Abuses Stripped and Whipped, To the reader
To the Reader.
REaders; I speake to you that hauehave vnderstanding; when these first fruits of my conuerted Muses, shall come to your iudicious censures, Do not look for Spencers, or Daniels wel composed numbers; or the deep conceits of now florishing Iohnson; no; say tis honest plain matter, & there's as much as I look for. If I hauehave seem'd to err in any thing suppose me not so obstinate, or wel conceited of my own opinions, but that I may be perswaded by any that shal produce stronger reasons to the contrary. If any thing may seeme to hauehave a doubtfull interpretation, assure your selues the honestest meaning in it is mine, and although some may think I hauehave not so wel ioyned things together as I might hauehave done, I know whē you hauehave considered the nature of the Subiect, & the diuersity of things therin hādled, you wil accept my good wil & let my yeeres be an excuse for that & al other ignorant ouer-sights whatsoeuer. Some no doubt will mistake my plainnes, in that I hauehave so bluntly spoken what I hauehave obserued, without any Poeticall additions or fained Allegories, I am sorry I hauehave not pleased them therein, but should hauehave been more sorry if I had displeased my selfe in doing otherwise; for I know if I had wrapt vp vy meaning, in dark riddles, I should hauehave been more applauded and lesse vnderstood, which I nothing desire. I neither feare nor shame to speake the Trurh, and therefore hauehave nakedly thrust it forth without a couering. To what end were it, if I (as some do) had appareld my mind in darke Parables, that few or none might hauehave vnderstood mee? I should doe better to be silent; but if it be more in request I may hereafter be obscure enough, yet in this tis not my meaning, for indeed, if I knew how, my desire is to be so plaine, that the bluntest Iobernole might vnderstand mee. Our Grand-villaines care not for a secret ierk; well wee may shew an honest wit in couertly nipping them; but either 'tis in vaine cause they perceiue it not, or else ridiculous, seeing they only vnderstand it who will but either malice or flout vsus for our labors. Many may dislike the harshnes of the Verse but you know, although it be not stately, yet it we enough befits the matter, and whereas I may seem blame-worthy in mixing Diuinity with Humanity: yet when you hauehave found my generall ayme; considered with what reuerent respect I hauehave done it, and what commendable authorities I may hauehave for it, I nothing misdoubt your approbation. Those things which concerne my selfe, may seeme childish, nothing pleasing, but you must consider I had a care to please my selfe aswel as others; and if the World blame mee as to sawcy with her, 'tis for want of manners, but her owne fault, that would allow mee no better education. To bee briefe, if I hauehave any way offended I am so well perswaded you wil mildly conster my errors and infirmities, that I rest wholly, and onelyonly on your sound and incorrupted Iudgements.
*But*
Readers; I meane you that are no more but Readers; I make no question if this book come to your spelling, it will hauehave many halting verses, and disioynted sentenses: for I hauehave had experience of your insufficiencie: yet hauehave I striu'd to bee for your sakes I tell you (because I would if it were possible bee vnderstood) as plaine (as they say) as a pack-saddle, and now the doubt is then fooles will ride me. If they doe certainly, I shall be rough & vneasie for their tendernes. Though you vnderstand them not yet because you see this wants some fine Phrases & flourishes, as you find other mens writings stuft withal, perhaps you wil iudge me vnlearned. Wel; and right enough. Yet you will be counted but saucy Coblers to go beyond your Lasts. And if that be a fault did not the subiect and your ignorances, require me to be in that sort faulty? I could with ease hauehave amended it, for it cost me (I protest) more labour to obserue this plainenesse then if I had more Poetically trim'd ii, but for feare if I speake much, I confound your Memories, I will say no more but this, Read and welcome, but Censure not, for your iudgement is weake and I vtterly renounce it.
Valete George Wither.