Fil:Equals sign in Robert Recorde, The Whetstone of Witte, London 1557, p.238.png

Howbeit, foꝛ eaſie alteratio̅ of equations. I will pꝛo⹀ pounde a fewe exa̅ples, bicauſe the extraction of their rootes, maie the moꝛe aptly bee wꝛoughte. And to a⹀ uoide the tediouſe repetition of theſe wooꝛdes : is⹀ qualle to : I will ſette as I doe often in wooꝛke vſe, a paire of paralleles, oꝛ Gemowe lines of one lengthe, thus: ======, bicauſe noe .2. thynges, can be moare equalle. And now marke theſe nombers.

Translation: Highness, for easy alteration of equations. I will propose a few examples, because the extraction of their roots, may the more aptly be written. And to avoid the tedious repetition of these words :is equal to: I will set as I do often in work use, a pair of parallels, or [Gemowe] lines of one length, thus: ====== because no two things, can be more equal. And now mark these numbers.

Highness(german Hoheit [orig. Howheit]); wroughte=written; [Gemowe might mean "gemeine"?]