If hence{4} thy silence be, As 'tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: Minds that are great and free Should not on fortune pause; 'Tis crown enough to virtue{5} still, her own applause. What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits Of worded balladry, And think it poesy? They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits. Then take in hand thy lyre; Strike in thy proper strain; With Japhet's line,{6} aspire Sol's chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove's brain.{7} And, since our dainty age Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage; But sing high and aloof, Safe from the wolf's black jaw, and the dull ass's hoof.{8} NOTES. This poem is found in the collection of miscellaneous pieces, by Ben Jonson, entitled "Underwoods." The poet reproaches himself for his own indolence. 1. =Aonian springs.= The fountain Aganippe, situated in Aonia, was much frequented by the Muses, who were therefore sometimes called "Aonides." They were also called _Thespiades_, because Mount Helicon, one of their favored resorts, was in the vicinity of Thespia, and was itself named "Thespia rupes." 2. =Clarius.= The name applied to the celebrated oracle of Apollo at Clarus, on the Ionian coast. 3. =pies.= Magpies, "who make sound without sense." 4. =hence.= For this reason. 5. =virtue . . . her own applause.= Compare: "Virtue is her own reward."--_Dryden_, _Tyrannic Love_. "Virtue, a reward to itself."--_Walton_, _Compleat Angler_. "Virtue is its own reward."--_Prior_, _Imitations of Horace_. 6. =Japhet's line.= The line of Iapetus, the father of Prometheus, who stole fire from the chariot of the sun. 7. =issue of Jove's brain.= Athene, or Minerva. 8. "Safe from the slanderer and the fool." TO CYNTHIA. Queen and huntress, chaste and fair, Now the sun is laid to sleep; Seated in thy silver chair, State in wonted manner keep; Hesperus entreats thy light, Goddess excellently bright. Earth, let not thy envious shade Dare itself to interpose; Cynthia's shining orb was made Heaven to clear, when day did close; Bless us then with wished sight, Goddess excellently bright. Lay thy bow of pearl apart, And thy crystal-shining quiver; Give unto the flying heart Space to breathe, how short soever; Thou that mak'st a day of night, Goddess excellently bright. TO THE MEMORY OF MY BELOVED MASTER WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, AND WHAT HE HATH LEFT US.