In the footsteps of these poems, being as it were classic books of
antiquity, I have trod; and keeping true step with them as I translated,
in the endeavour to preserve their drift, I have taken care to render
verses by verses; so that the chronicle of what I shall have to
write, being founded upon these, may thus be known, not for a modern
fabrication, but for the utterance of antiquity; since this present work
promises not a trumpery dazzle of language, but faithful information
concerning times past.

Moreover, how many histories must we suppose that men of such genius
would have written, could they have had skill in Latin and so slaked
their thirst for writing! Men who though they lacked acquaintance with,
the speech of Rome, were yet seized with such a passion for bequeathing
some record of their history, that they encompassed huge boulders
instead of scrolls, borrowing rocks for the usage of books.

Nor may the pains of the men of Thule be blotted in oblivion; for though
they lack all that can foster luxury (so naturally barren is the
soil), yet they make up for their neediness by their wit, by keeping
continually every observance of soberness, and devoting every instant
of their lives to perfecting our knowledge of the deeds of foreigners.
Indeed, they account it a delight to learn and to consign to remembrance
the history of all nations, deeming it as great a glory to set forth the
excellences of others as to display their own. Their stores, which are
stocked with attestations of historical events, I have examined somewhat
closely, and have woven together no small portion of the present work by
following their narrative, not despising the judgment of men whom I know
to be so well versed in the knowledge of antiquity. And I have taken
equal care to follow the statements of Absalon, and with obedient mind
and pen to include both his own doings and other men's doings of which