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The Iron Age

Contayning the Rape of Hellen : The Siege of Troy : The Combate betwixt Hector and Aiax : Hector and Troilus slayne by Achilles : Achilles slaine by Paris : Aiax and Vlisses contend for the Armour of Achilles : The Death of Ajax, &c
  
  
  
  
To my VVorthy and much Respected Friend, Mr. Thomas Hammon, of Grayes Inne Esquire.
  

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To my VVorthy and much Respected Friend, Mr. Thomas Hammon, of Grayes Inne Esquire.

Sir,

If the noble Scholler Nichod. Friseelimus, thought that his labour in Transferring six of Aristophanes his Comedies, out of the Originall Greeke into the Roman tongue, was worthy to be dedicated to six seueral, the most eminent Princes of his time, for Learning and Iudgement: Thinke it then no disparagment to you, to vndertake as well the Patronage, perusall of this Poem: Which as it exceedes the strict limits of the ancient Comedy (then in vse) informe, so it transcends them many degrees; both in the fulnesse of the Sceane, and grauity of the Subject.

The History whereon it is grounded, hauing beene the selected Argument of many exquisite Poets: For what the Pen of note, in one page or other



hath not remembered Troy, and bewayl'd the sacke, and subuersion of so illustrious a Citty: Which, although it were scituate in Asia, yet out of her ashes hath risen, two of the rarest Phœnixes in Europe, namely London and Rome. Sir my acquaintance with your worth, and knowledge of your iudgement, were the chiefe motiues, inducing me to select you before many others: accept it, I intreate you, as fauourably as hee exposeth it willingly, who as he hath antecedently long, so futurely euer,

Shall remayne yours: Thomas Heywood.