Fair-Virtue the Mistress of Philarete, Title page – To the reader
FAIRE-VIRTVE, THE MISTRESSE OF PHIL'ARETE. Written by George Wither.
Catul. Carm. xv▪
—nihil veremur
Istos, qui inplatea, mod… huc, modo illuc
I… re pretereunt sua occupati.
LONDON, Printed for Iohn Grismand. M.DC.XXII.
THE STATIONER TO THE READER.
THis, being one of the Authours first Poems, was composed many yeares agone; and vnknown to him, gotten out of his custodie by an acquaintance of his. And comming lately to my hands without a Name, it was thought to hauehave so much resemblance of the Maker, that many, vponupon the first sight, vndertooke to guesse who was Author of it: And, perswaded that it was likely also, to become profitable both to them, and mee.
Whereupon, I got it authorised, according to Order: intending to publish it, without further inquiry. But, attaining by chance a more perfect knowledge to whom it most properly belonged: I thought it fitting to acquaint him therewithall. And did so; desiring also, both his good will to publish the same, and leaue to passe it vnderunder his Name. Both which, I found him very vnwilling to permit; least the seeming lightnesse of such a Subiect, might somewhat disparage, the more serious Studies, which he hath since vndertaken.
Yet, doubting (this being got out of his Custod…) some imperfecter Coppies might hereafter be scattered abroad in writing, or, be vnknowne to him, imprinted: He was pleased (vponupon my importunities) to condescend that it might be published, without his Name. And his words were these.
When (said he) I first composed it, I well liked thereof; and it well enough became my yeares: but now, I neither like, nor dislike it. That (therefore) it should be di…ulged, I desire not: and whether it be, or whether (if it happen so) it bee approoued or no, I care not. For this I am sure of: howsoeuer it be valued; it is worth as much as I prize it at: likely it is also to be as beneficial to the World, as the World hath been to me; and will be more then those who like it not, euer deserued at my hands.
These were his speeches: And (if you looked for a Prologue; thus much he wished me to tell you, in stead thereof: because (as he sayd) hee himselfe had somewhat else to doe. Yet, (to acknowledge the truth) I was so earnest with him, that, as busie as he would seeme to be, I got him to write this Epistle for me: And hauehave therunto set my Name. Which, he wished me to confesse: Partly, to auoid the occasion of belying my Inuention; and partly, because hee thought some of you would suppose so much.
I entreated him, to explaine his meaning, in certaine obscure passages. But, he told me, how that were to take away the employment of his Interpreters: Whereas, he would purposely, leaue somewhat remaining doubtfull, to see what Sir POLITICKE WOVLDBEE, and his Companions could picke out of it.
I desired him also, to set downe, to what good purposes, this Poeme would serue. But his Reply was: How, that would bee well enough found out, in the perusing, by all such as had honest vnderstandings: and they who are not so prouided; hee hopes will not read it. More, I could not get from him.
Whether therefore, this MISTRESSE OF PHIL'ARETE, bee really a Woman, shaddowed vnderunder the name of VIRTVE: or VIRTVE onelyonly, whose louelinesse is represented by the Beautie of an excellent Woman: Or, whether it meane both together; I cannot tell you. But, thus much I dare promise for your money: that, heere, you shall find familiarly expressed, both such Beauties as young men, are most intangled withall; and and the excellency also of such, as are most worthy their affection. That, seeing both impa…tially set foorth, by him that was capable of both, they might the better settle their louelove on the best.
Heereby also, those Women, who desire to bee truely beloued, may know what makes them, so to be. And, seeke to acquire those accomplishments of the Mind, which may endeare them, when the sweetest Features of a beautifull Face, shall bee conuerted into Deformities. And, here is described, that Louelinesse of theirs, which is the principall obiect of wanton affection, to no worse end: but, that those, who would neuer hauehave lookt on this Poeme (if Virtue and Goodnesse, had beene therein, no otherwise represented, then as they are obiects of the Soule) might, where they expected the satisfaction of their sensualitie onelyonly; meet with that also, which would insinaute into them, an apprehension of more reasonable, and most excellent perfections. Yea, whereas, the common opinion of Youth hath been; that, onelyonly old men, and such as are vnable, or past delighting in a bodily louelinesse, are those who are best capable of the Mindes perfections: And, that they doe therefore so much preferre them before the other; because their Age, or stupiditie hath depriued them of being sensible what pleasures they yeelde. Though, this be the vulger errour; yet, here it shal appeare, that he, who was able to conceiue the most excellent pleasingnesse, which could be apprehended in a Corporall Beautie; found it (euen when he was most enamour'd with it) far short of that vnexpressible sweetnes, which he discouered in a virtuous and well-tempered Disposition. And if this bee not worth your money, keepe it.
IOHN MARRIOT.