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Show o vt Bgunde ACE T has been the ordinary pradtice of the French Poets to dedicate their Works of this nature totheir King efpecially when they have had the leaft encouragemen toit, by hisapprobation of them on the Stage. But confefs I want the confidence to follow their exam ple, though perhaps I have as fpecious pretences to it fo this Piece, as any they can boaft of: it having been own' in fo particular a mannerby His Majefty, that he has grac' it with the Title of His Play, and thereby refcued it fro the feverity ( that I may not fay malice ) of its Enemies But, though a charalter {o high and undeferv'd hasnot rais' in me the prefumptionto offer fucha trifle to his moft feriou view, yet [ will own the vanity to {ay, that after this glor which it has receivi fro a Soveraiga Prince, I could no fend it to feek protetion from any Subject. - Be this Poe then facred to him without the tedious form ofa Dedication and without prefuming to interrupt thofe hours which he i daily giving to the peace and fettlement of his people " For what elfe concerns this Play5 I would tell the Reade that it is regular, according to the ftricte(t of Dramati- Po t ou o mau wh c co me is da i io tha Laws, bu now defpife, anda beauty which our common Audiencesd i up fel m val d in ee Ne the not eafily difcern at wa ta ma i par s o becaufe with all that fymmetr 'Ti off i fe t wr ti g th i and fpirit (which confift b ma Au ho a wh th di pu ed " a queftion' varioufl th t A wo ks ow hi o - allowed as a competent judg tha fo may h cer ain th o Fabrick and contrivanc as wh ch ju ge en th o em lo me th pr pe i l de ep io wi ho tha an Mafter-builder may determine mo e th o ex &n f th t ac or in b whether the wor b pa te tha o Ide pe f ha t hi gr nt n ftil which he works conal ay hx fg and that he keep ad it in wi ho ju ge en hi o di co rf ‘Rant to th int rt Fa cy hi o fu ve e fal th i wh c felf-love a fuc be n gr nt Qu li ic ti n meddle in it. = Thef "h ; th m wi hi ha t pr fu po e ar all found Poet V 7 + $- & & f |