Page:The Revenge - Young (1721).djvu/13

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The Dedication.
 

be always remembred to His Honour, since He, I know, intended His Generosity as an Encouragement to Merit, tho' (thro' his very pardonable Partiality to one who bears Him so sincere a Duty and Respect) I happen to receive the Benefit of it.

They who are acquainted with Your Grace, will be of Opinion, that I make Your Goodness but an ill Return by the Liberty I now take. But tho' it be true, that They who merit Praise most, affect it least; it is also true, that to commend what is excellent is a Debt We owe the Publick. In Regard to which, how ill soever You may relish it, I have made no Scruple to use You as You Deserve: And my Comfort is, I can take Refuge in Your Lordship's own Example, for preferring the Publick before You.

But, if You are still dissatisfy'd, I shall only say, it is hard, that Your Grace should joyn with Your Enemies,(who

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