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In sufficiens of konnynge and of witte .
defaute of langage . and of eloquence .
this werke fro me shulde have w[it]holden yrite
but [th]at youre heste . hath done me violence
[th]at nedes must I do my diligence .
In thyng [th]at passeth my abilite
Bisechynge to youre noble excellence .
that by youre helpe . hit may amended be .
# This sotil matier . of . Boecius .
here in [th]is boke . of Consolacioun
so high it is . so harde and coryous .
Fulle . fere? above . myn . estymacioun .
that it be not . by my translacioun .
defouled ne corrupt . to .god . I . prey
so help me with his inspreacioun
that is wisdome both locke and key
# As fro [th]e tixte [th]at . I varie noght
but kepe this sentence . in his trewe intent
and wordes . eke . as nye as may be broght
where lawe of metre is not resistent
this matier whiche [th]at is so excellent
and passeth bothe my kunnyng . & my myght
so have hit lorde in [th]i gov[er]nement
[th]at canst reforme . all man[er]e [th]inge to ryght
# I have herde speke .& som what have . I . seyn .
of dyvers men .wondre sotelly .
In metre som . aand som . in prose . pleyne .
[th]is boke . translatyd . have full suffisauntly .
In . to english tonge .worde for worde . wel ny .