COMUS. THE Mask was presented in 1634, and consequently in the twenty-sixth year of our author's age. In the title-page of the first edition, printed in 1637, it is said that it was presented on Michaelmas night, and there was this motto: "Eheu quid volui misero mihi! floribus austrum In this edition, and in that of Milton's poems in 1645, there was prefixed to the Mask the following dedication:: To the RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD JCEN VISCOUNT BRACKLY, Son and Heir Apparent to the EARL OF Bridgewater, &c. MY LORD, This poem, which received its first occasion of birth from yourself and others of your noble family, and much honour from your own person |