C prefixes to the play the following Address repeated with
variations of spelling in the five later quartos:
'The Stationer, To the Understanding Gentrie.
'This play so affectionatly taken, and approoved by the Seeing
Auditors, or Hearing Spectators, (of which sort, I take, or conceive
you to bee the greatest part) hath received (as appeares by the
copious vent of two [D and E three; F, G and H four] Editions,) no
lesse acceptance with improovement of you likewise the Readers,
albeit the first Impression swarm'd with Errors, prooving it selfe
like pure Gold, which the more it hath beene tried and refined,
the better is esteemed; the best Poems of this kind, in the first
presentation, resemble [D--H resembling] that all tempting Minerall
newly digged up, the Actors being onely the labouring Miners,
but you the skilfull Triers and Refiners: Now considering [D--H
consider] how currant this hath passed, under the infallible stampe
of your judicious censure, and applause, and (like a gainefull
Office in this Age) eagerly sought for, not onely by those that have
heard & seene it, [F--H _omit_ heard and] but by others that
have meerely heard thereof: here you behold me acting the
Merchant-adventurers part, yet as well for their satisfaction, as
mine owne benefit, and if my hopes (which I hope, shall never lye
like this LOVE A BLEEDING,) doe fairely arrive at their intended
Haven, I shall then be ready to lade a new Bottome, and [D--H _omit_
and] set foorth againe, to game the good-will both of you and them.
To whom respectively I convey this hearty greeting: ADIEU.'