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dedication, part 1:-
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dedication, part 1
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Henry, Prince of Wales
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TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTIE, HENRIE, Prince of Wales.
THis first part of my intended Poeme I consecrate to your
Highnes: in whom (beside my particular zeale) there is a
naturall interest in my Worke; as the hopefull Heyre of the
kingdoms of this Great Britaine: whose Delicacies,
Chorographicall Description, and Historye, be my subject. My
Soule, which hath seene the extreamitie of Time and Fortune,
cannot yet despaire. The influence of so glorious and
fortunate a Starre, may also reflect upon me: which hath
power to give me new life, or leave me to die more willingly
and contented. My Poeme is genuine, and first in this kinde.
It cannot want envie: for even in the Birth, it alreadie
finds that. Your Gracious acceptance, mighty Prince, will
lessen it. May I breath to arrive at the Orcades
(whither in this kind I intend my course, if the Muse faile
me not) I shall leave you whole British Empire, as this
first and southerne part, delineated:
To your HIGHNES,
the most humbly devoted,
MICHAEL DRAYTON.
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caption to facing illustration:-
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Henry, Prince of Wales
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BRitaine, behold here portray'd, to thy sight,
Henry, thy best hope, and the world's delight;
Ordain'd to make the eight Great Henries,
nine:
Who, by that vertue in the trebble Trine,
To his owne goodnesse (in his Being) brings
These severall Glories of th'eight English Kings;
Deep [1] Knowledge, [2] Greatness, [3] long Life, [4]
Policy,
[5] Courage, [6] Zeale, [7] Fortune, [8] awfull
Majestie.
He like great Neptune on [star] three Seas shall
rove,
And rule three Realms, with triple power, like
Jove;
Thus in soft Peace, thus in tempestuous Warres,
Till from his foote, his Fame shall strike the
starres.
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[1..8] The severall happinesses of the eight Henries.
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[star] The West, North, and East Ocean.
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illustration of:-
HENRICUS PRINCEPS
Henry, Prince of Wales was the first son, and heir, of
James I; a popular and charming youth. Henry died 1612 the
year volume 1 was published. James's second son, Charles
became Prince of Wales, and succeeded to the throne as
Charles I in 1625. Part 2 is dedicated to the new heir to
the throne.
dedication, part 2:-
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dedication
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Charles, Prince of Wales
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TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTIE, CHARLES Prince of WALES.
THE first Part of this Poeme (most Illustrious Prince) I
dedicated to your deceased Brother of most famous Memorie,
whose princely Bountie, and usage of me, gave mee much
encouragement to go on with this second Part, or Continuance
thereof; which now as his Successor, I owe to your
Highnesse. If meanes and time fail me not, being now arived
at Scotland, I trust you shall see mee crowne her
with no worse Flowers, then I have done her two Sisters,
England, and Wales: and without any partialitie,
as I dare bee bold, to make the Poets of that Kingdom my
Judges therin. If I arive at the Orcades, without
sinking in my flight, your Highnesse cannot but say, that I
had no ill Perspective that gave mee things so cleerely,
when I stood so farre off.
To your Highnesse most humbly devoted.
MICHAEL DRAYTON.
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