LOVE FOR LOVE--A COMEDY




Nudus agris, nudus nummis paternis,
Insanire parat certa ratione modoque.

- HOR.



TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
CHARLES, EARL OF DORSET AND MIDDLESEX,
LORD CHAMBERLAIN OF HIS MAJESTY'S HOUSEHOLD,
AND KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER, ETC.



My Lord,--A young poet is liable to the same vanity and indiscretion
with a young lover; and the great man who smiles upon one, and the
fine woman who looks kindly upon t'other, are both of 'em in danger
of having the favour published with the first opportunity.

But there may be a different motive, which will a little distinguish
the offenders. For though one should have a vanity in ruining
another's reputation, yet the other may only have an ambition to
advance his own. And I beg leave, my lord, that I may plead the
latter, both as the cause and excuse of this dedication.