THE STATIONER TO THE READER
Among the highest and most refin'd wits of the nation, this gentle and princely poet took his generous rise from the Court, where, having flourish'd with splendour and reputation, he liv'd only long enough to see the sunset of that majesty from whose auspicious beams he derived his lustre, and with whose declining state his own loyal fortunes were obscured. But, after the several changes of those times, being sequestred from the more serene contentments of his native country, he first took care to secure the dearest and choicest of his papers in the several cabinets of his noble and faithful friends; and, among other testimonies of his worth, these elegant and florid pieces of his fancy were preserved in the custody of his truly honourable and virtuous sister, with whose free permission they were transcribed, and now published exactly according to the originals.
This might be sufficient to make you acknowledge that these are the real and genuine works of Sir John Suckling; but, if you can yet doubt, let any judicious soul seriously consider the freedom of the fancy, richness of the conceipt, proper expression, with that air and spirit diffus'd through every part; and he will find such a perfect resemblance with what hath been formerly known, that he cannot with modesty doubt them to be his.
I could tell you further (for I myself am the best witness of it), what a thirst and general inquiry hath been after what I here present you, by all that have either seen or heard of them. And by that time you have read them, you will believe me, who have, now for many years, annually published the productions of the best wits of our own and foreign nations.
H. M.
44
