Find-Faults for his pains, When he seeks nought but profit to their brains And pleasure all men; Dolts do ever pine, When they see Learning live, and Vertue shine: All Ages, Sorts of men, and Learned Schools Have honour'd this rare Science, save some Fools, Who neither know, nay, will not understand Unto what purpose God hath given command To the great Lights of Heaven, Planets and Stars, To shew their power on these Inferiours: I envy none, yet hee's no Friend of mine, Who having Pearl's will cast them unto Swine. The Commonwealth of Learning cannot flourish, If she instead of True-born, Bastards nourish. Some say those things are best which are in common, But in these speculations, there is no man Will so adjudge; For, an illiterate head, But only taught to spell, perhaps to read His mother Tongue, high Secrets to expound, Mis-leading others, runs himself on ground. But as our Merchant in some Forraign soyl Hath got a precious Jewel by his toyl And industry, hoping thereby to raise His Fortunes, brings it home, which he doth praise Unto his Friends; It they much magnifie, And some choice person doth his Jewel Buy, And much esteem it: So this Far-fetcht piece Of Heavenly Science will the Golden Fleece Even much resemble. Th' Author honoured be, As Jason was to all Posterity.I. B.