# The Whetstone of Witte/The Epistle Dedicatorie

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¶ To the right worshipfull, the go- uerners, Consulles, and the reste of the com- panie of venturers into Moscouia, Robert Re- corde Phisitian, wissheth healthe with continualle increase of commodi- tie, by their worthie and famous trauell.
I wil not, nother ought I so euilly to iudge of my countrie, that learnyng here can haue no libertie: but by aide of frendeshippe, or strength of power. For as Englande did neuer wante learned wittes, so at this tyme I doubt not, but there be a great multitude, that desirously embrace all kindes of knowledge, and frendely are affected toward the furtherance of it. And therefore I dare saie, thei can not malice me, whiche am so willyng to helpe the ignoraunte, accordyng to my gifte and simple talēte, whereby also this moche praise I maie iustly craue, to haue the commendation and rewarde of a solliciter in this cause. For though my trauell can not moche profite them, that be well learned, yet doeth it excite the beste learned, to remember their duetie to their countrie: and to be a shamed, that thei hauyng so greate habilitie, shall be founde moare slacke to aide their coūtrie, then he that hath smaller knowledge, ​and lesse occasion otherwaies. Accordyng as men haue receiued, so are thei bounde to yeld. These excellente giftes are not lente vnto mē, to be hidden. And there are a great multitude that thurst, and long moche for soche aide. For bothe these causes I saie, that naturalle bōde to our countrie doeth chalenge it: and for that the honeste desires of so many good natures so moche requireth it. I exhorte them that be beste hable, to take from me this chargeable woorke, and to further their countrie men, as equitie would. And in the meane ceason while I see them so slacke, let them not bee offended with me, for preuentyng them. For better it is that a simple Coke doe prepare thy brekefast, then that thou shouldest goe a hungered to bedde. Yea better it is to haue some grosse repaste, then to sterue for honger. And the common sorte will finde smalle faulte of wante, as long as thei see any man serue their expectation. So that for this cause also, that my paines for a time, doeth excuse other finer wittes, thei ought to render me some thankes again. But if thei staie for feare of tauntes, and barkyng of curres, their corage is smalle. If thei misdoubte the gratefull acceptation of their studies, thei doe iniurie to their countrie. For whoe cā doubt but so ciuile a coñtrie, will thankefully receiue, and moste frendly recompense the trauelle, of soche as studie for their ​benifite, and serueth their necessarie commodities. This perswasion maketh me so bolde, that I can not thinke it neadefull, to seke any protector, for this or any like woorke. Sith euery good man will offer humself, to defende that, wherby his natiue countrie is benifited. Excepte at some tyme, by excitation of the furies, some naughtie natures doe practice their fraude, to berefte the realme of some singulare commoditie. But as I feaure no soche, so at this tyme I seke no soche aide against thē. Yet for rectefyng of frendeshippe, and gratefulle remembraunce, I could doe noe lesse, but sende this Booke to soche as I thought, not onely to deserue it, but also would gladly receiue it. And if I maie perceiue, that you doe accepte it (as I doubte not) with as good a wille, as I dooe sende it, I will for your pleasure, to your coumforte, and for your commoditie, shortly set forthe soche a booke of Nauigation, as I dare saie, shall partly satisfie and contente, not onely your exceptation, but also the desire of a greate nomber beside. Wherein I will not forgett specially to touche, bothe the olde attempte for the Northlie Nauigations, and the later good aduenture, with the fortunate succeise in discoueryng that voiage, whiche noe men before you durste attempte, sith the tyme of Kyng Alurede his reigne. I meane by the space of .700. yere. Nother euer ​any before that tyme, had passed that voiage, excepte onely Ohthere, that dwelte in Halgolande: whoe reported that iorney to the noble Kyng Alurede: As it doeth yet remaine in aunciente recorde of the olde Saxon tongue. So that if you continue with corage, as you haue well begon, you shall not onely winne greate riches to your selues, and bryng wonderfull commodities to your coūtrie. But you shall purchase therewith immortall fame, and be braised for euer, as reason would: for openyng that passage, that shall profite so many. In that Boke also I will shewe certain meanes, how without great difficultie, you maie saile to the Northe Easte Indies. And so to Camul, Chinchital, and Balor, whiche bee coūtries of greate commodities. As for Chatai lieth so farre within the lande, toward the Southe Indian seas, that the iorneie is not to be attempted, vntill you be better acquainted with these countries, that you must first arriue at. But these thynges come in this place vntimely. I praie you accepte frendely in the meane ceason this Booke, whiche will bee a greate aide to the well vnderstandyng of the reste that is behinde. And as I shall vnderstande your desire, so will I haste the other. God prospere well your endeuoure, and sende you soche good successe, as so worthie aduenture doeth deserue: Whiche I doubte not will ​insue, if cankered malice of some spitefull stomackes doe not preuaile, as thei can not cease to practice, to hinder your commoditie, and deface your trauel. But as it is euer seen, and therfore commonly knowen, that enuie doeth still repine at glorie, so ought all honeste hartes, to prosecute their good attemptes, and contempne the ballynge of dogged curres. So fare you well. And loue hym againe, that delighteth and studieth to farther your cōmoditie.
At London the .xii. daie of Nouember .1557.