The Post of the World/Epistle

by Richard Rowlands

[A2]

TO THE RIGHT

worshipfull, Syr Thomas Greasham Knight.

R. Rowlands wisheth continual encrease of renoumed worship and Vertue

After that I (Right worshipfull) had perused thys small Pamflet, conteyninge a briefe collection of the most useall and accustomable wayes, leadinge from the one notable Citie in Europe, to an other: being written with no smal labour and industry, and not without great cause very necessarily published in the high Almaine tongue, and the like also to be seene in the French, and Italian, I thought it a thing very uncurteous, and worthy of reproofe, to withhould so needefull a commoditie any longer from our voulgare spech, whereby I was the more imboldened to the finishing [A2v] therof, at such times as I might best attend upon the same. I have moreover, set downe the antiquitie of many cities worthy of memory, & the founders of their auncient monuments, the which I have diligently collected out of sundry approved aucthors. It resteth now that I therein most humbly crave your good worships furtheraunce, (as of one most worthy, for your great experience and travailes, into forreyne Realmes, in the Princes waighty affaires, as it is not unknowne) so that therby it might the better, under your protection, passe forth into the handes of many. And although (right worshipfull) this briefe collection, doth contain no pleasant history, nor delightful new devised matter, yet doubtlesse a thinge of necessitie to be desired, especially of all suche Gentlemen as are adicted to travaile, which hetherto have wanted the same: beside Marchants, or Factors, in forreyne countries, dispersed as their trafique requireth. But to be briefe, I cease further to reherse perticulerly the commodities thereof. Desiring your [A3] worship to take in good part, the first frutes of my labours, trusting hereafter (if God lend me good successe) to impart unto your worship, some further matter of more delight or pleasure in the reading thereof. And this I desire almightie God to preserve you, with your verteous Lady, in health and prosperous felicitie.

Your worshippes most bounden to commaund, Richard Rowlands.