Venus and Adonis (Quarto 1, 1592-3)
Peer Reviewed
¶TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
Henrie VVriothesley, Earle of Southampton,
and Baron of Titchfield.
RIght Honourable, I know not how I shall offend in
dedicating my vnpolisht lines to your Lordship, nor
how the worlde vvill censure mee for choosing so
strong a proppe to support so vveake a burthen,
onelye if your Honour seeme but pleased, I ac
count my selfe highly praised, and vowe to take aduantage of all
idle houres, till I haue honoured you vvith some grauer labour. But
if the first heire of my inuention proue deformed, I shall be sorie it
had so noble a god-father: and neuer after eare so barren a land,
for feare it yeeld me still so bad a haruest, I leaue it to your Honou
rable suruey, and your Honor to your hearts content, vvhich I wish
may alvvaies ansvvere your ovvne vvish, and the vvorlds hope
full expectation.
Your Honors in all dutie,
William Shakespeare.