Page:The Whetstone of Witte.djvu/5

 benifite, and serueth their necessarie commodities. This perswasion maketh me so bolde, that I can not thinke it neadefull, to seke any protector, for this or any like woorke. Sith euery good man will offer humself, to defende that, wherby his natiue countrie is benifited. Excepte at some tyme, by excitation of the furies, some naughtie natures doe practice their fraude, to berefte the realme of some singulare commoditie. But as I feaure no soche, so at this tyme I seke no soche aide against thē. Yet for rectefyng of frendeshippe, and gratefulle remembraunce, I could doe noe lesse, but sende this Booke to soche as I thought, not onely to deserue it, but also would gladly receiue it. And if I maie perceiue, that you doe accepte it (as I doubte not) with as good a wille, as I dooe sende it, I will for your pleasure, to your coumforte, and for your commoditie, shortly set forthe soche a booke of Nauigation, as I dare saie, shall partly satisfie and contente, not onely your exceptation, but also the desire of a greate nomber beside. Wherein I will not forgett specially to touche, bothe the olde attempte for the Northlie Nauigations, and the later good aduenture, with the fortunate succeise in discoueryng that voiage, whiche noe men before you durste attempte, sith the tyme of Kyng Alurede his reigne. I meane by the space of .700. yere. Nother euer