To the Reader

Worthies to Praise is a Praise worthy thing; Christ did it; and will do it! And to Sing The Elogyes of Saints departed in The Rhythm of Elegyes, has alwayes been Esteemed Reason! David bids me go My Christian Reader! and like him do so.

Cotton Embalms great Hooker; Norton Him; And Norton's Herse do's Poet-Wilson trim With Verses: Mitchel writes a Poem on The Death of Wilson; And when Mitchel's gone, Shepard with fun'ral Lamentations gives Honour to Him: and at his Death receives The like from the [like-Maro] Lofty Strain Of admirable Oakes! I should be vain To thrust into that gallant Chorus: Pride Ne'er made mee such an Icharus: I cry'd Of good Exemples [Ahimaaz his Thought] How if I should run after them? And brought These as a Pattern, and a Plea for what I do; that my cross Reader blame me not.

But why so late? my Naenia's some will deem Both out of Time, and Tune! To some I seem Grief's Resurrection to essay; and bee Just like the Trojans who came late to see And sorrow with Tiberius!—Only this Shall be Reply'd! The fond Bookseller is Now guilty of this Paper's ravishment When long supprest: Give him thy Discontent! Since Oakes (as Homer) has all Places Claim; Let Boston too forget its Anagram!