PROLOGUE,
Reading edition
Made bie Maistre WILLIAM CANYNGE.
Whylomme[1]bie pensmenne[2] moke[3] ungentle[4] name Have upon Goddwynne Erie of Kente bin layde: Dherebie benymmynge[5] hymme of faie[6] and fame; Unliart[7] divinistres[8] haveth faide, Thatte he was knowen toe noe hallie[9] wurche[10]; 5 Botte thys was all hys faulte, he gyfted ne[11] the churche.
The aucthoure[12] of the piece whiche we enacte, Albeytte[13] a clergyon[14], trouthe wyll wrytte. Inne drawynge of hys menne no wytte ys lackte; Entyn[15] a kynge mote[16] bee full pleased to nyghte. 10 Attende, and marcke the partes nowe to be done; Wee better for toe doe do champyon[17] anie onne.