To the Right Honorable the Lord Robert Dudley, Earle of Leicester, Baron of Denbigh, Knight of the most noble order of the Garter, Maister of the Queenes Maiesties horsse, and one of hir Highnesse priuie Councell.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 _IT may seeme (Right Honora|ble) a great presumption in mee, to haue taken in hand the collec|tion of this Scotish historie, and other of diuers regions, conside|ring so many sufficient men as liue in these daies, farre more a|ble to performe the same. But where at the motion of a speciall friend, I vndertooke to deale therein, more vpon trust of his promised aid than of mine owne abilitie, it pleased GOD to call him to his mercie before the worke could be fullie brought to an end: but yet to answer the expectation of his friends, and trust which he had committed to them and me in this behalfe, I haue doone my good will to accomplish part of that, which in his life time was intended, although not to my wished desire, by reason of such wants as had beene supplied if he had liued to haue seene it published himselfe.