Camden, most reverend head, to whom I owe <br /> All that I am in arts, all that I know <br />(How nothing's that!), to whom my country owes <br /> The great renown and name wherewith she goes; <br />Than thee the age sees not that thing more grave, <br /> More high, more holy, that she more would crave. <br />What name, what skill, what faith hast thou in things! <br /> What sight in searching the most antique springs! <br />What weight and what authority in thy speech! <br /> Man scarce can make that doubt, but thou canst teach. <br />Pardon free truth and let thy modesty, <br /> Which conquers all, be once o'ercome by thee. <br />Many of thine this better could than I; <br /> But for their powers, accept my piety.<br /><br />Ben Jonson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-william-camden/
