Printed for G. RISK at Shakespear's-Head, G. and To Her Royal Highness the PRINCESS. MADAM, T HAT high Station, which by Your Birth You hold above the People, exacts from every one, as a Duty, whatever Honours they are capable of paying to Your Royal Highness: But that more exalted Place, to which Your Virtues have rais'd You, above the reft of Princes, makes the Tribute of our Admiration and Praise, rather a Choice more immediately preventing that Duty. The Publick Gratitude is ever founded on a Publick Benefit; and what is univerfally Blefs'd, is always an universal Bleffing. Thus from Yourself we derive the Offerings which we bring; and that Incense which arifes to Your Name only returns to its Original, and but narally requites the Parent of its Being. From hence it is that this Poem, conftituted on a Moral, whofe End is to recommend and to encourage Virtue, of confequence has recourse to Your Royal Highness's Patronage; afpiring to caft itself beneath your Feet, and declining Approbation, 'till You fhall cordefcend to own it, and vouchfafe to shine upon it as on a Creature of Your Influence. 'Tis from the Example of Princes that Virtue becomes a Fashion in the People, for even they who are averfe to Inftruction, will yet be fond of Imitation. But there are Multitudes, who never can have Means nor Opportunities of fo near an Accefs, as to partake of the Benefit of fuch Examples. And to thefe, Tragedy, which diftinguishes it felf from the Vulgar Poetry by the Dignity of its Characters, may be of Use and Information. For they who are at that Distance from original Greatness, as to be depriv'd of the Happiness of contemplating the Perfections and real Excellencies of Your Royal Highness's Person in Your Court, may yet behold fome fmall Sketches and Imagings of the Virtues of Your Mind, abftracted and represented on the Theatre, Thus Poets are inftructed, and inftruct; not alone by Precepts which perfuade, but also by Examples which illuftrate. Thus is Delight interwoven with Inftruction; when not only Virtue is prescribed, but also represented. But if we are delighted with the Liveliness of a feign'd Reprefentation of Great and Good Perfons and their Actions, how muft we be charm'd with beholding the Perfons themfelves? If one or two excelling Qualities, bare. ly touch'd in the fingle Action and small Com pafs of a Play, can warm an Audience, with à Concern and Regard even for the feeming Succefs and Profperity of the Actor; with what what Zeal muft the Hearts of all be fill'd, for the continued and encreating Happiness of thofe who are the true and iving Inflances of elevated and perfifting Virtue? Even the vicious themselves must have a fecret Veneration for thofe peculiar Graces and Endowments, which are daily fo eminently confpicuous in Your Royal Highness; and though repining, feel a Pleafure which in fpite of Envy they per-force af prove. If in this Piece, humbly offer'd to Your Royal Highness, there fhall appear the Refemblance of any of thofe many Excellencies which You fo promifcuoufly poffefs, to be drawn fo as to merit Your leaft Approbation, it has the End and Accomplishment of its Defign. And however imperfect it may be in the Whole, through the Inexperience or Incapacity of the Author, yet if there is fo much as to convince Your Royal Highness, that a Play may be with Industry fo difpos'd (in fpite of the licentious Practice of the Modern Theatre) as to become fometimes an Innocent and not Unprofitable Entertainment; it will abundantly gratifie the Ambition, and recompenfe the Endeavours of, Your Royal Highness's Moft Obedient, and Moft humbly Devoted Servant, WILLIAM CONGREVE. |