Protestant patron, as I do myself an honour, so I do your noble family a right, who have been always eminent in the support and favour of our religion and liberties. And if the promises of your youth, your education at home, and your experience abroad, deceive me not, the principles you have embraced are such as will no way degenerate from your ancestors, but refresh their memory in the minds of all true Englishmen, and renew their lustre in your person; which, my Lord, is not more the wish than it is the constant expectation of

Your LORDSHIP'S

Most obedient,

faithful servant,

JOHN DRYDEN.

DEDICATION

OF

THE DUKE OF GUISE.*

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LAURENCE, EARL OF ROCHESTER, &c. 9

MY LORD,

THE authors of this poem present it humbly to your Lordship's patronage, if you shall think it worthy of that honour. It has already been a

This tragedy was first represented by his Majesty's Servants at the Theatre Royal, Dec. 4th, 1682, as appears from a manuscript note on the printed copy of the Prologue, in the very curious collection of James Bindley, Esq. (a single half-sheet,) and it was first printed in 1683. The same gentleman is possessed of a different Epilogue to this play from that which has been annexed to it, entitled" Another Epilogue intended to have been spoken to THE DUKE OF GUISE, before it was forbidden. last summer. Written by Mr. Dryden." It is extremely coarse and indecent.

In our author's time it was the custom to print the Prologue and Epilogue on half-sheets, previous to the first representation of a play; and they were probably sold at the doors of the theatre.

9 Laurence Hyde, Earl of Rochester, was the second son of Edward, Earl of Clarendon; and was born about

confessor, and was almost made a martyr for the royal cause; but having stood two trials from its enemies, one before it was acted, another in the representation, and having been in both acquitted, it is now to stand the publick censure in the reading; where, since of necessity it must have. the same enemies, we hope it may also find the same friends; and therein we are secure not only of the greater number, but of the more honest and loyal party. We only expected bare justice in the permission to have it acted; and that we had, after a severe and long examination, from an upright and knowing judge; who having heard both sides, and examined the merits of the cause in a strict perusal of the play, gave sentence for us, that it was neither a libel, nor a parallel of particular persons. In the representation itself it was persecuted with so notorious malice by one side, that it procured us the partiality of the other;

the year 1643. Lord Danby having been removed from the office of Lord Treasurer in March, 1679, on the 18th of November following Mr. Hyde was made First Commissioner for executing that office; on the 23d of April, 1681, he was created Viscount Hyde, and on the 29th of November, 1682, Earl of Rochester.-Having strenu ously opposed the Bill of Exclusion, soon after the accession of James the Second he was appointed Lord High Treasurer. He died May 2, 1711.

1

The Lord Chamberlain ; who at this time was Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington; to which office he was appointed in 1674, on the resignation of Henry, Earl of St. Alban.

so that the favour more than recompensed the prejudice, and it is happier to have been saved, if so we were, by the indulgence of our good and faithful fellow-subjects, than by our own deserts; because thereby the weakness of the faction is discovered, which, in us, at that time attacked the government; and stood combined, like the members of the rebellious league, against the lawful sovereign authority.

To what topick will they have recourse, when they are manifestly beaten from their chief post, which has always been popularity, and majority of voices? They will tell us, that the voices of a people are not to be gathered in a playhouse; and yet even there, the enemies as well as friends have free admission; but while our argument was serviceable to their interests, they could boast that the theatres were true Protestant, and came insulting to the plays where their own triumphs were represented. But let them now assure themselves that they can make the major part of no assembly, except it be a Meeting-house. Their tide of popularity is spent, and the natural current of obedience is in spite of them at last prevalent: in which, my Lord, after the merciful providence of God, the unshaken resolution and prudent carriage of the King, and the inviolable duty and manifest innocence of his Royal Highness, the prudent management of the ministers is also most conspicuous. I am not particular in this commendation, because I am unwilling to raise envy to your

Lordship, who are too just not to desire that praise should be communicated to others, which was the common endeavour and co-operation of all. It is enough, my Lord, that your own part was neither obscure in it, nor unhazardous. And if ever this excellent government, so well established by the wisdom of our forefathers, and so much shaken by the folly of this age, shall recover its ancient splendour, posterity cannot be so ungrateful as to forget those, who, in the worst of times, have stood undaunted by their King and Country; and for the safeguard of both, have exposed themselves to the malice of false patriots, and the madness of an headstrong rabble. But since this glorious work is yet unfinished, and though we have reason to hope well of the success, yet the event depends on the unsearchable providence of Almighty God, it is no time to raise trophies while the victory is in dispute; but every man, by your example, to contribute what is in his power to maintain so just a cause, on which depends the future settlement and prosperity of three nations. The pilot's prayer to Neptune was not amiss in the middle of the storm: Thou may'st do with me, O Neptune, what thou pleasest; but I will be sure to hold fast the rudder. We are to trust firmly in the Deity, but so as not to forget that he commonly works by second causes, and admits of our endeavours with his concurrence.

For our own parts we are sensible, as we ought, how little we can contribute with our weak assist