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 ever Honour'd And most Accomplish'd Gentleman, Sir Iohn Birkenhead Kt. Doctor of Laws, Master of Faculties, And one of the Honourable House of Commons.

Illustrious Sir,

IT is my hopes that you will not disdain these first fruits of our Gratitude, though gathered out of your own Nursery, in regard we never offer to the Deities themselves other than their own proper Incense. That these few Remains of so dear an acquaintance surviv'd their Author, is that which all learned men owe to your care; and therefore that they should return dedicated to your Name, was not onely mine, but the

desire of the Learned▪ whose farther designe it was, that I should make known by the testimony of this Treatise, as well their publick as my private Gra∣titude. Who could not think it enough to enjoy a Jewel so pretious in it self, unless (as it happens to the Pearls and Diamonds of great Princes) it had re∣ceived something of higher value, more august than innate worth, from the Ca∣binet of the late Possessor: For to them that should enquire Cujum Opus, it would not be enough for the Printer to answer, Not Aegon's certainly, unless he added, But Waring's; or to you that farther demanded, Whence came this Work? nothing else could satisfie their Importunity but this reply, That it was produc'd, most excellent Sir, out of your Library. And while the Publisher pre∣pares another Edition, the former Co∣pies being either lost or sold, it is your Command, that the true and genuine Author of this third Edition should be known to the world in the front of

this third Impression; not wanting surreptitious Feathers to imp the wings of thy Fame, who canst deservedly boast those Off-springs of thy own Quill; which should the world enjoy all toge∣ther, would soon eclipse whatever the Modern Wits have brought forth: from whence I am not able to deter∣mine whether or no something greater than the Iliads might arise. To you in the mean time all the Learned on this side Tagus and Ganges bow their heads, as being the onely person fa∣mous for the high applauses for Wit and Judgment both conjoyn'd; so far in you is the subtlety of Wit from inju∣ring the sharpness of Judgment. But I fear lest while I am paying Truth her due, I should offend your modesty, which is not the meanest of your great Virtues: I will therefore correct my self in time, wishing onely this, that we may at length obtain what all de∣sire, an Edition of your Lucubrations, that so you may do justice to your

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

Fame, and the vast expectation that the world has conceived of you. In the mean while I beg you to accept this Testimony of a grateful mind, till I am able to make a better acknowledge∣ment, which for gratitudes sake, I de∣sire may be dedicated to your self,

To you, my best Patron,

Your most devoted Servant, Will. Griffith.