The Book of Playing Cards (1588) - Page 20

THE BOOK CONCERNING ITSELF.

The Playing Card original: Charta Lusoria gives me my title; a pastime lususa game, play, or amusement:

And the common crowd vulgusthe general public or uneducated masses holds the gifts of paper in high esteem.

But I do not linger for the praise or the insults of the crowd;

Let it be enough for me to be able to please distinguished men.

I ask these men, that when they are free from the weightier

care of their affairs, if they should wish by chance to play with cards,

they might play with ours: without quarrels rixisbrawls or violent disputes often associated with gambling, injury, or death,

since they will grant kind rewards lucraprofits or benefits, here implying intellectual gain to the player.

A decorative woodcut printer's ornament or fleuron, featuring symmetrical floral and scroll-work designs, is centered below the text.