ABSTRACT
To the most mighty and most gracious Princesse, Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England, France, & Ireland, Defender of the true, antient, Catholicke and Apostolicke faith &c: much health, and prosperity in this world, and in the world to come life everlasting be to her excellent Majesty. May itt please your highnes, Soveraigne Lady Queene, Here of a Jewell worthy to bee seene To take a view; I say of such a stone The like whereof be very few, or none. A stone in deed wee commonly itt call 5 Of vulgar sorte, and yett noe stone att all: But mattier such as fire can never tame, Nor danted is by force of any flame. And Why? They say fire long time hath itt fed, And that which fire continuing long hath bredd, It 10 Ytt cannot bee that fire should that destroy, Or seeke the same unkindly to annoy. Seeing againe our medicine is a fire Of substance pure, they say itt doth desire, By nature’s force, corruption to decay 15 With other fire, but can full well away. And here uppon itt worketh wonders strainge, And doth not only mettalls straingly chainge, That unto itt bee answerable in kinde, But alsoe, as in learned bookes wee finde, 20 For men and women itt is generall, And cureth wholie their diseases all. Which, gracious Queene, to you I doe present For noe cause elce but for this good intent: [p.2] To signify my dutifull goodwill, In stead perchance of great & learned Skill. Which I the rather here doe undertake To write (Madame) for your high honor’s sake, For that I see that famous learned Clerkes Have dedicated heretofore such workes 30 To Governors and Kings of noble fame, Much rather then to men of meaner name. For well they saw if good therby might come That due itt is to Princes all and some. I wishing therefore much prosperity, 35 And of your foes an endles victory, Unto your highnesse dedicate this booke All att your leasure and pleasure on to looke. Which att this tyme my duty to declare Was all and whole the end of this my care. 40 God blesse your grace with long happy life And with your subjects peace devoide of strife. God grant you still that traysons may rebound On Traitors’ necks, whom ever God confound. Of forreine foes God send you the conquest; 45 What soe they bee, God send them little rest That would molest your Godly, quiett reigne: For their desertes God send them double paine. Your acceptacion, ending thus, I crave; Now of my Speech my booke the rest shall have. 50
Your Grace’s most loyall and humble subject,
Edward Cradocke.