The manuscript has a dedication beginning 'Most excellent prince, and next unto our soveraigne lord and master. In perusinge some olde writings I lighted uppon a manuscript of auncient characterie …'; the title appears on p. 3 and is followed in another hand by three rough drafts of an oration, the third of which begins 'May it please your masterships, Mr Readers merritt yeildes soe much matter of report that store hath made me poore ...'.