The Pathway to Knowledge is the earliest work on Geometry written in the English language and it was in general use until the middle of the seventeenth century as an elementary textbook. It is a mathematical textbook with a difference - it has poetry in its pages. Recorde is fond of using poetical phrasing and examples abound in his text. An example of his verse is found on the title page, where Geometry gives her verdict: 'All fresh fine wits by me are filed, All gross dull wits wish me exiled. Though no man's wit reject will I, Yet as they be I will them try.'