The tenth muse lately sprung up in America or severall poems, compiled with great variety of vvit and learning, full of delight. Wherein especially is contained a compleat discourse and description of the four elements, constitutions, ages of man, seasons of the year. Together with an exact epitomie of the four monarchies, viz. The Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, Roman. Also a dialogue between Old England and New, concerning the late troubles. With divers other pleasant and serious poems. By a gentlewoman in those parts.

Kind Reader:

HAd I opportunity but to borrow some of the Authors wit, 'tis pos∣sible I might so trim this curious Work with such quaint expressions, as that the Preface might bespeake thy further peru∣sall; but I feare 'twil be a shame for a man that can speak so little, to be seene in the title page of this Womans Book, lest by comparing the one with the other, the Reader should passe his sentence, that it is the gift of wo∣men, not only to speak most, but to speake best; I shall leave therefore to commend that, which with any ingenious Reader will too much commend the Author, unlesse men turne more peevish then women, to envie the excellency of the inseriour Sex. I doubt not but the Reader will quickly finde more then I can say, and the worst effect of his rea∣ding will be unbeleif, which will make him question whether it be a womans Work, and aske, Is it possible? If any doe, take this as an answer from him that dares avow it; It is the VVork of a VVoman, honoured, and e∣steemed

where she lives, for her gracious de∣meanour, her eminent parts, her pious con∣versation, her courteous disposition, her exact diligence in her place, and discreet mannag∣ing of her family occasions; and more then so, these Poems are the fruit but of some few houres, curtailed from her sleep, and other re∣freshments. I dare adde little, lest I keepe thee too long, if thou wilt not beleeve the worth of these things (in their kind) when a man sayes it, yet beleeve it from a woman when thou seest it. This only I shall annex, I feare the displeasure of no person in the pub∣lishing of these Poems but the Authors, without whose knowledge, and contrary to her expe∣ctation, I have presumed to bring to publick view what she resolved should never in such a manner see the Sun; but I found that di∣vers had gotten some scattered papers, affe∣cted them wel, were likely to have sent forth broken peices to the Authors prejudice, which I thought to prevent, as well as to pleasure those that earnestly desired the view of the whole.