FIRE, AIRE, EARTH, WATER, all the Opposites br That stroue in Chaos, powrefull LOVE vnites; br And from their Discord drew this Harmonie, br Which smiles in Nature: who, with rauisht eye, br Affects his owne made Beauties. But, our Will, br Desire, and Powres Irascible, the skill br Of PALLAS orders; who the Mind attires br With all Heroick Vertues: This aspires br To Fame and Glorie; by her noble Guide br Eternized, and well-nigh Deifi'd. br But who forsake that faire Intelligence, br To follow Passion, and voluptuous Sense; br That shun the Path and Toyles of HERCVLES; br Such, charm'd by CIRCE's luxurie, and ease, br Themselues deforme: 'twixt whom, so great an ods; br That these are held for Beasts, and those for Gods. br br PHOEBVS APOLLO (sacred Poesy) br Thus taught: for in these ancient Fables lie br The mysteries of all Philosophie. br Some Natures secrets shew; in some appeare br Distempers staines; some teach vs how to beare br Both Fortunes, bridling Ioy, Griefe, Hope, and Feare. br These Pietie, Deuotion those excite; br These prompt to Vertue, those from Vice affright; br All fitly minging Profit with Delight. br This Course our Poet steeres: and those that faile, br By wandring stars, not by his Compasse, saile.