Wilkins: The Adventures of Pericles (Modern)
Not Peer Reviewed
0.1THE Painful Adventures of Pericles Prince of Tyre. Being The true History of the Play of Pericles as it was lately presented by the worthy and an- cient Poet John Gower. AT LONDON. Printed by T.P. for Nat: Butter. 1608
¶To the right worshipful and most worthy ¶gentleman Master Henry Fermor of Middlesex, health and eternal happiness.
¶Right worthy sir, Opinion, that in these ¶days will make wise men fools and the most ¶fools (with a little help of their ¶own arrogancy) seem wise, hath made me .10ever fear to throw myself upon the rack ¶of censure, the which every man in this latter ¶age doth who is so over-hardy to put his ¶wit in print. I see, sir, that a good coat with ¶rich trappings gets a gay ass entrance in .15at a great gate (and within, 'a may stalk freely) ¶when a ragged philosopher with more wit shall ¶be shut forth of doors. Notwithstanding this, ¶I know, sir, that Virtue wants no bases to uphold her ¶but her own kin. In which certain assurance, .20and knowing that your worthy self are of that ¶near alliance to the noble house of Goodness ¶that you grow out of one stalk, a poor infant of ¶my brain comes naked unto you, without other clothing ¶than my love, and craves your hospitality. If you .25take this to refuge, her father doth promise that ¶with more labored hours he can enheighten your ¶name and memory, and therein shall appear he will ¶not die ungrateful. Yet thus much he dares say ¶in the behalf of this: somewhat it containeth that .30may invite the choicest eye to read, nothing here ¶is sure may breed displeasure to any. So leaving ¶your spare hours to the recreation thereof, and my ¶boldness now submitting itself to your censure, ¶not willing to make a great way to a little house, .35I rest
¶Most desirous to be held
¶all yours,
¶GEORGE WILKINS.