The Poetical Works of William Strode (1600-1645); Now First Collected from Manuscript and Printed Sources to Which Is Added the Floating Island, a Tragi-Comedy, Now First Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1655 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1907 Excerpt: ... THE FLOATING ISLAND: A TRAGI-COMEDY, Acted before his Majesty at Oxford, Aug. 29. 1636. By the Students of Christ-church. Written by William Strode, late Orator of the University of OXFORD. The trfires and Songs set by Mr. Henry Lavves, servant to his late Majesty in his publick and private Musick. LONDON, Printed by T.C. for H.Twiford in Vine-court Middle-Temple, N. Brooke at the Angel in Cornhill, and J. Place at Furnivals Innc-gate. 1655. TO THE READER Before you read so farre as the Prologue, be pleased to consider this Tragi-comedy was both written and presented above eighteen years since; and if now it seem (in Language or Plot) to fit these times, it must be by Prophesie, the Author also himselfe having been long dead. He wrote it at the instance of those who might command him; else he had scarce condescended to a Play, his serious thoughts being fill'd with notions of deeper consideration. 'Tis sufficient for its worth that the best lik'd it best; the rest (especially those great ones of the weaker Sect) should claim no lawful Judicature over it, since it was not written for them, though they thought themselves too severely dealt with, which yet was an injury to the Author as well as his Poem. Were this translated into Latin or Itaiian, it would be grateful to foraign Wits; and if at home it finde lesse welcome, 'tis because there is not so much true wit among us as was or ought to be. It is not now inscribed to any for Protection, but left dedicated (as it was by the Author when it was first born) to the Authors noble Patron. If you bid this welcome, you'l be gainers by it; for then you'l encourage us to publish other Pieces of this Authors, which (we dare say) will convince you to say (what the best and most knowing of this Nation have confessed) ...