| Worthy Sir, IN this plundering age, wherein the studies of so many have been ransacked, and many papers intended for private solace and contentment have bin exposed to publike view, it is my fortune to light on the ensuing discourse: It seemed to me pitty that it should be strangled in obscurity, as conceiving it might conduce something to the delight of the Reader, for surely no ingenuous person can be so constantly serious, yea surly and Criticall, but to allow some intervalls of refreshment not onely as lawfull but necessarie. Let such morose, yea mischievous spirits pine themselves to walking Anatomies, who brand all refection of the mind by ludicrous intermissions to be unlawfull, to spare an heavier censure (which may more resent of anger) the worst I wish them is alwaies to eate their meate without sauce, and let them try whether their palate will be pleased with the gust thereof. In the following discourse there is nothing presented but sweet Flowers and herbs: I could wish it had been in the summertime, when the heate of the Sunne might have improved their fragrancie to the greatest advantage and rendred them more acceptable to the smell of the Reader: Being now sadly sensible that Autumne the Usher of Winter will abate of their sweetnesse, and present them much to their loss. Sure I am no bitter Colloquintida appeareth in this our Herball; I meane no tart and toothed reflections on any. Dull are those witts which cannot make some smile, except they make others cry, having no way to worke a delight and complacency in the Reader, save onely by gashing, wounding and abusing the credits of others. It is desired, that this discourse may but finde as much candidness as it brings, and be entertained according to his own innocency. I have heard a storie of an envious man, who had no other way to be revenged of his Neighbour, who abounded with store of Bee-hives, then by poysoning all the Flowers in his own Garden wherein his Neighbours Bees tooke their constant repast, which infection caused a generall mortality in all the winged cattell of his Neighbour. I hope none have so spleneticke a designe against this my harmelesse Treatise, as to invenome my flowers with pestilent and unintended interpretations, as if any thing more then flowers were meant in the flowers, or as if they had so deepe a root under ground, that men must mine to understand some concealed and profound mysterie therein, surely this Mythologie is a Cabinet which needeth no key to unlock it, the lid or cover lyeth open. Let me intreate you Sir to put your hand into this Cabinet, and after therein you finde what may please or content you, the same will be as much contentment unto your |
| True Friend, J. S. |