As it was sundry times Acted with a generall applause at the Private house in Drury lane, and at other publicke Theaters. _By the Queenes Majesties servants_. The Author H. SHIRLEY Gent. _LONDON_: Printed by _I. Okes_, and are to be sold by _Francis Eglesfield_ at his house in _Paul's_ Church-yard at the Signe of the Mary-gold. 1638. To the right Worshipful Sir Kenelme Digby, _Knight_. Sir, Workes of this Nature may fitly be compared to small and narrow _rivolets_ that at first derive themselves to greater _Rivers_ and afterwards are discharged into the Maine _Ocean_. So Poesie rising from _obscure_ and almost unminded beginnings hath often advanc'd it _Selfe_ even to the thrones of _Princes_: witnesse that ever-living _Worke_ of renowned _Virgil_, so much admired and favoured by magnificent _Augustus_. Nor can I much wonder that great men, and those of Excellent parts, have so often preferred _Poesie_, it being indeed the sweetest and best _speaker_ of all Noble Actions. Nor were they wont in ancient times to preferre those their _Workes_ to them they best knew, but unto some Person highly endued with Vallour, Learning, and such other Graces as render one man farre more Excellent then many others. And this, I hope, may excuse my boldnesse in this Dedication, being so much a stranger to your Worships knowledge, onely presuming upon your Noble temper, ever apt to cherrish well-affected studies. Likewise this peice seemeth to have a more speciall kind of relation to your _Selfe_, more then to many others, it being an exact and _perfect patterne_ of a truly Noble and War-lick Chieftian. When it first appeared upon the _Stage_ it went off with Applause and favour, and my hope is it may yeild your Worship as much content as my _selfe_ can wish, who ever rest to be commanded by your Worship, _In all duty and observance_, I.K.[131] TO THE COURTEOUS READER. _To make too large an explanation of this following Poem were but to beguile thy appetite and somewhat dull thy expectation; but the work it selfe being now an Orphant, and wanting him to protect that first begot it, it were an iniury to his memory to passe him unspoken of. For the man his Muse was much courted but no common mistresse; and though but seldome seene abroad yet ever much_ admired _at. This worke, not the meanest of his labours, has much adorned not only one but many Stages, with such a generall applause as it hath drawne even the Rigid Stoickes of the Time, who, though not for pleasure yet for profit have gathered something out of his plentifull Vineyard. My hopes are it wil prove no lesse pleasing to the_ Reader _then it has formerly beene to the_ Spectators; _and, so prooving, I have my aime and full desire. Farewell_. The Actors Names.