THE REV. HENRY J. TODD, M. A. F. S. A.

Gower, that first garnished our English rude;

And maister Chaucer, that nobly enterprised

How that Englishe myght freshely be ennewed.

O pensyfe harte,

Skelton's Crowne of Laurell.

Remember thee of the trace and daunce
Of poetes olde, with all thy purueyaunce:
As moral Gower, whose sentencious dewe

Adowne reflareth, with fayre golden beames:

And after, Chaucer's all abroade doth shewe, &c.

Hawes's Pastime of Pleasure.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON, T. PAYNE, CADELL

AND DAVIES, AND R. H. EVANS.

TO THE MOST NOBLE

GEORGE GRANVILLE LEVESON GOWER,

MARQUIS OF STAFFORD, K. G. &c. &c.

My Lord,

THE dedication of a Work, which consists chiefly of materials interesting to curiosity and subservient to useful criticism, will not, it is hoped, be thought obtrusive. What respects the reformers of our language, and the fathers of our poetry, may be inscribed, I trust, with absolute propriety, to him who is the friend of Literature and the head of the illustrious House of Gower. To these motives of thus addressing your Lordship, must be added the wish of gratitude to acknowledge benefits received. From your Lordship's Manuscripts many of these materials, by your permission,. have been copied. While I have this opportunity to own publickly so important an obli