+Source.+--Knight's _Life of Colet_.
Albeit many have written, and have made certain introductions into
Latin Speech, called Donates and Accidence in Latin tongue and in
English, in such plenty that it should seem to suffice; yet
nevertheless for the love and zeal that I have to the new School of
Powles, and to the children of the same, somewhat I have also compiled
of the matter, and of the viii parts of grammar have made this little
book, not thinking that I could say anything that had been said better
before, but I took this business having great pleasure to shew the
testimony of my good mind unto that school.
In which little work if any new things be of me, it is alonely that I
have put these parts in a more clear order, and have made them a
little more easy to young wits, than (me thinketh) they were before.
Judging that nothing may be too soft, nor too familiar for little
children, especially learning a tongue unto them all strange. In which
little book I have left many things out of purposes, considering the
tenderness and small capacity of little minds. And that I have spoken
also I have affirmed it none otherwise, but as it happeneth most
commonly in the Latin Tongue. For many be the exceptions, and hard it
is anything generally to assure in a speech so various. I pray God all
may be to his honour, and to the erudition and profit of children, and
my countrymen Londoners especially, whom digesting this little work I
had alway before mine eyen, considering more, what was for them, than
to shew any great cunning, willing to speak the things often before
spoken, in such manner as gladly young beginners and tender wits might
take and conceive. Wherefore I pray you all little babes, all little
children learn gladly this little treatise, and commend it diligently
unto your memories, trusting of this beginning that ye shall proceed
and grow to perfect literature, and come at the last to be great
clerks. And lift up your little white hands for me, which prayeth for
you to God, to whom be all honour and imperial majesty and glory, AMEN.