THE BOOK TO THE READER

Judge not before
Thou know mine intent,
But read me throughout,
And then say thy fill:
As thou in opinion
Art minded and bent,
Whether it be
Either good or ill.

I care not for praise,
Nor slander untrue,
Of man nor of child,
Whatever he be:
Truth need not to fear,
Who doth it pursue
With praise or dispraise
In any degree.

For truth is not bettered
By praises at all,
Nor harmed by dispraise
Of any wight:
But goodness or hurt
Most surely come shall
To him that doth judge
Either wrong or right.

Read me, then judge me,
Therefore I thee pray,
Nothing for my cause,
But only thine own:
For I shall endure,
Whosoever say nay,
When unwritten truths
Shall be overthrown.