To the Reader.
fewe wordes to wynne credit to this worke, not so much for mine owne Englishe Translation as for the singular commendation of them, challenged of dutie and desart. Wherefore gentle Reader I commit them to thy memorie, and their bookes to thy courteous censure. They were both learned men, and painefull practitioners in their professions, so much the more therfore are their workes worthy estimation, I would it were in me to advaunce them as I wishe, the worst (and yet both, no doubt, excellent) hath deserued a monument of immortality. Well there is no more to be added but this, that as the translatiō of this booke was attempted, finished, and published of goodwill (not onely to administer pleasure, as to affoord profit) so it is my desire and request that my labour therin employed may be acceptable, as I hope it shalbe to men of indifferent iudgement. As for such as shall snarr and snatch at the Englishe abrydgement, and to are the Translatour, being absent, with the teath of spightfull enuye, I conclude in breuity there eloquence in but currishe, if I serue in their meat with wrong sawce, ascribe it not to vnskillfulnesse in coquery, but to ignoraunce in their diet, for as the Poet sayeth
Non satis est ars sola coquo, seruire palato:
Nonque coquus domini debet habere gulam:
It is not enough that a cooke vnderstand,
Except his Lordes stomack he holds in his hand.
To winde vp all in a watcheworde I saye no more, But doe well, and Farewell.
