TO THE MOST WORTHY DESERVER OF THE NOBLEST TITLES IN HONOUR, WILLIAM, LORD CRAVEN, BARON OF HAMSTEED-MARSHALL*. MY LORD, THE glory of a great name, acquired by a greater glory of action, hath in all ages lived the truest chronicle to his own memory. In the practice of which argument, your growth to perfection (even in youth) hath appeared so sincere, so unflattering a penman, that posterity cannot with more delight read the merit of noble endeavours, than noble endeavours merit thanks from posterity to be read with delight. Many nations, many eyes have been witnesses of your deserts, and loved them; be * William Craven, Lord Craven. He signalized himself in Germany, and in the Netherlands, under Henry, Prince of Orange; and, in 1627, was raised to the dignity of Lord Craven of Hampsteed-Marshall. He afterwards fought bravely under Gustavus Adolphus, and was wounded in the three assaults upon Kreutznach, when he was told by the Swedish monarch, “He adventured so desperately, he bid his younger brother fair play for his estate." Subsequently he was advanced to the dignities of Viscount and Earl, and served Charles I. and II. and James II. faithfully. He died, deprived of his employments by King Wil liam, April 9, 1697, aged 88 years. pleased, then, with the freedom of your own name, to admit one amongst all, particularly into the list of such as honour a fair example of nobility. There is a kind of humble ambition, not uncommendable, when the silence of study breaks forth into discourse, coveting rather encouragement than applause; yet herein censure commonly is too severe an auditor, without the moderation of an able patronage. I have ever been slow in courtship of greatness, not ignorant of such defects as are frequent to opinion: but the justice of your inclination to industry, emboldens my weakness of confidence to relish an experience of your mercy, as many brave dangers have tasted of your courage. Your Lordship strove to be known to the world, when the world knew you least, by voluntary, but excellent attempts: Like allowance I plead of be ing known to your Lordship (in this low presumption), by tendering, to a favourable entertainment, a devotion offered from a heart, that can be as truly sensible of any least respect, as ever profess the owner in my best, my readiest services, a lover of your natural love to virtue, JOHN FORD. DRAMATIS PERSONE. The Speakers' names fitted to their qualities*. AMYCLAS, common to the kings of Laconia. ITHOCLES, (honour of loveliness,) a favourite. ORGILUS, (angry,) son to CROTOLON. BASSANES, (vexation,) a jealous nobleman. ARMOSTES, (an appeaser,) a counsellor of state, CROTOLON, (noise,) another counsellor. PROPHILUS, (dear,) friend to ITHOCLES. NEARCHUS, (young prince,) prince of Argos. TECNICUS, (artist,) a philosopher. HEMOPHIL, (glutton,) GRONEAS, (tavern-haunter,) S two courtiers. AMELUS, (trusty,) friend to NEARCHUS. PHULAS, (watchful,) servant to BASSANES. CALANTHA, (flower of beauty,) the king's daughter, PENTHEA, (complaint,) sister to ITHOCLES. EUPHRANEA, (joy,) a maid of honour. CHRISTALLA, (crystal,) PHILEMA, (a kiss,) } maids of honour. GRAUSIS, (old beldam,) overseer of PENTHEA. *This whimsical enumeration of the Dramatis Personæ has been carefully preserved from the old copy. |