TO HIS KIND AND TRUE FRIEND, EDWARD BLUNT.1 BLUNT,2 I propose to be blunt with you, and, out of my dulness, to encounter you with a Dedication in memory of that pure elemental wit, Chr. Marlowe, whose ghost or genius is to be seen walk the Churchyard,3 in, at the least, three or four sheets. Methinks you should presently look wild now, and grow humorously frantic upon the taste of it. Well, lest you should, let me tell you, this spirit was sometime a familiar of your own, Lucan's First Book translated; which, in regard of your old right in it, I have raised in the circle of your patronage.. But stay now, Edward: if I mistake not, you are to accommodate yourself with some few instructions, touching the property of a patron, that you are not yet possessed of; and to study them for your better grace, as our gallants do fashions. First, you must be proud, and think you have merit enough in you, though you are ne'er so empty; then, when I bring you the book, take physic, and keep state; assign me a time by your man to come again; and, afore the day, be sure to have changed your lodging; in the meantime sleep little, and sweat with the invention of some pitiful dry jest or two, which you may happen to utter with some little, or not at all, marking of your friends, when you have found a place for them to come in at; or, if by chance something has dropped from you worth the taking up, weary all that come to you with the often repetition of it; censure, scornfully enough, and somewhat like a traveller; commend nothing, lest you discredit your (that which you would seem to have) judgment. These things, if you can 1 A well-known bookseller. 2 Old ed. "Blount." 3 Paul's churchyard, the Elizabethan "Booksellers' Row." mould yourself to them, Ned, I make no question that they will not become you. One special virtue in our patrons of these days I have promised myself you shall fit excellently, which is, to give nothing; yes, thy love I will challenge as my peculiar object, both in this, and, I hope, many more succeeding offices. Farewell: I affect not the world should measure my thoughts to thee by a scale of this nature leave to think good of me when I fall from thee. Thine in all rights of perfect friendship, THOMAS THORPE. THE FIRST BOOK OF LUCAN. WARS worse than civil on Thessalian plains, We sing, whose conquering swords their own breasts lancht,1 Armies allied, the kingdom's league uprooted, Th' affrighted world's force bent on public spoil, Trumpets and drums, like 2 deadly, threatening other, Eagles alike display'd, darts answering darts, Romans, what madness, what huge lust of war, Might they have won whom civil broils have slain ! 1 Old ed. "launcht."-The forms "lanch" and "lance" are used indifferently. Alike. Fetters the Euxine Sea with chains of ice; 20 And chok'd with thorns; that greedy earth wants hinds;- Art cause; no foreign foe could so afflict us: Would find no other means, and gods not slightly 30 40 We plain not, heavens, but gladly bear these evils 1 "Et ardenti servilia bella sub Etna." Must shine a star) shall heaven (whom thou lovest) 50 Whence thou shouldst view thy Rome with squinting 2 beams. If any one part of vast heaven thou swayest, 60 The burden'd axes 3 with thy force will bend: To crave Apollo's aid or Bacchus' help; The causes first I purpose to unfold Of these garboils, whence springs a long discourse; 1 "Nec polus adversi calidus qua vergitur Austri." 2.44 Obliquo sidere." 3 Axis. 4 Tumults. 70 |