The Poetical Works of John Dryden, Vol II: To John Hoddesdon

To John Hoddesdon

To his friend the author, John Hoddesdon, on his Divine Epigrams.

  Thou hast inspired me with thy soul, and I
  Who ne'er before could ken of poetry,
  Am grown so good proficient, I can lend
  A line in commendation of my friend.
  Yet 'tis but of the second hand; if ought
  There be in this, 'tis from thy fancy brought.
  Good thief, who dar'st, Prometheus-like, aspire,
  And fill thy poems with celestial fire:
  Enliven'd by these sparks divine, their rays
  Add a bright lustre to thy crown of bays.                           10
  Young eaglet, who thy nest thus soon forsook,
  So lofty and divine a course hast took
  As all admire, before the down begin
  To peep, as yet, upon thy smoother chin;
  And, making heaven thy aim, hast had the grace
  To look the Sun of righteousness i' the face.
  What may we hope, if thou go'st on thus fast,
  Scriptures at first; enthusiasms at last!
  Thou hast commenced, betimes, a saint; go on,
  Mingling diviner streams with Helicon;                              20
  That they who view what epigrams here be,
  May learn to make like, in just praise of thee.
    Reader, I've done, nor longer will withhold
  Thy greedy eyes; looking on this pure gold
  Thou'lt know adulterate copper, which, like this,
  Will only serve to be a foil to his.

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