To the Reader.

Ou have now the whole Work of the Princes
Cloria, otherwife called, The Royal Romance;
some of it being printed formerly in the
worst of times; that is to say, under the
Tyrannical Government of Cromwel; when
but to name or mention any of the Kings
concernments, was held the greatest crime, almost could be
committed against that Usurpation; and so consequently,
to be punished by the High Court of Justice, with more
then ordinary severity; wherein perhaps it might be
thought, the Authour shewed more Fidelity then Policy;
especially by thofe, that efteemed it best to comply with a
Man, that never relented in his Revenge, or was lefs cruel
for his Diffimulation: However, do not look for an exact Hi-
story, in every particular circumstance; though perchance
upon due consideration you will finde, a certain methodical
coherency between the main Story, and the numerous
Transactions that paffed, both at home and abroad, as may
render people competently satisfied; for that the tedious
nefs of reparties, and impertinent discourses, commonly uſed
in inventions of this kinde, are for the moſt part omitted,
that oftentimes not onely weary Readers with expectation,
but make them caſt away Books before they are half read.

Of the other ſide, you may not think, however ſcarce any
former preſident, hath matched the wickedneſs of ſome in
theſe latter dayes, that all other perſons intended for Pat-
terns of Vertue and Gallantry, did correfpond fully with
the relations made of their actions; neither in truth doth

A

the

To the Reader.

the present Age in the general, pretend to the exercise of
such noble principles, wherein Gratitude, Fidelity, and
Confustancy appear countenanced, much lefs practiced in any
high meaure; so that I may conclude, the Authours meaning
was, rather to put perſons in minde, what they ought to do,
then that he was altogether ignorant what paffed in reality;
wherefore now and then in regard of that deficiency, was con-
tent to make uſe of his own invention, to ſupply that defect,
which ſerves well enough, nowithſtanding to the Hiftory it
ſelf, and is more agreeing with the nature of any Romance.

It is to be considered also, that not ſeldom one name
ſtands for one or divers parties, according as their faculties
and imployments were made uſe of, the better to avoid con-
fusion, by reaſon of ſeveral repetitions of names, which
otherwise muſt have followed; whereby the Reader might
have been ſubject, to have his memory put upon the Rack,
to finde out the meaning of the Story; ſince in all Writings
clearneſs and facility, is neceſſary for delight and satisfacti-
on; but more especially where so many Ends were to be
brought together, in ſome convenient periods.

For the Style and manner of Contrivance, being mixt be-
tween Modern and Antick, although I ſhall leave them to
the consideration and fancy of the Reader, without giving
my opinion; yet I muſt boldly profefs, the ſubject in my
thoughts is not to be parallel'd; which no doubt gave the
Writer a greater appetite to proceed; for what faults ſoever
may appear to rigid Criticifme, nevertheless it cannot be
denyed, but the Ground-work for a Romance was excellent;
and the rather, ſince by no other way almoſt, could the mul-
tiplicity of ſtrange Actions of the Times be expreſt, that ex-
ceeded all belief, and went beyond every example in the do-
ing; notwithstanding a Key of plainer and more particular in-
telligence in many things, hath been moſt earneſtly ſolicited,
however not thought altogether convenient to be printed
with the reſt; as well for that it might ſeem publickly, too
much to determine State particulars and eminent Perſons, as
in regard alſo the Story is no way difficult to be underſtood
by any, who have been but indifferently verſed in the Affairs
of Europe; and for others of the more vulgar ſort, a bare

Romance

To the Reader.

Romance of Love and Chivalry, such as this may be deemed to be at the worst, will prove entertainment enough for their leasure, if the Authour have met with their appetites in his Contrivance and Expressions: besides too much explanation of Mysterious Conceptions of this nature, would have taken off something from the quaintness of the Design, and left many affected Wits, less matter for ampler Discourse, occasioned often by conjectural Disputes.

But for that all Capacities meet not in the same Centre of Knowledge and Apprehension, I must inform the Reader (in regard effentially it belongs to the Body of the Story intended) that the Princes Cloria, is not onely to be taken for the Kings Daughter, but also sometimes for his National Honour; and so consequently appearing more or less in prosperity, as accidents increased and diminished; by reason of the unnatural Differences, and Rebellions were railed for so many years, in this most glorious Kingdom and Monarchy; who for that purpose bears the chief Title of the Book, and so personally (if it be minded) with some Decorum, ends every Part by itself, which hath not been observed by other Modern Writers, that scarce mention the Parties most concerned in the whole Story, as if rather accident let down their Names, then conveniency required their Actions; which is an absurdity in my minde not to be pardoned by any indifferent Judgement and Understanding.

Another advertisement I must give, that notwithstanding many and divers Stories are in the Book of several natures, yet there is not one of them related, but in some fort or other appertains to the main design; not brought in (as I may say) by the head and shoulders, as is frequently used nowadayes: and as they are all digested into determinable Periods within themselves, so are they of no more length, then is convenient for any moderate Communication, either of Recreation or Discourse; when as in other Romances they are oftentimes continued for five or six hours together without intermission, which to my apprehension appears ridiculous, in that people would be altogether tired, either with hearing or making such relations; and indeed almost impossible to be performed by any of what professionfoever.

A 2

If

To the Reader.

If there be exceptions against the many Descriptions of
Countreys, Places, and Triumphs, I must fay, that as it hath
neither perturbated or destroyed the matter, so do I not
fee, why that should be any defect at all; but of the contra-
ry, a pleasant divertissement to the Reader; since nothing
feems more to satisfie humane nature then varieties, either to
be continually seen or considered; notwithstanding I may
make some doubt, whether the hair-brain'dnefs of the pre-
fent world, will give leasure enough to moft, to dwell up-
on any thing at all, much lefs to practise Heroical Vertues
with such a constant fettlednefs as is neceffary, being the
chief intention of the Authour (as I conceive) in writing of
this Romance, besides his affectionate duty to the Royal
Family.

But here perhaps some may wonder, why the perfect
Hiftory might not have been as well undertaken for their
Honour, as to be thus mixed with ſeveral forts of Inventi-
on and Fancies, that rather leads peoples thoughts into a
dark Labyrinth of uncertainties, then inſtructs their know-
ledges how matters paffed indeed ? Unto which this anſwer
muſt be returned; That as the intricate Tranſactions of other
places, hapning not ſeldom at the fame inſtant, being other-
whiles onely conjectural, (wherefore point of time is not al-
wayes obſerved) though conducting for the moſt part to the
main deſign, could hardly have been explained by a bare
Hiftorical Relation, that gives no liberty for inward diſpu-
tations, or ſuppoſed paffions to be diſcovered; so on the
other ſide, Councels for the moſt part being given in pri-
vate, much of the luſtre of the whole Book would have
been taken away, tending to the Readers ſatisfaction; and
more eſpecially ſeeing the common Occurrances of the
World, do not arrive alwayes at a pitch high enough for ex-
ample, or to ſir up the appetite of the Reader, which
things ſeigned may do under the notion of a Romance; being
it hath liberty to tell, as well what might have been, as what
was performed in reality: And this certainly made moſt of
the ancient and brave Poets, cloathe their Writings in Fi-
gures and Suppofitions, whereby to ſet forth the Vertues
usually of famous Perſons, not confining themſelves alto-
gether

To the Reader.

gether to exact Relations, brought to their knowledge from
Authentical Records; becaufe they intended onely the ex-
alting of Magnanimity and depreffing of Vice; which I con-
ceive, ſhould be the principal object of every perſons
thoughts and deſires.

Nevertheless concerning the truth in the general, I muſt
ſay, that as there are no remarkable Paſſages, that have been
agitated in Chriſtendome for ſome years paſt, but may be
found ſufficiently ſet down in this Writing, how they hap-
ned, and with what Decerum they were performed, con-
ducing to the Ends and Purpofes intended; ſo in my opini-
on, doth not the conjectural part, made up oftentimes by in-
vention, any way alter the nature of the actions, no more then
Apparel may change the perſon of a man, who is not thereby
transformed in eſtence, but in circumſtance onely; and not
ſeldom perhaps to the much more becoming and conve-
nienter ſaſhion: wherefore Difcourſes probable, and not al-
together ſo indeed, may put people in minde of what they
may ſay and do another time, with more advantage to them-
ſelves or employment; eſpecially ſeeing it is impoſſible
otherwife to exprefs inward paſſions and hidden thoughts,
that of neceſſity accompany all Transſactions of conſequence,
when as State-men now and then in Treaties judge of ef-
fects, by the very looks and countenances of ſuch, they
have occaſion to deal withal in Buſineſſes of any impor-
tance; beſides, bare and ſimple Narratives ſpeak little more,
for the moſt part, then ordinary Proceedings; for that
others of a more tranſcendent nature do not often happen,
ſerving to any great edification; and theſe being now
and then mixed, with communications of Arts and Policy,
cannot chufe but prove as well delightful as beneficial;
when as the meer repetition of things we have already indu-
ftriously learned, is neceſſary ſometimes, not onely to put
us in minde of Vertues and their effects, but to continue
them conſtantly in our thoughts and deſires, whereby to
render them habitual to our natures: For Stories of former
Ages are no other, then certain kinde of Romances to ſuc-
ceeding poſterity; ſince they have no teſtimony for them
but mens probable opinions; ſeeing the Hiftorical part al-
moſt

To the Reader.

most of all Countreys is subject to be questioned; neither is it any great matter as to our profit, whether they were exactly so or no, provided Bravery be cherished, and Benefits discountenanced to our instruction; in that all things are but to teach people how to do well, and avoid the contrary; wherefore to be considered, that the Authour had a greater desire to discourage the causes of Accidents, then the truth of Actions: Nevertheless I am confident in this Romance, all Passages are related with as little partiality, as could well stand with Books of this kind; since as it was something necessary, Matters should be mentioned a little above the ordinary way of Proceedings, to stir up the appetite of the Reader to a continuance; so cannot it be said knowingly, any thing reacheth beyond the extremity of a Wonder, whereby to be questioned either for impossible or improbable; for though twice or thrice mentions are made of Dreams and Visions, yet is it no otherwife to be understood, then what hath often hapned to particular persons formerly, who were famous or notorious for Sanctity or Wickedness, as preadmonitions from Heaven for peoples better instruction.

So that now I have thus largely delivered my opinion,
there refts no more behinde but an Admonition, that this
Book if read at all, may be considered with some leaure
and circumspection, that neither the Reader may be mista-
ken or the Authour too much prejudiced; since I am affu-
red, as the Writer expects no vain-glorious approbation
from any, (and lefs praisef;) so of the other side, he
will not be much troubled to be put in minde of his Faults,
provided reafons be given for them; which the freer may
be done, in regard his Name is not declared in these Wri-
tings, however well enough known perhaps by other circum-
stances: Nevertheless it is confest the Poetry is but plain,
though significant to the matter; being so onely intended for
the more convenient reading and apprehending the Story,
without unnecessary trouble or interruption, which expref-
fions in another ſtrain might have procured, occafioning ſe-
veral interpretations, and perhaps false conjectures, which
in a Romance is not proper; the Verſes being commonly the
main

To the Reader.

main Theam to be dilated upon, or at least the conclusive
Part, that should fum up the buſineſs, so that they ought
to be clear and expreſſive; whereas other ſtrong Lines of
that kinde, (onely belonging to themſelves, or to ſhew Poë-
tical Fancies in meeter) may ſometimes be of a nature more
difficult to be understood, though often it falls out, they
are not to be unriddled by any.

As for the Words that have miſcarried in the Printing,
(which I believe are not many, though ſome there be in all
Writings) I doubt not but they may be rectified eaſily in
the reading, by any reaſonable capacity, that will but caſt
over again their eyes, where they apprehend the defect to be,
applying it to the ſenſe of the reſt; which in my opinion is
a better way for direction, then to let down the Errours in
the latter end of the Book; ſince few people will take the
pains to compare both places together, being rather willing
to let the Faults dye to their memory, then to buſe them-
ſelves with trouble in anothers concernment; especially ha-
ving enough already in the Story for their leaſure or recrea-
tion. This being all I have to ſay, I bid you farewel.

The