The Passions of the Mind in General

The Epistle

it, and in deede found, it had not bin hardly vsed, but kindly dealt withall, & what escapes were overskipped, proceeded rather from the vncorrected copie (for of three this was most vnperfit) then from any vncivill entertaynement. After that the whole impression was dispersed, the Printer made meanes to have me adde what I thought wanting, and to amend that I iudged amisse. And so I have augmented this edition with as much more as the first copie conteyned. The which after I had absolved, it seemed of it selfe by a connaturall sympathie to present it selfe vnto your Honour. For literall labours are vsually offered to such personages, with whom they particularly consort: and how could any passions finde out a person more proportionate then your Honour? They concerne Gentlemen and Noblemen, to guide them in the way of civill conversation: Your Gentrie is well knowne: they appertayne to souldiours to stirre them vp to courage, and magnanimitie: your martiall prowesse are patent at home, and famous abroad. They belong to Magistrates and officers, for discovery and manage of subiects: your place, and evident hopes of further preferment presage, that this part cannot but agree to you. For me thinks as often as I consider your presence about his Maiestie, it seemeth to me, with mine eyes to behold an other matchlesse Parmenio a trusted general of Alexander the Great, for trust and fidelitie about our invincible Alexander the monarch (referring to King James I) of the North. Wherefore my passions being provided for Courts, Fields, and Senates, finde in you vnited, that they sought for dispersed: for as it is difficill to determine which of them hath chiefest part in you, so it is easie for me to resolve how fit this discourse is for you, which levelleth at all three. I doubt

not