John Milton(1608–1674)
To Mr. H. Lawes, On His Airs
Harry, whose tuneful and well-measured song
First taught our English music how to span 0
Words with just note and accent, not to scan
With Midas' ears, 6 committing 0 short and long,misjoining
Th y worth an d skill exempts thee f r o m the throng,
With praise e n o u g h for Envy to look wan;pale
To after-age thou shalt be writ the m a n
T h a t with s m o o t h air couldst h u m o r best our tongue.
T h o u honor'st Verse, and Verse m u s t lend her wing
To honor thee, the priest of Phcebus' choir,
T h a t tun'st their happiest lines in hymn or story.7
D a n t e shall give F a m e leave to set thee higher
T h a n his Casella,8 w h o m he wooed to sing,
M e t in the milder shades of Purgatory.
1648