make him happy; and a wise man must think himself uneasy, when few of his
actions are in his choice.
This last consideration has brought me to another, and a very seasonable one for
your relief; which is, that while I pity your want of leisure, I have impertinently
detained you so long a time. I have put off my own business, which was my
dedication, till it is so late, that I am now ashamed to begin it; and therefore I will
say nothing of the poem, which I present to you, because I know not if you are
like to have an hour, which, with a good conscience, you may throw away in
perusing it; and for the author, I have only to beg the continuance of your
protection to him, who is,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obliged,
Most humble, and
Most obedient, servant,
John Dryden.
