It becomes not me to say (though it be a knowne Truth) that these Authors had not only High unexpressible gifts of Nature, but also excellent acquired Parts, being furnished with Arts and Sciences by that liberall education they had at the University, which sure is the best place to make a great Wit understand it selfe; this their workes will soone make evident. I was very ambitious to have got Mr. Beaumonts picture; but could not possibly, though I spared no enquirie in those Noble Families whence he was descended, as also among those Gentlemen that were his acquaintance when he was of the Inner Temple: the best Pictures and those most like him you'll finde in this Volume. This figure of Mr. Fletcher was cut by severall Originall Pieces, which his friends lent me, but withall they tell me, that his unimitable Soule did shine through his countenance in such Ayre and Spirit, that the Painters confessed, it was not easie to expresse him: As much as could be, you have here, and the Graver hath done his part. What ever I have scene of Mr. Fletchers owne hand, is free from interlining; and his friends affirme he never writ any one thing twice: it seemes he had that rare felicity to prepare and perfect all first in his owne braine; to shape and attire his Notions, to adde or loppe off, before he committed one word to writing, and never touched pen till all was to stand as firme and immutable as if ingraven in Brasse or Marble. But I keepe you too long from those friends of his whom 'tis fitter for you to read; only accept of the honest endeavours of

One that is a Servant to you all

HUMPHREY MOSELEY.

At the Princes Armes in

St Pauls Church-yard. Feb._ 14th 1646.

To the Stationer

Tell the sad World that now the lab'ring Presse Has brought forth safe a Child of happinesse, The Frontis-piece will satisfie the wise And good so well, they will not grudge the price. 'Tis not all Kingdomes joyn'd in one could buy (If priz'd aright) so true a Library Of man: where we the characters may finde Of ev'ry Nobler and each baser minde. Desert has here reward in one good line For all it lost, for all it might repine: Vile and ignobler things are open laid, The truth of their false colours are displayed: You'l say the Poet's both best Judge and Priest, No guilty soule abides so sharp a test As their smooth Pen; for what these rare men writ Commands the World, both Honesty and Wit.

GRANDISON.

IN MEMORY OF Mr. JOHN FLETCHER

Me thought our Fletcher weary of this croud, Wherein so few have witt, yet all are loud, Unto Elyzium fled, where he alone Might his own witt admire and ours bemoane; But soone upon those Flowry Bankes, a throng Worthy of those even numbers which he sung, Appeared, and though those Ancient Laureates strive When dead themselves, whose raptures should survive, For his Temples all their owne bayes allowes, Not sham'd to see him crown'd with naked browes; Homer his beautifull Achilles nam'd, Urging his braine with Joves might well be fam'd, Since it brought forth one full of beauties charmes, As was his Pallas, and as bold in Armes; [-King and no King.-] But when he the brave Arbases saw, one That saved his peoples dangers by his own, And saw Tigranes by his hand undon Without the helpe of any Mirmydon, He then confess'd when next hee'd Hector slay, That he must borrow him from Fletchers Play; This might have beene the shame, for which he bid His Iliades in a Nut-shell should be hid: Virgill of his Æneas next begun, Whose God-like forme and tongue so soone had wonne; That Queene of Carthage and of beauty too, Two powers the whole world else were slaves unto, Urging that Prince for to repaire his faulte On earth, boldly in hell his Mistresse sought; [-The Maides Tragedy.-] But when he Amintor saw revenge that wrong, For which the sad Aspasia sigh'd so long, Upon himselfe, to shades hasting away, Not for to make a visit but to stay; He then did modestly confesse how farr Fletcher out-did him in a Charactar. Now lastly for a refuge, Virgill shewes The lines where Corydon Alexis woes; But those in opposition quickly met [-The faithfull Shepherdesse.-] The smooth tongu'd Perigot and Amoret: A paire whom doubtlesse had the others seene, They from their owne loves had Apostates beene; Thus Fletcher did the fam'd laureat exceed, Both when his Trumpet sounded and his reed; Now if the Ancients yeeld that heretofore, None worthyer then those ere Laurell wore; The least our age can say now thou art gon, Is that there never will be such a one: And since t' expresse thy worth, our rimes too narrow be, To help it wee'l be ample in our prophesie.

H. HOWARD.

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