A fig for Momus containing pleasant varietie, included in satyres, eclogues, and epistles, by T.L. of Lincolnes Inne Gent.

To the Gentlemen Rea∣ders whatsoeuer.

GEntlemen, I know you wonder, that hauing so long time kept silence, I salute the world with so peremp∣torie a title: But if thou consider the reasons before you enter into mislike; you shall be satisfied, and I excused.

I entitle my booke (A fig for Momus,) not in contempt of the learned, for I honor them: not in disdaine of the wel mind∣ded, because they cherish science; but in despight of the detra∣ctor, who hauing no learning to iudge, wanteth no libertie to reproue.

VVho worthily deseruing the name of Momus, shall rather at my hands haue a figge to choake him, then hee, and his lewd tongue shall haue a frumpe to check me: Sheepe are soonest woo∣ried by curdogs, because they are mild: but hee that nips him soundly, that bites him cowardly, purchaseth his owne peace, & escapes much perill.

Heraclitus intituling one of his bookes with Ponou Enco∣mion, the praise of labour, King Ptolemey (causing all the copies to be bought,) commanded the first letter of Ponou to be put out, and called the booke Onou Encomion, the praise of the asse: But had Heraclitus begun with Ptolemey, and toucht him with cowardly flight from Demetrius, with effe∣minate

vanity in apparell, with exceeding gluttonie, and drun∣kennes; with his letcherie with Agathoclea, and bawdry with Oenante, the King would rather haue giuen a talent to stop his mouth, then deuised (by taking away of a letter) to abuse his title. UUhere detraction is giuen to chalenge, it is good stri∣king first, for whelpes that are whipt for brauling, are quicklie quiet.

This cause (gentlemen) hath drawne me to vse this title, and vnder this title I haue thought good to include Satyres, Eclogues, and Epistles: first by reason that I studie to delight with varietie, next because I would write in that forme, wher∣in no man might chalenge me with seruile imitation, (where∣with heretofore I haue beene vniustlie taxed.) My Satyres (to speake truth) are by pleasures, rather placed here to prepare, and trie the eare, then to feede it: because if they passe well, the whole Centon of them, alreadie in my hands shall sodainly bee published.

In them (vnder the names of certaine Romaines) where I reprehend vice, I purposely wrong no man, but obserue the lawes of that kind of poeme: If any repine thereat, I am sure he is guiltie, because he bewrayeth himselfe. For my Eclogues, I commend them to men of approued iudgement, whose mar∣gents though I fill not with quotations, yet their matter, and handling, will show my diligence: For my Epistles, they are in that kind, wherein no Englishman of our time hath publiquely

written, which if they please, may draw on more; if displease, haue their priuiledge by authoritie. Briefly, I haue so written, as I haue read: so read, as I can iudge: In which respect, if any man doubt, let him aske and I will resolue him: if any man reproue, let him looke to it, I will nip him: for as I am readie to satisfie the reasonable, so I haue a gird in store for a Railer. Finally, gentlemen as Prometheus, after he had formed his image of earth, presented it to the sunne; and Ops when she had brought forth Iupiter, (for feare lest he should be deuoured by time, fi∣gured in Saturne) gaue him in keeping to the Cureti; So I present this fraile image of my art, to take life, and light, from the sunne of your approued iudgements, & desirous to commend, this infant of my wit to immortalitie, and defend it from the assaults of time, and enuie: commit, and submit it to your protection, the true Cureti of all cunning: who accepting these fragments in good worth, shall shortly receaue from me, matters both worthy re∣gard and reading. Vale 6. Maij. 1595.

Yours as you vse him,

T. L.