^ 1 2 Preface to 



Galen recommends it above all others, a§ 

 not only exercifing the body, but giving de- 

 lisht and entertainment to the mind. And 

 he calls the inventors of this art v^^ife men, 

 and well fkilled in human nature. ** Lib. 

 ** de parvs Pilas Exercitio." 



The gentlemen, who are fond of a gingle 

 at the clofe of every verfe, and think no 

 poem truly mufical but what is in rhime, 

 will here find themfelves difappointed. If 

 they will be pleafed to read over the .ihort 

 preface before the Paradife Loft, Mr. 

 Smith's Poem in memory of his friend Mr. 

 John Philips, and the Archbifhop of Cam- 

 bray's Letter to Monfieur Fontenelle, they 

 may probably be of another opinion. For 

 my own part, I fhall not be afhamed to fol- 

 low the example of Milton, Philips, Thorn- 

 fon, and all our beft tragick writers. 



Some few terms of art are difperfed here 

 and there 5 but fuch only as are abfolutely 

 requifite to explain my fubjec^. I hope in 

 this the cri ticks will excufe me -, for I am 

 humbly of opinion, that the aifedtation, 

 and not the neceilary ufe, is the proper ob- 

 jedl of their cenfure. 



But 



