Page:Madagascar, with other poems - Davenant (1638).djvu/11

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TO My worthy Friend Mr. William Davenant; upon his Poem of Madagascar, which he writ to the most Illustrions Prince Rupert.
I am compell'd by your commands to writeI'th Frontis-peece of this, and sure I mightWith quaint conceits, here to the World set forthThe merit of the Poem, and your worth;Had I well fancy'd reasons to begin,And a choyce Mould, to cast good verses in:But wanting these, what pow'r (alas) have ITo write of any thing? will men relyOn my opinion? which in Verse, or Prose,Hath just that credit, which we give to thoseThat sagely whisper, secrets of the Court,Having but Lees, for Essence, from Report.

And

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