To my deare Friend, Countreyman and Condisciple, William Lithgow.
Rest Noble Spirits in your Native Soyles, Whose high bred thoughts on deare bought sights are bent Renowned Lithgow by his brave attempt Hath eas'd your bodies of a world of toyles.
Not like to some who wrongfully retayne Gods rarest gifts, within themselves ingrost, But what thou hast attain'd with care and cost. Thou yeelds it gratis, to the world againe.
Upon the bankes of wonder-breeding Clide, To these designes thy heart did first assent One way, indeed, to give thy selfe content, But more to satisfie a world beside.
Thy first attempt in excellence of worth, Beyond the reach of my conceit's confinde, But this thy second Pilgrimage of minde, Where all thy paynes are to the world set forth; In Subject, Frame, in Methode, Phrase, and Stile, May match the most unmatched in this Ile: But this renownes thee most, t'have still possest, A constant Heart, within a wandring Brest.
To his kind friend and Countreyman W. Lithgow.
Thy well adventur'd Pilgrimage I prayse, Although perform'd with perrill and with paine, Which thou hast pen'd, in more than vulgar phrase So curiously, so sweetly, smooth, and plaine, Yet whilst I wondring call to minde againe. That thou durst goe, like no man else that lives; By Sea and land, alone, in cold and raine, Through Bandits, Pirats, and Arabian Theeves, I doe admire thee; yet a good event Absolves a rash designe: So hardest things, (When humane reason cannot give consent T' attempt) attain'd; the greater glory brings. Then Friend, though praise & paines rest both with thee, The use redounds unto the world, and mee.
In commendation of the Author William Lithgow.
Come curious eyes, that pierce the highest scopes Of sublime stiles: come satisfie your hopes And best desires; in this prompe Pilgrimes paines Whose deepe experience, all this worke sustaines With solid substance, of a Subject deare And pregnant Method; laid before you heare In open bonds: Come take your hearts delight In all the colours, of the worlds great sight. Come thanke his travells; praise his painfull Pen That sends this light, to live, mongst living men; To teach your children, when he, and you are laid As low as dust; how scepterd Crownes are swaid; Most Kingdomes government: How ruld with Lawes The South world is: their rites, Religious sawes: Townes Topographick view, and Rivers courses, Fonts, Forts, and Cittadales: scorch'd Asiaes sources: All you may see, and much more, than I name Seal'd in the Authors, never-dying fame.