To the right honourable and much esteemed for her high birth, but more admired for her virtue, the lady Katherine Stanhope, wife to Philip Lord Stanhope, baron of Shelford.

Madam, if I were not most assured that works of this nature hath found both patronage and protection amongst the greatest princesses of Italy and are at this day cherished by persons most eminent in our kingdom, I should not presume to offer this my weak and imperfect labours at the altar of your favour. Let the example of others more knowing and more experienced in this kind, if my boldness offend, plead my pardon and the rather since there is no other means left me, my misfortunes having cast me on this course to publish to the world, if it hold the least good opinion of me, that I am ever your Ladyship’s creature vouchsafe therefore with the never sailing clemency of your noble disposition, not to condemn the tender of his duty, who while he is, will ever be

An humble servant to your Ladyship and yours,

Philip Massinger.