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The Right Honourable, discreet and virtuous Lady,

THE NOURISHER OF THE LEARNED, AND FAVOURER OF THE GODLY;

MY SINGULAR GOOD LADY,

The Lady Mary, Countess of Pembroke;

NICHOLAS BRETON

WISHETH ALL THE GOOD THAT THE HEAVENS WILL,

AND THE WORLD CAN GIVE;

TO THE PLEASURE OF THE Highest, and her worthy HEART'S DESIRE.

RIGHT HONOURABLE,

MATTER of most worth, to most worthy minds is most worthily presented. What matter in worth may compare with divine meditation? What mind more worthy honour, than the heavenly inclined? And whose mind more truly worthy of that blessed title, than your Ladyship's? I would there were many; but I know too few. Being then in that excellent sense truly yourself; whom, for more worth than I will speak of, the wise admire, the learned follow, the virtuous love, and the honest serve: vouchsafe me leave, among those poor people that being thrown from the world look only

towards heaven and heavenly graces, to lay before your eyes a divine humour of a ravished soul: which being above itself carried into the heavenly meditations of the mercies of the Almighty, by the blessing of his Holy Spirit, hath brought such fruits of praise, as I hope will be pleasing to your good favour. To the 'honour of whose commandment, avowing the duty of my heart's service, in all humble thankfulness for your bountiful undeserved goodness, praying for your eternal happiness, I take my leave.

Your Ladyship's in all humbleness,

NICHOLAS BRETON.

TO THE READER.

YOU, that with a zealous love of religion, with an indifferent regard of learning, and without disdain of poetry, will vouchsafe to bestow a little time in the perusing of this little volume of verses; it may be, you will not repent you of your labour, nor think much of your cost: but, when you have once read it over, perhaps begin it again, and end it without weariness. If you note it well, you may find matter of comfort, and nothing to the contrary: God truly glorified in his manifold blessings; and man greatly blessed, that being endued with his graces, by faith taketh hold of his mercies; the Atheists confounded in their follies, and the virtuous blessed in their election. This if you find not, blame either yourself or me. But if you note what I write, much good do you in the reading, and God increase you in his blessing. And so, in the best nature of love, leaving you to the joy of the best life, I end.

Your friend,

NICHOLAS BRETON.

IN AUCTORE.M.

Two hopeful Twins, joint issues of one brain,

A ravish'd Soul, and longing Spirit sends

Into your bosom's high and heavenly train,

That are Wit's kinsmen, and the Muse's friends.
Embrace them, love them, and with Judgment's view
Eye them. Believe me, Reader, thou shalt find
Their limbs well measur'd, and proportions true;
No part dissenting from their perfect kind:
Only the fashion sits not on their clothes,

To make them sightly to fantastic eyes.
Pallas, not Venus, did the work dispose,
Cutting their garments from Angelic skies.

Plain is their habit, yet divine and sweet;
Fit for the wise, but for the wisest meet.

H. T. GENT.

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