Complimentary Pieces Addressed to the Author.


1Well as the author knows that the following testimonies are not
so much about as above him, and that men of great ingenuity, as
well as our friends, are apt, through abundant zeal, so to praise
us as rather to draw their own likeness than ours, he was yet
unwilling that the world should remain always ignorant of
compositions that do him so much honour; and especially because he
has other friends, who have, with much importunity, solicited
their publication. Aware that excessive commendation awakens envy,
he would with both hands thrust it from him, preferring just so
much of that dangerous tribute as may of right belong to him; but
at the same time he cannot deny that he sets the highest value on
the suffrages of judicious and distinguished persons.

1 Milton's Preface, Translated.

1 These complimentary pieces have been sufficiently censured
by a great authority, but no very candid judge either of Milton
or his panegyrists. He, however, must have a heart sadly
indifferent to the glory of his country, who is not gratified by
the thought that she may exult in a son whom, young as he was,
the Learned of Italy thus contended to honour.--W.C.



The Neapolitan, Giovanni Battista Manso, Marquis of Villa,
to the Englishman, John Milton.