IF thy Patience be not too much discouraged, ad­uenture on the little Com­mon-weale of my poore thoughts. I euer rather admired then profes­sed Poetry, the necessitie of my Stu­dies, to which a higher direction [Page] then mine owne choyse hath appoin­ted mee, forbidding the one, and that delight, which beyond ordinary con­tent receiued in all sorts of Lear­ning, hath beene presented to me in this, occasioning the other: yet haue I, as my leasure gaue me leaue, ta­ken to my selfe in this idlenesse that reliefe, which in other varietie most doe thinke they may iustly vse. I know some whose credit hath chal­lenged respect exceeding strong in preiudice against the composing and reading such trifles, yet the ex­cellency of diuers in this kinde, com­mended [Page] by others, whom I haue no warrant to distrust, makes my small experience thinke, that some Muses, like Silke-wormes, spinne a fine threed for necessary vse, as many like Spiders curious webs for vn­profitable admiration. His censure who affirmed the reading of Ama­dis du Gaule as dangerous to youth, as of Macciauel pernitious to old men, was, as the Author, truly gene­rous; yet I presume it extends not to all which without proclaiming ti­tle to wisdome and iudgement, seeme rais'd or fashioned by imagination. [Page] There is, who hath vndertaken to illustrate by places of the Arcadia, all the points of the Art of speak­ing: I will adde (which is as much as Achilles his Father desired Chi­ron should teach his Sonne) hee is rude that cannot discerne, or ex­ceeding austere that scornes to ob­serue therein, worthy behauiour and carriage both in priuate and common businesse: And one as vnderstanding in the Pollicie of Letters and Peace, as La Noue was experienced in the Discipline of Armes, and a trou­bled State, by exquisite vnfolding of [Page] some fabulous Stories, makes it plaine, that the Cesternes of these times, deriue the fulnes of their wis­dome, by no other conueyance then such narrations, from the purer springs of all antiquitie. To whom he had yeelded his assent; who, imploy­ing his faithfull labours in teaching to beleeue, I know had care he might not be disprou'd, and farther graceth Poetry, with the choise appellation of the Soules vvoing-Suite; in which diuers (their excellencie carrying them higher) haue shewed their thoughts not vnfit for solemne, yea [Page] Sabaoth deuotions. And truely, they who will be pleas'd to credit our owne tongue, and age, may finde our pre­sent, and later Poets, capable of that commendation, which was giuen the antienst among the Greekes: That if their writings were preserued, no part of Learning should wholy pe­rish. Spencer, hauing as well de­liuered Morall, and Heroicall matter for vse and action, as Du Bartas (now ours) Naturall and Diuine, for study and meditation. I would not diminish the worthy reputation of other Volumnes; for mine owne [Page] part, it being knowne to some, I haue spent time in them, I should be loth to be thought ignorant of that, which I am perswaded all that know doe well allow. But as the plaine way af­fecteth most, the neerest many, so I am sure there are some, who, had they beene shewed that which was plea­sing, would haue prooued successe­full, when they haue returned ex­ceeding empty from Systems and Commentaries.

What I haue attempted in this subiect, was long since excellently performed by Dionysius in Greeke, [Page] and diuers in Latin, whose example hath giuen me some incouragement, but no more direction then Magel­lan to Syr Francis Drake, shewing the Straights might be past, not in­structing how. Some places may seem obscure, but I intend it to those who vnderstand, or desire to know some­thing in this Argument: I haue not touched all, because I would be short, and haue vsed shortnes, as vnwilling to sweat, and make a labour of my sport, as any fastidious lookers on are quickly apt to distast satietie. As it is, Reader, I indifferently leaue it [Page] to thy discretion: what esteeme thou wilt be pleased to put on it, is in thy power, how I may valew thy esteeme remaines in mine.