I. <br />Hearke, reader! wilt be learn'd ith' warres? <br /> A gen'rall in a gowne? <br />Strike a league with arts and scarres, <br /> And snatch from each a crowne? <br /> <br /> II. <br />Wouldst be a wonder? Such a one, <br /> As should win with a looke? <br />A bishop in a garison, <br /> And conquer by the booke? <br /> <br /> III. <br />Take then this mathematick shield, <br /> And henceforth by its rules <br />Be able to dispute ith' field, <br /> And combate in the schooles. <br /> <br /> IV. <br />Whilst peaceful learning once againe <br /> And the souldier so concord, <br />As that he fights now with her penne, <br /> And she writes with his sword. <br /> <br /> <br /> TO THE READER. <br /> Harke, reader, would'st be learn'd ith' warres, <br /> A CAPTAINE in a gowne? <br /> Strike a league with bookes and starres, <br /> And weave of both the crowne? <br /> <br /> Would'st be a wonder? Such a one <br /> As would winne with a looke? <br /> A schollar in a garrison? <br /> And conquer by the booke? <br /> <br /> Take then this mathematick shield, <br /> And henceforth by its rules, <br /> Be able to dispute ith' field, <br /> And combate in the schooles. <br /> <br /> Whil'st peacefull learning once agen <br /> And th' souldier do concorde, <br /> As that he fights now with her penne, <br /> And she writes with his sword. <br /> Rich. Lovelace, A. Glouces. Oxon.<br /><br />Richard Lovelace<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-my-truely-valiant-learned-friend-who-in-his-b/
