Here you will find the Poem To My Truely Valiant, Learned Friend; Who In His Brooke Resolv'd The Art Gladiatory Into The Mathematicks of poet Richard Lovelace
I. Hearke, reader! wilt be learn'd ith' warres? A gen'rall in a gowne? Strike a league with arts and scarres, And snatch from each a crowne? II. Wouldst be a wonder? Such a one, As should win with a looke? A bishop in a garison, And conquer by the booke? III. Take then this mathematick shield, And henceforth by its rules Be able to dispute ith' field, And combate in the schooles. IV. Whilst peaceful learning once againe And the souldier so concord, As that he fights now with her penne, And she writes with his sword. TO THE READER. Harke, reader, would'st be learn'd ith' warres, A CAPTAINE in a gowne? Strike a league with bookes and starres, And weave of both the crowne? Would'st be a wonder? Such a one As would winne with a looke? A schollar in a garrison? And conquer by the booke? Take then this mathematick shield, And henceforth by its rules, Be able to dispute ith' field, And combate in the schooles. Whil'st peacefull learning once agen And th' souldier do concorde, As that he fights now with her penne, And she writes with his sword. Rich. Lovelace, A. Glouces. Oxon.