To the worshipfull maiſter M.
Gentleman, Thomas Hill wiſheth all
health and felicitie.
S it hath beene, and is yet (worſhipfull Sir) a trade commonly vſed among moſt men, to chooſe from a greate number, ſome one, vnder whoſe name and title they may publiſhe their workes: Euen ſo I (following the ſteps of the learned, though in all other poyntes moſt inferiour) hauing finiſhed this little treatiſe of Bees, and caſting with my ſelfe to whome I mighte preſente it, founde my ſelfe much bounden vnto your worſhip, both for your gentleneſſe which I haue of late taſted, and alſo for youre friendſhip which I finde alwayes readie towards me. And therefore hauing none other wayes to recompence the leaſt parte of youre curteſie and gentleneſſe, thought it beſt to gratifie youre worſhip with ſuch a ſimple gifte as mine abilitie will ſuffer me to beſtow on ſuch a friend. And although Sir this Treatiſe is farre diſſonant from youre ſtudyes, yet conſidering the pleaſantneſſe of the matter, thoughte this might be made a recreation for your grauer ſtudyes. For what your mind ſhall bee ſearching for profound reaſons, and oppreſſed with deepe cogitations, then taking and reading this little Pamphlet, it will bring a forgetfulneſſe vnto your former weeryneſſe, and cauſe a newe delighte vnto your mind: For heerin may you ſee, firſt the maruellous gouernement of the Bees, through the onely inſtincte of nature, as in theyr obedience to their King, and other officers, in puniſhing the ydle loyterers, in cheriſhing the true labourers in theyr manner of fighting, with ſuche like a greate many, as it is wonderfull to reade, and almoſt vncredible to beleeue: ſecondly, the liuely effectes and commodities that ariſe of theyr Honie and Waxe. And laſtly, howe profitable they are for common wealth, and howe neceſſarie for mans vſe, I mighte heere ſpeake muche in the prayſe of the Bee,
