I know not whether I should call that kind of course, temper,[43] or baseness.  It is true, that I never travelled after men’s opinions, when I might have made the best use of them:  and I have now too few days remaining, to imitate those, that either out of extreme ambition, or of extreme cowardice, or both, do yet (when death hath them on his shoulders) flatter the world, between the bed and the grave.  It is enough for me (being in that state I am) to write of the eldest times:  wherein also why may it not be said, that in speaking of the past, I point at the present, and tax the vices of those that are yet living, in their persons that are long since dead; and have it laid to my charge?  But this I cannot help, though innocent.  And certainly, if there be any, that finding themselves spotted like the tigers of old time, shall find fault with me for painting them over anew, they shall therein accuse themselves justly, and me falsely.

For I protest before the Majesty of God, that I malice no man under the sun.  Impossible I know it is to please all; seeing few or none are so pleased with themselves, or so assured of themselves, by reason of their subjection to their private passions, but that they seem divers persons in one and the same day.  Seneca hath said it, and so do I:  “Unus mihi pro populo erat";[44] and to the same effect Epicurus, “Hoc ego non multis sed tibi";[45] or (as it hath since lamentably fallen out) I may borrow the resolution of an ancient philosopher, “Satis est unus, satis est nullus."[46] For it was for the service of that inestimable Prince Henry, the successive hope, and one of the greatest of the Christian world, that I undertook this work.  It pleased him to peruse some part thereof, and to pardon what was amiss.  It is now left to the world without a master:  from which all that is presented, hath received both blows and thanks:  “Eadem probamus, eadem reprehendimus:  hic exitus est omnis judicii, in quolis secundum plures datur."[47] But these discourses are idle.  I know that as the charitable will judge charitably:  so against those, “Qui gloriantur in malitia,"[48] my present adversity hath disarmed me, I am on the ground already, and therefore have not far to fall:  and for rising again, as in the natural privation there is no recession to habit; so it is seldom seen in the privation politic.  I do therefore forbear to style my readers gentle, courteous, and friendly, thereby to beg their good opinions, or to promise a second and third volume (which I also intend) if the first receive grace and good acceptance.  For that which is already done, may be thought enough, and too much:  and it is certain, let us claw the reader with never so many courteous phrases, yet shall we evermore be thought fools, that write foolishly.  For conclusion, all the hope I have lies in this, that I have already found more ungentle and uncourteous readers of my love towards them, and well-deserving of them, than ever I shall do again.  For had it been otherwise, I should hardly have had this leisure, to have made myself a fool in print.