_"To the Honourable the Lady Dering, Wife to Sir Edward Dering, of
Surenden Dering, Bart._

"Madam,--I have consider'd, but could not finde it lay in my power,
to offer this Book to any but your Ladiship. Not only in regard of
that honour and esteem you have for Musick, but because those Songs
which fill this Book have receiv'd much lustre by your excellent
performance of them; and (which I confesse I rejoice to sepak of)
some, which I esteem the best of these ayres, were of your own
composition, after your noble husband was pleas'd to give the
words. For (although your Ladiship resolv'd to keep it private) I
beg leave to declare, for my own honour, that you are not only
excellent for the time you spent in the practice of what I set, but
are yourself so good a composer, that few of any sex have arriv'd
to such perfection. So as this Book (at least a part of it) is not
Dedicated, but only brought home to your Ladiship. And here I would
say (could I do it without sadness), how pretious to my thoughts is
the memory of your excellent Mother (that great example of prudence
and charity), whose pious meditations were often advanc'd by
hearing your voice. I wish all prosperity to your Ladiship, and to
him who (like yourself) is made up of Harmony; to say nothing of
the rest of his high accomplishments of wisdome and learning. May
you both live long, happy in each other, when I am become ashes;
who, while I am in this world, shall be ever found, Madame,

"Your Ladiship's humble Admirer
"and faitnful Servant,
"HENRY LAWES."