基本信息
drink and sleep, i am satisfied that _there is really such a man as i am_, whatever they may say to the contrary: and the world may be satisfied likewise; for if there were no such man as i am, how is it possible i should appear publickly to hundreds of people, as i have done for several years past, in print? i need not, indeed, have taken any notice of so idle a report, if it had not been for the sake of my printer, to whom my enemies are pleased to ascribe my productions; and who it seems is as unwilling to father my offspring, as i am to lose the credit of it: therefore to clear him entirely, as well as to vindicate my own honour, i make this publick and serious declaration, which i desire may be believed, to wit, _that what i have written heretofore, and do now write, neither was nor is written by any other man or men, person or persons whatsoever._ those who are not satisfied with this, must needs be very unreasonable.
my performance for this year follows; it submits itself, kind reader, to thy censure, but hopes for thy candor, to forgive its faults. it devotes itself entirely to thy service, and will serve thee faithfully: and if it has the good fortune to please its master, 'tis gratificat
