The effigies of love being a translation from the Latine of Mr. Robert Waring of Christ-Church in Oxford, master of arts, and proctor of that university. To which is prefixt a tombstone-encomium, by the same author, sacred to the memory of the prince of poets, Ben. Johnson; also made English by the same hand.

TO The Fair and Excellent LADY Madam Sarah Cock.

Honoured Madam,

TO make an Apologie for Dedications, in an Age wherein it were almost ridicu∣lous to appear with∣out them, were a folly like his that should excuse himself for not being singular; besides that he must needs be a person of a very desperate desert and fortune too,

who can neither finde nor make a friend that will accept or patro∣nize his labours; and it must needs be scandalous for the childe, whose both parents and friends are ashamed to own it. But that I should single out You, most Excellent Madam, from the rest of your fair Sex, to shelter me from the dreadful effects of merciless Criticks, need be the wonder of none but Your self, whose Modesty hath restrained You from too near a familiarity with your own deserts, and made You happily ig∣norant of Your own vertues and power; the knowledge of which ought not to be trusted with any goodness less than Your own. But tyranny, and insolence, and trium∣phing

over the infelicities and mi∣series of those men whom them∣selves have made so, is such a piece of Barbarity, as will finde enter∣tainment among none but the basest and the worst of men: which is all the security I have that I may once see a period of those suffer∣ings I have so long patiently, and scarce patiently endured, since the remedy is in the power of her whose very outward appearance carries with it a certain indication of generosity and goodness. I was long silent, and with much relu∣ctancy at last broke it: but if grief, though silent, have a voice; if anguish without a tongue be vocal; if sorrow be lowd to Elah, or the groans of an expiring Lover

can be accented; if a mighty a∣mazement and consternation of a mind but reasonably sollicitous for its own happiness, have any Emphasis; my present sufferings can neither want arguments nor oratours: and whilst I plead my own Cause, and that with You, I shall much sooner be at a loss where to begin, than what to say.

Dearest Madam, this little Book will inform You what You can do, and I have suffered: my torments (the Characters of Your powerful Beauty) are here exactly delineated, that You may read and pity me, now almost become Loves emphatical Martyr. It will seem a wonder scarce capable of his belief, should I tell the Reader,

The described Passions in this Book, come short of what I have, and the Torments of what I endure for You. In some places You will see Your self deservedly seated on a Throne, which can dart astoni∣shing influences and a dreadful plea∣sure, distributing desirable afflicti∣ons, and pleasing deaths, which the most greedy of life would desire, and joyfully embrace: In other places You may visit Your easie-gotten Conquests, and see the un∣happy Trophies of Your Beauty. Others You have slightly touched, and but with a few Darts, Me You have transfixt with a thou∣sand: their wounds do not need, mine are scarce capable of cure; and their greatest Emphasis is their

not being mortal. Yet We valiant Lovers like these pleasing Cruel∣ties, love the hand that strikes us, play with the flames that scorch us, and enjoy them the blessed Authors of our deaths.

But lest, whilst I talk of Suf∣ferings, my trespassing too long upon Your patience, may justifie Your inflicting them, and so turn them into Punishments; and lest the Prologue drown the Play, and forestal the patience of the hearers, which would be more advanta∣geously reserv'd for the ensuing Acts; I retire, onely begging leave to advertise You, that where∣as some Expressions in this Book are harsh and uncouth, that may not be charged upon the Transla∣tor,

who hath in favour of Your fair Sex trespassed more than once upon the Author, and fears he shall stand in need of the learned Reader's pardon for making so many, as he begs Yours for not making more alterations.

Dearest Madam, read this little Book, and see the reflex image both of Your self and Me: there You will finde what You already are, and what all other Ladies from Your example fain would be; who onely blame You for setting Your Example so high, that it deceives their sight, baffles their hopes, and discourages their endea∣vours of imitation. In mercy to the gazing world, bridle this Lu∣xury of Vertue, this Prodigality of

Goodness: 'tis thrifty counsel, and conduces to Your happiness and Ours too: it gives us hopes, that though we can't attain Your course, we seeing our Guide, may go part of that Religious way: for though by a higher pitch of Vertue (if that supposition be no Crime) You might be transcribed into some∣thing above humanity; yet wrapt in Clouds, we had lost our know∣ledge, You our love; and You leaving us in danger of seduction into Idolatry, lest you should be without fault, are become guilty of ours.

But methinks I begin to forget my Crime, which I promised to a∣mend▪ which cannot be better done, than by not anticipating

Your reading of this Book, which when read, will supersede the trouble of subscription. Whatsoe∣ver is there of Love or Adoration, I shall do You that Justice and my self the Honour of acknowledge∣ment and payment: which tribute I humbly beg You will not refuse from,

Dearest Madam,

Your entirely devoted and most obedient Servant, Rob. Nightingale.