Page:The Captivity of Hans Stade of Hesse.pdf/132

the knight to his servant, whispering, that the saint might not hear: "Hold thy peace, when he has helped me out of these straits, I will not give him the tail of my horse." In such manner thought each of the twain to cheat his saint, and so soon to forget vouchsafed benefits.

Now that this Hans Stade may therefore not, after God has helped him, he considered as one of such who forget mercies, he has determined by this book and description to praise and to glorify God, and from a Christian spirit to make known and to bring to light, wherever he can, the wonders and mercies He has shewn him. And if this was not his intention, (which is honourable and just) he would much rather be spared the trouble and labour, and also save the not small expense which this type and printing have cost him.

As this history has been by the author submissively dedicated to the Serene and Highborn Prince and Lord, the Lord Philipsen, Landgrave of Hesse, Count of Catzenellenbogen, Dietz, Ziegenhain and Nidda, his Prince and gracious Master, and in the name of His Highness has caused this to be published; and has long before been by His Highness our gracious Lord, and in my presence and in that of many others, examined and thoroughly questioned upon all points of his shipwreck and imprisonment, and of which I have often spoken and narrated to Your Highness and to other Lords ; and as in Your Highness I have long seen and observed a remarkable lover of such and similar astronomical and cosmographical sciences; so I have desired submissively to write this my preface or introduction to Your Highness, which Your Highness may graciously accept from me, until I shall publish something more weighty in the name of Your Highness.