THE MARTYR’D SOULDIER: 

As it was sundry times Acted with a generall applause at the Private
  house in Drury lane, and at
   other publicke Theaters.

By the Queenes Majesties servants.

The Author H. SHIRLEY Gent.

LONDON: 
Printed by I.  Okes, and are to be sold by
Francis Eglesfield at his house in Paul’s
Church-yard at the Signe of the
Mary-gold. 1638.

To the right Worshipful Sir Kenelme Digby, Knight.

Sir,

Workes of this Nature may fitly be compared to small and narrow rivolets that at first derive themselves to greater Rivers and afterwards are discharged into the Maine Ocean.  So Poesie rising from obscure and almost unminded beginnings hath often advanc’d it Selfe even to the thrones of Princes:  witnesse that ever-living Worke of renowned Virgil, so much admired and favoured by magnificent Augustus.  Nor can I much wonder that great men, and those of Excellent parts, have so often preferred Poesie, it being indeed the sweetest and best speaker of all Noble Actions.

Nor were they wont in ancient times to preferre those their Workes to them they best knew, but unto some Person highly endued with Vallour, Learning, and such other Graces as render one man farre more Excellent then many others.  And this, I hope, may excuse my boldnesse in this Dedication, being so much a stranger to your Worships knowledge, onely presuming upon your Noble temper, ever apt to cherrish well-affected studies.  Likewise this peice seemeth to have a more speciall kind of relation to your Selfe, more then to many others, it being an exact and perfect patterne of a truly Noble and War-lick Chieftian.

When it first appeared upon the Stage it went off with Applause and favour, and my hope is it may yeild your Worship as much content as my selfe can wish, who ever rest to be commanded by your Worship,

In all duty and observance,

I.K.[131]

TO THE COURTEOUS READER.

To make too large an explanation of this following Poem were but to beguile thy appetite and somewhat dull thy expectation; but the work it selfe being now an Orphant, and wanting him to protect that first begot it, it were an iniury to his memory to passe him unspoken of.  For the man his Muse was much courted but no common mistresse; and though but seldome seene abroad yet ever much admired at.  This worke, not the meanest of his labours, has much adorned not only one but many Stages, with such a generall applause as it hath drawne even the Rigid Stoickes of the Time, who, though not for pleasure yet for profit have gathered something out of his plentifull Vineyard.  My hopes are it wil prove no lesse pleasing to the Reader then it has formerly beene to the Spectators; and, so prooving, I have my aime and full desire.  Farewell.