|
|
TO THE GENERALL READER.
IN publishing this Essay of my Poeme, there is this great
disadvantage against me; that it commeth out at this time,
when Verses are wholly deduc'd to Chambers, and nothing
esteem'd in this lunatique Age, but what is kept in
Cabinets, and must only passe by Transcription; In such a
season, when the Idle Humerous world must heare of nothing,
that either favors of Antquity, or may awake it to seeke
after more, then dull or slothfull ignorance may easily
reach unto: These, I say, make much against me; and
especially in a Poeme, from any example, either of Ancient,
or Modern, that have proved in this kind: whose unusual
tract may perhaps seeme difficult, to the female Sex; yea,
and I feare, to some that think themselves not meanly
learned, being not rightly inspired by the Muses: such I
meane, as had rather read the fantasies of forraine
inventions, then to see the Rarities & Historie of their
owne Country delivered by a true native Muse. Then,
whosoever thou be, posseste with such stupidity &
dulnesse, that, rather then thou wilt take paines to search
into ancient and noble things, choosest to remaine in the
thicke fogges and mists of ignorance, as neere the common
Lay-stall of a Citie; refusing to walke forth into the Tempe
and Fields of the Muses, where through most delightful
Groves the Angellique harmony of Birds shall steale thee to
the top of an easie hill, where in artificiall caves, cut
out of the most naturall Rock, thou shalt see the ancient
people of this Ile delivered thee in their lively images:
from whose height thou mai'st behold both the old and later
times, as in thy prospect, lying farre under thee; then
convaying thee downe by a soule-pleasing Descent through
delicate embrodered Meadowes, often veined with gentle
gliding Brooks; in which thou maist fully view the dainty
Nymphes in their simple naked bewties, bathing them in
Crystalline streames; which shall lead thee, to most
pleasant Downes, where harmless Shepheards are, some
exercising their pipes, some singing roundelaies, to their
grazing flocks: If as, I say, thou hadst rather, (because it
asks thy labour) remaine, where thou wert, then straine thy
selfe to walke forth with the Muses; the fault proceeds from
thy idlenesse, not from any want in my industrie. And to any
that shall demand wherfore having promised this Poeme of the
generall Island so many yeeres, I now publish only this part
of it; I plainly answere, that many times I had determined
with my selfe, to have left it off, and have neglected my
papers sometimes two yeeres together, finding the times
since his Majesties happy comming in, to fall so heavily
upon my distressed fortunes, after my zealous soule had
labored so long in that, which with the generall happiness
of the kingdom, seem'd not then impossible somewhat also to
have advanced me. But I instantly saw all my long nourisht
hopes even buried alive before my face: so uncertaine (in
this world) be the ends of our cleerest endevors. And what
ever is herein that tastes of a free spirit, I thankfully
confesse it to proceed fro~ the continuall bounty of my
truly Noble friend Sir Walter Aston; which hath
|
Lakes Guides menu.
