Poem for April 24, 2027

XIII

To Mr. H. Lawes, on his Aires.

Harry whose tuneful and well measur'd Song

First taught our English Musick how to span

Words with just note and accent, not to scan

With Midas Ears, committing short and long;

Thy worth and skill exempts thee from the throng,

With praise enough for Envy to look wan;

To after age thou shalt be writ the man,

That with smooth aire couldst humor best our tongue

Thou honour'st Verse, and Verse must send her wing

To honour thee, the Priest of Phoebus Quire

That tun'st their happiest lines in Hymn or Story

Dante shall give Fame leave to set thee higher

Then his Casella, whom he woo'd to sing

Met in the milder shades of Purgatory.

Note: 9 send] lend Cambridge Autograph MS.