ate cumming into England, some frends of mine, which
might much prevaile with me, and indeede commaund me, knowing with howe
straight bandes of duetie I was tied to him, as also bound unto that
noble house, of which the chiefs hope then rested in him, have sought
to revive them by upbraiding me, for that I have not shewed anie
thankefull remembrance towards him or any of them, but suffer their
names to sleep in silence and forgetfulnesse. Whome chieflie to
satisfie, or els to avoide that fowle blot of unthankefulnesse, I have
conceived this small Poeme, intituled by a generall name of _The Worlds
Ruines;_ yet speciallie intended to the renowming of that noble race
from which both you and he sprong, and to the eternizing of some of the
chiefe of them late deceased. The which I dedicate unto your La. as
whome it most speciallie concerneth, and to whome I acknowledge my
selfe bounden by manie singular favours and great graces. I pray for
your honourable happinesse, and so humblie kisse your handes.

Your Ladiships ever

humblie at commaund,

E.S.

* * * * *

THE RUINES OF TIME.

It chaunced me on* day beside the shore
Of silver streaming Thamesis to bee,
Nigh where the goodly Verlame stood of yore,
Of which there now remaines no memorie,
Nor anie little moniment to see, 5
By which the travailer that fares that way
_This once was she_ may warned be to say.
[* _On_, one.]

There, on the other side, I did behold
A Woman sitting sorrowfullie wailing,
Rending her yeolow locks, like wyrie golde 10
About her shoulders careleslie downe trailing,
And streames of teares from her faire eyes forth railing*:
In her right hand a broken rod she held,
Which towards heaven shee seemd on high to weld,
[* _Railing_, flowing.]

Whether she were one of that rivers nymphes, 15
Which did the losse of some dere Love lament,
I doubt; or one of those three fatall impes
Which draw the dayes of men forth in extent;
Or th'auncient genius of that citie brent*;
But, seeing her so piteouslie perplexed, 20
I, to her calling, askt what her so vexed.
[* _Brent_, burnt.]

"Ah! what delight," quoth she, "in earthlie thing,
Or comfort can I, wretched creature, have?
Whose happines the heavens envying,
From highest staire to lowest step me drave, 25
And have i