Of the Style of this Book – Margaret Cavendish's Poems and Fancies

I language want to dress my fancies in;
The hair’s uncurled, the garments loose and thin.
Had they but silver lace to make them gay
They’d² be more courted than in poor array,
Or had they art, would³ make a better show.               5
But they are plain; yet cleanly do they go.
The world in bravery doth take delight,
And glist’ring⁴ shows do more attract the sight,
For⁵ everyone doth honor a rich hood,
As if the outside made the inside good,                       10
And everyone doth bow and give the place
Not to the person,⁶ but the silver lace.
Let me entreat in⁷ my poor book’s behalf,
That all may not adore the golden calf.
Consider, pray: gold hath no life therein,⁸                    15
And life in nature is the richest thing.
So fancy is the soul in poetry,
And if not good, the⁹ poem ill must be.
Be just, let fancy have the upper place,
And then my verses may perchance find grace.         20
If flattering language all the passions rule,
Then sense, I fear, will be a mere dull fool.

Of the Style of this Book] [This title does not exist in 1653.]
They’d] Would 1653
would] might 1653
glist’ring] glistering 1653
For] And 1653
to the person,] for the Mans sake, 1653
in] ye’ in 1664; ye’, in 1668
gold hath no life therein,] that Gold no Life doth bring, 1664; that Gold no Life doth bring; 1668
the] a 1653