MOST Honourable and bountifull Ladie, there bee long sithens deepe sowed in my brest, the seede of most entire louelove &and humble affection vntounto that most brauebrave Knight your noble brother deceased; which taking roote began in his life time somewhat to bud forth: and to shew thẽseluesthẽ- selvesthemseluesthemselves to him, as then in the weakenes of their first spring: And would in their riper strength (had it pleased high God till then to drawe out his daies) spired forth fruit of more perfection. But since God hath disdeigned the world of that most noble Spirit, which was the hope of all learned men, and the Patron of my young Muses; togeather with him both their hope of anie further fruit was cut off: and also the tender delight of those their first blossoms nipped and quite dead. Yet sithens my late cumming into England, some frends of mine (which might much preuaileprevaile with me, and indeede commaund me) knowing with howe straight bandes of duetie I was tied to him: as also bound vntounto that noble house, (of which the chiefe hope then rested in him) hauehave sought to reuiuerevive them by vpbraidingupbraiding me: for that I hauehave not shewed anie thankefull remembrance towards him or any of thẽthem; but suffer their names to sleep in silence and forgetfulnesse. VVhomeWhome chieflie to satisfie, or els to auoideavoide that fowle blot of vnthankefulnesse,unthankefulnesse, I hauehave conceiuedconceived this small Poeme, intituled by a generall name of the worlds Ruines: yet speciallie intended to the renowming of that noble race, from which both you and he sprong, and to the eternizing of some of the chiefe of them late deceased. The which I dedicate vntounto your La. as whome it most speciallie concerneth: and to whome I acknowledge my selfe bounden, by manie singular fauoursfavours &and great graces. I pray for your Honourable happinesse: &and so humblie kisse your haudes.