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TO ALL Lovers and Understanders OF MUSICK.
GENTLEMEN,
THIS Fourth and Last Book of the Theater of Music, or, A New and Choice Collection of Songs and Dialogues, will (I doubt not) be very acceptable to all knowing Gentlemen in the Skill of Music, for several Reasons I here mention: First, That most of these Songs and Dialogues were Composed by the Eminent Dr. John Blow, and Mr. Henry Purcell, my ever kind Friends, and several other able Masters, from whom I received true Copies, which were by them perused, before they were put to the Press. Secondly, That here is added two excellent Songs long since out of Print, viz. go Perjur'd Man, set by Dr. Blow; and that Dia∣logue, When Death shall part us from our Kids, set by Mr. Matthew Lock; which two are here (with much Care) exactly true printed, by the Diligent Pains of my Father Mr. John Playford, whose known Skill for printing of Musick, our Nation is not ignorant. And lastly, This excellent Book may be joyn'd and bound with the three former, will make a com∣pleat Volume: Notwithstanding all this Care and Pains, I must expect some of our New Pretenders to Publish and Print Music, will be dispa∣raging this Book, thereby to gain Credit and Custom to their own: But I pass them over in Charity, with Go on and Prosper; not doubting, but this (when it comes to the hands of Judicious Gentlemen, and Understan∣ders of Music) they will find the difference; to whose Judgments I submit, and shall always endeavour to express my self,
GENTLEMEN,
Your most humble Servant, Henry Playford.