To his GRACE
CHARLES
Duke of
SOMERSET.
My LORD,
I Dare appeal to that Learned University,
that at present enjoys
the Honor of being under Your Graces Patronage, to justifie me in
presenting these
Remains of their ever Celebrated COWLEY to
your Graces
Protection. I have long had the Ambition of Addressing some part of
my Endeavours to
your Grace, that might come recommended to a following Age, by
being devoted to a
Patron that was the Glory and Ornament of his own. But while
I despair'd of performing what could merit Encouragement from a
Person of your Graces
Worth and Honor, I was obliged to Fortune, for this Opportunity of
gratifying my Wishes
in a way that renders my Application a just Homage and Duty, that
otherwise had been
Presumption. The best Products of my Invention must have proved too
mean an Offering
for your Graces Acceptance: But coming embarqu'd in
COWLEY's rich Bottom, laden with the Treasures
of his Divine Fancy, I can with the
more assurance approach your Altar. The Author sufficiently obliged
the World with his
Latin Original of this Work, and how he would have approved the
Translation here
attempted, I must leave others to determine; but am certain, that
if he had lik'd the
Undertaking, he would consequently have allowed me in ascribing
this Version to the
Illustrious Duke of SOMERSET. I dare not
attempt your Graces
Character which would have been a proportioned Task for the mighty
Genius of
Cowley himself; I will only presume to say (and
have all Mankind to
abet me) that your Grace is accomplish'd with all those noble
Qualifications which his
elevated Muse would have chosen to celebrate. Virtue and Honor were
the Themes he
delighted in, and would have been transported to have seen in his
own Age and Climate an
Example that might compare with the most noble of the Ancient
Romans.
Besides the Advantages of Birth and Quality,
your Grace is endow'd with
such greatness of Soul, such Piety of Mind, such Generosity of
Temper, with all those
Charms of condescending Goodness and Courtesie, as have even in
your blooming Years
procur'd you an universal Love and Admiration. It is upon these
Accounts that the Muses
claim a share in your Favour. It has in all times been the Province
of the most worthy to
patronize Wit and Learning.
Carmen amat quisquis carmine dignus. [Claudian,
De consulatu Stilichonis 3
praef. 5]
It is from thence I am encouraged (at least, in behalf
of my Fellow-Undertakers) to entitle your Grace to the Version of
this Latin Volumn, which
we hope is not so much dispirited by the Transfusion, but that a
modest Censure may in a
manner allow it to be COWLEY's
still. Could
we have done him
that Right which he performed to the best of the Latin Poets, it
might confidently take
Sanctuary under your Graces Name. However I may conclude my self
safer in this
Translation than in any Original which I was capable of designing.
I proposed in setting
forward this Work, that every English Man, as far as was possible,
should be master of their
beloved COWLEY
entire; and hope your Grace
will approve my
Zeal, if not the performance: At least, I will have recourse to
that Indulgence you never fail
of extending to your Petitioners, and beg the Honour of subscribing
my self, with all
sincerity,
Your GRACE's
Most Devoted Humble Servant,
N. Tate
