To be short, the contentes of these Nouels from degre of highest Emperour, from state of greattest Quene and Lady, to the homelye Cuntry peasant and rudest vilage girle, may conduce profite for instruction, and pleasure for delight. They offer rules for auoiding of vice and imitation of vertue to al estates. This boke is a very Court and Palace for al sortes to fixe their eies therein, to vew the deuoyres of the Noblest, the vertues of the gentlest, and the dutyes of the meanest. Yt is a stage and Theatre for shew of true Nobilitye, for profe of passing loialty and for tryal of their contraries. Wherfore as in this I haue continued what erst I partelye promised in the first so vppon intelligence of the second signe of thy good wil, a third (by Gods assistance) shal come forth. Farewell.
[Authorities from whence] these Nouelles be collected: and in the same auouched.
Strabo.
Plinie.
Quintus Curtius.
Plutarche.
Titus Liuius.
Dionysius Halicarnassæus.
Appianus Alexandrinus.
Ouide.