The Works of Sir John Suckling in prose and verse/To the Most Honoured and Highly Deserving the Lady Southcot

by John Suckling

TO THE
MOST HONOURED
AND HIGHLY DESERVING
THE
LADY SOUTHCOT

Though I approach with all humility in presenting these Poems to your ladyship, yet dare I not despair of their acceptation, since it were a kind of felony to offer them to any other. They come to you at so many capacities, that they seem rather to return and rebound back to you, as the famous Arcadia was sent to that excellent Lady, who was sister to that great author. Your ladyship best knows, that I now bring the last Remains of your incomparable brother, Sir John Suckling. And, as here are all the world must ever hope for, so here are nothing else but his, not a line but what at first flow'd from him, and will soon approve itself to be too much his to be alter'd or supplied by any other hand; and sure he were a bold man had thoughts to attempt it. After which 'twould be high presumption in me to say more, but that

I am
(Madam)
Your Ladyship's most obliged, and
Most obedient humble servant,
Hum: Moseley.