Hero and Leander
Sir, wee thinke not our selves discharged of the dutie wee owe to our
friend, when wee have brought the breathlesse bodie to the earth: for
albeit the eye there taketh his ever farwell of that beloved object, yet the
impression of the man, that hath beene deare unto us, living an after
life in our memory, there putteth us in mind of farther obsequies due
unto the deceased. And namely of the performance of whatsoever we
may judge shal make to his living credit, and to the effecting of his
determinations prevented by the stroke of death. By these meditations
(as by an intellectuall will) I suppose my selfe executor to the unhappily
deceased author of this Poem, upon who knowing that in his lift time
you bestowed many kind favours, entertaining the parts of reckoning
and woorth which you found in him, with good countenance and liberall
affection: I cannot but see so far into the will of him dead, but what-
soever issue of his brain should chance to come abroad, that the first
breath it should take might be the gentle aire of your liking: for since
his selfe had ben accustomed therunto, it would proove more agreeable
and thriving to his right children, than any other foster countenance
whatsoever. At this time seeing that this unfinished Tragedy happens
under my hands to be imprinted; of a double duty, the one to your selfe,
the other to the deceased, I present the same to your most
favourable allowance, offring my utmost selfe
now and ever to bee readie,
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