Hæc homo wherein the excellency of the creation of woman is described, by way of an essay. By William Austin Esquire.

To the Reader.

IT is not to be expe∣cted that pieces though of never so exact and curious frame, com∣posed by the most excellent and ••evenest hand, should passe through the croud of the Criticall and Censorious multitude, without re∣ceiving the adust effects of their malignant humours. It cannot be looked for therefore, but that this Essay of this excellent Author, must be forced sometimes in its passa••e, th••ough the dangerous sea of these quarrelling times, to strike sayle to those musters of malignant and envious judge∣ments

that inevitably will assault it: and it is infinitly beyond my weake ability to come in with such supplies as might rescue so wel-a∣deserving subject from suffering ship-wracke. But sure I need not, the Peece it selfe is strong enough to stand it out, even to a victory, though it may now and then seeme to sinke under the aboundant pressures of Assaylants. Yet give me leave (courteous Reader) at the least to shew my willingnesse to doe somewhat, especially seeing It (or rather the world) hath had the mis-fortune to lose the Author, a Gentleman highly approved for his Religion, learning and exqui∣site ingenuity: his former Ad∣venturings into the world, in that sublime expression of his Divine Meditations, have beene safely landed in the wisest and candidest

judgements with approbation and applause; and doubtlesse, This, cannot chuse but receive also a childs portion together with that his brother, and why not a greater? for It Zarah-like put his hand out first, and therefore was the elder, though upon his drawing backe, his brother came out before him: They are both like the fa∣ther, only that, of a more graver, this, of a more youthfull aspect: yet if the judicious Reader will be pleased to take an impartiall view of Its severall L••••e••ments, he can∣not chuse but see the true Idaea of a most grave and Divine spi∣rit, shining forth in even its ten∣der Non-age. I am sure I shall rather blemish then adorne the ••orke, by saying any thing, and ••ndeed, what need I? Vino vendi∣••ili non opus est hedera: my

generall request to the Reader is, that he would be pleased to let It passe quietly, and if he be one that cannot find in his heart to com∣mend and approve it, let him leave it for those, that both can and will, out of a pure judgement and refined wit, give it its due merit and ho∣nour; and to such, I promise to re∣maine,

Ready to doe my best service, RALPH MABB.