I, who beside the Arno, strain
To match thy merit with my lays,
Learn, after many an effort vain,
To admure thee rather than to praise;
And that by mute astonishment alone,
Not by the fathering tongue, thy worth may best be shown.

--Signor Antonio Francini, Gentleman, of Florence.

1 The muse of History.

2 The portrait of Helen was painted at the request of the people
of Crotna, who sent to the artist all their lovliest girls for
models. Zeuxis selected five, and united their separate beauties
in his picture.

3 A river in Boeotia which took its rise in Helicon. See Virgil
Ecl. vi.64


To Mr. John Milton of London

A youth eminent from his country and his virtues,

Who in his travels has made himself acquainted with many
nations, and in his studies, with all, that, life another
Ulysses, lie might learn all that all could teach him;

Skilful in many tongues, on whose lips languages now mute so