To My Truely Valiant, Learned Friend; Who In His Brooke Resolv'd The Art Gladiatory Into The Mathematicks

Richard Lovelace

                    I.
Hearke, reader! wilt be learn'd ith' warres?
  A gen'rall in a gowne?
Strike a league with arts and scarres,
  And snatch from each a crowne?

                    II.
Wouldst be a wonder?  Such a one,
  As should win with a looke?
A bishop in a garison,
  And conquer by the booke?

                    III.
Take then this mathematick shield,
  And henceforth by its rules
Be able to dispute ith' field,
  And combate in the schooles.

                    IV.
Whilst peaceful learning once againe
  And the souldier so concord,
As that he fights now with her penne,
  And she writes with his sword.


               TO THE READER.
     Harke, reader, would'st be learn'd ith' warres,
       A CAPTAINE in a gowne?
     Strike a league with bookes and starres,
       And weave of both the crowne?

     Would'st be a wonder?  Such a one
       As would winne with a looke?
     A schollar in a garrison?
       And conquer by the booke?

     Take then this mathematick shield,
       And henceforth by its rules,
     Be able to dispute ith' field,
       And combate in the schooles.

     Whil'st peacefull learning once agen
       And th' souldier do concorde,
     As that he fights now with her penne,
       And she writes with his sword.
               Rich. Lovelace, A. Glouces. Oxon.

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