To her Royal Highness, the Duchess.

Madam,

Poets, however they may be modest otherwise, have always too good an opinion of what they write. The world when it sees this play dedicated to your Royal Highness, will conclude, I have more than my share of that vanity. But, I hope, the honour I have of belonging to you will excuse my presumption. It is the first thing I have produced in your service and my duty obliges me to what my choice durst not else have aspired.

I am very sensible, Madam, how much it is beholding to your indulgence, for the success it had in the acting and your protection will be no less fortunate to it in the printing; for all are so ambitious of making their court to you, that none can be severe to what you are pleased to favour.

This universal submission and respect is due to the greatness of your rank and birth, but you have other illustrious qualities, which are much more engaging. Those would but dazzle, did not these really charm the eyes and understandings of all who have the happiness to approach you.

Authors on these occasions are never wanting to publish a particular of their patron’s virtues and perfections, but your Royal Highness’s are so eminently known that did I follow their examples, I should but paint those wonders here of which everyone already has the idea in his mind. Besides, I do not think it proper to aim at that in prose, which is so glorious a subject for verse, in which hereafter if I show more zeal than skill, it will not grieve me much, since I less passionately desire to be esteemed a poet, than to be thought,

Madam,

Your Royal Highness’s most humble, most obedient and most faithful servant,

George Etheredge.