OF Mr. John Milton, BOTH ENGLISH and LATIN, Printed by his true Copies. The SONGS were set in Musick by Mr. HENRY LAWES Gentleman of the KINGS Chappel, and one of His MAIESTIES Private Musick. Baccare frontem Cingite, ne vati noceat mala lingua futuro, Printed and publish'd according to LONDON, Printed by Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Meseley, and are to be fold at the figne of the Princes Armsin S. Pauls Church-yard. 1645. UPON Several Occasions. BY Mr. 70HN MILTON: BothENGLISH and LATIN, &c. Composed at several times. With a small Tractate of EDUCATION To Mr. HARTLIB LONDON, Printed for The.Dring at the Blew Anchor next Mitre Court over against Fetter Lane in Fleet-street. 1673. THE STATIONER TO THE READER. It is not any private respect of gain, Gentle Reader, for the slightest Pamphlet is now adayes more vendible then the Works of learnedest men ; but it is the love I have to our own Language that hath made me diligent to collect, and set forth such Peeces both in Prose and Vers as may renew the wonted honour and esteem of our English tongue : and it's the worth of these both English and Latin Poems, not the flourish of any prefixed encomions that can invite thee to buy them, though these are not without the highest Commendations and Applause of the learnedst Academicks, both domestick and forrein: And amongst those of our own Countrey, the unparallel'd attestation of that renowned Provost of Eaton, Sir Henry Wootton: I know not thy palat how it relishes such dainties, nor how harmonious thy soul is ; perhaps more trivial Airs may please thee better. But howsoever thy opinion is spent upon these, that incouragement I have already received from the most ingenious men in their clear and courteous entertainment of Mr. Wallers late choice Peeces, hath once more made me adventure into the World, presenting it with these ever-green, and not to be blasted Laurels. The Authors more peculiar excellency in these studies, was too well known to conceal his Papers, or to keep me from attempting to sollicit them from him. Let the event guide it self which way it will, I shall deserve of the age, by bringing into the Light as true a Birth, as the Muses have brought forth since our famous Spencer wrote ; whose Poems in these English ones are as rarely imitated, as sweetly excell'd. Reader, if thou art Eagle-eied to censure their worth, I am not fearful to expose them to thy exactest perusal. Thine to command HUMPH. MOSELEY. |