Amadis of Gaul: An Opera As it is Perform'd at the King’s Theatre in the Hay-market

My Lord, MY Duty and Gratitude oblige me to give this Publick Testimony, of that Generous Concern Your Lordship has always shown for the promoting of Theatrical Musick, but this Opera more immediately claims Your Protection, as it is compos'd in Your own Family.

The particular Encouragement you have given to the liberal Arts, not only shows the Delicacy of Your Taste, but will be a Means to Establish them in this Climate, and Italy will no longer boast of being the Seat of Politeness, whilst the Sons of Art flourish under Your Patronage.

Your Lordship indeed has distinguished Your self this way, and every Science has raised it self under Your Auspicious Bounty. So true a Notion of Merit, and so nice a Discernment of what is Curious, is but rarely found among Persons of an advanced Age; but You my Lord, by an uncommon Felicity of Genius, do even in the Bloom of Youth make Your Entrance in the World with the most refin'd Taste and mature Judgment.

But I fear the Pleasure I take in Recounting Your Excellent Qualities will make me commit an Involuntary Errour, and that I shall be thought Troublesome, when I only designed to show with how much Respect I am, My LORD.