(AFTERWARDS CHARLES THE FIRST.)
Born at Dumferling, November the 19th, 1600; crowned 27th March 1625;
beheaded 30th January 1648-9.
(From a Manuscript in Ashmole’s Museum.)
For ever dear, for ever dreaded prince,
You read some verse of mine a little since,
And so pronounced each word and every letter
Your gratious reading made my verse the better:
Since that your highness doth by gifte exceeding
Make what you read the better for your reading,
Let my poor muse thus far your grace importune
To leave to reade my verse, and read my fortune.