Printed for John Williams, and Francis Eglesfield, and are to be fold by Tho: Hunt, Book-teller in Exon. 164 8.

TO THE

Most Illustrious and Most Hopeful

Prince.

CHARLES,

PRINCE OF WALES.

WELL may my book come forth like public day.
When such a light as you are leads the way,
Who are my work's creator, and alone
The flame of it, and the expansion.

And look how all those heavenly lamps acquire
Light from the sun, that inexhausted fire,
So all my morn and evening stars from you
Have their existence, and their influence too.
Full is my book of glories; but all these
By you become immortal substances.

HESPERIDES.

I. THE ARGUMENT OF HIS BOOK.

I SING of brooks, of blossoms, birds and bowers,
Of April, May, of June and July-flowers;
I sing of May-poles, hock-carts, wassails, wakes,
Of bridegrooms, brides and of their bridal cakes;
I write of youth, of love, and have access
By these to sing of cleanly wantonness;
I sing of dews, of rains, and piece by piece
Of balm, of oil, of spice and ambergris;
I sing of times trans-shifting, and I write
How roses first came red and lilies white;
I write of groves, of twilights, and I sing
The Court of Mab, and of the Fairy King;
I write of hell; I sing (and ever shall)
Of heaven, and hope to have it after all.

Hock-cart, the last cart from the harvest-field.

Wakes, village festivals, properly on the dedication. day of a church.

Ambergris, grey amber,' much used in perfumery.