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To the Reader.
REader, this Poem (verbally the same) was composed divers years since, and dedicated to Mr. Wither (a man to me ut∣terly unknown) and about three years since, at my first sight of him, offered to him; whose modest refusal to own my attributes, concurring with my bashful timidity of pub∣lishing it, hath hitherto suppress'd it. And the great God (who hath since by his provi∣dences whipt me to it) knows that with much reluctancy of spirit I now divulge it, as that which hath been kept secret from my near and dear Relations, whose pardon I here implore for the same. Cover the de∣fects hereof with candid connivence, the Errours of the Press with the consideration of my neer 200 miles distance from the Printer. If this profit my Countrey or thee, it will redound to my joy; if it disprofit my self, to my contentation, and submittance to his Divine Will, who wrought this im∣pulse on the spirit of
Thy Friend in Him, C. C.