And to all our Brethren, the real Critics and Judges of Literary productions, we would towards that before us recommend Lenity; it is a first performance and of a young Author; and, albeit there shall be found blemishes and Failings therein, we do in a certain Degree perceive Beauties not altogether unworthy our Approbation, the which if ye likewise behold, and point out to the Public after a friendly Sort, ye shall do well. EPISTLE I. Ye Mortals, whom Poets with Verses perplex, Whom Churchmen misguide, and Philosophers vex, Whose Heads are disturbed with the Tenets of Schools, Whom Terror betrays, and whom Conscience befools— From the Regions below, with a Heart full of Love, I send to my excellent Subjects above, And, tho’ ’tis Advice that now dictates my Strain, I must freely confess I’ve no Cause to complain. With Pleasure I hear, how the Demon of War Is hurling his blessed Confusion from far, 10 Has bade the slow Spaniard to Battle advance And has got a good Footing in England and France. It delights me to find, the Designs of the Dutch Are to move for a Peace, but to hinder it much; For my trusty Disciples of Holland are known To have no kind of Feeling for aught but their own; And the Kingdoms around are, as far as I see, Just acting the Part they have borrow’d from me. Nor is it without a great Share of Delight I find so much wrong is confounded with Right. 20 Where Justice alone on one Party is clear, Why, Truth may prevail and a Peace may be near; But, where Good and Evil are properly mixed, The Cause is obscure, and Destruction more fix’d; Since each on the first will rest all their Pretensions, The latter to stretch to its utmost Dimensions. With much Satisfaction, I likewise confess, I behold so much Deviltry drop from the Press; But this is a Subject I will not say much on, Because what hereafter I purpose to touch on. 30 At present to all, in their several Degrees, I pay my Respect in such Verses as these; And, my rough-moving Lines should your Critics condemn, I shall talk in a much rougher Language to them. Ye Monarchs! Ye Rulers of Nations! attend To a Ruler, your Equal! the first Monarch’s Friend! Whose Empire at least is as large as your own, As crowded his Army, as splendid his Throne; His Spirit as great, and, whatever his Cause, A greater Obedience is paid to his Laws! 40 Attend and receive your Instructions from me; Though a Counsellor famous, I covet no fee; Prefer me before all your ignoble Tribe— What Mortal in Black ever acts without Bribe? Let Empire unbounded your Bosoms possess; You’re as noble as Cæsar, and scorn to be less. Be your Counsellors such as may aid your Designs— Good Jockeys, great Gamblers, rare Judges of Wines! And then, should you happen to fail in your Ends, Your People may lay all the Blame on your Friends, 50