Born at Dumferling, November the 19th, 1600; crowned 27th March 1625; beheaded 30th January 1648-9. (From a Manuscript in Ashmole’s Museum.) For ever dear, for ever dreaded prince, You read some verse of mine a little since, And so pronounced each word and every letter Your gratious reading made my verse the better: Since that your highness doth by gifte exceeding Make what you read the better for your reading, Let my poor muse thus far your grace importune To leave to reade my verse, and read my fortune. A NEW-YEARES GIFT TO MY LORDE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. (Born 28th August 1592; assassinated by Felton, 23d August 1628.) When I can pay my parents, or my king, For life, or peace, or any dearer thing; Then, dearest lord, expect my debt to you Shall bee as truly paid, as it is due. But, as no other price or recompence Serves them, but love, and my obedience; So nothing payes my lord, but whats above The reach of hands, ’tis vertue, and my love. “For, when as goodnesse doth so overflow, “The conscience bindes not to restore, but owe:” Requitall were presumption; and you may Call mee ungratefull, while I strive to pay. Nor with a morall lesson doe I shift, Like one that meant to save a better gift; Like very poore, or counterfeite poore men, Who, to preserve their turky or their hen, Doe offer up themselves: No; I have sent A kind of guift, will last by being spent, Thankes sterling: far above the bullion rate Of horses, hangings, jewells, or of plate. O you that know the choosing of that one, Know a true diamond from a Bristow stone: You know, those men alwaies are not the best In their intent, that lowdest can protest: But that a prayer from the convocation, Is better than the commons protestation. Trust those that at the test their lives will lay, And know no arts, but to deserve, and pray: Whilst they, that buy preferment without praying, Begin with broyles, and finish with betraying. SIR THOMAS AYLESBURY, A Londoner born, was second son of William Aylesbury by Anne his wife, daughter of John Poole, esq., and from Westminster School removed to Christ-Church, Oxford, in 1598, where he became a fellow-student with Corbet, and where, on the 9th of June 1605, they took the degree of master of arts together.