TO THE WORTHY, AND MY MUCH RESPECTED FRIEND, Master JOHN HARBORNE of Tackley in the County of Oxford, Esquire.
WORTHY SlR,
This Poem being sent unto me to be printed after the death of the author; who intended to have done it in his life; but was prevented by death: I could not among my good friends, bethink me of any one to whom I might more fitly dedicate it—as well for the nature of the subject in which you delight, as to express my love—than to yourself.
I find it not only savouring of Art and Honesty, two things now strangers unto many authors, but also both pleasant and profitable; and being loth to see a thing of such value lie hidden in obscurity, whilst matters of no moment pester the stalls of every stationer, I therefore make bold to publish it for the benefit and delight of all, trusting that I shall neither thereby disparage the author, nor dislike them.
I need not, I think, apologize for either the use of the subject or for that it is reduced into the nature of a poem: for as touching
the last, in that it is in verse, some count it by so much the