A COMEDY. Nudus agris, nudus nummis paternis, Written by Mr, CONGREVE LONDON: Printed for J. and R. TONSON in the Strand. MDCCLVI. To the Right Honourable CHARLES Earl of DORSET and MIDDLESEX, Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Houfhold, and Knight of the Moft Noble Order of the Garter, &c. My LORD, A Young Poet is liable to the fame Vanity and Indifcretion with a young Lover; and the great Man who fimiles upon one, and the fine Woman who looks kindly upon t'other, are both of 'em in Danger of having the Favour publifh'd with the first Opportunity. But there may be a different Motive, which will a little distinguish the Offenders. For tho' one fhou'd have a Vanity in ruining another's Reputation, yet the other may only have an Ambition to advance his own. And I beg Leave, my Lord, that I may plead the latter, both as the Cause and Excufe of this Dedication. 36 .9 359 1756 A 3 Who |