COMMENDATORY VERSES TO MASSINGER'S PLAY, 'THE BONDMAN' by WILLIAM BASSE

THE PRINTERS haste calls on; I must not driue
My time past @3Sixe,@1 though I begin at @3Fiue.@1
One houre I haue entire, and 'tis enough:
Here are no @3Gipsie Iigges,@1 no @3Drumming stuffe,
Dances,@1 or other @3Trumpery@1 to delight,
Or take by common way the common sight.
The AVTHOR of this POEM, as he dares
To stand th' austerest Censure, so he cares
As little what it is. His owne Best way
Is, to be @3Iudge@1 and AVTHOR of his PLAY
It is his @3Knowledge@1 makes him thus secure;
Nor do's he write to please, but to endure.
And (Reader) if you haue disburs'd a shilling
To see this worthy STORY, and are willing
To haue a large encrease, (if rul'd by me)
You may a MARCHANT and a POET be.
'Tis granted for your twelue-pence you did sit,
And @3See,@1 and @3Heare,@1 and @3Vnderstand@1 not yet.
The AVTHOR (in a Christian pitty) takes
Care of your good, and Prints it for your sakes:
That such as will but venter Six-pence more,
May @3Know,@1 what they but @3Saw@1 and @3Heard@1 before:
'Twill not be money lost, if you can reed,
(Ther's all the doubt now); but your gains exceed
If you can @3Vnderstand,@1 and you are made
Free of the freest and the noblest trade.
And in the way of POETRY, now adayes,
Of all that are call'd @3Workes,@1 the best are PLAYES.

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