that all my affection be placed on the father; for where the branches
are so precious, the tree of force must be most excellent. Commanded
and emboldened thus with the consideration of these forepassed
reasons, to present my book to your Lordship, I humbly entreat your
Honor will vouch of my labors, and favor a soldier's and a scholar's
pen with your gracious acceptance, who answers in affection what he
wants in eloquence; so devoted to your honor, as his only desire is,
to end his life under the favor of so martial and learned a patron.

Resting thus in hope of your Lordship's courtesy in deigning the
patronage of my work, I cease, wishing you as many honorable fortunes
as your Lordship can desire or I imagine.

Your Honor's soldier
humbly affectionate:
Thomas Lodge




TO THE GENTLEMEN READERS


Gentlemen, look not here to find any sprigs of Pallas' bay tree, nor
to hear the humor of any amorous laureate, nor the pleasing vein of
any eloquent orator: _Nolo altum sapere_, they be matters above my
capacity: the cobbler's check shall never light on my head, _Ne sutor
ultra crepidam_; I will go no further than the latchet, and then all
is well. Here you may perhaps find some leaves of Venus' myrtle, but
hewn down by a soldier with his curtal-axe, not bought with the