_At this_ Truth _we rejoyce, but yet aloofe, and in our owne valley, for we dare not approach with any capacity in our selves to apply your Smile, since wee have only preserved as_ Trustees _to the_ Ashes _of the Authors, what wee exhibit to your_ Honour, _it being no more our owne, then those_ Imperiall Crownes _and_ Garlands _were the Souldiers, who were honourably designed for their Conveyance before the_ Triumpher _to the_ Capitol.
_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_
_John Lowin Richard Robinson Eyloerd Swanston Hugh Clearke Stephen Hammerton Joseph Taylor Robert Benfeild Thomas Pollard William Allen Theophilus Byrd_.
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.