Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/169

 Kind Reader :

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���Ad I opportunity but to borrow fome of the Authors wit, 'tis poffible I might fo trim this curious work with fuch quaint expreffions, as that the Preface might be- fpeak thy further Perufal; but I fear 'twill be a fhame for a Man that can fpeak fo little, To be feen in the title-page of this Womans Book, left by comparing the one with the other, the Reader fhould pafs his fen- tence that it is the gift of women not only to fpeak moft but to fpeak beft; I fhal leave therefore to com- mend that, which with any ingenious Reader will too much commend the Author, unlefs men turn more peevifti then women, to envy the excellency of the inferiour Sex. I doubt not but the Reader will quickly find more then I can fay, and the worft effeft of his reading will be unbelief, which will make him quef- tion whether it be a womans work, and afke. Is is poffible ? If any do, take this as an anfwer from him that dares avow it; It is the Work of a Woman,

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