To the Ed edition of the author's poems printed in 1645 was prefixed the following advertifement of The STATIONER to the READER. IT is not any private refpeEt of gain, gentle Reader, for the flighted pamphlet is now adays more vendible than the works of the molt learned men ; but it is the love I have to our own language, that bath made me diligent to colled and fet forth fuch pieces both in profe and verfe, as may renew the wonted honor and efteem of our Englifh tongue : and it's the worth of thefe poems, not the fiourifh of any prefixed encomiums that can invite thee to buy them, though thefe are not without the higheft commen- dations and applaufe of the learned Academics, both domedic and foreign ; and amongft thole of our own country, the unparallel'd atteftation of that renowned Provoll of Eton, Sir Henry Wotton. I know not thy palate how it relifhes fuch dainties, nor how harmo. nious thy foul is ; perhaps more trivial airs may pleafe thee better. But howfoever thy opinion is fpent upon thefe, that encouragement I have already received from the moft ingenious men in their clear and courteous entertainment of Mr. Wailer's late choice pieces, bath once more made me adventure into the world, prefenting it with thefe ever-green, and not to be blafted laurels. The Author's more peculiar excellency in thefe fludies was too well known to con- ceal his papers, or to keep me from attempting to folicit them from him. Let the event guide itfelf which way it will, I shall deferve of the age, by bringing into the light as true a birth, as the Mules have brought forth fince our famous Spenfer wrote ; whole poems in thefe are as rarely imitated, as fweetly excell'd. Reader, if thou art eagle-erd to cenfure their worth, I am not fearful to expofe them to thy exacted perufal. Thine to command, HUMPHREY MOSELEY.
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