_A Friend's just Excuse about the Book and [the] Author; in his
absence._
WITHOUT the Author's knowledge, as is before said by the Printer [at
pp. 271, 272]; this Poem is made thus publicly known; which, with my
best endeavour, the Gentleman himself, suspecting what is now proved
too true, at my coming up, earnestly intreated me to prevent. But I
came at the last sheet's printing; and find more than thirty Sonnets
not his, intermixt with his. Helped it cannot be, but by the well
judging Reader: who will, with less pain distinguish between them, than
I, on this sudden, possibly can. To him then, I refer that labour.
And for the Printer's faults passed in some of the Books; I have
gathered them in the next page.[9]
With the Author, bear, I pray ye! whom I must intreat to bear with me.