The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia/To the Reader

HE disfigured face, gentle Reader, wherewith this worke not long ſince appeared to the common view, moued that noble Lady, to whoſe Honour conſecrated, to whoſe protection it was committed, to take in hand the wiping away thoſe ſpots wherewith the beauties thereof were vnworthely blemiſhed. But as often in repairing a ruinous houſe, the mending of ſome olde part occaſioneth the making of ſome new: ſo here her honorable labour begun in correcting the faults, ended in ſupplying the defects; by the view of what was ill done, guided to the conſideration of what was not done. Which part with what aduiſe entred into, with what ſucceſſe it hath been paſſed through, most by her doing, all by her directing, if they may be entreated not to define, which are vnfurniſht of meanes to diſcerne, the rest (it is hoped) will fauourably cenſure. But this they ſhall, for their better ſatisfaction, vnderstand, that though they finde not here what might be expected, they may finde neuertheleſſe as much as was intended, the concluſion, not the perfection of Arcadia: and that no further then the Authors own writings, or knowne determinations could direct. Whereof who ſees not the reaſon, must conſider there may be reaſon which he ſees not. Albeit I dare affirme he either ſees, or from wiſer iudgements then his owne may heare, that Sir Philip Sidneies writings can no more be perfected without Sir Philip Sidney, then Apelles ​pictures without Apelles. There are that thinke the contrary: and no wonder. Neuer was Arcadia free from the comber of ſuch Cattell. To vs, lay they, the pastures are not pleaſant: and as for the flowers, ſuch as we light on we take no delight in, but the greater part growne not within our reach. Poore ſoules! what talke they of flowres? They are Roſes, not flowres, must doe them good, which if they finde not here, they ſhall doe well to goe feed elſwhere: Any place will better like them: For without Arcadia nothing growes in more plentie, then Lettuce ſutable to their Lippes, If it be true that likenes is a great cauſe of liking, and that contraries, infer contrary conſequences: then is it true, that the worthles Reader can neuer worthely eſteeme of ſo worthy a writing: and as true, that the noble, the wiſe, the vertuous, the curteous, as many as haue had any acquaintance with true learning and knowledge, will with all loue and deareneſſe entertaine it, as well for affinitie with themſelues, as being childe to ſuch a father. Whom albeit it doe not exactly and in euery lineament repreſent; yet conſidering the fathers vntimely death preuented the timely birth of the childe, it may happily ſeeme a thanke-worthy labour, that the defects being ſo few, ſo ſmall, and in no principall part, yet the greatest vnlikenes is rather in defect then in deformity. But howſoeuer it is, it is now by more then one interest The Counteſſe of Pembrokes Arcadia: done, as it was, for her: as it is, by her. Neither ſhall theſe pains be the last (if no vnexpected accident cut off her determination) which the euerlasting loue of her excellent brother, will make her conſecrate to his memory.