by which they came to honour, and how they that were vicious were
punished and oft put to shame and rebuke; humbly beseeching all noble
lords and ladies, with all other estates of what estate or degree they
been of, that shall see and read in this said book and work, that they
take the good and honest acts in their remembrance, and to follow the
same. Wherein they shall find many joyous and pleasant histories, and
noble and renowned acts of humanity, gentleness, and chivalry. For
herein may be seen noble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness,
hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin.
Do after the good and leave the evil, and it shall bring you to good
fame and renown. And for to pass the time this book shall be pleasant
to read in, but for to give faith and belief that all is true that is
contained herein, ye be at your liberty: but all is written for our
doctrine, and for to beware that we fall not to vice nor sin, but to
exercise and follow virtue, by which we may come and attain to good fame
and renown in this life, and after this short and transitory life
to come unto everlasting bliss in heaven; the which He grant us that
reigneth in heaven, the blessed Trinity. Amen.

Then to proceed forth in this said book, which I direct unto all noble
princes, lords and ladies, gentlemen or gentlewomen, that desire to read
or hear read of the noble and joyous history of the great conqueror and
excellent king, King Arthur, sometime king of this noble realm,
then called Britain; I, William Caxton, simple person, present this book
following, which I have enprised to imprint: and treateth of the noble
acts, feats of arms of chivalry, prowess, hardiness, humanity, love,
courtesy, and very gentleness, with many wonderful histories and
adventures. And for to understand briefly the content of this volume, I
have divided it into XXI Books, and every book chaptered, as hereafter
shall by God's grace follow. The First Book shall treat how Uther
Pendragon gat the noble conqueror King Arthur, and containeth xxviii
chapters. The Second Book treateth of Balin the noble knight, and
containeth xix chapters. The Third Book treateth of the marriage of
King Arthur to Queen Guenever, with other matters, and containeth xv
chapters. The Fourth Book, how Merlin was assotted, and of war made to
King Arthur, and containeth xxix chapters. The Fifth Book treateth of
the conquest of Lucius the emperor, and containeth xii ch