English literature -- Middle English, 1100-1500; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 1066-1485 -- Sources
divers gentlemen, of whom one gentleman came to me and said that this
book was not according in many place unto the book that Geoffrey Chaucer
had made. To whom I answered that I had made it according to my copy,
and by me was nothing added ne minished. Then he said he knew a book
which his father had and much loved, that was very true and according
unto his own first book by him made; and said more, if I would imprint
it again he would get me the same book for a copy, howbeit he wist well
that his father would not gladly depart from it. To whom I said, in case
that he could get me such a book, true and correct, yet I would once
endeavour me to imprint it again for to satisfy the author, whereas
before by ignorance I erred in hurting and defaming his book in divers
places, in setting in some things that he never said ne made, and
leaving out many things that he made which be requisite to be set in it.
And thus we fell at accord, and he full gently got of his father the
said book and delivered it to me, by which I have corrected my book, as
hereafter, all along by the aid of Almighty God, shall follow; whom I
humbly beseech to give me grace and aid to achieve and accomplish to his
laud, honour, and glory; and that all ye that shall in this book read or
hear, will of your charity among your deeds of mercy remember the soul
of the said Geoffrey Chaucer, first author and maker of this book. And
also that all we that shall see and read therein may so take and
understand the good and virtuous tales, that it may so profit unto the
health of our souls that after this short and transitory life we may
come to everlasting life in Heaven. Amen.
BY WILLIAM CAXTON.
_Malory's King Arthur_. (1485).
Prologue.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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