Nuptial Poems, Title page – To the reader
EPITHALAMIA: OR NVPTIALL POEMS VPONUPON THE MOST BLESSED AND HAPPIE MARIAGE BETWEENE the High and Mightie Prince FREDERICK the fifth, Count Palatine of the Rhein, Duke of Bauier, &c.
AND THE MOST VERTVOVS, GRACIOVS AND THRICE EXCELLENT PRINCESSE, ELIZABETH, SOLE Daughter to our dread Soueraigne, IAMES by the grace of God King of Great Britaine, France and Ireland, defender of the Faith, &c.
CELEBRATED AT WHITE-HALL the fourteenth of Februarie, 1612.
Written by GEORGE WITHER.
AT LONDON, Imprinted for Edward Marchant, and are to be sold at his shop ouer against the Crosse in Pauls Churchyeard. 1612.
TO THE ALL-VER TVOVS AND THRICE EXCELLENT PRINCESSE, ELIZABETH, SOLE DAVGHTER TO OVR DREAD SOVERAIGNE, IAMES BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF GREAT BRITANE, FRANCE AND IRELAND, &c.
AND WIFE TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTIE PRINCE, FREDERICK THE FIFTH, COVNT PALATINE OF THE RHEIN, DVKE OF BAVIER, &c. ELECTOR AND ARCH-SEWER TO THE SACRED ROMAN EMPIRE, DVRING THE VACANCIE VICAR OF THE SAME, AND KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONORABLE ORDER OF THE GARTER:
GEORGE WITHER WISHETH ALL THE HEALTH, IOYES, HONOVRS AND FELICITIES OF THIS WORLD IN THIS LIFE, AND THE PERFECTIONS OF ETERNITIE IN THE WORLD TO COME.
To the Christian Readers.
REaders; for that in my booke of Satyricall Essayes, I hauehave been deemed ouer Cynicall; to shew, that I am not wholy inclined to that Vaine: But indeed especially, out of the louelove which in duty I owe to those incomparable Princes, I hauehave in honor of their Royall Solemnities, Published these short Epithalamiaes. By which you may perceaue, (how euer the world thinke of me) I am not of such a Churlish Constitution, but I can afford Vertue her deserued honor; and hauehave as well an affable looke to encourage Honestie; as a sterne frowne to cast on Villanie; If the times would suffer me, I could be as pleasing as others; and perhaps ere long I will make you amends for my former rigor; Meane while I commit this vntounto your censures; and bid you farewell.
G. W.