ughe no mannes witte reiect will I,
Yet as they be, I wyll them trye.

The argumentes of the foure bookes

The first booke declareth the definitions of the termes and
names vsed in Geometry, with certaine of the chiefe grounds
whereon the arte is founded. And then teacheth those
conclusions, which may serue diuersely in al workes
Geometricall.

The second booke doth sette forth the Theoremes, (whiche maye be
called approued truthes) seruinge for the due knowledge and sure
proofe of all conclusions and workes in Geometrye.

The third booke intreateth of diuers formes, and sondry
protractions thereto belonging, with the vse of certain
conclusions.

The fourth booke teacheth the right order of measuringe all
platte formes, and bodies also, by reson Geometricall.

TO THE GENTLE READER.

Excvse me, gentle reder if oughte be amisse, straung paths ar
not troden al truly at the first: the way muste needes be
comberous, wher none hathe gone before. Where no man hathe geuen
light, lighte is it to offend, but when the light is shewed
ones, light is it to amende. If my light may so light some
other, to espie and marke my faultes, I wish it may so lighten
them, that they may voide offence. Of staggeringe and stomblinge,
and vnconstaunt turmoilinge: often offending, and seldome
amending, such vices to eschewe, and their fine wittes to shew
that they may winne the praise, and I to hold the candle,
whilest they their glorious works with eloquence sette forth, so
cunningly inuented, so finely indited, that my bokes maie seme
worthie to occupie no roome. For neither is mi wit so finelie
filed, nother mi learning so largly lettred, nother yet mi
laiser so quiet and vncombered, that I maie perform iustlie so
learned a laboure or accordinglie to accomplishe so haulte an
enforcement, yet maie I thinke thus: This candle did I light:
this light haue I kindeled: that learned men maie se, to
practise their pennes, their eloquence to aduaunce, to register
their names in the booke of memorie I drew the platte rudelie,
whereon thei maie builde, whom god hath indued with learning and
liuelihod. For liuing by laboure doth learning so hinder, that
learning serueth liuinge, whiche is a peruers trade. Yet as
carefull familie shall cease hir cruell callinge, and suffre
anie laiser to learninge to repaire, I will not cease from
trauaile the pathe so to trade, that finer wittes maie fashion
them selues with such glimsinge dull li