nly these
thre, but all other artes do borow great ayde, as partly
hereafter shall be shewed. But first will I beginne with the
vnlearned sorte, that you maie perceiue how that no arte can
stand without me. For if I should declare how many wayes my
helpe is vsed, in measuryng of ground, for medow, corne, and
wodde: in hedgyng, in dichyng, and in stackes makyng, I thinke
the poore Husband man would be more thankefull vnto me, then he
is nowe, whyles he thinketh that he hath small benefite by me.
Yet this maie he coniecture certainly, that if he kepe not the
rules of Geometrie, he can not measure any ground truely. And in
dichyng, if he kepe not a proportion of bredth in the mouthe, to
the bredthe of the bottome, and iuste slopenesse in the sides
agreable to them bothe, the diche shall be faultie many waies.
When he doth make stackes for corne, or for heye, he practiseth
good Geometrie, els would thei not long stand: So that in some
stakes, whiche stand on foure pillers, and yet made round, doe
increase greatter and greatter a good height, and then againe
turne smaller and smaller vnto the toppe: you maie see so good
Geometrie, that it were very difficult to counterfaite the lyke
in any kynde of buildyng. As for other infinite waies that he
vseth my benefite, I ouerpasse for shortnesse.

Carpenters, Karuers, Ioyners, and Masons, doe willingly
acknowledge that they can worke nothyng without reason of
Geometrie, in so muche that they chalenge me as a peculiare
science for them. But in that they should do wrong to all other
men, seyng euerie kynde of men haue som benefit by me, not only
in buildyng, whiche is but other mennes costes, and the arte of
Carpenters, Masons, and the other aforesayd, but in their owne
priuate profession, whereof to auoide tediousnes I make this
rehersall.

Sith Merchauntes by shippes great riches do winne,
I may with good righte at their seate beginne.
The Shippes on the sea with Saile and with Ore,
were firste founde, and styll made, by Geometries lore.
Their Compas, their Carde, their Pulleis, their Ankers,
were founde by the skill of witty Geometers.
To sette forth the Capstocke, and eche other parte,
wold make a greate showe of Geometries arte.
Carpenters, Caruers, Ioiners and Masons,
Painters and Limners with suche occupations,
Broderers, Goldesmithes, if they be cunning,
Must yelde to Geometrye thankes for their learning.
The Carte and the Plowe,