A prospect of the most famous parts of the vvorld Viz. Asia, 3 Affrica, 5 Europe, 7 America. 9 With these kingdomes therein contained. Grecia, 11 Roman Empire, 13 Germanie, 15 Bohemia, 17 France, 19 Belgia, 21 Spaine, 23 Italie, 25 Hungarie, 27 Denmarke, 29 Poland, 31 Persia, 33 Turkish Empire, 35 Kingdome of China, 37 Tartaria, 39 Sommer Ilands, 41 Civill Warres, in England, Wales, and Ireland. You shall find placed in the beginning of the second booke marked with these [3 asterisks in triangle formation] and (5) together with all the provinces, counties, and shires, contained in that large theator of Great Brittaines empire. / Performed by John Speed.

Al'honneur de l'autheur et son oeuure.

LE trespuissant ouurier de la ronde machine, Pour son chief d' oeuure teint cest' Isle separee: Et quoy que des plus grands thresors du ciel parce Son lustre assuiettit an temps et a ruine. D'un Dimidieu euurier d'une fabriq' divine, Par la plume se void la bresche reparee, La ruine dressee, et la force assuree Contre la mort, que tant de beautes assassine, La police, le nom, l'invincible courage, Les Princes, Provinces, et tout qu' est d'avantage Du Breton belliqueux, luisent en son Histoire: Pour vn ouur age donq' atouts tant admirable, Faisons, fasons, Brettons, d'un burin memorable, Graver le nom de Speed au temple de Memoire.

T. BARKHAM.

HEN. SPELMAN Mil. Lectori.

NON leve, nec temere laudo tibi seria, Lector, Gratum opus & dignum consule (crede) vides. Noster hic Ortelius, sic nostrum hunc exhibet orbem, Vt res emineat, tota Britanna, simul. Ora, sinus, fluvii, portus, nemus, oppida, tractus, Regna, duces, populi foedera, bella, quies.

Rich. Saint George Norrey King at Armes, in favour of this Worke.

IT is farre from my purpose, to commend without cause, or by over-curious flourish to make a shadow seeme a substance, this worke needs no such deceptio visus; The Subject is of it selfe Honourable, and able to stand without such weake props. The glory of our Nation being almost buryed in the pit of Obscuritie, is herein revived; the continuance of Christianitie traced from age to age, the antiquitie and situation of our Townes, Castles, Religious Houses, Nobilitie, and all other memorable matters so lively portrayed, as in a Glasse we may rightly discerne the true shape, qualitie and condition of each of them in particular. This Worke therefore being now brought upon the publique Stage and view of the world, may in my poore censure give satis∣faction to the learned Reader, and abide the touch of the malignant Opposer; which being affected without hope of gaine or vaine ostentation, with so great care both of body and minde, is the more precious; for, difficilia quae pulchra. Wherein Gods power is made known in this his weake but worthy Instrument: and the glory of Great Britaine made more famous to the world, as well in the Geographicall dimen∣sion of the Lands situation, as in the Historicall relations of her most famous Mo∣narchs and glorious Actions; no Kingdome hitherto so particularly described, nor Nations History by true record more faithfully penned: In honour whereof I sacri∣fice these Lines of my love upon the Altar of this Worke, and celebrate the Authors remembrance to future posterities.

To my Friend M^r. IOHN SPEED, being very sicke.

GReat Love, and little skill may cause mee to missay But certainly this sicknesse cannot make thee dye: Though cruell Symptomes, and these thirteene yeers assay For thy deare Countrey, doth thy health and strength decay. Yet sith thy toylesome labour, and thy industry Is for thy Countries sake, her fame on high to raise: She shall thy Temples crowne with everlasting Bayes, And in despight of Death, shall cause thy memorie To live in endlesse fame with all posteritie. Now may she see her beautie, and her riches store, What erst she was in ev'ry age, and change of State, And present greatnesse such as never heretofore, Since this great Monarch rul'd from North to Southern shore. And sith thy life is to thy Country dedicate, Let none presume thy Lawrell from thy head to reave For this her Story, which thy skilfull hand did weave: But live and weare it [Speed] untill the worlds great fate Shall bring all earthly things unto their utmost date.

ALEX: GILL.

In exactissimi huius Operis Authorem, Eulogium THO: BARKHAM.

VIncta diu, rumpat despecta silentia, lingua, Culmina ut immensi memorem superata laboris Speidi tui: insueta jactor licèt (optime) cura, Quam tibi pro merito possim circundare palmam. Qui coeant populi, quaecunque sub orbe Britanno, Digna refers, uno aspectu script ó que, loc ó que, Sanguineas pugnas, atavorum bella, palaestras; Nobilitans que aptâ patriam compagine rerum, Ad nostra exactum deducis tempora filum. Ergo erit haec magni merces non parva laboris, Egregium pariunt haec quòd monumenta decorem Ipsa sibi, ventura quòd haec mirabitur aetas, Totá que perpetuas debet Respublica grates.

To the right well deserving M^r. IOHN SPEED, the Author of this Worke.

IN this Book, (Bibliothec, or Book of Books; TIMES Library, PLACES Geographie) All that is shewne for which the curious looks Touching this LAND, for Place, or History.

In which, thou hast with pain, with care, and skill, Survey'd this LAND more neere then ere it was: For which, thy Wit thou strain'd hast to thy Will, That wils as much as Wit can bring to passe.

The faire Hibernia, that Westerne Isle likewise, In every Member, Artire, Nerve, and Veine, Thou by thine Art dost so Anatomize, That all may see each parcell without * 1.1 paine.

Here Time, and Place, like friendly foes doe warre Which should shew most desir'd Particulars; But Place gives place, sith Time is greater farre; Yet Place, well rang'd, gets glory by these warres.

No helps thou hadst, nor no assisting ayde In this attempt: but, Vertue gave thee might That well to doe, that well thou hast assaide, Which shall (in grace) out-live immortall spight.

Hadst thou among the Romanes liv'd when they Did signiorize the World; A Signiory Should then (at least) have guerdon'd thy Survey, Thy Maps, Descriptions, and thine History.

But thou doest live when all Arts save the * 1.2 eight (Illiberall-liberall Art) a begging goe; That Art alone, with her true friend Deceipt, Gets all; then all seeks but that Art to know.

But, by thy Art though nought be purchased But emptie Fame (that feeds, but fattens not) Yet shall it feed thy NAME till DEATH be dead; While emptie noble Names away shall rot.

The Leaves this Book contains, & Maps here grav'n, Are still as Feathers to thy Fames faire Wings, To fanne fresh Aire upon the face of Heaven; And raise the same above all ending Things: That when Confusion wracks this double FRAME, A Spirit shall move on CHAOS called thy Fame.

The unfained lover of thy Person, JO: DAVIES.

OF Him that this Great Taske hath done (Great for the goodnesse many wayes) Fame doth affirme he well hath wonne Arts highest Prize, and Palme of praise. In Climes, and Realmes remote throughout, His merits merit rare report: For none the like hath brought about; Or, equaliz'd in any sort. The Shafts of his endevours, shot At Gaine, and Pleasure; both have hit: His Observations have begot On private, publike Benefit. Chiefe Cities, Townes, and Countries many (Which this vast Globe of Earth affords) I oft have view'd; but never any So well describ'd by Maps and Words. His travel'd Body, toyled Minde, (To bring this Worke at last to rest In Period which his Plot design'd) Should now rest famous with the best. The Romanes such Deserts did Crowne With Lawrell, which their Soyle brought forth; But I, of Branches farre-off growne, Bring Wreathes to this Worke, more of worth▪ The Palme, (wherein rare vertues be, And for a Conquest, crownes a King) The Olive, and the Cader Tree, Faire, fat, and fruitfull; these I bring. In Egypt, Syria, and the Land Of Promise (nam'd by holiest High) I could not see, nor understand, For vertue, any Trees come nigh; As these (worth praise) are profitable, They being of the worthiest kindes: So in best sense, hath Speed been able, To please (worth praise) the worthiest Mindes. In short, to give him then his due, This Art his better never knew.

IO: SANDERSON.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Travell.
• * 1.2

  Adulation.