AND CRESSIDA:: OR, Truth found too late: A TRAGEDY. As it is Acted at the DUKE'S THEATRE. To which is Prefix'd, A PREFACE Con- Rectius, Iliacum carmen deducis in actus, Hor. Printed in the Year MDCCXVII. English maties 8-14-30 22400 To the Right Honourable ROBERT, Earl of SUNDERLAND, Principal Secretary of State, One of His Majefty's moft Honourable Privy-Council, &c. My LORD, INCE I cannot promife you much Poetry in my Play, 'tis but reasonable that I fhou'd fecure you from any Part of it in my Dedication. And indeed I cannot better diftinguish the Exactness of your Tafte from that of other Men, than by the Plainnefs and Sincerity of my Addrefs. I must keep my Hyperboles in Re ferve for Men of other Understandings: An hungry Appetite after Praife, and a strong Digeftion of it, will bear the Groffness of that Diet: But one of fo.critical a Judgment as your Lordfhip who can fet the Bounds of just and proper A 4 in in every Subject, would give me finall Encouragement for fo bold an Undertaking. I more than fufpect, my Lord, that you wou'd not do common Juftice to your felf: And therefore, were I to give that Character of you, which I think you truly merit, I wou'd make my Appeal from your Lordship to the Reader, and wou'd juftify my felf from Flattery by the publick Voice, whatever Proteftation you might enter to the contrary. But I find I am to take other Measures with your Lordship; I am to stand upon my Guard with you, and to approach you as warily as Horace did Auguftus. Cui male fi palpere, recalcitrat undique tutus. An ill-tim'd, or an extravagant Commendation, wou'd not pafs upon you: But you wou'd keep off fuch a Dedicator at Arms-end; and fend him back with his Encomiums, to this Lord, or that Lady, who ftood in Need of fuch triffling Merchandife. You fee, my Lord, what an Awe you have upon me, when I dare not offer you that Incenfe, which wou'd be acceptable to other Patrons: But am forc'd to curb my felf, from afcribing to you thofe Honours, which even an Enemy cou'd not deny you. Yet I must confefs I never practis'd that Virtue of Moderation (which is properly your Character) with fo much Reluctancy as now. For it hinders me from being true to my own Knowledge, in not witneffing your Worth; and deprives me of the only Means which I had left, to fhew the World that true Honour and uninterested Refpect which I have always payed you. I would fay fomewhat, if it were poffible, which might diftinguish that Veneration I have for you, from the Flatteries of thofe who adore your Fortune. But the Eminence of your Condition, |