“These are the primitiae of my Muse, planted in your pleasure, and cherished by the gentle calm of your Favour.”

First published work offered as first-fruits grown under a patron's care · Dedication to Sir Henry Fanshawe, First Set of English Madrigals, 1613

• Art
• Gratitude
• Poetry

“The excellent variety of these Compositions hath fed time with fullness, and bred many Censors, more curious than perhaps judicial.”

Abundance of new music, he says, multiplies captious judges rather than fair ones · Dedication to Sir Henry Fanshawe, First Set of English Madrigals, 1613

• Criticism
• Judgement
• Music

“Should they prove distasteful with the queasy-palated, or surfeited delight, yet with the sound I presume they will pleasingly relish.”

He trusts listeners of sound judgement over those jaded by fashion · Dedication to Sir Henry Fanshawe, First Set of English Madrigals, 1613

• Criticism
• Music
• Taste