Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/220

210 rather, though expanded by the ample margin into something of a square form. It is dedicated to King James VI. of Scotland ; then a small rather watery boy hardly yet fourteen, but the chief Protestant King then extant ; the first Icon of all being that of James himself. The Dedication has nothing the least of fulsome or even panegyrical ; and is in fact not so much a Dedication as a longish preface, ex- planatory of Beza's impulse towards publishing such a book, namely, the delight he himself has in con- templating the face of any heroic friend of Letters and of true Religion ; and defending himself withal, to us superfluously enough, against any imputation of idolatry or image-worship, which scrupulous critics might cast upon him, since surely painting and en- graving are permissible to mankind ; and that, for the rest, these Icons are by no means to be introduced into God's House, but kept as private furniture in your own. The only praise he bestows on James is the indisputable one that he is head of a most Pro- testant nation; that he is known to have fine and most promising faculties; which may God bring to perfection, to the benefit of his own and many nations ;