Heptameron: or the history of the fortunate lovers; written by the most excellent and most virtuous princess, Margaret de Valoys, Queen of Navarre; published in French by the privilege and immediate approbation of the King; now made English by Robert Codrington, Master of Arts.

To the most Illustri∣ous and most Virtuous Princesse, Madam Jane De Foix Queen of NAVARR.

Madam,

I Had not presumed to present unto you this Book of the Novels of the late Queen your Mother, if the first Edition had not omitted or concealed her Name, and so changed the whole form of it, that many did not know it; wherefore, to make it worthy of its Au∣thor, whenever it was divulged, I gathered together all the original and best written Copies that possibly I could procure, and justifying them by my own, I have reduced the Book to the true order in which she had dressed it. Since by the permission of the King, and your own consent, it hath been committed to the Presse to be published in that primitive integrity in which it ought to be, which doth prompt me to call into my me∣mory what Count Balthazar, in the Preface of his Cour∣tier doth affirm of Boccace, that his work of Recreati∣on, meaning his Decameron, did bring him more honour than all those more serious pieces which he did compose in the Latin or the Italian tongue. In this same manner the Queen of Navarr, the true Ornament of our Age (from whom you nothing do degenerate in the love and knowledge of good Letters) exercising her witty mirth, and playing on the various Acts of human life, hath

left such excellent instructions, that there is no Man but may be taught therby to improv his lif•• & understanding, and according to the judgement of all, she hath surpas∣sed Boccace in the ••leg•••••••• discourses which she hath made on every one of her Accounts, for which she deser∣veth to be praised not only above all excellent Ladies, but also amongst the most learned Men: For of the three stiles of speaking described by Cicero, she hath made choice of the plain one, like unto that of Terence in La∣tin, which appeareth to every one to be easie to imitate, but he who undertaketh it, shall find nothing more difficult. True it is, that this present will not be new, and you will acknowledge it as descended to you by Inheri∣tance; Neverthelesse I assure my self, you will with a glad eye observe it in this second impression to be restored to its first condition, for I understand that the first was distastful to you, not that he was an unletterd Man Who took pains in it, and we may easily believe that he would not disguise it without some occasion, but his travel is not found to be acceptable. I therefore Madam do pre∣sent it to you, not for any pretences of my own in it, but having only unmasked it, and rendord it in its Na∣tive lustre. It belongs to your Royal Greatnesse to favour it, being derived from your Illustrious Family. It car∣ryeth also that Mark in the Forehead of it, which will be as a safe conduct to it through all the World, and render it acceptable to all good Companies. For my self, ac∣knowledging the Honour you shall do me to receive from my hand this work digested into its first order, I shall be perpetually obliged to do you most humble service.

Claudius Gruget.