To His Book (While thou didst keep thy candor undefil'd,)

While thou didst keep thy candour undefil'd,

Dearly I lov'd thee as my first-born child,

But when I saw thee wantonly to roam

From house to house, and never stay at home,

I brake my bonds of love, and bade thee go,

Regardless whether well thou sped'st or no.

On with thy fortunes then, whate'er they be:

If good, I'll smile; if bad, I'll sigh for thee.