ABSTRACT
Right Gracious and inestimably Deare Prince. For your pleasures sake and my promise, I present your Highnes, this Collection or rather confusion of all my ydle Epigrams; some of which, some guilty mindes might perhaps take in some despyte, but (Candidi et Cordati Lectores,) Cleere mynded and Worthie Readers, I know will peruse with good disport. The common lycence, or rather lycensiousnes of Poets may bee my excuse, if not my Warrant, as well for some sharpe reprehensions, as for some broade phrases in them. For I have indevored so to sawse the matters, that though your Highnes, and all noble mindes, maie finde some Delectation in the vearse yet it shall breede rather detestation of the vice reprooved in the verse./ I subscribe it thus with this picture rather then my name, because so light and inglorious a worke was fitter for those younge yeares, and the barbatula, or french Pecque Devaunt, then for, questas barbas, (as the Spaniards call yt) that should bring, with gray hayrs, more grave thoughts./ Which thoughts shall thinke their Maister no longer worthie of life than he remaynes
Most faithfully Devoted to your Highnes
19 June 1605
To James the sixt, king o f Scotland The dedication o f the coppie sent by Captayn Hunter
O Joy to present hope of future ages, bright northern starre, whose orient light infused In South, and West, stayes minds that stood amused;
accept a present heer of skribled pages./ A worke, whose method ys, to bee confused,
A worke in which my pen it self ingages to use them right, that have the world abused./
Yf I, where sin is wrought, pay shame for wages, let your rich grace hold my poore zeale excused, Enormous acts, move modest minds to rages, Which straight a tart reproofe well given asswages, And duly giv’n yt cannot bee refused./
We do but poynt out vices and detect them Tis you great Prince, that one day must correct them./
The First booke
The Epistle to all Readers how Epigrams must be read attentively. That legere et non intelligere est negligere.
