ABSTRACT

Such Romanes (right Honourable) as delighted in martiall exploytes, attempted their actions in the honour of Augustus, because he was a Patron of souldiers: and Virgil dignified him with his poems, as a Mcecenas of schollers; both joyntly advauncing his royaltie, as a Prince warlike and learned. Such as sacrifice to Pallas, present her with bayes as she is wise, and with armour as she is valiant; observing herein that excellent TO nqenov which dedicateth honours according to the perfection of the person. When I entred (right honourable) with a deep insight into the consideration of these premisses, seeing your L. to be a Patron of all martiall men, and a Mwcenas of such as applie themselves to studie; wearing with Pallas both the launce and the bay, and ayming with Augustus at the favour of all, by the honourable vertues of your minde: being my selfe first a Student, and after falling from bookes to armes, even vowed in all my thoughts dutifully to affect your L. Having with Capt: Clarke made a voyage to the Islands of Terceras & the Canaries, to beguile the time with labour, I writ this booke; rough,

as hatcht in the stormes of the Ocean, and feathered in the surges of many perillous seas. But as it is the worke of a souldier and a scholler, I presumed to shrowde it under your Honors patronage, as one that is the fautor1 and favourer of all vertuous actions; and whose honourable Loves growen from the generall applause of the whole Common wealth for your higher deserts, may keep it from the mallice of every bitter tung. Other reasons more particular (right Honorable) chalenge in me a speciall affection to your L. as being a scholler with your two noble sonnes, Master Edmond Carew & M. Robert Carew, (two siens worthie of so honorable a tree, and a tree glorious in such honourable fruite) as also being scholler in the Universitie under that learned and vertuous Knight Sir Edward Hobbie, when he was Batchelor in Arts, a man as well lettered as well borne, and after the Etymologie of his name soaring as high as the wings of knowledge can mount him, happie everie way, & the more fortunate, as blessed in the honor of so vertuous a Ladie. Thus (right honourable) the duetie that I owe to the sonnes, chargeth me that all my affection be placed on the father; for where the braunches are so precious, the tree of force must be most excellent. Commaunded and emboldened thus with the consideration of these forepassed reasons, to present my Booke to your Lordship; I humbly intreate, your Honour will vouch of my labours, and favour a souldiers and a schollers pen with your gracious acceptance; who answers in affection what he wants in eloquence; so devoted to your Honour, as his onely desire is, to end his life under the favour of so martiall and learned a Patron.