My desire is to inform and assure you, that shall become my Reader, that in that part of this following discourse, which is onely narration, I either speak my own knowledge, or from the testimony of such as dare do any thing, rather than speak an untruth. And for that part of it which is my own observation or opinion, if I had a power I would not use it to force any mans assent, but leave him a liberty to disbelieve what his own reason inclines him to. Next, I am to inform you, that whereas Dr. Donne's life was formerly printed with his Sermons, and then had the same Preface or Introduction to it; I have not omitted it now, because I have no such confidence in what I have done, as to appear without an apology for my undertaking it. I have said all when I have wished happinesse to my Reader. I.W. FOOTNOTES [1] _Sic_: probably a misprint for "_be_ found?"--ED. [2] _John King, B. of Lond._ [3] _Hen. King, now B.C._ * * * * * DAMAN AND DORUS. AN HUMBLE EGLOG. 29th MAY 1660. [Songs and other Poems. By Alex. Brome, Gent. London, Printed for Henry Brome, at the Gun in Ivy-Lane, 1661. The Second Edition corrected and enlarged, 1664. The Third Edition enlarged. London, Printed for Henry Brome, at the Star in Little Brittain, 1668.] _To my ingenious Friend_ Mr. BROME, _on his various and excellent Poems: An humble Eglog. Written the 29 of May, 1660._ DAMAN _and_ DORUS. DAMAN. _Hail happy day!_ Dorus _sit down: Now let no sigh, nor let a frown Lodge near thy heart, or on thy brow. The_ King! _the_ King'_s return'd! and now Let's banish all sad thoughts and sing_ We have our Laws, and have our King. DORUS. _'Tis true, and I would sing, but oh! These wars have sunk my heart so low 'Twill not be rais'd._ DAMAN. _What not this day? Why 'tis the_ twenty ninth of May: _Let_ Rebels _spirits sink; let those That like the_ Goths _and_ Vandals _rose To ruine families, and bring Contempt upon our_ Church, _our_ King, _And all that's dear to us, be sad; But be not thou, let us be glad._ And, _Dorus_, to invite thee, look, Here's a Collection in this Book, Of all those chearful Songs, that we Have sung so oft and merilie[1] As we have march'd to fight the cause Of _Gods Anointed_, and our _Laws_ Such Songs as make not the least ods Betwixt us _mortals_ and the _Gods_: Such Songs as _Virgins_ need not fear To sing, or a grave _Matron_ hear. Here's _love_ drest _neat_, and _chast_, and _gay_ As _gardens_ in the month of _May_; Here's harmony, and _Wit_, and _Art_, To raise thy _thoughts_, and chear thy _heart_. DORUS. _Written by whom?_ DAMAN.