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all and singular the premisses: all which pieces are I hope intended and fitted close to the matters and things they pretend to handle respectively.
There is another piece of a quite contrary nature, being indeed a Satyre; which though it contain little of seriousness, yet doth it allow nothing of untruth: 'Tis a Gallery wherein you will see the Pictures of my chief Adversaries hang'd up in their proper colours; 'tis intended for the honest recreation of my ingenious friends.
Sir, you shall see by that Essay how nothing hath provoked mee to lying and railing, with other scurrility unbecoming the candor I pretend to; I hope 'twill make you laugh, though the occasion hath been matter of mourning to mee. 'Tis my happiness, and the fruits of the good conscience I alwaies have kept, that I can
–ità vertere tristia ludo.[1]
My Adversaries having thrown down the Government, Lawes, and Governor under which I acted, may oppresse mee too,
–sed nemo me impune lacessit.[2]
If I be made a Gnat, I may yet be capable to get into the Lyons Nostrils, and
- ↑ "Ita vertere seria ludo" (Horace): Thus to turn serious things into jest (Wikisource ed.)
- ↑ "(Sed) nemo me impune lacessit": But no one can provoke me without being punished (Wikisource ed.)
