The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles Dedication
by John Smith
TO THE ILLVSTRIOVS AND MOST NOBLE PRINCESSE, the Lady FRANCIS, Duchesse of RICHMOND and LENOX.
MAy it please your Grace,
This History, as for
the raritie and varietie of the subiect, so much more for the judicious
Eyes it is like to vndergoe, and most of all for that great Name,
whereof it dareth implore Protection, might and ought to haue beene
clad in better robes then my rude military hand can cut out in Paper
Ornaments. But because, of the most things therein, I am no Compiler by
hear-say, but haue beene a reall Actor; I take my selfe to haue a
propertie in them: and therefore haue beene bold to challenge them to
come vnder the reach of my owne rough Pen. That, which hath beene
indured and passed through with hardship and danger, is thereby
sweetned to the Actor, when he becometh the Relator.
I haue deeply hazarded my selfe in doing and suffering, and why should
I sticke to hazard my reputation in Recording? He that acteth two parts
is the more borne withall if he come short, or fayle in one of them.
Where shall we looke to finde a Iulius Cæsar,
whose atchieuments shine as cleare in his owne Commentaries, as they
did in the field? I confesse, my hand, though able to weild a weapon
among the Barbarous, yet well may tremble
in handling a Pen among so many Iudicious: especially when I am so bold as to call so piercing, and so glorious an Eye, as your Grace, to view these poore ragged lines.
Yet my comfort is, that heretofore honorable and vertuous Ladies,
and comparable but amongst themselues, haue offred me rescue and
protection in my greatest dangers: even in forraine parts, I haue felt
reliefe from that sex. The beauteous Lady Tragabigzanda, when I was a slaue to the Turkes, did all she could to secure me. When I overcame the Bashaw of Nalbrits in Tartaria, the charitable Lady Callamata supplyed my necessities. In the vtmost of many extremities, that blessed Pokahontas, the great Kings daughter of Virginia,
oft saved my life. When I escaped the crueltie of Pirats and most
furious stormes, a long time alone in a small Boat at Sea, and driven
ashore in France, the good Lady Madam Chanoyes, bountifully assisted me.
And so verily these my adventures haue tasted the same influence from your Gratious hand, which hath given birth to the publication of this Narration. If therefore your Grace shall daigne to cast your eye on this poore Booke, view I pray you rather your owne Bountie (without which it had dyed in the wombe) then my imperfections, which haue no helpe but the shrine of your glorious Name to be sheltered from censorious condemnation. Vouchsafe some glimpse of your honorable aspect, to accept these my labours; to protect them vnder the shadow of your excellent Name: which will inable them to be presented to the Kings royall Maiestie, the most admired Prince Charles, and the Queene of Bohemia:
your sweet Recommendations will make it the worthier of their good
countenances. And as all my endevours are their due tribute: so this
Page shall record to posteritie, that my service shall be to pray to God, that you may still continue the renowned of your sexe, the most honored of men, and the highly blessed of God.
Your Graces faithfull
and devoted servant,
IOHN SMITH.
