Long have we labour’d, long desir’d and pray’d
For this great work’s perfection, and by th’ aid
Of heaven and good men’s wishes ’tis at length
Happily conquer’d, by cost, art, and strength:
After five years’ dear expense in days,
Travail, and pains, beside the infinite ways
Of malice, envy, false suggestions,
Able to daunt the spirit of mighty ones
In wealth and courage, this, a work so rare,
Only by one man’s industry, cost, and care,
Is brought to blest effect, so much withstood,
His only aim the city’s general good;
And where
[305] before many unjust complaints,
Enviously seated, have
[306] oft caus’d restraints,
Stops, and great crosses, to our master’s charge
And the work’s hindrance, favour now at large
Spreads itself open to him, and commends
To admiration both his pains and ends,
The king’s most gracious love: perfection draws
Favour from princes, and from all applause.
Then, worthy magistrates, to whose content,
Next to the state, all this great care was bent,
And for the public good, which grace requires,
Your loves and furtherance chiefly he desires,
To cherish these proceedings, which may give
Courage to some that may hereafter live,
To practise deeds of goodness and of fame,
And gladly light their actions by his name.
Clerk of the work, reach me the book, to shew
How many arts from such a labour flow.