FIRE, AIRE, EARTH, WATER, all the Opposites <br />That stroue in Chaos, powrefull LOVE vnites; <br />And from their Discord drew this Harmonie, <br />Which smiles in Nature: who, with rauisht eye, <br />Affects his owne made Beauties. But, our Will, <br />Desire, and Powres Irascible, the skill <br />Of PALLAS orders; who the Mind attires <br />With all Heroick Vertues: This aspires <br />To Fame and Glorie; by her noble Guide <br />Eternized, and well-nigh Deifi'd. <br />But who forsake that faire Intelligence, <br />To follow Passion, and voluptuous Sense; <br />That shun the Path and Toyles of HERCVLES; <br />Such, charm'd by CIRCE's luxurie, and ease, <br />Themselues deforme: 'twixt whom, so great an ods; <br />That these are held for Beasts, and those for Gods. <br /> <br />PHOEBVS APOLLO (sacred Poesy) <br />Thus taught: for in these ancient Fables lie <br />The mysteries of all Philosophie. <br />Some Natures secrets shew; in some appeare <br />Distempers staines; some teach vs how to beare <br />Both Fortunes, bridling Ioy, Griefe, Hope, and Feare. <br />These Pietie, Deuotion those excite; <br />These prompt to Vertue, those from Vice affright; <br />All fitly minging Profit with Delight. <br />This Course our Poet steeres: and those that faile, <br />By wandring stars, not by his Compasse, saile.<br /><br />George Sandys<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-mind-of-the-frontispeece-and-argument-of-this-worke/
