Most Noble, Right Honourable, and generous Patrons,

I Can never cast my Eye on the preceeding LIST without inexpressible Joy and a grateful Resentment, when I see Numbers of the most eminent Distinction and conspicuous Merit, with a Godlike Benevolence, condescending to support one to whom their own indulgent Approbations have raised a Stock of Fame amongst the Rank of native Poets : Tho’ my Imagination were less warm than it really is, such Encouragement might rouze me to employ all the Strength of my Genius to endeavour after a suitable measure of Desert.

Since whatever is vicious can give no solid Pleasure, I have taken Care to evite every Thought tending either to Debauchery or Irreligion, while I endeavour to be serviceable to Morality, even in those Verses of the merriest Turn ; so that the most grave and modest, in reading, shall neither be shock’d or affronted. While thus a Poet aims at the useful and pleasant, he may hope for Approbation from the Best, and never be afraid of Detraction or Poverty (the too frequent Attendants on Stipendless Preachers) if he can gain so many noble and worthy Supporters, as have made my inferior Life happy, by their generous Beneficence never to be hid or forgot.

Let the Spleenatick censure as they please, and attempt by Detraction to clip the Wings of my Vanity (as they often nickname the ardent Emotions towards what is praise-worthy) yet I shall ever think it rude in me to make You an Offering, with a Multitude of Excuses, for its Unworthiness ; no, but as a certain Poet says of his Mistriss, so I of my Poems,

I have examined them over and over with Care, and have struck out every Thing that I thought a Blemish ; since nothing is so capable to ruffle my Tranquillity, as Your finding any Production of my Muse imperfect or deformed.