RIGHT HONORABLE AND OTHERS WHAT-
SOEVER, WHO LIVING LOVED HIM,
AND BEING DEAD GIVE HIM
HIS DVE.
To the Right Honourable Robert
Deuorax, Earle of Essex and Ewe, Viscount
Hereford, and Bourghchier, Lorde Ferrers of Chartley,
Bourghchier and Louaine, Maister of the Queenes Maie-
sties Horse, and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter:
Is wished, the perfection of all happinesse, and tryumphant
felicitie in this life, and in the worlde
to come.
When I had determined (Right honorable) to dedicate this Booke, to the euerlyuing vertues of that matchlesse Knight Syr Phillip Sydney; me thought that I could not finde out a more Noble personage then your selfe, and more fit, to patronize, shield, and defende my dutie to the deade, then your Honour, whose greatnes is such, and vertues of that power, as who so commendeth them, deserueth not to be accounted a flatterer, but he that doth not the same, may be thought an
[v] euill willer. Hovv your Honor vvill accept hereof, I make no doubt, because that curtesie attendeth vpon true nobilitie; but my humble request is, that your Honor may not thinke of me (by the tytle of the Booke,and some part of the discourse) as if I vvere amorous, and did speake according to my ovvne passions, for I beeing restrained of my liberty, and helde in the graue of obliuion, where I still as yet remaine, oppressed with Melancholie, and wearied vvith deeper studies, I vvas glad to beguile the time with these conceits, anothomising in them, the vanitie of this life, and vncertaintie of the delights therof, in the Dreame of Poliphilus; Which if it shall please your Honor at conuenient leysure to looke ouer, pardoning what you finde amisse, and weighing my good will, I shall thinke my selfe most happy.
And thus I humbly take my leaue, vntill that I may present your Honour, with a matter more fitting the same.