The following is the concluding passage 

 of the Shirley Manuscript (Add. MS. 

 16, 165) in the British Museum : — 



Now I pray unto every creature that hath heard 

 or reaà this little treatise of whatever estate or 

 condition he be that there where there is too little 

 of good language that of their benignity and grace 

 they will add more, and there where there is too 

 much superfluity that they will also abridge it as 

 may seem best by their good and wise discretion. 

 Not presuming that I had over much knowledge 

 and ability to put into writing this royal disportful 

 and noble game of hunting so effectually that it 

 might not be submitted to the correction of all gentle 

 hunters. And in my simple manner as best I 

 could and as might be learned of old and many 

 diverse gentle hunters, I did my business in this 

 rude manner to put the craft and the terms and the 

 exercise of this said game more in remembrance 

 and openly to the knowledge of all lords, ladies, 

 gentlemen and women, according to the customs and 

 manners used in the high noble court of this Realm 

 of England* 



ftnis 



