23. The meaning is: “Witness the practice of Rome,
that was the founder of all knighthood and marvellous
deeds; and I refer for corroboration to Titus Livius” —
who, in several passages, has mentioned the laurel
crown as the highest military honour. For instance, in
1. vii. c. 13, Sextus Tullius, remonstrating for the
army against the inaction in which it is kept, tells the
Dictator Sulpicius, “Duce te vincere cupimus; tibi
lauream insignem deferre; tecum triumphantes urbem
inire.” (“Commander, we want you to conquer; to
bring you the laurel insignia; to enter the city with you
in triumph”)
24. Malebouche: Slander, personified under the title
of Evil-mouth — Italian, “Malbocca;” French,
“Malebouche.”
25. Under support of them that list it read: the phrase
means — trusting to the goodwill of my reader.
26. In press: into a crowd, into the press of
competitors for favour; not, it need hardly be said,
“into the press” in the modern sense — printing was
not invented for a century after this was written.