Sir, for this work more than my thanks is due; I am at once inform'd and cur'd by you. So that, were I assur'd I should live o'er My periods of time run out before; 100 Ne'er needed my erratic wish transport Me from my native lists to that resort, Where many at outlandish marts unlade Ingenuous manners, and do only trade For vices and the language. By your eyes I here have made my full discoveries; And all your countries so exactly seen, As in the voyage I had sharer been. By this you make me so; and the whole land Your debtor: which can only understand 110 How much she owes you, when her sons shall try The solid depths of your rare history, Which looks above our gadders' trivial reach, The commonplace of travellers, who teach But table-talk; and seldomly aspire Beyond the country's diet or attire; Whereas your piercing judgement does relate The policy and manage of each State. And since she must here without envy grant That you have further journey'd the Levant 120 Than any noble spirit by her bred Hath in your way as yet adventured; I cannot less in justice from her look, Than that she henceforth canonize your book A rule to all her travellers, and you The brave example; from whose equal view Each knowing reader may himself direct, How he may go abroad to some effect, And not for form: what distance and what trust In those remoter parts observe he must: 130 How he with jealous people may converse, Yet take no hurt himself by that commerce. So when he shall embark'd in dangers be, Which wit and wary caution not foresee; If he partake your valour and your brain, He may perhaps come safely off again, As you have done; though not so richly fraught As this return hath to our staple brought. I know your modesty shuns vulgar praise, And I have none to bring; but only raise 140 This monument of Honour and of Love, Which your long known deserts so far improve, They leave me doubtful in what style to end, Whether more your admirer or your friend. [_Sir Henry Blount, &c._] Blount (1602-82) was of Trinity College, Oxford, published his _Voyage to the Levant_ in 1636, and was knighted four years later. He was a good Royalist in the early days of the Rebellion, but something of a renegade later. His book has been variously judged, but was very popular, and was translated into more than one foreign language.] [Line: 61 'Than' for 'then' as often.] [Line: 76 Orig. 'Tr_a_b_e_zond', which at any rate keeps closer than the usual form to Trapezus.] [Line: 86 'Meschit' = of course 'mosque'. The form seems to be nearest to the Spanish _mezquita_.]