POEMS

UPON

SEVERAL OCCASIONS,

Compos'd at feveral times,

BY

Mr. JOHN MILTO N

Baccare frontem

Cingite, ne vati noceat mala lingua futuro.

Virgil, Eclog. 7.

To the first edition of the author's poems printed in 1645 was prefixed the following advertisement of

The STATIONER to the READER.

IT is not any private refpect of gain, gentle Reader, for the flighteft pamphlet is now adays more vendible than the works of learnedeft men; but it is the love I have to our own language, that hath made me diligent to collect and fet forth fuch pieces both in profe and verfe, as may renew the wonted honor and esteem of our English tongue and it's the worth of thefe both English and Latin poems, not the florifh of any prefixed encomiums that can invite thee to buy them, though thefe are not without the highest commendations and applause of the learnedeft Academics, both domeftic and foreign; and amongst those of our own country, the unparallel'd atteftation of that renowned Provoft of Eton, Sir Henry Wotton. I know not thy palate how it relishes fuch dainties, nor how harmonious thy foul is; perhaps more trivial airs may please thee better. But howfoever thy opinion is fpent upon thefe, that encouragement I have already received from the moft ingenious men in their clear and courteous entertainment of Mr. Waller's late choice pieces, hath once more made me adventure into the world, prefenting it with thefe ever-green, and not to be blafted laurels. The Author's more peculiar excellency in thefe ftudies was too well known to conpapers, or to keep me from attempting to VOL. II.

ceal his

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