The Actes of the Apostles, translated into Englyshe metre, and dedicated to the kynges moste excellent maiestye, by Christofer Tye, Doctor in musyke, and one of the gentylmen of hys graces moste honourable chappell, wyth notes to eche chapter, to synge and also to play vpon the lute, very necessarye for studentes after theyr studye, to fyle theyr wyttes, and also for all Christians that cannot synge, to reade the good and Godlye storyes of the lyues of Christ hys Apostles

¶ To the Uertuous and Godlye learned Prynce, Edwarde the .vi. by the grace of God, King of Eng∣lande, Fraunce, and Irelande, Defendour of the Fayth, and on earth next and imme∣diatly vnder Christe, of the Churches of England and Irelande the Supreme head, your graces humble, louynge, and obedi∣ent seruaunte Christofer Tye, wysheth the continuaunce of God hys feare to dwell in your graces heart, longe to raygne in muche honoure, healthe, wealthe and vic∣torye.

COnsydrynge well, most godly Kyng The zeale and per∣fecte loue: Your grace doth beare, to eche good thyng That geuen is from aboue.

And that your grace, oft tymes doth looke To learne of the last daye: The whiche ye fynde, with in gods booke That wyll not passe awaye.

Whose boke is geuen, in these your dayes Wherin ye do reioyce: And eke prayse hym, in al his wayes And that with thankeful voyce.

Which doth make glad, your subiectes all And moueth them to learne: Gods lyuelye worde, and how they shal The truthe therby discearne.

Beholde O Kynge, of God electe And ye shall right well se: That as your highnes, is affect So wyll your Subiectes be.

Youre grace may note, frō tyme to tyme That some doth vnder take: Upon the Psalmes, to wryte in ryme The verse pleasaunt to make.

And some doth take, in hande to wryte Out of the booke of Kynges: Because they se, your grace delyte Insuche like Godlye thynges.

And last of all, I youre poore man Whose doinges are full base: Yet glad to do, the best I can To geue vnto your grace

Haue thought it good, nowe to recyte The storyes of the Actes: Euen of the twelue, as Luke doth wryte Of all their worthy factes.

Unto the text, I do not ad Nor nothynge take awaye And though my style, be grosse and bad The truth perceyue you maye.

Your Maiestye, is not to teache Thapostles wordes are playne: With ynkhorne termes, they dyd not prea¦che But sought an easye vayne.

Playnely to speake, their maisters wyll The people to enstruct: That they their callynge, myght fulfyll In truth them to conduct.

Prayinge your grace, not to thynke now That I do condescende: The pleasaunt style, to disalow But do it much commende.

But he that shal, of scripture treat Yf he wyll please God well: Of force he must, such termes forgeat The truth playnely to tell.

My Ignoraunce, thus to excuse I haue my mynde exprest: I trust your grace, wyl not refuse To make of it the best.

And yf your grace, shall in good part My symple worke so take: My wyttes to this, I will conuart All vayne thinges to forsake.

My callynge is, another waye Your grace shall here in fynde: By notes set forth, to synge or playe To recreate the mynde.

And thoughe they be, not curious But for the letter mete: Ye shall them fynde, harmonious And eke pleasaunt and swete.

That such good thīges, your grace might moue Your lute when ye assaye: In stede of songes, of wanton loue These stories then to playe.

So shall your grace, please God y^t Lorde In walkynge in hys waye: His lawes and statutes, to recorde In your heart nyght and daye.

And eke your realme, shall floryshe styll No good thynge shall decaye: Your subiectes shal, with right good wyll These wordes recorde and saye.

Thy lyfe O Kynge, to vs doth shyne As Gods boke doth thee teache: Thou dost vs fede, with suche doctrine As Christes elect dyd preache.

The lyuyng God, graunt thee to raygne In great honour and wealth: Thy vertuous life, good Lord mayntayne And sende thee prosperous health.

Thy dere Systers, the sprite them leade To loue the worde of God: Whiche shall them stande, in better steade Then doth their whole liuelod.

Thy whole counsayle, the Lorde preserue And graunt to man and wyfe: To craue of hym, not ones to swarue From hys swete worde of lyfe. Amen.