ABSTRACT
TO THE READER That most Incomparable Romance, so well known under the Title of ARTAMENES, or the Grand CYRUS, having withdrawn itself for some time from the Publick, for want of another Impression, is now sent forth a Second time, in hopes to meet the same Reception which the Former had, as well for the Fame of the Author, as the Noble Subject of the History: Of which it may be truly said, That never any thing was Writ with more Wit and Passion, than this may justly claim; and therefore not unworthy the most Ingenious and Refin’d Understandings. For our Author has so laid his Scenes throughout the whole Work, as to touch at the most Remarkable Affairs of his Time. For the Intrigues and Miscarriages of War and Peace are better, many times, laid open and Satyriz’d in a Romance, than in a downright History, which being oblig’d to name the Persons, is often forc’d for several Reasons and Motives to be too partial and sparing; while such disguis’d Discourses as these, promiscuously personating every Man, and no Man, take their full liberty to speak the Truth. Other Writers of this nature there are, who to tickle the ears of their Readers, make it their Business to embellish their Works with strange and forced Inventions, not carying for a Reputation farther than among the Ignorant, which are indeed the greater Multitude. These Men deceive their Readers, and by representing to their Fancies the Imitation of Impossibilities, lead them into the wrong Path of following Example; which never can be design’d to put us upon more than is in the Power of Mortals to perform: Whereas Monsieur SCUDERY, a Person of great Understanding, profuse Fancy, and clear Judgment, pursues exactly the Truth of History in most things; and where he deviates a little, ’tis only to accomplish his Particular Worthy, with the Virtues of Many: urging nothing either improbable, or impossible. And therefore you shall find the Author himself making an early Protestation in the Person of Chrysantes, That all was pure Truth which should be related in the History of Artamenes; and that if he should chance to fail, or lessen the Truth, it was the Modesty of Artamenes, which had accustom’d him to speak part of his Glory, and never to aggrandize the Greatness of his Atchievements.
