That Mantuane Poets incompared spirit, + 

Whose girland now is set in highest place, + 

Had not Mecaenas, for his worthy merit, + 

It first advaunst to great Augustus grace, + 

Might long perhaps have lien in silence bace, + 

Ne bene so much admir’d of later age. + 

This lowly Muse, that learns like steps to trace, + 

Flies for like aide unto your Patronage, + 

That are the great Mecaenas of this age, + 

As wel to al that civil artes professe, + 

As those that are inspir’d with Martial rage, + 

And craves protection of her feeblenesse: + 

Which if ye yield, perhaps ye may her rayse + 

In bigger tunes to sound your living prayse. + 