Philomela The Lady Fitzvvaters nightingale. By Robert Greene. Vtriusque Academiæ in Artibus magister.

To the right honourable the Lady Bridget Ratliffe, Lady Fitzwaters: Robert Greene, wisheth increase of honor and vertue.

RIght beautifull and bountiful La∣dy, finding my selfe humbly de∣uoted to the Right honourable the Lord Fitzwaters your hus∣band, not onely that I am borne his, but also for the gracious ac∣ceptaunce of a small Pamphlet written by an other, and presented to him by me, I endeuored any way and euery way that I might, to discouer my affectionate dutie to him by some scoller-like labours that I began to tosse ouer the first frutes of my witts wrapt vp as scollers treasurs be, in loose papers that I might sift out some thing worthie his honor, but finding all worthlesse of his Lordship, at last I lighted vpon this fiction of Venetian Philomela which I had writen long since & kept charily being pend at the request of a Coun∣tesse in this land to approue wemens chastitie, assone as I had red it ouer and reduced it into forme lickinge it a lyttle as the beares doe their whelpes to bring them to perfection, I haue re∣solued to make good my duty to his Lordship in doing homage with my simple labours to your Ladiship knowing seruice don to the wife is gratefi∣ed in the husband) wherupon I presume to present the dedication of chast Philomela to your honor and to christen it in your Ladiships name, calling it the Ladye Fitzwaters N••ghtingalle as if I

should insinuate a comparison twixt you and him of equall and honorable vertues. Imitating heer∣in Maister Abraham France, who titled the Lamen∣tations of Amintas vnder the name of the Coun∣tesse of P••nbrookes Iuie Church: for heerein your L••dyship had farre more perfections then yeres & more inward excelence then externe beutie, yet so beuti••ul as few so fair though none more vertuous, I thought the legand of an honorable and chaste Ladie. Would be gratefull to your honour whose mind is wholy delighted in chast thoughts, keping herein a perfect decorū to appropriat the nature of the gift to the cōtent of the person. For such as offer incence to Venus burn mirr mixed with Eringion. Those that glory Pallas giue her a shield▪ Dians pre∣sent a bow: witty poemes are fitt for wise heades and examples of honor for such as triumphe in vertue so that seing there hath few led more chaste then an Italian Philomela I thought none only more fitt to patronyse her honors then your Lady∣ship whose chastety is as far spred as you are eyther knowne or spoken of, yf then my well meaning may not be misconstrued but my presumptiō par∣doned and my labours fauered with your gratious acceptation I haue what I aimed at and what I ex∣pected, in the hope of which courtesie setting downe my rest I humbly take my leaue.

Your Ladyshipps in all duti••ull seruice Robart Greene.