MY LORD,

The authors of this poem present it humbly to your lordship’s patronage, if you shall think it worthy of that honour.  It has already been a confessor, and was almost made a martyr for the royal cause:  but having stood two trials from its enemies,—­one before it was acted, another in the representation,—­and having been in both acquitted, it is now to stand the public censure in the reading:  where since, of necessity, it must have the same enemies, we hope it may also find the same friends; and therein we are secure, not only of the greater number, but of the more honest and loyal party.  We only expected bare justice in the permission to have it acted; and that we had, after a severe and long examination, from an upright and knowing judge, who, having heard both sides, and examined the merits of the cause, in a strict perusal of the play, gave sentence for us, that it was neither a libel, nor a parallel of particular persons[2].  In the representation itself, it was persecuted with so notorious malice by one side, that it procured us the partiality of the other; so that the favour more than recompensed the prejudice.  And it is happier to have been saved (if so we were) by the indulgence of our good and faithful fellow-subjects, than by our own deserts; because, thereby the weakness of the faction is discovered, which, in us, at that time attacked the government, and stood combined, like the members of the rebellious League, against the lawful sovereign authority.  To what topic will they have recourse, when they are manifestly beaten from their chief post, which has always been popularity, and majority of voices?  They will tell us,—­that the voices of a people are not to be gathered in a play-house; and yet, even there, the enemies, as well as friends, have free admission:  but, while our argument was serviceable to their interests, they could boast, that the theatres were true protestant; and came insulting to the plays, when their own triumphs were represented[3].  But let them now assure themselves, that they can make the major part of no assembly, except it be of a meeting-house[4].  Their tide of popularity is spent; and the natural current of obedience is, in spite of them, at last prevalent.  In which, my lord, after the merciful providence of God, the unshaken resolution, and prudent carriage of the king, and the inviolable duty, and manifest innocence of his royal highness,—­the prudent management of the ministers is also most conspicuous.  I am not particular in this commendation, because I am unwilling to raise envy to your lordship, who are too just, not to desire that praise should be communicated to others, which was the common endeavour and co-operation of all.  It is enough, my lord, that your own part was neither obscure in it, nor unhazardous.  And if ever this excellent government, so well established by the wisdom of our forefathers, and so much shaken by the folly of this age, shall recover its ancient