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Needes must he all eternitie survive,

That can to other give eternall dayes:

Thy dayes therefore are endles, and thy prayse
Excelling all that ever went before.

And, after thee, gins Bartas hie to rayse
His heavenly Muse, th' Almightie to adore.
Live, happie spirits, th' honour of your name,
And fill the world with never dying fame!

MUIOPOTMOS,

OR THE

FATE OF THE BUTTERFLIE.

BY ED. SP.

DEDICATED TO THE MOST FAIRE AND

VERTUOUS LADIE,

THE LADIE CAREY.

LONDON.

Imprinted for William Ponfonbie,

dwelling in Paules Churchyard

at the figne of the

Bishops head.

ΤΟ

THE RIGHT WORTHY AND VERTUOUS LADIE;

THE LA: CAREY.

ROST brave and bountifull La: for so excellent favours as I have received at your sweet handes, to offer these fewe leaves, as in recompence, should be as to offer flowers to the Gods for their divine benefites. Therefore I have determined to give my selfe wholy to you, as quite abandoned from my selfe, and absolutely vowed to your services: which in all right is ever held for full recompence of debt or damage, to have the person yeelded. My person I wot wel how little worth it is. But the faithfull minde and humble zeale which I beare unto your La: may perhaps be more of price, as may please you to account and use the poore service therof; which taketh glory to advance your excellent partes and noble vertues, and to spend it selfe in honouring you: not so much for your great bounty to my self, which yet may not be unminded; nor for name or kindreds sake by you vouchsafed, being also regardable; as for that honorable name, which yee have by your brave deserts purchast to your self, and spred in the mouths of al men with which I have also presumed to grace my verses, and under your name to commend to the world this small Poëme, the which beseeching your La to take in worth, and of all things therein according to your wonted graciousnes to make a milde construction, I humbly pray for your happines.

Your La ever humbly;

E. S.

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SING of deadly dolorous debate,
Stir'd up through wrathfull Nemesis de-

spight,

Betwixt two mightie ones of great estate,
Drawne into armes, and proofe of mortall fight,
Through prowd ambition and hartswelling hate,
Whilest neither could the others greater might
And sdeignfull scorne endure; that from small jarre
Their wraths at length broke into open warre.

The roote whereof and tragicall effect,
Vouchsafe, O thou the mournfulst Muse of nyne! 10
That wontst the tragick stage for to direct,
In funerall complaints and waylfull tyne,
Reveale to me, and all the meanes detect,
Through which sad Clarion did at last decline
To lowest wretchednes: And is there then
Such rancour in the harts of mightie men?

Of all the race of silver-winged Flies
Which doo possesse the Empire of the aire,
Betwixt the centred earth and azure skies,
Was none more favourable, nor more faire,

20

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