Madam,
A Clear Wit, sound Judgment and a Merciful Disposition, are things so
rarely united, that it is almost inexcusable to entertain them with any thing
less excellent in its kind. My knowledge of you were a sufficient
Caution to me, to avoid your Censure of this Trifle, had I not as intire a
knowledge of your Goodness. Since I have drawn my Pen for a
Rencounter, I think it better to engage where, though there be Skill enough
to Disarm me, there is too much Generosity to Wound; for so shall I have
the saving Reputation of an unsuccessful Courage, if I cannot make it a
drawn Battle. But methinks the Comparison intimates something of a
Defiance, and savours of Arrogance; wherefore since I am Conscious to
my self of a Fear which I cannot put off, let me use the Policy of Cowards
and lay this Novel unarm\'d, naked and shivering at your Feet, so that if it
should want Merit to challenge Protection, yet, as an Object of Charity, it
may move Compassion. It has been some Diversion to me to Write it, I
wish it may prove such to you when you have an hour to throw away in
Reading of it: but this Satisfaction I have at least beforehand, that in its
greatest failings it may fly for Pardon to that Indulgence which you owe to
the weakness of your Friend; a Title which I am proud you have thought
me worthy of, and which I think can alone be superior to that
Your most Humble and Obliged Servant CLEOPHIL.