Game and Playe of the Chesse - A Verbatim Reprint of the First Edition, 1474 by William Caxton
page 12 of 222 (05%)
page 12 of 222 (05%)
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_first edition_ to be the more interesting, for a variety of reasons:
1. It is the first book printed in England. 2. It is the _Editio princeps_ of the English version. 3. It shows the Art of Printing in its crudest form. 4. It has a Post-script not in the second edition. Both editions run on together to the passage on the last page of the second edition: [Blackletter: And a mon that lyvyth in thys world without vertues lyveth not as a man but as a beste.] The first edition ends thus: [Blackletter: And therefore my right redoubted Lord I pray almighty god to save the Kyng our soverain lord to gyve him grace to yssue as a Kynge tabounde in all vertues/ to be assisted with all other his lordes in such wyse yn his noble royame of England may prospere/ habounde in vertues and yn synne may be eschewid justice kepte/ the royame defended good men rewarded malefactours punyshid the ydle peple to be put to laboure that he wyth the nobles of the royame may regne gloriously. In conquerynge his rightfull inheritaunce / that verraypeas and charitie may endure in both his royames and that marchandise may have his cours in suche wise that every man eschewe synne/ and encrese in vertuous occupacions / Praynge your good grace to resseyve this lityll and symple book made under the hope and shadow of your noble protection by hym that is your most humble servant in gree and thanke. And I shall praye |
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