Page:The Tragedy of the Duchesse of Malfy (1623).pdf/3

Fleuron from first edition of 'The Tragedy of the Duchesse of Malfy' by John Webster (1623)

❧ TO THE RIGHT
HONORABLE, GEORGE
HARDING, Baron Barkeley, of Barkeley
Castle and Knight of the Order of the Bathe
To the Illustrious Prince Charles.

 

My Noble Lord,

HAT I may present my excuse why, (being a stranger to your Lordshippe) I offer this Poem to your Patronage, I plead this warrant; Men (who never saw the Sea, yet desire to behold that regiment of waters,) choose some eminent River, to guide them thither; and make that as it were, their Conduct, or Postilion: By the like ingenious meanes, has your fame arrived at my knowledge, receiving it from some of worth, who both in contemplation, and practise, owe to your Honor their clearest service. I do not altogether looke up at your Title: The ancien'st Nobility, being but a rellique of time past, and the truest Honor indeede beeing for a man to conferre Honor on himselfe, which your Learning strives topropagate,