AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1592. 



I should first say, or where I should begin, I am 

 altogether ignorant. For there be such monstrous, and 

 so many mocks, reproches, skoiFes, and taunts of certaine 

 men against us poore Islanders dwelling in the utmost 

 parts of the world (and amongst these also, some things 

 of theirs who take upon them to professe most simple 

 trueth, namely Historiographers) insomuch, that to 

 reckon up the particulars were nothing els but to tell 

 the drops of the Icarian sea. But as I said in the 

 beginning, we will not deale alike severely with all. 

 For although Krantzius, Munsterus, Frisius & others 

 have written many things too boldly of our nation : 

 yet having otherwise deserved wel of learning by their 

 monuments, they shalbe still in ye same reputation w' 

 us that they are worthy of. Howbeit in the meane 

 time, although a man would free them from the marke 

 of slanderers, yet is it no small matter that they should 

 [I. 570.] broch certaine sencelesse, impossible & ridiculous things, 

 such as those are which we have hitherto laid downe : 

 as also that they should record in histories prophane and 

 horrible untrueths, some of which kind shal now 

 immediately be discussed. As for others, whatsoever 

 they be, who upbraid the nation of Islanders with daily 

 reproches, they are to have that answere in a readinesse 

 which such men deserve. In the number of whom, 

 that scoffer is to be accounted, who by a company of 

 rimes published in the Germane tongue, to the disgrace 

 of our countrey, hath brought his name into everlasting 

 ignominie. 



Wherefore as our present businesse requireth, while 

 we are in hand with the writings of Authors concerning 

 this matter, although we meet with some things contain- 

 ing litle reproch, notwithstanding we will examine most 

 of them, noting the errors as hitherto wee have done : 

 in the meane time also when they shall alleage any 

 trueth, we will in no case dissemble it. And after this 

 maner, first we will heare Munster, Krantzius and 

 Frisius, and others also, if there be any more, what they 



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