THE first labour and verses in the behalfe of Maister Forboyshers voyage , procured my pen after the farewell giuen to him ( and his valliant companions ) to saiute them with a welcome home , Likewise in verse , so soone as thei here seuerally and saffely ariued . And now consideryng their greate venter and hazard and callyng to mynde the trauaile of Collumbo , Theuet , Gabotha , Magelanus and others ( notorious in nauigation , and singularly giuen to good exercise and studie ) I thought it neccssarie for the encoragement of any forward minde ( seruyng for the maintenance of a commonwealth ) to shewe a little at large the goodnes that riseth by traueiling abroade , and commoditie that commeth by seekyng out suche soiles and Countries , as maie make our countriemen here happie at home . There is suche pleasure in this ioyfull pilgrimage ( and it purchaseth suche a greate profite in small proces of time ) that I doe call it the garlande of gain and glorie , and perfite passage too all worldly felicitie .

For in the redemyng of tyme that our auncestours haue loste ( and gainyng of knowledge that makes our posteritie bothe riche and honorable ) wee make the barrain ground fruitfull , and the idell people to become laborious , and readie to aunswere our expected desires , and able to withstande the wicked willes , and proude purposes of forraine power .

The daies haue bin ( and of late ) that a Pilot who knew but the coast of Spaine ( the Canaries , or course to the Indians ) hath gotten suche credite that eche Marchaunte thought hymself happie that could commende his wealth and ship to the handes of suche a Pilot.

And now thankes bee too GOD and our good industrie , if you would make a voyage to Cattaie , or in a maner to the verie confines of Europe , Asia , Affrica , or America , you should quickly finde readie members , and Noble minded Gentlemen , that would not onely hazarde their owne patrimonies , for the performance of the exploite , but likewise accompanie you with their own persons in the iourney .

And for that euery Gentleman ( or labourar in the Uineyard ) ought not onely to taste of the clustred Grapes , but also to reape some of the gaine and glory belonging to the Uintage , I thinke it moste necessarie and reason , that Maister Forboisher ( Generall to Meta incognita ) maister Fenton , Maister Yorke , Maister Beste , and others that were in the late iourney , and eskriyng of an vnknowen Iland , or countrey , should bee registred in a perpetuall booke of memorie , as men that haue esteemed nothyng so dearly , as the vnfoldyng of hard matters and hidden secretes .

Whereby , thei haue hope to spread Gods glorie farther then euer hath bin by our common knowledge vnderstoode , or our highest senses and reasons could reache vnto .

And surely this is a true testimonie of greate goodnesse intended , that our Nation in suche a christian sorte and maner , refuseth no hazarde nor daunger , to bryng Infidelles too the knowledge of the omnipotente God , yea , albeit great wealth and commoditie maie rise to vs of their labours , yet the purpose of manifestyng Gods mightie woorde and maiestie among those that feed like monsters ( and rather liue like dogges then men ) doeth argue not onely a blessed successe , but perswadeth a prosperous and beneficiall retourne .

For admitte that no further gaine then Goddes glorie were looked for , and that our peaceable Prince nourisheth people only to that respect ( as members & instruments for the redeeming of many a loste soule ) we ought to imagin there can not be a greater grace , nor a more richer and precious thyng expressed in this vngracious tyme and season .

And those that offereth to do their best in the furtherance of christian religion , are sure diyng or liuyng in that determination , to attain the vnspeakable and wished ioyes thei desire besides here to remaine with immortal fame whiles the worlde lasteth .

The cause and constancie of suche as shewe any courage at all , either springes from a deuine delite in good doyng , or a worldly desire of well won credite valiantly gotten . And the coward Spirite of those that dare attempt no hazardes comes from a feble iudgement , or a weake womanish bodie that trembles to take in hande any stoute or manly enterprise .

Fortune herself giues place to any inuincible courage , and the fortitude of the mynde conquers countries , and ouercommeth the greatest conquerors that is vnder the cloudes .

I read of the firste greate Turcke Otthoman and others ( with all their successours ) an incredible discourse , and yet by their mightie monarchies am forced to beleeue their dignities and destenie did muche depende vpon their resolute myndes .

The greatnesse of Alexanders hart was no whit inferiour to the greate and good Fortune he possessed .

And so generally to speake of the forwardnesse of man , and woorthie laude that folowes vertuous actions , I could occupie your eares with the hearing of many a noble historie , and proue thereby that nothyng is comparable to a couragious determination .

For as many aucthours affirme , ( and mannes actions declare ) that man is but his mynde : so it is to bee daily tride , that the bodie is but a mixture of compoundes , knitte together like a fardell of fleashe , and bondell of bones , and vnited as a heauie lumpe of Leade ( without the mynde ) in the sillie substaunce of a shadowe .

We see a marueilous boldnesse in some horsses , that with the least motion of rodd or sticke will take hedge or diche , when a royle of a greater stature is a fraied of a little bushe .

Among Birdes in like maner is a wonderfull difference , and yet the Cocke in his combate surmounteth them all .

But Man the Kyng of all creatures by force and discretion , gouernes what he pleaseth , and compasseth thinges that the base expectation neither can comprehende , nor dare not attempte .

Now vnder correction , was not this a valiaunt aduenture , to take in hande a voyage neuer sailed before , ( but by one Gabotha whiche hereafter I will speake of ) and in this sailyng to incounter suche huge mountaines of Iee , and passe the same so orderlie and so soone , without any probable certaintie of a happy successe and safe retourne .

Albeeit that Maister Forboysher had asaied the danger with some good signe of benefite not long agoe , Yet the course was so combersome , and the passage so perilous , that few men were willyng to make a triall of the iourney , till these Gentlemen and their couragious companions of their owne good will , tooke vpon them to see the vttermost of the matter , and to abide the bronte of all that might happen . And when thei were vndersaile , beholde how obediently and painfullie thei behaued them selues , and forgettyng delicate and fine feedyng , tooke what was fitte for the tourne , and stoode contente with what portion was appointed , as men resolued to suffer a little scarcitie and sorrowe , in hope of aboundance and greate pleasure to come . And agreed in felloweship so faithfully , that it was to bee iudged that one Mother had sent so manie children abroad , to shew what mutuall loue ought to be among brethren .

And in verie deede the greatest conquest can bee made is the victorie and masteryng of affections , ( for the auoydyng of contencious tumultes , and brablyng curiositie ) whiche here tofore hath hindered not onely great seruices , but also hath bredde greate mischiefes and wounded a common wealthe , with an infinite number of beggerie botches , and incurable diseases . By vnion and amitie wee are taught bothe by the Bee , and the Ant a lesson woorthie notyng , and so suckyng in season the fruite of our labors , with sugred pleasures our paines be recompensed .

Now returnyng to my former discourse , I would a little touche by your licence , the hardie and brutishe maner of the people lately discouered for it seemeth by their bold and beastly fashion , that thei dare do any thing that their consceites will allowe , or courage of man maie execute . Firste thei aduentured by struggelyng and strengthe , to ouercome man to man any one of our companie , and as I heare saie xiiii . of them gaue charge vpon xxx . of ours , and stoode stoutely to their enterprise . Hauing with their able bodies suche a kinde of agilitie and swiftnesse , as is to bee wondred at : Besides thei haue a dissemblyng pollicie to seeme lame , when thei pretende a mischief , and carriyng suche a dreadlesse mynde , and desperate intention , thei rather flyng themselues headlong into the Sea ( from the top of a mightie mountaine ) then yeld to the mercie of any that maie subdewe them .

This is a straunge kynd of stoutnesse , and peraduenture procedes from some wronges thei haue suffered by some other Nation then ours , whose crueltie hath made them so fearfull to come in handes : That thei haue no skill of submission , nor will not learn to knowe the courtezie of a Conqueror . Which resolution in them ( though barbarous it seeme ) showes a settled opinion thei haue in their force and liberties , and vtters a miraculous manlinesse to abounde in that brutish Nation .

The more praise and renowme shall thei haue , that seketh to reforme these foolishe hardie Infidelles , and retourne too grope and finde out the commodities of that place , and conditions of the people enhabityng there .

And as touchyng the singulare gaine that maie growe by their trauailes that goeth thether , I remitte that to the triall all readie hadde , and Iudgemente of those that can looke depely into the bowels and bothome of suche causes and businesse , assuredly beeleuing by that I haue seen and heard , that many good thynges will fall out to vs by the iourney .

Then lette vs with wishyng well be furtherars and fauourars of that noble enterprise , whiche from the beginnyng of our age , was neuer brought to passe throughly , nor in a maner directly thought vppon . The course is so orderly thether that none , whiche can skill of nauigation , but will grant the voyage to be easily accomplished : notwithstandyng the Winde , Weather , and sharpe ayre of the countrey must bee borne withall and suffered , as God shall ordaine , and men maie prouide for . In good sooth I heare a number that murmurs at this matter , some suche as neuer did saile betwene Douer and Callice , and some that haue sailed verie farre , and found no peece of benefite to bee gotten in a cold climate , makyng strong reasons and argumentes on their owne sides because thei haue not proued the experience of this iourney .

Well , I admitte that many maie mislike this trauail , and shewe many perswasions for the maintenance of their dislikyng , yet consideryng that a verie wise and learned Gentleman ( called Sir Humfrey Gilberte ) hath written of this enterprise , and verie graue and honourable personages , doe sette their helpyng handes to the same , the mislikers should either hold their peace , or put in practize a matter of more importance , or at the least beholde the successe of the nexte iourney , with more silence , and lesse murmuryng .

The exercises of Nauigation is commendable , and makes many a good Mariner .

The tyme is so well spente ( where otherwise Idlenesse would nourishe men in vices ) that diuerse shal be kept occupied , and made the better able to liue .

The attempte is so honourable , that fewe or none but base mynded people will condempne .

The charge is not so greate to set the shippes out , but the blessyng of God and the benefite of the iourney , maie requite at the commyng home again .

The subiectes of our soile can lose but little , in settyng idle men a worke about honest affaires : and bothe this lande and diuerse of our neighbours maie winne muche by their aduenture , in bringyng among Christians that treasure , whiche Gods enemies neither knewe howe to vse , nor are worthie of .

Then tell me I praie you , what hurte maie come vnto vs , where so greate hope of help is to be loked for ?

Their Captaines are knowne to be of good birth and hauiour .

Their Souldiours of honest credite and callyng .

And all their Officers and Mariners are chosen people , of experience greate and good , and of good parentage and affinitie .

The sufficiencie of this people and certaintie of their last doyngs , should bee a sufficient testimonie for euer of their wel meanyng and good seruice .

Wherefore the lookers on maie of courtezie sitte still or bee better occupied , than be to busie in the hindryng of a noble iourney and worthy action .

But GOD bee blessed , either thei can doe no harme that are hinderars of good thinges , or goodnes itself is so free from danger that no man may hurte it .

I thought it conuenient to shewe those that desire to knowe as breiflie as I can , the order of their laste settyng foorthe , whiche was the xxv . of Maie from Blackwall , and so staiyng a while before Graues ende , they passed towardes Harwiche , where they did as the Lordes of the Counsell by letters appoincted .

So takyng leaue from thence , thei helde their course to Orkneyes , than to Caethneyes , a parte of the mayne lande of Scotlande .

And so to S. Magnus sounde , where the people were affrayed of our men at the first : but afterwardes entertained them , as the commoditie of the barraine soyle would suffer .

There the generall gaue a speciall Card and order to his captaines for the passing of the straites , and passing all the moneth of Iune towards the Countrey , they came in Iuly in the veawe of Freeselande , where they were troubled with aboundaunce of Ice , and felt extreame cold : albeeit it was in Iuly .

Then holdyng on a combersome course to passe the straites , thei found suche stormes & harde weather , that one loste a Rudder , and an other a Maste , and the whole companie wer in sore distresse and hazard . Whiche danger of storme and anoiance of Ice dured a long time , in which season by diligence and Goddes good meanes , their came into the Straites ( as thei tearme it ) where escriyng lande , thei were troubled a freashe with suche a deale of Ice , that thei had muche ado to set foote on land , but in the ende , at Haulls Ilande ( so named for Haulls fauour ) they landed and tooke suche Eure from thence , as they thought necessarie for their purpose .

Afterwardes the General landed in an other Ilande , where vsyng courtezie for the reclaymyng of the people there , was forced by the rudenesse of that Nation , too shewe some extremity in the taking of one in that Ilande , whom he brought aboarde the Ayde . So seekyng further intoo the straites ( as the Ice would permitte ) they came where they landed of their men a sufficient nomber , and there geuing thankes to God for their safe ariuall , they marched with Enseigne displayed fower or fiue miles intoo the Countrey , but the Mountaines were so great in that place they could not passe further , and retourne that night to their shippes , whiche made theim retyre . And marchyng backe , they found a straunge Fish dead , that had been caste from the Sea on the shore , who had a Boane in his Head like an Vnicorne , whiche they brought awaye and presented to our Prince , when thei came home . But now after many thinges were tried , & some season spent for searchyng out of Eure ▪ they departed from Iackmans sound and put into another place , named at that presente Beares sound , and landing there , found good Eure , of which Eure was digged twentye Tunne in two dayes .

Then on a Sonday the Generall landed vppon the mainlande , with a good company of Souldiours . Which Maine was plainer ground than any of the other Ilandes named before .

But the night following their landing , there arose suche a wind , which brought in tide and Flood so faste to the same sound where the shippes did ride , that the aboundance of Ice did breake a Cable of the Gabriell , and put all their people in a terrible feare and perplexitie , in whiche feare and eminent daunger they wayed the Anker of the Michell , Maister Yorkes ship , & were faine to cast it on a great Rocke of Ice . Whiche Rocke defended them from the reste of the Ice that might haue doen them no little displeasure .

And in short space after , the Ice so encreased , that thei were fain to waie an Anker al at once , and take the miners aborde , and set sayle presentlie to Gabriells Iland .

And the generall findyng another sound ( where Golden Eure was too be had ) caused the rest to come vntoo hym that were of his companie , and so laded their ships with the porcion that they were able to get and carrie .

Now there happened a Calme , in whiche calme they plyed the tide ouer to Iackmans sound , and were enforced by a Tide of Flood to put intoo a sound called Yorkes sound , and when they were entered there , they espied twoo Tentes , to the whiche some of our men repaired , and found the people fledde , yet in the same Tentes were eight Boates ( made of Seale skins ) left , and possessed by our men , with other trifles scarce worthy the mention . Notwithstandyng , findyug a Doublet , a Shyrte and a paire of Shues ( knowen too bee an Englishemans that was lefte there the yere beefore ) Maister Yorke caused a Letter to be written by Haull the Maister of a Barke , and that letter to be left in the Tent , with Paper , Pen , and Ynke , therby to get some intelligence of the man they presupposed to be aliue , and to woork therafter as occasion should be offerered .

And so leauyng the Tentes standing : In them , Belles , glasses and other toyes to embolden the barberous people to vse some courtesie , our men departed toward Iackmans sound , without any further offence offered to the Infidels .

Yet tooke our menne vieue by the waie , where and how thei might enuiron the enemie about if necessitie so compelled them .

And the firste daie of August , they came into Iackmans sound , & there tooke sutche order , that as many as might be spared , should waite on the Generall , for to get sutche honour or intelligence as the cause required , and euerie one of them were bente rather to receiue wrong , than offer any peece of iniurie . And had good instruction giuen them by their readers , that all thinges should bee doen by discretion and carefull regard of duetie .

But the Caniballes had sutch suspicion of their doornges , that our mens deuice was in a maner frustrate . For the Tentes were taken awaie , the enemies were fled ( or in holes among Rockes ) and some of theym were in Boates where our menne might not easely come vnto them .

Whereat our people determinyng to doe that they came for , landed .

At whom the Caniballes shot and offered too shewe some defence , whiche moued so mutch the manhode of our countreimen , that they deuised howe to bee conquerours in sutch forte , as might sound to their reputation and christian credite .

Making no delaye vpon this their resolution : Parted their companie the one halfe to follow the fliers , and the other halfe too trace out the fine Foxes that were creapt intoo holes , whiche pollecie preuailed so mutche , that their enemies were amazed , and stood not in suertie of themselues , for they were followed on all sides , and not only hunted out of holes : but beaten and driuen backe in open field . And yet they shot so sore , that they wounded a man of ours dangerously in the body . Ourmen shot at them againe , and thei tooke vp those arrowes and most obstinatly shot those arrowes at our people without regarde of their owne liues , by whiche folly of theirs , our men ranne in vpon them , hopyng to take some of them aliue . And they continuyng in this obstinacie ( rather than thei would yeld ) tumbled doune from a high Mountain , into the bottome of the Seas .

So leauyng that place , from thence our men wente to a soyle thei named the Counties of War wickes Iland , where was perceiued by the wauing of a white garment , and other signes that the Caniballes made : that thei would deliuer our men again , for those people that thei had loste . But the people our men had taken , were kept to gather knowledge of , ( and the Caniballes did but dissemble ) and in deede their furie burste out vppon their practize . For when thei sawe our men would not bee trained into their Treasons , thei issued out from the place thei lay in , and openly as thei durst , and with out regarde followed the Shippes , shoutyng and shootyng moste outragiously , as long as thei had any power too come neere our men . And it was to be iudged , that there were of the ennemies an hundreth or twoo more , in couerte , then our menne had seen before : whiche strategeme and fiennesse in them did plainly declare , that thei are not so simple , but can deuise more mischief then was looked for , or espied out at the first . And our menne hauyng dispatched their handes of these Infidelles , did lade their Shippes , ended their businesse , and tooke in their stouffe , and tentes that was a shore , and giuyng thankes to God , for their so good happ and fortunate successe .

Their Generall gaue commaundement , that whiche of the Barkes did firste recouer the sight of Englande , should sette into the shore , and there tary the councells pleasure , if it happened them before to bee seuered by Winde and Weather any waie one from an other . And after this direction and order giuen , they hoised vp sailes , and in verie deede by occasion of cruell weather and tempeste , could not keepe compaignie long together . For Maister Yorkes Shippe loste sighte of the Aide and Gabriell , and was tossed so sore , that the mayne Maste was blowne ouerboarde , and his Shippe diuerse times in perill to be shaken in peeces , besides a daungerous leakyng it had , whiche could not bee readily remeadied . : Yet as all violent thinges doe endure but a season , so this rage of storme ceased in continuaunce of tyme , and the Ship saffely ariued at Yarmouthe Hauen , where the officers of the Toune did shewe greate courtizie to the sailers , and offered all the gentlenesse to the Captaine that might bee imagined . The Ayde and Gabriell in like sorte felte their parte of affliction and danger , and at lengthe came gallauntly home to Gods greate glorie , and the gladnesse of good people .

Now is not this their paines worthie the pennyng , and doeth not this voyage merite to bee remembred : bee iudge thereof your selues into whose handes this little treatize maie happen .

And for that I haue forgotten some necessary members , and furtherars of this iourney ( whose charges and diligence is great ) and other notable & prosperous voyages , I praie you pardon me , though here I presente too your good commendation their names , and because Maister Mighel Locke hath alwaies furthered Maister Forboisher , I maie not omitt his paine and willyng exspences , but bryng to remembrannce the merites of so worthie a Marchaunt .

I call to minde in like maner how a Knight called sir Hew Willowbie , moued to seke Cattaie , and bring home some newes thereof , perished in the enterprise , but though he be dead , his fame maie bee reuiued , and freashely liue in our memories .

There were of his companie that founde out 〈◊〉 at that presente tyme , whiche men ought not altogether to bee forgotten . I knewe my self twoo notable menne of them , the one called Chancelar , and the other Borrowes , whiche Chancelar especially was the odde man of his tyme , for matters touchyng the Sea .

Maister Hawkins and Maister Ienkinson , for many greate trauailles , are here to be honoured with the reste , that haue gone forward in any famous aduentures .

These men and many moe of excellente wittes and practizes , were knowne and tried in the raigne of that noble yonge Prince Kyng Edwarde the sixte , and were furnished with goodly shippes , at whiche tyme was considered , that greate vesselles liyng idle at Gillyngham , spente and consumed muche in keepyng and repairyng , and in the ende but rotted awaie , without any profit or pleasure springing from them , and that in sailyng abroade , might bryng home commodities innumerable .

And encrease Marriners too the greate glorie and safetie of our countrey : and as I haue vnderstoode and learned , the third parte of the worlde is vnhabited , and one Columbo an Italian , in Kyng Henry the seuenths tyme , was set a woorke by the Kyng of Aragon and Queene Isabella , which Columbo made a discouerie of the Indians , by a voyage he tooke in hande , of whiche discouerie sence that season , is growne suche an infinite treasure , as is incredible to be spoken of . And this is to bee proued , that there are nombers of places in the Indians not yet possessed , nor neuer were in the handes of Christen people , neither yet can not bee offensiue too the Spaniardes , if Englishe menne enioye them : For in conscience and right thei were better to haue our companie , then neither wee nor thei enioye the mightie Masse of wealthe , that these Indians would yelde vs .

The earth was made for the children of men , & neither the Spaniard , nor the Frenche , hath a prerogatiue too dwell alone , as though God appointed them a greater portion then other Nations .

In deede hee that lies idlelie at home , and hopes that GOD will caste kyngdomes in his lappe , maie as well catche at the Cloudes in the ayre , as come by any commoditie of the Earth . But to those that trauailes abroad , a double or treble parte is alotted , as a manne might saie , that Destinie makes her dole , and giueth an almose to them that reacheth out their handes for it : But too suche as thinketh scorne too come , when the dole is a dealyng , she neither castes a bare chipping of bread , nor flings any thankfull chaunce of good Fortune .

I trust wee are not afearde to offende those , that with that golde seeketh meanes to conquere the whole world , and encomber by crueltie and pride ali the kingdomes of the earth .

Why may not wee as well by pollicie and Sworde ( if it come too that pointe ) posses a peece of those places , that falleth by enheritance too none but sutch as are able to get them and haue power to defend them .

As our Prouerbe is , Winne Golde , and weare Golde . So the necessitie of millions of men biddes them seeke abroad for some benefite , or lie at home in exstreme ruine and beggerie .

For want of good exercies to mainteine a multitude that daylie encrease , the fine and stoute stomackes stoupeth to steale , and the cunnyng and craftie wittes compasseth by falshead to come by true mens Goods , so that here at home is no other occupation commonly vsed : But a newe kinde of arte how to deceiue one another .

And surely it is no maruell , for if people bee not employed to win their foode , and that neither Plague nor Warres doe deminish the multitude . I feare in a whyle we shall haue neither meate for our mouthes nor houses for our heades .

I wonder why there is more men hanged in Englande in the space of one yere , then in fiue regions our neibours in the space of ten yeres put to execution .

Belike if those busie Bodies and stout corrages were occupied about honest causes , they would bee rather able to giue bread to the needie , then ready too spoyle and cut the throates of the welthy and ritch .

You know , and all the world may see , that we had neuer bigger nor better Shippes , nor more abundance of them , whiche Uessailes were they abroad , the sight & shot of them would make our enemies affraid and tremble . And those shippes sparkled seuerall waies about some noble discouerie , if our foes in the meane while offered iniurie to our countey :

O what a discourage shoulde the enemy haue , when at their backs thei should finde our shippes vnder saill , armed and apointed too giue them a charge and a foyll . By the reporte of sutch as bee wise and worshipfull , if our goodly shippes were employed , where lawfully we may goe and vse good traficke . Their yerely commoditie would fiue tymes surmount the reuennue of the Crowne . Further I am sure of , if wee tooke a custome too be abroad , both the Turkes Gallies and al other christen princes powers on the Seas , would giue them free passage , or stand in awe of our Princes Nauie . Than iudge what is lost by this our slacknes and slouth , and consider what gain and glorious victorie may bee won with a little trauaill and exercise , ( the Mother and Nurse of life and good lawes ) a thing moste liked in a common weale , and followed and embraced of euery good mynde . But I doubt whether Alexander the great was more to be praised in his conquestes ( for that he beegan with a kingdome ) than sutch as with little maintenance attaines by exercise of wit and bodie to any noble territorie .

For Alexanders fame by Philip his Father was spread so farre , that the Macedonians name was a terrour too their enemyes , and Alexanders Purse and power ( with the greatesse of his harte ) was in a maner sutche readie Proppes to holde hym vppe , that hee could not fall but by the rebuke of Fortune or want of worldly pollicie .

But sutch as from small abilitie or suckor , doe rise too greate wealth or gouernmente ( hauyng neither Kyng nor Kingdomes too comforte them ) are of great hart and corrage , neither inferiour to Hercules , nor in their mindes behind no iote the mightie Alexander for worthy renoume .

For as by our comon opinion they can not sincke that are held vp by the Chin , so is it hard too swimme in a strong Flood ( or bee any way aflote ) where is greate weakenes of bodie and little strength to withstande the streame .

I can doe no more with my penne but praise and commende all Noble and manly exercises , in whiche exercise I put these parties afore rehearsed , and all other that may and doe by their paines and discoueries helpe their Countrey too commoditie . And will spare neither charges , studie nor trauell in preferryng of Gods honor and wealth of the Prince they were borne vnder . And albeit that this iorney is a speciall thing to be spoken of , yet in reading Belle Forest in the second Tome and other Authours , I finde that Gabotha was the firste in Kyng Henrie the seuenths daies , that discouered this frosen land or Seas , from sixtie seuen towards the North , and from thence towards the South along the cost of America , to thirtie sixe degrees and a halfe , as it is affirmed in the sixth booke of the Decade .

This beeing doen ( at that season ) for the discouerie of Cattaye , auouched by the Spanishe Decades and other bookes & Authors of as great credit .

But this Gabothaes labour robs no peece of praise from maister Forboyshers , for Gabotha made but a simple rehearsall of such a soyle .

And Maister Forboysher makes a perfaite proofe of the Mines & profite of the countrie . By whiche action he encorageth sondrie good subiects to search out the secretes of naturall causes and hidden Treasures , kept for wante of exercise in Nauigation from our knowledge and vse .

And as I might properly say hee hath broken the Ice , explained the passage and opened the Port of present commoditie and gaine .

Thus trusting you that reade this woorke , will take in worth my good will and paines ( who hath written in the praise of vertue , no more then is needefull to bee touched for the auoyding of vice . ) I remain at their deuocions that loue good studie , and hate idlenes and sloth , promising with this my poore and litle present , a greater booke to followe of my Chips , which shall as I hope content the Readers better then my first volume did .

And so wishing that those whiche enuie well doyng , may doe well them selues ( to Gods glory , and honour of our Countrey ) I troble you no further with the readyng of my fruitlesse labours .