Page 2232 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Vilia miretur vulgus: mihi flavus Apollo IT
Pocula Castalia plena ministret aqua.

To the Right Honourable

Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton,

and Baron of Titchfield.

Right Honourable,

I know not how I shall offend in dedicating my unpolished lines to your
Lordship, nor how the world will censure me for choosing so strong a prop to
support so weak a burden. Only, if your Honour seem but pleased, I account
myself highly praised; and vow to take advantage of all idle hours, till I have

honoured you with some graver labour. But if the first heir of my invention
prove deformed, I shall be sorry it had so noble a godfather, and never after
ear so barren a land, for fear it yield me still so bad a harvest. I leave it to
your Honourable survey, and your Honour to your heart’s content, which I

wish may always answer your own wish, and the world’s hopeful expectation.

Your Honour’s in all duty,
William Shakespeare.