Poets And Authors Indeed
Aspire After Immortality, But Do Not Reject Any Present Advantages
That May Offer.
I formerly completed with vain and fruitless labour the Topography
of Ireland for its companion, the king Henry the
Second, and
Vaticinal History, for Richard of Poitiou, his son, and, I wish I
were not compelled to add, his successor in vice; princes little
skilled in letters, and much engaged in business. To you,
illustrious Stephen, archbishop of Canterbury, equally commendable
for your learning and religion, I now dedicate the account of our
meritorious journey through the rugged provinces of Cambria, written
in a scholastic style, and divided into two parts. For as virtue
loves itself, and detests what is contrary to it, so I hope you will
consider whatever I may have written in commendation of your late
venerable and eminent predecessor, with no less affection than if it
related to yourself. To you also, when completed, I destine my
treatise on the Instruction of a Prince, if, amidst your religious
and worldly occupations, you can find leisure for the perusal of it.
For I purpose to submit these and other fruits of my diligence to be
tasted by you at your discretion, each in its proper order; hoping
that, if my larger undertakings do not excite your interest, my
smaller works may at least merit your approbation, conciliate your
favour, and call forth my gratitude towards you; who, unmindful of
worldly affections, do not partially distribute your bounties to
your family and friends, but to letters and merit; you, who, in the
midst of such great and unceasing contests between the crown and the
priesthood, stand forth almost singly the firm and faithful friend
of the British church; you, who, almost the only one duly elected,
fulfil the scriptural designation of the episcopal character. It is
not, however, by bearing a cap, by placing a cushion, by shielding
off the rain, or by wiping the dust, even if there should be none,
in the midst of a herd of flatterers, that I attempt to conciliate
your favour, but by my writings. To you, therefore, rare, noble,
and illustrious man, on whom nature and art have showered down
whatever becomes your supereminent situation, I dedicate my works;
but if I fail in this mode of conciliating your favour, and if your
prayers and avocations should not allow you sufficient time to read
them, I shall consider the honour of letters as vanished, and in
hope of its revival I shall inscribe my writings to posterity.
SECOND PREFACE - TO THE SAME PRELATE
Since those things, which are known to have been done through a
laudable devotion, are not unworthily extolled with due praises; and
since the mind, when relaxed, loses its energy, and the torpor of
sloth enervates the understanding, as iron acquires rust for want of
use, and stagnant waters become foul; lest my pen should be injured
by the rust of idleness, I have thought good to commit to writing
the devout visitation which Baldwin, archbishop of Canterbury, made
throughout Wales; and to hand down, as it were in a mirror, through
you, O illustrious Stephen, to posterity, the difficult places
through which we passed, the names of springs and torrents, the
witty sayings, the toils and incidents of the journey, the memorable
events of ancient and modern times, and the natural history and
description of the country; lest my study should perish through
idleness, or the praise of these things be lost by silence.
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