NORMAN'S POEM. 213 



secrets of their Artes and professions, and publish the same 

 to the behoofe and use of others; no more than they woulde 

 that others should judge of them for promising much and 

 performing little or nothing at all." 



Following his preface, Norman gives the following lyric 

 on the magnet, which is evidently of his own composition: 



THE 

 MAGNES OR I.OADSTONE'8 CHALLENGE. 



Give place ye glittering sparks, 



ye glimmering Diamonds bright, 

 Ye Rubies red, ye Saphires brave, 



wherein ye most delight. 

 In breefe yee stones euricht, 



and burnisht all with gold, 

 Set forth in Lapidaries shops, 



for Jewels to be sold. 

 Give place, give place I say, 



your beautie, gleame, and glee, 

 Is all the vertue for the which 



accepted so you bee. 

 Magnes, the Loadstone I, 



your painted sheaths defie, 

 Without my helpe, in Indian Seas 



the best of you might lye. 

 I guide the Pilot's course, 



his helping hand I am, 

 The Mariner delights in me, 

 * so doth the Marchant man. 

 My vertue lies unknowne, 



my secrets hidden are, 

 By me, the Court and Common-weale, 



are pleasured very farre. 

 No ship could sayle on seas, 



her course to runne aright, 

 Nor compasse shew the ready way, 



were Magnes not of might. 

 Blush then, and blemish all, 



bequeath to mee thats due, 

 Your seates in golde, your price in plate, 



which Jewellers doo renue. 

 Its I, its I alone, 



whom you usurpe upon, 

 Magnes my name, the Loadstone cal'd, 



The prince of stones alone. 



