To my friend Mr JOHN FORD, (on Love's Sacrifice.) UNTO this altar, rich with thy own spice, Look here, thou, that hast malice to the stage, To read this tragedy, and thy own be next. To my own Friend, Master JOHN FORD, on his justifiable poem of Perkin Warbeck, this Ode, THEY who do know me, know that I, Unskill'd to flatter, Dare speak this piece, in words, in matter, A work, without the danger of a lie. Believe me, friend, the name of this and thee, Will live, your story: Books may want faith, or merit glory; This, neither, without judgment's lethargy. * This dramatic author, whose plays, though very numerous, often exhibit uncommon poetical powers, was, according to Oldys (MS. notes to Langbaine), born about 1594, near Stocks Market in London, and died in the parish of St Giles's in the Fields, having been burnt out of his habitation in Fleet Street in the great fire of 1666. When the arts doat, then some sick poet may To roar, He is the Wit; his noise doth sway: But such an age cannot be known; for all Ere that time be, Must prove such truth, mortality: So, friend, thy honour stands too fix'd to fall. GEORGE DONNE. To his worthy Friend, Master JOHN FORD, upon his Perkin Warbeck. LET men, who are writ poets, lay a claim RA. EURE, baronis primogenitus *. * He was the son of William, Lord Eure. VOL. 1. To my faithful, no less deserving Friend, the Author (of Perkin Warbeck), this indebted oblation. PERKIN is rediviv'd by thy strong hand, May rest unmention'd, and his birth's conclusion Conceiv'd, his title, doubtless, prov'd unjust, GEORGE CRYMES, miles. To the Author, his Friend, upon his Chronicle History (of Perkin Warbeck.) THESE are not to express thy wit, JOHN BROGRAVE, Ar. To my Friend and Kinsman Master JOHN FORD, DRAMATIC poets, as the times go now, JOHN FORD, Graiensis. To Master JOHN FORD of the Middle Temple, on his Bower of Fancies (or, Fancies Chaste and Noble.) I FOLLOW fair example, not report, At mine own charges, for the time's delight; Due to right poets, not the counterfeit. These Fancies Chaste and Noble, are no strains The guard of beauty, and the care of youth; An academy for the young and fair. Such labours, friend, will live; for though some new Pretenders to the stage, in haste pursue Those laurels which of old Enrich'd the actors; yet I can be bold, To say, their hopes are starv'd, For they but beg, what pens approv'd deserv'd. EDW. GREENFIELD. Upon the Sun's Darling (by FORD and DEKKAR.) Is he then found? Phoebus, make holiday, Comb thy black muzzle, be no longer grim: * John Tatham was a poet of the reign of Charles I. and author of four plays enumerated in the Biographia Dramatica. From 1657 to 1663, he furnished pageants for the Lord Mayor's day, in the quality of city poet. |