policy of so great a kingdom, or prescribe rules to such wise men as have the handling thereof; but only to show you the evils which, in my small experience, I have observed to be the chief hindrance of the reformation, and by way of conference, to declare my simple opinion for the redress thereof, and establishing a good course for government, which I do not deliver as a perfect plot of mine own invention, to be only followed; but as I have learned and understood the same, by the consultations and actions of very wise governors and counsellors, whom I have, sometimes, heard treat hereof: so have I thought good to set down a remembrance of them for my own good, and your satisfaction, that whoso list to overlook them, although, perhaps, much wiser than they which have thus advised of that state yet, at least, by comparison hereof, may, perhaps, better his own judgement, and by the light of others foregoing him, may follow after with more ease, and haply find a fairer way thereunto, than they which have gone before.
Eudox.—I thank you, Ireneus, for this your gentle pains, withal not forgetting now, in the shutting up, to put you in mind of that which you have formerly half promised, that hereafter, when we shall meet again upon the like good occasion, you will declare unto us those your observations which you have gathered, of the antiquities of Ireland.
