THE TRUE STATE OF ICELAND ad. 



1592. 

 then if thou committest thy selfe to the government of 

 such men, who to the uttermost of their power, although 

 they be of thine owne brood, dayly seeke thine over- 

 throw for their owne private advantage and secret malice. 

 Wherefore (to be short) let these be to advertise my 

 deare Country, how behovefuU it is that the matters 

 aforesaid be put in practise. 



But whilest I am speaking these things unto thee 

 (my Countrey) oh that my deepe and dolefull sighes, 

 which lie hid in the former speach, might pierce the 

 cares of our Kings most excellent Majestic, before whom, 

 on thy behalfe I doe bewaile the publique miseries, which 

 in this respect especially doe arise, because wee are so 

 farre distant from the seate and royall presence of our 

 King, that many therefore take more libertie, and promise 

 more securitie of offending unto themselves. But we [I. 590.] 

 will commit all these matters to the most just Judge of 

 heaven and earth who beholdeth all things in equitie. 



Nowe it remaineth (my beloved Countrey) that thou 

 wouldest take in good part these my labours employed 

 in thy service, and accept them with that favourable 

 and courteous minde which I have expected. And 

 although they be not of such worth as I could wish, 

 yet sith a willing minde is worth all, I would not there- 

 fore give over because I mistrusted my selfe as one 

 insufficient to contend for thine innocencie, for thy repu- 

 tation, and thine honour, my deare Countrey. But 

 rather whatsoever it be (if it be ought) and how mickle- 

 soever which for my slender abilitie I was able to afford 

 in thy defence, I thought good not to suppresse it : 

 for I esteeme not those men worthy of commendation, 

 who despairing 



To overgrow the limmes of Lyco stoute. 

 Neglect to cure their bodies of the goute. 



And in very deed, it doeth no whit repent me of 

 my labour, if this little treatise shall tend neither to 

 thine nor to mine owne disgrace. But if it shall any 



IV 193 N 



