TO THE MOST NOBLE

The deepe understanding you have in all the Arts, and perticular excellency in this of Musicke, doth by a certaine kind of right, challenge the Dedication of the better sort of Labours in that Facultie; especially in these times when Musicke sit solitary among her sister Sciences, and (but for oyur Honour) often wants the fortune to be esteemed (for so shee is worthy) even among the worthyest. But besides that generall right, my true and zealous devotion long since desirous to expresse it selfe in any humble dutie to your Honour, and borne up by the daily experience of your most Noble and singular disposition, hath never thought upon other Patron for this work, then your Honour, whose never-failing Judgement in the depth of Musicke, I do with might be pleased with some of these; which happinesse if they attaine, I know not what judgement can avow to mislike them. Howsoever they behave themselves, I humbly beseech your Honour, to beleeve this truth; that they are the sincere oblations of a heart ever prepared for your service. And so with all humble and due reverence done to your Honour, I beseech the Almighty to make you in all the passages of your life truely happy, as you are in the worlds true opinion vertuous.

Your Honours most humbly

devoted and obliged:

JOHN WILBYE.