TO THE Right Honourable JOHN, Viscount Fitz-Harding, Master of the HORSE to Her Royal Highness, &c.
My LORD,
Rome
, once Mistress of the World, her Nobles govern'd
Tributary Nations, the Business and the Fate
of Mankind was theirs, yet they found leisure Hours
to entertain and encourage Poetry; and the greatest Heroes
were the Muses greatest Patrons; nor has their glorious Conquests,
nor their stately Monuments, made their Memories so
immortal, as the grateful Pens of these they favour'd and protected.
This Example of their Indulgence gives me boldness
to interrupt your Lordship, whose more important Affairs must
engross your Time. And tho' the Comparison will not hold,
when I reflect on the Meaness of this Trifle, and the worth of
their elaborate Works, yet the Characters agree. Such Greatness
of Soul, and such moral Virtues reigned in them, as we
now see conspicuous in your Lordship. The Parallel may justly
be carry'd on, and the
English Court for Politeness and refin'd
Gallantry vye with, if not outshine the
Roman: In that
noble Circle your Lordship hath from your Youth appear'd, and
given as well as receiv'd Lustre from thence. There yet remains
and
Encomium due to our Nobility, exceeding in Sweetness of
Temper all foreign Courts, which renders them belov'd by their
Inferiors. This Condescension, which blesses distant Admirers,
and takes off the Dread of approaching, is in a double Portion
posses'd by my Lord
Fitz-harding. It is on this I ought to insist,
since 'tis on this I depend for a Pardon of this Presumption;
tho' I hope it may help to excuse me, when I say, the Play is
not wholly mine, because I thought it done and revised by
abler Hands, and therefore fitter to lay at your Lordships Feet:
The Success answered my Expectation, and this Honour fulfills
the Ambition of
My LORD,
Your Lordships most Humble
and most Obedient Servant,
Mary Pix.
