The Lives of the Most Famous English Poets (1687) by William Winstanley
page 75 of 249 (30%)
page 75 of 249 (30%)
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Heaven's Chambers harbouring fiery Cherubins,
Are not with thee in Glory to compare. Lightning, it is not Light which in thee mines, None enter thee but streight entranced are. O! if _Elizium_ be above the ground, Then here it is, where nought but Joy is found. That the City of _Florence_ was the ancient Seat of her Family, he himself intimates in one of his Sonnets: thus; From _Tuscan_ came my Ladies worthy Race; Fair _Florence_ was sometimes her ancient Seat, The Weltern Isle, whose pleasant Shoar doth face, Whilst _Camber's_ Cliffs did give her lively heat. In the Duke of _Florence's_ Court he published a proud Challenge against all Comers, whether _Christians_, _Turks_, _Canibals_, _Jews_, or _Saracens_, in defence of his _Geraldines_ Beauty. This Challenge was the more mildly accepted, in regard she whom he defended, was a Town-born Child of that City; or else the Pride of the _Italian_ would have prevented him ere he should have come to perform it. The Duke of _Florence_ nevertheless sent for him, and demanded him of his Estate, and the reason that drew him thereto; which when he was advertiz'd of to the full, he granteth all Countries whatsoever, as well Enemies and Outlaws, as Friends and Confederates, free access and regress into his Dominions immolested, until the Trial were ended. This Challenge, as he manfully undertook, so he as valiantly performed; as Mr. _Drayton_ describes it in his Letter to the Lady _Geraldine_. |
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