THe favourable aspect you were pleas'd to cast, upon this Poem (the first fruits of an Infant Muse) to­gether with the knowledge I have of your excellent temper, and un­alter'd clemency, have sufficiently warranted my presumption of throwing it at your feet, and by mak­ing it an humble present to a Person so far above the common Sphere, secure it from the peircing Tallons of Eagle Eyed Criticks: I know it is a triffle that by the meaness of the stile, the want of good design, and the ill representation at the The­atre, being Play'd to the worst advantage, has got little credit with the World and consequently is [Page] far unworthy your patronage, but if you consider the credit of a young Author lyes at stake, one whose design was onely to please not offend, you doubtless will be induc'd to a more favourable opi­nion of my presumption. The censures of others will the less trouble me when you protect it, know­ing how common 'tis now to discant on Authors truely famous and worthy all applause, as well as others of a far meaner knowledge and reputation 'Tis my desire, I confess, to be free from malicious censures, and that my partial Reader would be so favourable as not to be my Interpreter, but content himself with the Perusal, according to Martial (Absit a jocorum nostrorum simplicitate malig­nus interpres,) But since the humour of this Age tends another way, I must study self satisfaction, and relie on the Patronage of a Person whose worth I am so well acquainted with, that the cri­ticisms of pretenders will appear as ridiculous as they can endeavour to make this Poem, if they durst write themselves.