For however usual and convenient this may be to a Writer, it must be confess'd, MY LORD, it may be some degree of Persecution to a _Patron_; Dedicators, as _Molière_ observes, being a Species of _Impertinents_, troublesome enough. Yet the Translator of this Piece hopes he may be rank'd among the more tolerable ones, in presuming to inscribe to Your LORDSHIP the _Facheux of Molière_ done into _English_; assuring himself that Your LORDSHIP will not think any thing this Author has writ unworthy of your Patronage; nor discourage even a weaker Attempt to make him more generally read and understood. Your LORDSHIP is well known, as an absolute Master, and generous Patron of Polite Letters; of those Works especially which discover a Moral, as well as Genius; and by a delicate Raillery laugh men out of their Follies and Vices: could the Translator, therefore, of this Piece come anything near the Original, it were assured of your Acceptance. He will not dare to arrogate any thing to himself on this Head, before so good a Judge as Your LORDSHIP: He hopes, however, it will appear that, where he seems too superstitious a Follower of his Author, 'twas not because he could not have taken more Latitude, and have given more Spirit; but to answer what he thinks the most essential part of a Translator, to lead the less knowing to the Letter; and after better Acquaintance, Genius will bring them to the Spirit. The Translator knows your LORDSHIP, and Himself too well to attempt Your Character, even though he should think this a proper occasion: The Scholar--the Genius--the Statesman--the Patriot--the Man of Honour and Humanity.--Were a Piece finish'd from these Out-lines, the whole World would agree in giving it Your LORDSHIP. But that requires a Hand--the Person, who presents This, thinks it sufficient to be indulg'd the Honour of subscribing himself _My_ LORD, _Your Lordship's most devoted, most obedient, humble servant,_ THE TRANSLATOR. Thomas Shadwell, whom Dryden flagellates in his _Mac-Flecknoe_, and in the second part of _Absalom and Achitophel_, and whom Pope mentions in his _Dunciad_, wrote _The Sullen Lovers, or the Impertinents_, which was first performed in 1668 at the Duke of York's Theatre, by their Majesties' Servants.