THIS Preface is merely for fashion-sake, to fill a space, and please the
stationer, who says ’tis neither usual nor handsome, to leap immediately
from the title-page to the matter. So that, in short, a Preface ye have,
together with the reason of it, both under one: but as to the ordinary
mode and pretence of prefaces, the translator desires to be excused. For
he makes a conscience of a lie, and it were a damned one, to tell ye,
that he has published this, either to gratify the importunity of friends,
or to oblige the public, or for any other reason of a hundred, that are
commonly given in excuse of scribbling. Not but that he loves his
friends, as well as any man, and has taken their opinion along with him.
Nor, but that he loves the public too (as many a man does a coy mistress
that has made his heart ache.) But to pass from what had no effect upon
him in this publication, to that which overruled him in it. It was pure
spite. For he has had hard measure among the physicians, the lawyers,
the women, etc. And Dom Francisco de Quevedo, in English, revenges him
upon all his enemies. For it is a satire, that taxes corruption of
manners, in all sorts and degrees of people, without reflecting upon
particular states or persons. It is full of sharpness and morality; and
has found so good entertainment in the world, that it wanted only English
of being baptized into all Christian languages.