O Thou which to search out the secret parts
Of the India, or rather Paradise
Of knowledge, hast with courage and advise
Lately launch'd into the vast Sea of Arts,
Disdaine not in thy constant travailing
To doe as other Voyagers, and make
Some turnes into lesse Creekes, and wisely take
Fresh water at the Heliconian spring;
I sing not, Siren like, to tempt; for I
Am harsh; nor as those Scismatiques with you,
Which draw all wits of good hope to their crew;
But seeing in you bright sparkes of Poetry,
I, though I brought no fuell, had desire
With these Articulate blasts to blow the fire.
[To M^r S. B. O'F: To M. S. B. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC,
TCD, W]
[10 harsh; 1650-69: harsh, 1633-39]
[12 seeing] seing 1633: seene TCD, W: seeme TCC]
[13 I, though] I thought 1650-54
had] but 1650-54]