I have, after the
simple cunning that God hath sent to
me, under the favor
and correction of all noble lords and
gentlemen, enprised
to enprint a book of the noble histories of
the said King
Arthur and of certain of his knights, after a copy
unto me delivered,
which copy Sir Thomas Malory did take
out of certain
books of French and reduced it into English.
And I, according to
my copy, have done set it in enprint to
the intent that
noble men may see and learn the noble acts
of chivalry, the
gentle and virtuous deeds that some knights
used in tho[se]
days, by which they came to honor, and how
they that were
vicious were punished and oft put to shame
and rebuke; humbly
beseeching all noble lords and ladies with
all other estates,
of what estate or degree they been of, that
shall see and read
in this said book and work, that they take
the good and honest
acts in their remembrance, and to follow
the same; wherein
they shall find many joyous and pleasant
histories and noble
and renowned acts of humanity, gentleness,
and chivalries. For
herein may be seen noble chivalry, courtesy,
humanity,
friendliness, hardiness, love, friendship, cowardice,
murder, hate,
virtue and sin. Do after the good and leave the
evil,
and it shall bring you to good fame.