ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLES BENNETT AND W. HARRY ROGERS. LONDON: JAMES NISBET AND CO. BERNERS STREET. ΤΟ MY MUCH HONOURED, AND NO LESS TRULY BELOVED FRIEND, EDWARD BENLOWES, ESQ. MY DEAR FRIEND, You have put the Theorbo into my hand, and I have played: you gave the musician the first encouragement; the music returneth to you for patronage. Had it been a light air, no doubt but it had taken the most, and among them the worst; but being a grave strain, my hopes are, that it will please the best, and among them you. Toyish airs please trivial ears; they kiss the fancy, and betray it. They cry, Hail, first; and after, Crucify: Let daws delight to immerd themselves in dung, whilst eagles scorn so poor a game as flies. Sir, you have art and candour; let the one judge, let the other excuse. Your most affectionate Friend, FRA. QUARLES. TO THE REader. AN Emblem is but a silent parable: Let not the tender eye check, to see the allusion to our blessed SAVIOUR figured in these types. In holy Scripture he is sometimes called a Sower; sometimes a Fisher; sometimes a Physican: And why not presented so as well to the eye as to the ear? Before the knowledge of letters, God was known by hieroglyphics. And indeed what are the Heavens, the earth, nay, every creature, but Hieroglyphics and Emblems of his glory? I have no more to say; I wish thee as much pleasure in the reading, as I had in writing. Farewell, Reader. FRANCIS QUARLES. |