'Tis Pity She's a Whore/Dedication

My Lord,

Where a truth of meritt hath a generall warrant, there love is but a debt, acknowledgement a justice. Greatnesse cannot often claime virtue by inheritance; yet in this, yours appeares most eminent, for that you are not more rightly heyre to your fortunes, then glory shalbe to your memory. Sweetenesse of disposition ennobles a freedome of birth; in both, your lawfull interest adds honour to your owne name, and mercy to my presumption. Your noble allowance of these first fruits of my leasure in the action, emboldens my confidence of your as noble construction in this presentment: especially since my service must ever owe particular duty to your favours, by a particular ingagement. The gravity of the subject may easily excuse the leightnesse of the title: otherwise, I had beene a severe judge against mine owne guilt. Princes have vouchsaf't grace to trifles, offred from a purity of devotion; your Lordship may likewise please to admit into your good opinion, with these weake endeavours, the constancy of affection from the sincere lover of your deserts in honour.