ght, a more complete
woorke at laiser to finisshe, with inuencion agreable, and
aptnes of eloquence.

And this gentle reader I hartelie protest where erroure hathe
happened I wisshe it redrest.

TO THE MOST NO-
ble and puissaunt prince Edwarde the
sixte by the grace of God, of En-
gland Fraunce and Ireland kynge, de-
fendour of the faithe, and of the
Churche of England and Ire-
lande in earth the su-
preme head.

It is not vnknowen to youre maiestie, moste soueraigne lorde,
what great disceptacion hath been amongest the wyttie men of all
nacions, for the exacte knoweledge of true felicitie, bothe what
it is, and wherein it consisteth: touchynge whiche thyng, their
opinions almoste were as many in numbre, as were the persons of
them, that either disputed or wrote thereof. But and if the
diuersitie of opinions in the vulgar sort for placyng of their
felicitie shall be considered also, the varietie shall be found
so great, and the opinions so dissonant, yea plainly
monsterouse, that no honest witte would vouchesafe to lose time
in hearyng them, or rather (as I may saie) no witte is of so
exact remembrance, that can consider together the monsterouse
multitude of them all. And yet not withstandyng this repugnant
diuersitie, in two thynges do they all agree. First all do agre,
that felicitie is and ought to be the stop and end of all their
doynges, so that he that hath a full desire to any thyng how so
euer it be estemed of other men, yet he estemeth him self happie,
if he maie obtain it: and contrary waies vnhappie if he can not
attaine it. And therfore do all men put their whole studie to
gette that thyng, wherin they haue perswaded them self that
felicitie doth consist. Wherfore some whiche put their felicitie
in fedyng their bellies, thinke no pain to be hard, nor no dede
to be vnhonest, that may be a meanes to fill that foule panche.
Other which put their felicitie in play and ydle pastimes, iudge
no time euill spent, that is employed thereabout: nor no fraude
vnlawfull that may further their winning. If I should
particularly ouerrunne but the common sortes of men, which put
their felicitie in their desires, it wold make a great boke of
it self. Therfore wyl I let them al go, and conclude as I began,
That all men employ their whole endeuour to that thing, wherin
thei thinke felicitie to stand. whiche thyng who so listeth t