Who eftsoone turn'd to pristine shape
his lot unlucky told.

What and who he was attend a while, and you shall understand that it was
even I, the writer of mine own Metamorphosie and strange alteration of
figure. Hymettus, Athens, Isthmia, Ephire Tenaros, and Sparta, being
fat and fertile soiles (as I pray you give credit to the bookes of more
everlasting fame) be places where myne antient progeny and linage did
sometime flourish: there I say, in Athens, when I was yong, I went first
to schoole. Soone after (as a stranger) I arrived at Rome, whereas by
great industry, and without instruction of any schoolmaster, I attained
to the full perfection of the Latine tongue. Behold, I first crave and
beg your pardon, lest I should happen to displease or offend any of you
by the rude and rusticke utterance of this strange and forrein language.
And verily this new alteration of speech doth correspond to the
enterprised matter whereof I purpose to entreat, I will set forth unto
you a pleasant Grecian feast. Whereunto gentle Reader if thou wilt give
attendant eare, it will minister unto thee such delectable matter as
thou shalt be contented withall.




THE FIRST BOOKE




THE FIRST CHAPTER