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Madam,
I Should peradven∣ture have made some difficulty to offer you any booke but this, fearing to demand an unjust protection, or to make you a present unworthy of your selfe: But th••se Ladies which I tender you are so accom∣plisht. I could not cherish the least feare to produce them, with∣out sinning against their merit,
and the judgement you know to make in things of valew. Never∣thelesse how perfect soever they be, they acknowledge a necessity of your approbation to appeare in the world: And, that if this good fayle them, all their faire dresses, and ornaments can gaine them a reputation but imperfect. Be∣hold them then in posture to doe the homage they owe you, and to learne from your mouth what credit they may hope from o∣thers. Behold the wonders of our age, which come to reverence the rare qualities that France ad∣mires in you: And to consult the oracle which must declare their good, or bad fortune. Confident they are to disp lease none, if they be but so happy to please you, and that by the generall esteeme you are in, your judgement shall bee the rule to all others. Receive
them Madam, as creatures whom the report of your name and vertue hath acquired, And that will not shew themselves a∣broad with your passe: Refuse not your favour to these faire unknowne, which enter not into the world, but to vindicate the honour of dames, and to make it appeare that Letters are not the peculiar heritage of one sexe; and that men are out, when they va••t themselves sole Monarchs in the Empire of the sciences. For my selfe, Madam, who doe but lend a hand to their enter∣prise, I confesse I am ravisht to see them fall into your armes, and that besides the lustre of their owne beauty, they shall bor∣row that of yours, to render them pleasing as your selfe, to all that have eyes, and reason. I cannot cease to commend their choyse,
seeing it must be imagined, No∣ble as you are, you will be taken with their courage: and while they travaile in a designe so glo∣rious, I assure my selfe you will second their endeavours, And that your countenance, approba∣tion, and spirit, shall bring them more than halfe their victory, and triumph, Thus hopes
Madam,
Your most humble, and most obedient servant, Du Bosque.