AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1593- 



which I see is commonly incident to all men, that publish 

 any writings : I must now have especiall regarde of this 

 one thing : namely, of seeking out some patron, and 

 Mecoenas for this my briefe commentary, under whose 

 name and protection it may more safely passe through 

 the hands of all men. 



But for this purpose I could not finde out, nor wish 

 for any man more fit then your royal Majestie, most 

 gratious prince. For unto him, who hath received 

 under his power & tuition our lives and goods, unto 

 him (I say) doe we make humble sute, that he would 

 have respect also unto the credit of our nation, so in- 

 juriously disgraced. 



Yea verily (most gracious King) we are constreined to 

 crave your Majesties mercifull aide, not only in this 

 matter, but in many other things also which are wanting 

 in our countrey, or which otherwise belong to the publique 

 commoditie and welfare thereof: which not by me, but 

 by the letters supplicatory of the chiefe men of our nation, 

 are at this time declared, or will shortly be declared. 

 For we doubt not but that your sacred Majestie, after 

 the example of your Christian predecessors, will vouchsafe 

 unto our countrey also, amongst other Islands of your 

 Majesties dominion, your kingly care and protection. 

 For as the necessitie of fleeing for redresse unto your 

 sacred Majestie, is ours : so the glory of relieving, 

 regarding, and protecting us, shal wholy redound unto 

 your sacred Majestie : as also, there is layd up for you, 

 in respect of your fostering and preserving of Gods 

 church, upon the extreme northerly parts almost of the 

 whole earth, and in the uttermost bounds of your 

 Majesties dominion (which by the singular goodnes of 

 God, enjoyeth at this present tranquillitie and quiet 

 safetie) a reward and crowne of immortall life in the 

 heavens. 



But considering these things are not proper to this 

 place, I wil leave them, and returne to my purpose 

 which I have in hand : most humbly beseeching your 



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