University of Virginia Library

In Approbation of this ensuing Discourse, and the Author therof my deare friend, Maister Thomas Ravenscroft.

Arts are much alt'red from their Pristine State,
Humors and Fancies so prædominate.
Ould Artists though they were Plaine, yet were Sure,
Their Præcepts and their Principles were Pure:
But now a dayes We scarce retaine the Grounds,
W'are so Extrauagant beyond our Bounds.
Among the Rest, Musicke (that noble Art)
In this sad Elegie must beare a Part;
Whose Purity was such in times of yore,
(When Theory the Practise went before)
That then She was had in as great Esteeme
As now of Her the Vulgar basely Deeme.
Errors in Figures, Characters, and Note
Doe Now cause many Teach, and Learne by rote.
This my deare Friend doth seeke beere to amend;
Wherein he trauaild farre, great paines did spend
To right his Mother; he seekes to reduce
Her to her auntient Grounds, and former Vse,
To beate downe Common Practise, that doth range
Among the Commons, and her Præcepts change.
Heere shall you finde of Measures diuers sorts,
For Church, for Madrigalls, for sundry Sports;
Heere shall you finde true Iudgement, store of reading,
All for the Ould true Rules of Musicke pleading.
Numbers of 3. among the Meane respected
Are hence exil'd, and (worthily) reiected,
As being crept in by Custome, and Vse
Among the Vulgars, which the Wise refuse.
Much might be said more of this little Booke:
But let the Reader iudge that on't shall looke.
This of the Author onely I will say,
That in One poynt to no man he giues way;
Composing of a Song vnto some Ditty
He is so Iudicious and so Witty,
That waighing first the Nature of each Word
He findes fit Notes, that thereunto accord,
Making both Sound and Sence well to agree;
Witnesse his sundry Songs of Harmonie.
What shall I say more? this Worke I approoue,
And for his Skill, and Paines the Author loue.