THE STATIONER TO THE READER. I F new or old wit please the reader best, I've hope each man of wit will be our guest, The new was fram'd to humor some mens taste; Which if they like not, they may carve the last: Each dish hath sauce belongs to't, and you will By your dislike, censure the Authors skill; Yet if you cannot speake well of it, spare To utter your dislike, that the like snare May entrap others; so the booke may bee Sold, though not lik'd, by a neate fallacy; That's all I aske yet 'twill your goodnes raise If as I gaine your coyn, he may your praise. I Pray thee Battus, adde unto thy store This booke of mine to make thy number more; It is well bound, well printed, neatly strung, And doth deserve to have a place among Wilt so much favor to its worth allow. 2. Gender and number. Singular sins and plurall we commit; 3. To Sr. John Suckling. If learning will beseem a courtier well, If honour waite on those who dare excell, The eager flames of thy poetique fire; Sweet-tongued Ovid, though strange tales he told, The sumptuous bravery of that rich attire ; 5. To Mr. William Habbington on his Castara, a Poem. Thy Muse is chaste and thy Castara too, 'Tis strange at Court, & thou hadst power to woo And to obtain (what others were deny'd) The fair Castara for thy vertuous bride : Enjoy what you dare wish, and may there bee, Fair issues branch from both, to honor thee. 6. To Mr. Francis Beaumont and Mr. John Twin-stars of poetry, whom we justly may |