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Caxton's Introduction

to me a worshipful gentleman, a servant of his, named John Stanney, which solicited me, in my lord's name, that I should in no wise leave it but accomplish it, promising that my said lord should during my life give and grant to me a yearly fee, that is to wit, a buck in summer and a doe in winter, with which fee I hold me well content. Then at contemplation and reverence of my said lord I have endeavoured me to make an end and finish this said translation, and also have imprinted it in the most best wise that I could or might, and present this said book to his good and noble lordship, as chief causer of the achieving of it, praying him to take it in gree of me William Caxton, his poor servant, and that it like him to remember my fee. And I shall pray unto Almighty God for his long life and welfare, and after this short and transitory life to come into everlasting joy in heaven; the which He send to him and me and to all them that shall read and hear this said book, for the love and faith of Whom all these holy saints have suffered death and passion. Amen.