[From John Benson, quarto edition of Jonson's poems, Ben Ionson's Execration Against Vulcan: With Divers Epigrams by the Same Author to Severall Noble Persons in this Kingdome.]
The dedication, to Lord Windsor. There was a similar one in Benson's duodecimo edition of Jonson poems, published the same year; it omits the references to Jonson's works transcending ordinary imagination, and raising pyramids to his name.
*****************************************My Lord:
The assurance the Author of these Poems received of his Worth from your Honour, in his lifetime, was not rather a marke of his desert, than a perfect demonstration of your Noble love to him: Which consideration, has rais'd my bold desire to assume presumption, to present these to your Honour, in the person of one deceased; the forme whereof somewhat disperst, yet carry with them the Prerogative of truth to be Mr Ben: Jonsons; and will so appeare to all, whose Eyes, and Spirits are rightly plac'd. You are (my Lord) a Person who is able to give value and true esteeme to things of themselves no lesse deserving: such were his, strong, and as farre transcendent ordinary imagination, as they are conformable to the sence of such who are of sound judgement: his Strenuous Lines, and sinewey Labours have rais'd such Piramydes to his lasting name, as shall out-last Time. And that these may, without any diminution to the glory of his greater Workes, enjoy the possession of publicke favour, (by your Honours permission) I shall be glad by this small Testimony account it a fit opportunity to assure your Honour, my Lord, that I am
Your most humble and affectionate Servant,
JOHN BENSON.
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