TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUTCH E S S. MADAM, A FTER having a great while wish'd to write fomething that might be worthy to lay at your Highness's Feet, and finding it impoffible: Since the World has been fo kind to me to judge of this Poem to my Advantage, as the moft pardonable Fault which I have made in its kind; I had finn'd against myfelf, if I had not chofen this Opportunity to implore (what my Ambition is most fond of) Your Favour and Protection. I dare not think of offering any thing in this Addrefs, that might look like a Panegyrick, for fear, left when I have done my beft, the World should condemn me, for faying too little, and you yourself check me, for medling with a Task unfit for my Talent. For the Description of Virtues and Perfections fo rare as Yours are, ought to be done by as deliberate, as skilful a Hand; the Features must be drawn very fine, to be like; hafty dawbing will but fpoil the Pic-ture, and make it fo unnatural, as muft want falfe Lights to fet it off: And your Virtue can receive no more Luftre from Practices, than your Beauty can be improv'd by Art; which as it charms the braveft Prince that ever amaz'd the World with his Virtue: So, let but all other Hearts enquire into themselves, and then judge, how it ought to be prais'd. Your Love too, as none but that great Hero, who has it, could deserve it, and therefore, by a particular Lot from Heaven, was deftin'd to fo extraordinary a Bleffing, fo matchlefs for its felf, and fo wondrous for its Conftancy, fhall be remember'd to Your Immortal Honour, when all other Tranfactions of the Age You live in fhall be forgotten. But I forget that I am to ask Pardon for the Fault I have been all this while Committing A 4 mitting. Wherefore I beg Your Highness to forgive me this Prefumption, and that You will be pleas'd to think well of one who cannot help refolving with all the Actions of Life, to endeavour to deferve it: Nay more, I would beg, and hope it may be granted, that I may through Yours never want an Advocate in his Favour, whofe Heart and Mind You have fo entire a Share in; it is my only Portion and my Fortune, I cannot but be happy fo long as I have but hopes I may enjoy it, and I must be miferable, should it ever be my ill Fate to lofe it. This with Eternal Wishes for Your Royal Highness's Content, Happiness, and Prosperity, in all Humility is prefented by Your most obedient and devoted fervant, THO. OTWAY. |