To the right honourable and truly virtuous Lady, the Lady Lucia Audlay: health, honour, happiness and heaven.

Rare Phoenix, which your life do sacrifice,

In virtues flame, to find a life divine:

Rich treasurer, of heavens best treasuries,

In whom worth wisdom honour virtues shine.

Sdeign not, these art less humble lines to view,

With honour’s eyes let virtue’s plaints be scanned,

That she whose virtues doubled are in you,

By you may escape from Lybitinas’ hand.

Her dying fame, by you may be preserved,

Whiles time, and men, and memory endure:

Your living name by hers might be reserved,

Did not these lines, too much her worth obscure.

These lines, wherein, if ought be free from blame,

Your noble genius taught my pen the same.