ours_ committed by the Printer, 'tis the fashion to aske
pardon, and as much in fashion to take no notice of him that asks it;
but in this also I have done my endeavour. 'Twere vaine to mention the
_Chargeablenesse_ of this Work; for those who own'd the _Manuscripts_,
too well knew their value to make a cheap estimate of any of these
Pieces, and though another joyn'd with me in the _Purchase_ and Printing,
yet the _Care & Pains_ was wholly mine, which I found to be more then
you'l easily imagine, unlesse you knew into how many hands the Originalls
were dispersed. They are all now happily met in this Book, having escaped
these _Publike Troubles_, free and unmangled. Heretofore when Gentlemen
desired but a Copy of any of these _Playes_, the meanest piece here (if
any may be called Meane where every one is Best) cost them more then
foure times the price you pay for the whole _Volume_.

I should scarce have adventured in these slippery times on such a work
as this, if knowing persons had not generally assured mee that these
_Authors_ were the most unquestionable Wits this Kingdome hath afforded.
Mr. _Beaumont_ was ever acknowledged a man of a most strong and searching
braine; and (his yeares considered) the most _Judicious Wit_ these later
Ages have produced; he dyed young, for (which was an invaluable losse to
this Nation) he left the world when hee was not full thirty yeares old.
Mr. _Fletcher_ survived, and lived till almost fifty; whereof the World
now enjoyes the benefit. It was once in my thoughts to have Printed Mr.
_Fletcher's_ workes by themselves, because single & alone he would make
a _Just Volume_: But since never parted while they lived, I conceived it
not equitable to seperate their ashes.

It becomes not me to say (though it be a knowne Truth) that these
_Authors_ had not only High unexpressible gifts of _Nature_, but also
excellent _acquired Parts_, being furnished with Arts and Sciences by
that liberall education they had at the _University_, which sure is the
best place to make a great Wit understand it selfe; this their workes
will soone make evident. I was very ambitious to have got Mr. Beaumonts
picture; but could not possibly, though I spared no enquirie in those
_Noble Families_ whence he was descended, as also among those Gentlemen
that were his acquaintance when he was of the _Inner Temple_: the best
Pictures and those most like him you'll finde in this _Volume_. This
figure of Mr. _Fletcher_ was cu