Page:Gondibert, an heroick poem - William Davenant (1651).djvu/326

 of the present Age, for reclaiming a few, are not mentionable with those solid rewards in Heaven, for a long and continual conversion of Posteritie.

If thou (Reader) art one of those, who has been warm'd with Poetick Fire, I reverence thee as my Judge, and whilst others tax me with vanitie, as if the Preface argued my good opinion of the Work, I appeal to thy Conscience, whether it be more than such a necessarie assurance, as thou hast made to thy self in like Undertakings? For when I observe that Writers have many Enemies, such inward assurance (me thinks) resembles that forward confidence in Men of Arms, which makes them proceed in great Enterprise; since the right examination of abilities, begins with inquiring whether we doubt our selves.