GREENE'S GROAT'S-WORTH of Wit,
bought with a million of Repentance.
Describing the folly of youth, the falsehood of make-shift
flatterers, the misery of the negligent, and mischiefs of
deceiving Courtesans.
Written before his death and published at his dying request.
Fœlicem fuisse infaustum.
LONDON
Imprinted for William Wright.
1592.
The printer to the gentle readers.
I Have published here Gentlemen for your mirth and benefit
Greene's groat's worth of wit. With sundry of his pleasant
discourses, ye have been before delighted: But now hath death
given a period to his pen: only this happened into my hands which
I have published for your pleasures: Accept it favourably because
it was his last birth and not least worth: In my poor opinion. But
I will cease to praise that which is above my conceit, and leave
itself to speak for itself: and so abide your learned censuring.
Yours W. W.
To the Gentlemen Readers.
Gentlemen. The Swan sings melodiously before death, that in
all his life useth but a jarring sound. Greene though able enough
to write, yet deeplier searched with sickness than ever
heretofore, sends you his Swan like song, for that he fears he
shall never again carol to you wonted love lays, never again
discover to you youths pleasures. How ever yet sickness, riot,
incontinence, have at once shown their extremity, yet if I
recover, you shall all see, more fresh sprigs, then ever sprang
from me, directing you how to live, yet not dissuading ye from
love. This is the last I have writ, and I fear me the last I shall
write. And how ever I have been censured for some of my former
books, yet Gentlemen I protest, they were as I had special
information. But passing them, I commend this to your favourable
censures, and like an Embryo without shape, I fear me will be
thrust into the world. If I live to end it, it shall be otherwise:
if not, yet will I commend it to your courtesies, that you may as
well be acquainted with my repentant death, as you have lamented
my careless course of life. But as Nemo ante obitum felix, so Acta
Exitus probat: Beseeching therefore to be deemed hereof as I
deserve, I leave the work to your likings, and leave you to your
delights.
GREENE'S GROAT'S-WORTH OF WIT.
IN an Island bounded with the Ocean there was sometime a City
