Page:The Fables of Bidpai (Panchatantra).djvu/112

vnderſtandeth theſe examples, knowing little, ſhoulde by them knowe much. And fourthly, and laſt of all, if he were yong, and had ſmall delight to reade much: yet he may with a ſhort and pleaſant waye be inſtructed with theſe delightful ſayninges, and with thoſe ſimilitudes and examples taſte the ſweetneſſe of the wordes, the pleaſure of the ſentences, accompanied with proper tales: and ſo (Gentle Reader) profite himſelfe, and teache others. In this their treatiſe ſuch wiſe Fathers have hidden from vs woonderfull ſignifications. For a treaſure vndoubbtedly of ſo high a myſterye and doctrine as this is to be more eſteemed than all the Jewelles in the worlde. This precious Iemme of knowledge, who ſo ſhall lodge it in the ſecreſie of his memorie, ſhall neuer loſe it, but ſhall rather augment and increaſe it with age in ſuch ſort, that hee ſhall winne a marueylous commodotie to him: and of that plant ſhall taſte the ſauorie, pleaſant, and profitable fruites, no leſſe wonderfull than delectable. To reade ſuch a Booke (worthy Reader) thou muſt call thy wittes togither vniting them and thy vnderſtanding with the due order of the woorke, to knowe why, and to what purpoſe the olde prudent Fathers framed it: leaſt thou be