SIr,Sir, to
gratulate
your
safe return
frõfrom
Ireland,
I had
nothing
so
readie,
nor thought any thing
so meete, as these sweete
conceited
Sonets, the deede
of that
weldeseruingweldeserving
gentleman,
maister Edmond
Spenser:
whose name sufficiently
warranting the worthinesse
of the
work: I do more
confidently
presume to publish
it in his absence,
vnderunder your
name to whom (in my poore
opinion) the patronage
therof,
doth in some respectes
properly appertaine. For,
besides your
iudgementjudgement and
delighte in learned poesie:
This gentle Muse for her
former
perfection long
wished
for in Englande, nowe at
the length crossing
the Seas
in your happy companye,
(though to your selfe
vnknownunknown)
seemeth to make
choyse of you, as meetest to
giuegive her
deserueddeserved
countenaunce,
after her retourne:
entertaine her, then, (Right
worshipfull)
in sorte best
beseeming
your gentle minde,
and her merite, and take
in
worth my good will herein,
who seeke no more, but
to shew my selfe
yours
in all dutifull
affection.