Poems, viz. 1. A panegyrick to the king. 2. Songs and sonnets. 3. The blind lady, a comedy. 4. The fourth book of Virgil, 5. Statius his Achilleis, with annotations. 6. A panegyrick to Generall Monck. / By the Honorable Sr Robert Howard.

TO THE READER.

IT has been the usuall custom of Epistles, to give the Reader an account of the causes that brought those writings into publick, that were onely intended for a private Closet; and com∣monly it has been at the request of friends, per∣haps with mingled truth and designe, to prae-en∣gage the judgments of many, by telling the opi∣nion of some, so to preserve their modesty as much in the pretence, as they could have done in the concealment of their Writings.

Though I cannot pretend such a cause as this, I can yet free my self from that vanity that others would avoid, by assuring the Reader, I had not stock of confidence enough to shew these things privately to many friends, much lesse to be fur∣nish'd with enough, to make them publick to all

indifferent persons, had not the desires of the Book-seller prevail'd with me: to whose civi∣lities I believ'd my self so far engag'd, as to de∣ny him nothing that he thought a kindnesse, which could not be severely prejudiciall to my self: Yet I doubted not, but that I should re∣ceive the censures of many; which, upon the granted principle of prejudice, appear'd not a reasonable argument to prevail with me to de∣ny his request, since the same should as well per∣swade me not to live, for life and conversation r••nder man in Print more than letters can do; and is made more publick by that way, than he can be by this. His life is mingled more with his defects and passions, than probably his writings are; and whether they are equall, or exceed others, need not trouble him that writes: He may be satisfied, the production of retir'd hours are the best of himself. I had no great reason then to deny his request, that imagin'd he ask'd his own advantage, when he desired nothing that I believed contrary to mine.

Yet I wish that it may so far give satisfacti∣on to all, that they may as little repent the r••a∣ding, as I did the writing; whilst in these gentle studies I found a diversion from greater follies; and by that comparison they received obliging natures. Perhaps, there's few that read them, may

not as well be conscious to themselves, to have spent some time not so 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and for that cause forgive that, which for its own sake they cannot admire.

For the severall subjects which here make one bundle, there is not any of them that have not layn by me these many years (two or three copies of Verses onely excepted); and had been wholly perhaps laid aside, but for the reasons given, applying my self now to more serious studies, according to the severall seasons of en∣creasing age, as the earth produces various fruits to the different seasons of the year. By this short account of time, the Reader may dis∣cern in what clowdy days my Muse spread her wings, as little contributing to her flying a no∣ble heighth, as to shew a just subject: He that most deserv'd it was most deni'd it (as he was indeed his right in all things) either from private fear, or publick power, though I equall not the crime of faint thoughts in passive submis∣sion, to the guilt of bold profession in publick action. 'Tis now to be hop'd, that the praises of our Prince, who so much merits it, may be received willingly by all, since nothing can be said of him, that has not been done by him; and man's largest invention has been excell'd by His actions, there being nothing capable ••o

make him appear more excellent than himself; unlesse it had been our want of him, when by experience we found his miseries were ours, and all that we inflicted on him returned in double measures on our selves; l••ke stones madly tost into the air, and forc'd from their proper center, that fall back with encreas'd weight upon their heads that flung them. We are now presented that in him, which this world sparingly pro∣duces; in one composure, an object for our Con∣sciences and Interest, in whose preservation, our Temporall and Eternall states have equall shares. Yet I should a little be dissatisfied with my self to appear publick in his praise, just when he was visibly restoring to power, did not the rea∣ding of the Panegyrick vindicate the writing of it, and, besides my affirmation, assure the Rea∣der, It was written when the King deserved the Praise as much as now, but separated farther from the Power; which was about three years since, when I was Prisoner in Windsor-Castle, being the best diversion I could then find for my own condition; to think, how great his Vertues were for whom I suffered, though in so small a measure compar'd to his own, that I rather blush at it, than believe it meri∣torious.

For the other Verses and Songs, I must pro∣fesse

they were never directed to any particular Beauty, which may (to the Amorous Reader at least) be a just excuse, if they want Perfection, to remember I wanted Passion, and had onely my own warmth, unassisted by the influence of a Mistresse. Nor shall I envy him that writes better, by being much in love, if he must purchase the advantage of Wit by the losse of Freedom.

For the Translations, the Authors have al∣ready received those Characters from the world, that they need none of mine, especially Virgil, of whose works I have onely publish'd this one Book, that lay finished by me; not judging it convenient to perfect those other Books of his Aeneid's, which I have rudely gone through, having long since laid aside all designes of that nature; and this little of it rather grew publick from accident, than designe, the Mingle it had with my private Papers, was the greatest cause, that it received its share in the publick Impres∣sion.

For Statius, he had received commendations enough, had he been alone commended by Ju∣venal in his 7 Satyr. but Alexand. ab Alex. also, lib. 6 ch. 14. relates, that he thrice received the Victor's Lawrell in the publick reading of his Verses, and was once vanquish'd; as unjustly

perhaps as * 1.1 Menander was judged to be overcome by Philemon, whose faction was greater, though his wit lesse; inso∣much that meeting him afterwards, Menander desired him to confesse ingenuously, if he did not blush when he vanquish'd him. For this piece of his, I confesse I chose it as most pleasing to me, I wish it may be so to the Reader; though there wants not * 1.2 ingenious men, who preferr'd it before his other Poems. The Annotations may in some places perhaps be judged too large; yet, had I omitted any thing, it is probable that the same persons would have censur'd me for ignorance: so that being equally sensible of these extreams, I judg'd it the testimony of the greatest modesty, By omit∣ting little, to shew my self not at all secure in the world's opinion.

I have thus, ingenuous Reader, given you a clear and true account of my Self and Writings, not opprest with apprehension, nor rais'd by ne∣glect; but preserv'd by an indifferency, that de∣stroys not my civilitie to others, nor my own content; desiring not to engrosse, but share sa∣tisfaction. If in any thing I justly need, or designe to ask pardon, 'tis for Errors that probably the

Reader may meet with; having been reduc'd to the strait of neglecting this, or businesse. I con∣fesse my Interest prevail'd with me though, not wholly to neglect the Reader, since I prevail'd with a worthy Friend to take so much view of my blotted Copies, as to free me from grosse Errors. Having thus set down all my designe and reasons, I leave the Reader with as little Concern to use his, as I have shewed him mine.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Agelli lib. 17. ch. 4.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 in unâ A∣chilleide ita surgit ut illic multo subli∣mi••s ferri v••deatur, quam quó potuerit toto •• hebaide perve∣niter Demit.