WHereas in Our Vniuersities of Oxford and Cambridge , and in Our City of London , diuers Bookes ( not elsewhere formerly published ) in the Greeke and Latine tongues , haue beene put in Print and published at the cost and care of some of Our louing Subiects , and afterwards some of the same Bookes haue beene reprinted in the Dominions of forraine Princes or States , and from thence imported and put to sale here , By reason whereof Our said Subiects , at whose cost the first Impressions were made , haue beene much preindiced in the sale of such their Impressions , and haue beene also discouraged from their vndertakings in the like kinde ; We being graciously pleased to vouchsafe Our speciall incouragement to all good and lawfull indeauours vsed for the adding of helpes to good Arts and Learning , and to preuent for the future the like mischiefs that may happen by the importing and putting to sale of such forraine Editions , either of such Books as aforesaid , or of other of like nature ; Doe hereby straightly charge and command , and doe declare Our expresse will and pleasure to be , that from henceforth no person or persons whatsoeuer , either Our naturall borne Subiects , Denizens , or Strangers , shall import into Our Realmes of England , or Ireland , or Our Dominion of Wales , out of the Dominions of any forraine Prince or State , by way of merchandize or for sale ; or shall sell , offer , or put to sale in any of Our said Realmes , or in Our said Dominion any forraine Edition , or any Books or Copies of any forraine Edition of any Booke whatsoeuer , either in the Latine , or Greeke , or in the Hebrew , Chaldee , Syriack , or Arabick tongues , or in any of the said fiue tongues last mentioned together with Latine , the first Edition or publishing of which Booke shall at any time hereafter be , or hath formerly at any time , since the beginning of Our Raigne , beene out of any Presse or house of Printing within either of Our said Vniuersities , or in Our said City of London ; vnder such paines , penalties and forfeitures , as by the Lawes and Statutes of Our said Realmes , or by Our Prerogatiue Royall may be inflicted on such as shall contemne or neglect Our Royall pleasure and commands herein .

And We doe further will , require and command , All Sheriffes , Iustices of Peace , Maiors , Bayliffes , Constables , Searchers , and all other Our Officers whatsoeuer , that they and euery of them from time to time , vpon complaint made concerning the Premisses , be diligent according to their seuerall places respectiuely , in making discouery , finding out , & apprehending , all and euery the Offendors , that at any time hereafter shall either by importing , selling , offering or putting to sale any the Bookes aforesaid , transgresse against this Our Proclamation ; And also in seizing or causing to bee seized to Our vse , all and euery the Editions , Bookes and Copies , imported , sould , or offered to sale , against the intent hereof , to the end that the Delinquents herein may bee proceeded with , and punished according to their demerits .