Calhovn's Miscellanie Vol 1 | Page 67

Mints

58

From Nimphidia: The Court of Fayrie in The Battaile Of Agincourt by Michael Drayton

chosen by Steph

Olde Chaucer doth of Topas tell,

Mad Rablais of Pantagruell,

A latter third of Dowsabell,

With such poor trifles playing:

Other like have labored at

Some of this thing, and some of that,

And many of they know not what,

But that they must be saying

Another sort there be, that will

Be talking of the Fayries still,

Nor never can they have their fill,

As they were wedded to them

No tales of them their thrift can flake,

So much delight therein they take,

And some strange thing they faine would make,

Knew they the way to doe them.

Then since no Muse hath bin so bold,

Or of the Later, or the ould,

Those Elvish secrets to unfold,

Which lye from others reeding,

My active Muse to light shall bring,

The court of that proud Fayry King,

And tell there, of the Revelling,

Lone prosper my proceeding.