First dedication

TO THE MOST HIGH and most mighty Prince, Henry eldest Son of our Sovereign Lord the King, Prince of great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Cornwall, Lord of the Isles in Scotland, and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter.

IT is not out of ambition (most excellent Prince) to get for myself a more particular name than the meanest Groom in your Highness's Stable, which has moved me to offer for your sacred hands this poor volume of my experience in this Art, which even from my infancy I have pursued so far forth, as either my ability or obscurity had power to extend itself.

But because it has pleased God through the glory of your countenance to give a new life to this Art — which not long ago was so much neglected that I think (if it had been possible for virtue to have received so great a stain) it would have drawn near to the danger of despising: so many unfurnished stables, like unpeopled towns, and so many worthy spirits (ignorant in the noblest action) being prophetic signs of following dissolution.

But by your highness's favours it is not repaired (for that were but to piece up old ruins), but there is (as it were) a new and an eternal foundation laid, which will continue till all the corners of the world be consumed: which as it has inflamed me to offer up this tribute of my zeal and knowledge, so I wish it would likewise kindle some sparks in others who having attained the top and height of all best perfection, might leave for the world some famous records of their worthy admiration; and not by their neglect, suffer a divine gift to perish with their natural bodies, knowing that if either Xenophon, Russius, or Grison had been so uncharitable, they should themselves with much more difficulty have attained to that in which now they have no equal; and being by them manifested for the world, they shall not only bless and make happy posterity, but also so ascertain uncertain resolutions, that however the world shall boast either Spain, France or Italy, yet it shall then be known that they have not brought forth so good Horsemen as have been bred, and are now living in this Empire of great Britain, to whom all the world may imagine I have broken the way with too great boldness, yet my humble soul knows, I have done it with such care and zeal, that they shall neither task me for absurdity, or misapplication, to which I will not be able either by art or demonstration to give an account or satisfaction; holding it in myself a sin unpardonable to offer to your gracious presence that which shall not taste both of true art, and true duty: and however the first maybe mistaken, yet the latter shall be so much unblemished, that (though a wor me) yet my faith shall not be exceeded, but I will live and die your highness Beads-man and vassal.

Gervase Markham