Antiquity subject to extreams.

In matters of antiquity there are two extreams, 1. a totall neglect, and 2. perpetuall guessing; between which proper evidences are the temper, that is, if there be any, to make the best of them–if none, to desist. So hounds in a cold scent are dilligent, and all scent failing, desist and hopelessly trot away. This thought came into my mind when I had a fancy to hunt after the antiquitys of Musick, and I had certainly acted the despairing hound, if some personall memory and experience had not detained me: for it hath fallen in my way to observe, not to say practise, fome species of musick long since antiquated, and in that respect may justly be taken into the account of antiquitys: and now being engaged in the recollection of those, the inquisitive spirit draws me back into the dark speculation of what musick was in former ages, and if the result in what follows shall appear fond, erroneous, or frivolous, in a pure essay, it may be excused, the rather because neither religion, the state, or good manners are like to be hurt by it.