se up. The
box was opened, and NICHOLAS FERRAR, first presented to the
king that book made for the prince; who taking it from him,
looking well on the outside, which was _all green velvet,
stately and richly gilt all over, with great broad strings,
edged with gold lace, and curiously bound_, said, 'Here is a
fine book for Charles, indeed! I hope it will soon make him
in love with what is within it, for I know it is good,' &c.
And lo! here are also store of _rare pictures_ to delight
his eye with! &c., &c. Then, turning him to the Lord of
Canterbury, he said, 'Let this young gentleman have your
letters to the princes to-morrow, to Richmond, and let him
carry this present. It is a good day, you know, and a good
work would be done upon it.' So he gave Nicholas Ferrar the
book; who, carrying it to the box, took out of it a very
large paper book, which was the FOURTH WORK, and laid it on
the table before the king. 'For whom,' said the king, 'is
this model?' 'For your majesty's eyes, if you please to
honour it so much.' 'And that I will gladly do,' said the
king, 'and never be weary of such sights as I know you will
offer unto me.' The king having well perused the title page,
beginning, 'The Gospel of our Lord and blessed Saviour,
Jesus Christ, in eight several languages,' &c., said unto
the lords, 'You all see that one good thing produceth
another. Here we have more and more rarities; from print now
to pen. These are fair hands, well written, and as well
composed.' Then replied the Lord of Canterbury, 'When your
majesty hath seen all, you will have more and more cause to
admire.' 'What!' said the king, 'is it possible we shall
behold yet more rarities?' then said the bishop to Nicholas
Ferrar, 'Reach the other piece that is in the box:' and this
we call the FIFTH WORK; the title being _Novum Testamentum,
&c., in viginti quatuor linguis, &c._ The king, opening the
book, said, 'Better and better. This is the largest and
fairest paper that ever I saw.' Then, reading the
title-page, he said, 'What is this? What have we here? The
incomparablest book this will be, as ever eye beheld. My
lords, come, look well upon it. This finished, must be the
EMPEROR OF ALL BOOKS. It is the crown of all works. It is an
admirable masterpiece. The world