University of Virginia Library


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Here beginneth the Prologue of this litle treaties followinge wch is ye discent of the Lord Percies made & compiled briefely by mee Wm Peeris Clerke & Priest. Secretary to the Right noble Earle Henry the Vth earle of Northumberland.

Chronickles & Annuall bookes of Kings
Of ancient Lords & estates royall.
Declareth ye descent wth many notable things
theire fatall ends and theire Acts martiall.
Yet a true descent & Linage spetiall,
in diverse places confused in the bookes
it is hard to find but if a longe looke.

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Wherefore I have concluded rudely as I can
In a perpetuall memory for a President
Of the noble Pearcy bloud maintainer of many a man
Here to entitle of ancient proofe evident.
Soe liberall a linage, a stocke soe reuerent soe prepotent
a progenie of noble blood descended
ought to bee registred, remembred, & penned.
To yor good Lordship my owne good Lord
This litle poore Treatise I combined
An infallible witnesse & a true record
of my true heart & faithfull mind
To yor good Lordship soe bounteous & kind
where powr wanteth & fortunes smilinge face
onely good will supplyeth the place.
A poore widdowe saith holy scripture
the vallew of a farthinge offred up and sent
Wth harty devotion & mind right pure
Of Christ shee was commended for her good intent.
Wth a mans true heart hee is best content
Give mee thy hart man saith hee it is enough
a poore man god knoweth hath none other plough.
If soe litle a thinge may bee acceptable
I have given it yor Lordship an hundred fould
Would god my litle cunninge were able

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To doe you such service as I would.
But my hart is yors untill my carcasse be could
If privy envy the contrary say
it shall neuer bee proved untill my deaths day.
The most radiant sone of Righteousnes yt euer cleard yow
Wch is neuer ecclipsed nor lacketh light
Give yor good Lordship many good yeares
& send yor Ldship grace & spetiall might
To ouercome yor enemies & longe to enjoy yor right
This day this poore New yeares gift to yor Ldship I present
of harty good mynd and true humble intent.
And how bee it this matter be compiled wthout science or art
I beseech yor good Lordship to accept the
goodwill & ponder the true stedfast hart.