University of Virginia Library



Thomas Spigurnel in praise of the Book and the Author.

For all that Chaucer had great praise/
For penning verse which he did vse:
By pratling pen his fame to raise/
And so to occupy his muse.
Yet therin sure he did abuse,
His muse, his minde and eke his wit:
By leauing things that were more fit.
My Freend heer paynfully hath pend,
A Mirrour playne for vs to view:
A Glasse wheron wee may depend,
To see what mischeef dooth ensue,
Of wickednes and eke the crue.
Of such as do delight therin:
And so their owne destruction win.
The Historyes be sacred sure,
And such as be moste woorthy prayse:
For Uertue by them shall indure,
And so cut of all wicked wayes,
And so I leaue by pen to prayse,
The fame of this moste woorthy Booke
And eke the pains that Munday took.
T S
FINIS