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To the Right Honourable
Philip Earl of Chesterfield, &c.
My Lord,
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Cannot begin my Address to your Lordship, better than in the words of Virgil,
———Quod optanti, Divum promittere Nemo
Auderet, volvenda Dies, en, attulit ultrò.
Seven Years together I have conceal'd the longing which I had to appear before you: A time as tedious as Æneas pass'd in his wandring Voyage, before he reach'd the promis'd Italy. But I consider'd, that nothing which my meanness cou'd produce, was worthy of your Patronage. At last this happy Occasion offer'd, of Presenting to you the best Poem of the best Poet. If I balk'd this opportunity, I was in despair of finding such another; and if I took it, I was still uncertain whether you wou'd vouchsafe to accept
