This is to the crown and blessing¹ of my life，

　　The much loved husband of a happy wife；

　　To him whose constant passion found the art

　　To win a stubborn and ungrateful heart，

　　And to the world by tenderest proof discovers

　　They err²， who say that husbands can't be lovers.

　　With such return of passion， as is due，

　　Daphnis I love， Daphinis my thoughts pursue；

　　Daphnis， my hopes and joys are bounded all in you.

　　Even I， for Daphnis' and my promise' sake，

　　What I in woman censure³， undertake.

　　But this from love， not vanity proceeds；

　　You know who writes， and I who 'tis that reads.

　　Judge not my passion by my want of skill：

　　Many love well， though they express it ill；

　　And I your censure could with pleasure bear，

　　Would you but soon return， and speak it here.