Page:The Poems of John Donne - 1896 - Volume 1.djvu/49

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THE PRINTER

TO

THE UNDERSTANDERS.[1]


For this time I must speak only to you: at another, Readers may perchance serve my turn; and I think this a way very free from exception, in hope that very few will have a mind to confess themselves ignorant.

If you look for an Epistle, as you have before ordinary publications, I am sorry that I must deceive you; but you will not lay it to my charge, when you shall consider that this is not ordinary, for if I should say it were the best in this kind, that ever this kingdom hath yet seen; he that would doubt of it must go out of the kingdom to inform himself, for the best judgments within it take it for granted.

You may imagine (if it please you) that I could endear it unto you, by saying, that impor-

  1. From the edition of 1633.