_To the Gentle, and Gentlemen, Readers whatsoever._
GENTLEMEN. As the Fencer first maketh a flourish with his weapon before
he cometh to strokes, in playing [for] his prize: so I thought good,
_pro formâ_ only, to use these few lines unto you, before you come to
the pith of the matter.
What the Gentleman was, that wrote these verses, I know not; and what
She is, for whom they are devised, I cannot guess: but thus much I can
say, That as they came into the hands of a friend of mine [? _the_ R.
B. _of page_ 340] by mere fortune; so happened I upon them by as great
a chance.
Only in this I must confess we are both to blame, that whereas he
having promised to keep private the original; and I, the copy, secret:
we have both consented to send it abroad, as common; presuming chiefly
upon your accustomed courtesies. Assuring ourselves, if we may have
your protections, we shall think ourselves as safe as ULYSSES did, when
he was shadowed under the shield of PALLAS against furious AJAX; so
we, by your countenances, shall be sufficiently furnished to encounter
against any foul-mouthed JACKS whatsoever.
To censure of this Work is for better wits than mine own: and it is
for Poets, not Printers [_This therefore was written by VALENTINE
SIMMES, the Printer of this Book. See also page 340_] to give
judgement of this matter. Yet, if I may be bold to report what I have
heard other Gentlemen affirm, Many have written worse; Some, better;
Few, so well. The Work, being so full of Choice and Change as, it is
thought, it will rather delight every way than dislike any way.
Thus, courteous Gentlemen, building upon my wonted foundation of your
friendly acceptance, I rest your debtors; and will study, in what I
can, daily to make you amends.