know no better way how to express my good wishes of a new-year to your Majesty, than by this little book, which in all humbleness I send you. The style is a style of business, rather than curious or elaborate, and herein I was encouraged by my experience of your Majesty's former grace, in accepting of the like poor field-fruits, touching the union. And certainly I reckon this action as a second brother to the union, for I assure myself, that England, Scotland, and Ireland, well united, is such a trefoil as no prince except yourself (who are the worthiest) weareth in his crown, si potentia reducatur in actum. I know well that for me to beat my brains about these things, they be majora quam pro fortuna, but yet they be minora quam pro studio et voluntate. For as I do yet bear an extreme zeal to the memory of my old mistress, Queen Elizabeth, to whom I was rather bound for her trust than for her favour; so I must acknowledge myself more bound to your majesty, both for trust and favour; whereof I will never deceive the one, as I can never deserve the other.
And so, in all humbleness kissing your Majesty s sacred hands, I remain