Once more the Author, ere you rise, doth say, Though he have public warrant for his play, Yet he to the King's command needs the King's writ To keep him safe, not to be arraign'd for wit. Not that he fears his name can suffer wrack From them who sixpence pay and sixpence crack, To such he wrote not; though some parts have been So like here, that they to themselves came in. To them who call't reproof to make a face, Who think they judge, when they frown i' th' wrong place, Who, if they speak not ill o' th' poet, doubt They lose by the play, nor have their two shillings out; He says, he hopes they'll not expect he'd woo, The play being done, they'd end their sour looks too. But before you, who did true hearers sit, Who singly make a box, and fill the pit, Who do[263] this comedy read, and unseen, Had throng'd theatres and Blackfriars been, He for his doom stands: your hands are his bays, Since they can only clap who know to praise. FOOTNOTES: [263] [Old copy, _to_.] THE QUEEN OF ARRAGON. _EDITION._ _The Queene of Arragon. A Tragi-Comedie. London Printed by Tho. Cotes, for William Cooke, and are to be sold at his shop at Furnivals Inne gate in Holburne 1640. Folio._ INTRODUCTION. William Habington, the son of Thomas Habington,[264] of Hendlip, in the county of Worcester, Esq., was born at the seat of his father, on the 4th, or, as others say, the 5th, of November 1605.[265] He received his education at St Omers and Paris, and at the former of these places was earnestly solicited to become one of the order of the Jesuits. On his return from Paris, being then at man's estate, he was instructed at home in matters of history by his father, and became an accomplished gentleman. He married Lucia, daughter of William Lord Powis, and is charged by Wood with running with the times, and being not unknown to Oliver Cromwell. He died the 30th of November 1654, and was buried in the vault at Hendlip, by the bodies of his father and grandfather. Besides the play now republished, he was the author of-- 1. Poems, under the title of "Castara," 4º, 1634; 12º, 1635, 1640.[266] They are divided into three parts, each under a different title, suitable to the subject: the first, written when he was suitor to his wife, is ushered in by a character of a mistress, written in prose: the second contains verses written to her after marriage; after which is a character of a friend, before several funeral elegies: and the third consists of Divine Poems, preceded by the portrait of a holy man.[267] 2. "Observations upon History." 8º, 1641. 3. "History of Edward IV., King of England," fº, 1640, written and published at the desire of King Charles I.[268] Wood observes that the MSS. which our author and his father left[269] were then in the hands of the former's son, and might be made useful for the public, if in the possession of any other person.[270] FOOTNOTES: