e rhyme to memorize your name;

rude > {Unpolished, lacking in literary skill}
memorize > commemorate

593 Whose learned Muse has written her own record,
594 In golden verse, worthy immortal fame:

worthy > [worthy of]

595 You much more fit (were leisure to the same)

You > [You are]
were leisure to the same > [had you the leisure]

596 Your gracious sovereign's praises to compile.
597 And her imperial majesty to frame,
598 In lofty numbers and heroic style.

numbers > metrical lines; _hence:_ verses
style > style; literary composition

599 But sith you may not so, give leave a while

sith > since
may not so > [are prevented from doing so]

600 To baser wit his power therein to spend,

baser > [a] baser
wit > mind

601 Whose gross faults your dainty pen may file,

dainty > {Of delicate taste; hence: discerning}
file > polish

602 And unadvised oversights amend.
603 But evermore vouchsafe it to maintain

maintain > defend

604 Against vile Zoilus' backbitings vain.

Zoilus > (A spiteful critic; unkind literary criticism in general,
named after Zoilus, 400?-320 BC, grammarian and commentator on
Homer)
vain > futile, foolish

605
606
607 _To the right honourable Sir Fr. Walsingham knight,
608 principall Secretary to her Maiesty, and of her
609 honourable priuy Counsell_.
610
611 THat Mantuane Poetes incompared spirit,
612 Whose girland now is set in highest place,
613 Had not _Mec{oe}nas_ for his worthy merit,
614 It first aduaunst to great _Augustus_ grace,
615 Might long perhaps haue lien in silence bace,
616 Ne bene so much admir'd of later age.
617 This lowly Muse, that learns like steps to trace,
618 Flies for like aide vnto your Patronage;
619 That are the great _Mecenas_ of this age,
620 As wel to al that ciuil artes professe
621 As those that are inspird with Martial rage,
622 And craues protection of her feeblenesse:
623 Which if ye yield, perhaps ye may her rayse
624 In bigger tunes to sound your liuing prayse.
625 E. S.
626
606
607 _To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Walsingham, Knight,

Francis Walsingham > (1530?-1590, appointed Principal Secretary in
1573; with Essex and Lord Burghley, one of the triumvirat