Note 30 — Library of Lambeth Palace.
Reading edition
This little volume is so rare and so curious as to merit more particular description. The title which is supplied by manuscript runneth thus:
“The Actes of the Apostles, translated into English meter, and dedicated to the Kynge’s most excellent Majestye by Christofer Tye, Doctor in Musyke, and one of the Gentlemen of hys Graces moste honourable Chappell, with notes to eche Chapter, to synge, and also to play upon the Lute, very necessarye for studentes after theyr studye to fyle theyr wyttes, and also for all Christians that cannot synge to read the good and godlye storyes of the lyves of Christ hys Appostles. 1553.” Then followeth the Dedication. “To the vertuous and godlye learned Prynce Edwarde the VI. by the Grace of God, King of Englande, France and Irelande, the Supreme head, your grace’s humble lovynge, and obedient servaunte Christofer Tye wysheth the continuance of God hys feare to dwell in your grace’s heart, longe to reygne in muche honoure, healthe, wealthe, and victorye.”
Then followeth a metrical Preface, consisting of 25 stanzas, and beginning thus:—
“Consydrynge well, most godly kyng, The zeale and perfect love Your Grace doth beare to eche good thyng That geven is from above. &c. &c.”
The text, with music for four voices, meane, tenour, counter-tenour, bassus: beginneth in this wise.
“In the former Treatyse to thee Dere frend The o phi lus I have written the verite Of the Lord Christ Jesus. “Whiche he to do and eke to teache Began until the daye In whiche the Sprite vp hym did feache To dwell above for aye.”
The concluding stanza of chapter the fourteenth and last runneth thus:
“Howe he the doore of fayth untyde, The Gentyls in to call, And there longe tyme they dyd abyde With the disciples all.”
Hereafter followeth the Colophon:
“Imprinted at London by Nycolas Hyll for Wyllyam Seres.” “Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum.” This rare volume is a small duodecimo, printed in black letter; but the present copy has unfortunately several leaves supplied by Manuscript. It is in old calf-binding.