TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE PHILLIP, Earle of Pembrooke, and Movntgomerie, &c. Lord Chamberlaine of the Houshould, Knight of the most honourable Order of the Garter, and one of his Majesties most Honourable Privie-Councell.

THough, Worthlesse in my owne repute I am; And, (though my Fortune, so obscures my Name Beneath my Hopes; that, now, it makes me seeme As little worth, in other mens esteeme, As in mine owne;) yet, when my Merits were No better, than, to most, they now appeare, It pleased some, ev'n some of those that had The Noblest Names, (and, those of whom was made The best Account) so lowly to descend, As, my well-meaning Studies, to befriend. Among those Worthies, I may both bemone (My selfe in Him) and memorize, for One, Your much renowned Brother, as a Chiefe In bringing to my waned Hopes, reliefe; And, in my Faculties, were I as able To honour Him, as he was honourable, I would have showne, how, all this Emperie Hath lost a Friend, in Him, as much as I. To Mee, so freely, of his owne accord It pleased Him, his Favours, to afford; That, when our learned, and late Sov'raigne-Prince, (By others mis-informed) tooke offence At my Free Lines; Hee, foun'd such Meanes and Place To bring, and reconcile mee to his Grace; That, therewithall, his Majestie bestow'd A Gift upon mee, which his Bountie show'd: And, had inrich'd mee; if, what was intended, Had not, by othersome, beene ill befriended. But, as I long time, suffred have by those Who labour'd much, my thrivings, to oppose: So, I my selfe, (although not out of pride, As many thinke it) have so much relide Vpon the Royall-Gift, neglecting so To fortifie the same, as others do By making Friends; that my estate grew lesse (By more than twice five hundred Marks decrease) Through that, which for, my profit was bestowne. And, I, ere this, had wholly been undone; But, that the Wealth, which I relie on, most, Consists in things, which never can be lost. Yet, by his Losse, I have Occasions had To feele, why other men are often sad. And, I, (who blushed, to be troublesome To any Friend) therby, almost am come To such a passe; that, what I wish to have, I should grow impudent enough to Crave, Had not impartiall Death, and wasting Time, Of all my Friends quite worne away the Prime; And, left mee none, to whom I dare present The meanest suite without encouragement: Although, the greatest Boone, I would implore, Should cost them, but a Word, or little more. Yet, some there are, no doubt, for whose respect I might endeavour, with no vaine effect; Had I but cause, to have as high esteeme, Of mine owne Merits, as I have of them. And, if your Honour should be so inclin'd, As I desire; I, now am sure to finde Another Pembrooke, by whose ayde sustain'd, I may preserve, what by the Last I gain'd. To make adventure, how it will succeed, I now am come. And lo, my Lord, insteed Of better Advocates, I first begin, Mine Emblems, by these Lines, to Vsher in; That, they, by these admittance may effect For Mee, and for themselves, your kinde respect. That, which in them, best Worthy you shall find, Is this; that, they are Symptomes of a Minde, Affecting honestie: and of a Heart, So truly honouring a true desert, That, I am hopefull made, they will acquire As much respect as I can well desire: And, Sir, your Candor, your knowne Courtesies, With other praisefull Vertues, make mee rise To this Beliefe; that, Yov by fav'ring mee Hereafter, may as highly honour'd be, As by some former Bounties; and encrease My Future Merit, by your Worthinesse. However, what I am or shall be knowne To Bee, by Your Deservings, or mine owne, You may command it; and, be sure to finde (Though false my Fortunes prove) a Faithfull Mind.