To the most excellent and high-born lady, the Lady Catherine, marchioness of Dorchester, etc.

Madam,

I believe, no discerning reader will question my judgement in point of election, nor accuse my election of much presumption in dedicating this princely new piece to your Ladyship.

Touching the first, the fancy coming from that country which doth challenge as much interest in your illustrious blood as England, I humbly conceived it might well become your Ladyship to be patroness thereof.

Touching the second reason, it having been not only represented but acted so many times (and reserved yet for entertaining Pimentel, the Spanish ambassador) by a great king in person, with such a number of princes, princesses, nobles and above a hundred representations besides, so that the charge of the scene and shows amounted to half a million of French livres. But above all, it being an invention so cried up, so well contrived and traced, so full of wit and variety of musical airs, with other gentillesses, I deemed it would be a thing not unworthy of your Ladyship’s private entertainment.

Lastly, Madam, the fancy being so fresh and suitable to the season, it comes to usher in a happy and healthful spring to your honour, attended with affluences of all felicity present and future, according to the humble and pregnant votes of

My most highly honoured Lady,

Your thrice-obedient and devoted servitor

James Howell.

The first of May 1654.