be envy'd the rare Happiness of Two fuch Patroneffes. I must confefs, Madam, that it is not the Grandeur of your Birth, or your Fortunes, that can raise my Ve neration: Those you poffefs in common with fome few others, even Beauty itself, must die, nor is Wit itself, whatever we fanfie, Immortal. That Pre rogative is only grant ed to Piety and Vir tue, they are the only confummated in a better World. Towards which, if these mean Papers may be any fmall Advantage, he bas his End, who is With all Humility and Respect, Your Ladyship's Chaplain and Servant, SAM. WESLEY. PREFACE TO THE READER. READER, I Have but little to fay concerning this fmall Prefent which I here make thee. 'Tis fome Account of the Intervals of my Time, which I wish had never been worfe employ'd. There are fome Paffages here reprefented which are fo barren of Circumftances, that it was not eafy to make them fhine in Verfe; tho' neither could they be fo well omitted, without breaking the Thread of the Hiftory: As for thefe, I hope that old Excufe will be allow'd me, Ornari res ipfa negat, &c. But there are others where I have more Liberty, wherein it is my own Fault or Misfortune if I have not fucceeded |