Loveday studied at Cambridge but never graduated on account of the English Civil War. During the rule of Cromwell, he lived with Lady Clinton as an upper servant; this book is dedicated to her. While in her service he found time to learn French and Italian. He translated into English the first three parts of La Calprenede's romance of "Cleopatra," under the title of "Hymen's Praeludia, or Love's MasterPiece," in 1652, 1654, and 1655. The first part took a while to be published but, according to Loveday, would have long since "look'd upon the light, if I had not the sin to answer for of trusting a bookseller" (DNB). Verses by Richard Braithwait, James Howel, John Chapperline and others before the First Book. Wing L123.
