THE

HE occafion of publishing these Imitations was the Clamour rais'd on fome of my Epiftles. An Anfwer from Horace was both more full, and of more Dignity, than any I could have made in my own perfon; and the Example of much greater Freedom in fo eminent a Divine as Dr. Donne, feem'd a proof with what indignation and contempt a Christian may treat Vice or Folly, in ever fo low, or ever fo high a Station. Both these authors were acceptable to the Princes and Minifters under whom they lived. The Satires of Dr. Donne I verfified, at the defire of the Earl of Oxford while he was Lord Treasurer, and of the Duke of Shrewsbury, who had been Secretary of State; neither of whom look'd upon a Satire on Vicious Courts as any Reflection on those they ferv'd in. And indeed there is not in the world a greater error, than that which Fools are so apt to fall into, and Knaves with good reason to encourage, the mistaking a Satyrift for a Libeller i whereas to a true Satyrist nothing is fo odious as a Libeller, for the fame reason as to a man truly vira tuous nothing is fo hateful as a Hypocrite.

Uni acquus Virtuti atque ejus Amicis.

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