English Poetry. Francis Beaumont. To the True Patroness of All Poetry, Calliope. Фрэнсис Бомонт.

Francis Beaumont (Фрэнсис Бомонт)

To the True Patroness of All Poetry, Calliope

It is a statute in deep wisdom's lore,
That for his lines none should a patron chuse
By wealth and poverty, by less or more,
But who the same is able to peruse:
Nor ought a man his labour dedicate,
Without a true and sensible desert,
To any power of such a mighty state
But such a wise defendress as thou art
Thou great and powerful Muse, then pardon me
That I presume thy maiden cheek to stain
In dedicating such a work to thee,
Sprung from the issue of an idle brain:
 I use thee as a woman ought to be,
 I consecrate my idle hours to thee.

Francis Beaumont’s other poems:

1. Upon the Silent Woman
2. Ad Comitissam Rutlandiæ
3. On the Marriage of a Beauteous Young Gentlewoman with an Ancient Man
4. Lay a Garland on My Hearse
5. To My Friend Mr. John Fletcher, upon His Faithful Sheperdess

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