Page:Works of Edmund Spenser - 1857.djvu/470



the rather presumed humbly to offer unto your honour the dedication of this little poëme, for that the noble and vertuous gentlewoman of whom it is written, was by match neere alied and in affection greatly devoted, unto your ladiship. The occasion why I wrote the same, was as well the great good fame which I heard of her deceassed, as the particular goodwill which I bear unto her husband Master Arthur Gorges, a lover of learning and vertue, whose house, as your ladiship by marriage hath honoured, so doe I find the name of them, by many notable records, to be of great antiquitie in this realme, and such as have ever borne themselves with honourable reputation to the world, and unspotted loyaltie to their prince and countrey: besides, so lineally are they descended from the Howards, as that the Lady Anne Howard, eldest daughter to John Duke of Norfolke, was wife to Sir Edmund, mother to Sir Edward, and grandmother to Sir William and Sir Thomas Gorges, knightes: and therefore I doe assure my selfe that no due honour done to the White Lyon, but will be most gratefull to your ladiship, whose husband and children do so neerely participate with the bloud of that noble family. So in all dutie I recommend this pamphlet, and the good acceptance thereof, to your honourable favour and protection. London, this first of lanuarie, 1591. Your honours humbly ever.