Front Matter

DIELLA.
Certain Sonnets, adjoined
to the amorous Poem of
Dom DIEGO and GYNEURA.

By R. L., Gentleman.

Ben balla, á chi fortuna suona.

AT LONDON,
Printed for HENRY OLNEY, and are to be sold at his shop
in Fleet street, near the Middle Temple Gate.
1596.

MADAM,
YOUR many honourable virtues having tied me to your eternal service; to shew some part of my duty, I present your Ladyship with a few passionate Sonnets intermingled with the Loves of Dom DIEGO and GYNEURA.

Deign, gentle Lady, to accept them, and therein shew the greatness of your benignity, in receiving courteously a gift of so small worth: which though it cannot any ways equal either the number of your virtues, or the greatness of that noble House, whence your Ladyship is descended; impute it not, Madam, to my defect of Judgement, but of Fortune; for were I furnished with the greatest riches that blind goddess could bestow on a man of my state, both they and I would fall prostrate at your feet, and ever rest at your Ladyship’s devotion.

Yet, Madam, as it is, it is a Child of the Muses, and, therefore, worthy to be cherished; conceived in the brain of a gallant Gentleman, and therefore to be favoured: sent into the world by me, who have ever honoured your Ladyship, and therefore crave of your Ladyship to be protected, to whom I ever wish long life, lengthened with all honourable happiness.