_But directed by the example of some, who once steered in our qualitie, and so fortunately aspired to choose your_ Honour, _joyned with your (now glorified_) Brother, Patrons _to the flowing compositions of the then expired sweet_ Swan _of_ Avon SHAKESPEARE; _and since, more particularly bound to your_ Lordships _most constant and diffusive_ Goodnesse, _from which, wee did for many calme yeares derive a subsistence to our selves, and Protection to the Scene (now withered, and condemned, as we feare, to a long Winter and sterilitie) we have presumed to offer to your_ Selfe, _what before was never printed of these_ Authours. _Had they beene lesse then all the_ Treasure _we had contrasted in the whole Age of_ Poesie _(some few Poems of their owne excepted, which already published, command their entertainement, with all lovers of_ Art _and_ Language) _or were they not, the most justly admir'd, and beloved Pieces of_ Witt _and the_ World, _wee should have taught our selves a lesse Ambition. Be pleased to accept this humble tender of our duties, and till we faile in our obedience to all your Commands, vouchsafe, we may be knowne by the_ Cognizance _and_ Character _of_ MY LORD, Your Honours most bounden _John Lowin Richard Robinson Eyloerd Swanston Hugh Clearke Stephen Hammerton Joseph Taylor Robert Benfeild Thomas Pollard William Allen Theophilus Byrd_. TO THE READER. Poetry _is the_ Child _of_ Nature, _which regulated and made beautifull by Art, presenteth the most Harmonious of all other compositions; among which (if we rightly consider) the_ Dramaticall _is the most absolute, in regard of those transcendent_ Abilities, which should waite upon the_ Composer; _who must have more then the instruction of Libraries which of it selfe is but a cold contemplative knowledge there being required in him a_ Soule _miraculously knowing, and conversing with all mankind, inabling him to expresse not onely the Phlegme and folly of_ thick-skin'd men, _but the strength and maturity of the wise, the Aire and insinuations of the_ Court, _the discipline and Resolution of the Soldier, the Vertues and passions of every noble condition, nay the councells and charailers of the greatest Princes.