TH’AUCTOR TO HIS BOOKE.

Crepe forthe, my boke, under the proteccion

Of suche as have bothe learnyng and eloquence;

Humbly submyttyng the to the correccion

Of worthy writers of virtuous excellence,

Besechyng all them, of ther benygn pacience

To take the meanyng, however the matter frame,

Of this thyn auctor, abasshed of his name.

For, first of all, whan I do behold