n and matters of conceit. Vnrepriueably perisheth that booke
whatsoeuer to wast paper, which on the diamond rocke of your iudgement
disasterly chanceth to be shipwrackt. A dere louer and cherisher you
are, as well of the louers of Poets, as of Poets themselues. Amongst
their sacred number I dare not ascribe my selfe, though now and then
I speak English: that smal braine I haue, to no further vse I conuert,
saue to be kinde to my frends, and fatall to my enemies. A new brain, a
new wit, a new stile, a new soule will I get mee, to canonize your
name to posteritie, if in this my first attempt I be not taxed of
presumption. Of your gracious fauor I despaire not, for I am not
altogether Fames outcast. This handfull of leaues I offer to your
view, to the leaues on trees I compare, which as they cannot grow of
themselues except they haue some branches or boughes to cleaue too,
& with whose iuice and sap they be euermore recreated & nourisht: so
except these vnpolisht leaues of mine haue some braunch of Nobilitie
whereon to depend and cleaue, and with the vigorous nutriment of whose
authorized commendation they may be continually fosterd and refresht,
neuer wil they grow to the worlds good liking, but forthwith fade
and die on the first houre of their birth. Your Lordship is the large
spreading branch of renown, from whence these my idle leaues seeke to
deriue their whole nourishing: it resteth you either scornfully shake
them off, as wormeaten & worthies, or in pity preserue them and cherish
them, for some litle summer frute you hope to finde amongst them.

Your Honors in all humble seruice: Tho: Nashe.

TO THE GENTLEMEN READERS,

Gentlemen, in my absence (through the Printers ouersight and my bad
writing) in the leaues of C. and D. these errours are ouerslipt:

C. pag. 2. lin. 33. for sweating read sneaking. Pag. 3. li. 1. for
hogges read barres, lin. 7. for Calipsus, read Rhaesus. Pag. 4. lin. 34.
for Liue read I liue. Pag. 5. li. 14. for vpon his read vpon him his.
Pag. 7. lin. 13. for drild read dyu'd. lin. 22. (for colour, read collar
nor his hatband).

D. Pag. 1. lin. 2. for blacke read cape. lin. 5. for fastens read
thirleth. lin. 7. for badge read budge, lin. 8. for shinne read chinne.
lin. 11. for in this begun read thinking in. Pag. 3. lin. 33. for
increased then read inclosed them. Pag. 5. lin. 8. for threed button,
read brest like a thred bottom. Pag. 8. lin. 3. for Essa read Ossa. lin.
4. for dissolutio