Advice to Readers Good friends who come to read this book, Strip yourselves first of affectation; Do not assume a pained, shocked look, For it conta… - François Rabelais

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Advice to Readers

Good friends who come to read this book,
Strip yourselves first of affectation;
Do not assume a pained, shocked look,
For it contains no foul infection,
Yet teaches you no great perfection,
But lessons in the mirthful art,
The only subject for my heart.
When I see grief consume and rot
You, mirth's my theme and tears are not,
For laughter is man's proper lot.