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    READER, loe here a well-meaning Booke.  It doth at the first entrance forewarne thee, that in contriving the same I have proposed unto my selfe no other than a familiar and private end:  I have no respect or consideration at all, either to thy service, or to my glory: my forces are not capable of any such desseigne.  I have vowed the same to the particular commodity of my kinsfolk and friends: to the end, that losing me (which they are likely to do ere long), they may therein find some lineaments of my conditions and humours, and by that meanes reserve more whole, and more lively foster the knowledge and acquaintance they have had of me. Had my intention beene to forestal and purchase the world's opinion and favour, I would surely have adorned myselfe more quaintly, or kept a more grave and solemne march.  I desire therein to be delineated in mine own genuine, simple and ordinarie fashion, without contention, art or study; {PlainDealer+} for it is myselfe I pourtray.  My imperfections shall thus be read to the life, and my naturall forme discerned, so farre-forth as publike reverence hath permitted me.  For if my fortune had beene to have lived among those nations which yet are said to live under the sweet liberty of Nature's first and uncorrupted lawes, {Gonzalo+} I assure thee, I would most willingly have pourtrayed myselfe fully and naked.  Thus, gentle Reader, myselfe am the groundworke of my booke: it is then no reason thou shouldest employ thy time about so frivolous and vaine a subject.

THE most usuall way to appease those minds we have offended (when revenge lies in their hands, and that we stand at their mercy) is, by submission to move them to commiseration and pitty:  Neverthelesse, courage, constancie, and resolution (meanes altogether opposite) have sometimes wrought the same effect.  Edward the black Prince of Wales (who so long governed our Country of Guienne, a man whose conditions and fortune were accompanied with many notable parts of worth and magnanimitie) having beene grievously offended by the Limosins, though he by maine force tooke and entered their Citie, could by no meanes be appeased, nor by the wailefull out-cries ofall sorts of people (as of men, women, and children) be moved to any pittty, they prostrating themselves to the common slaughter, crying for mercy, and humbly submitting themselves at his feet, until such time as in triumphant manner passing thorow their Citie, he perceived three French Gentlemen, who alone, with an incredible and undaunted boldnesse gainstood the
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enraged violence, and made head against the furie of his victorious armie.  The consideration and respect of so notable a vertue, did first abate the dint of his wrath, and from those three began to relent, and shew mercy to all the other inhabitants of the said towne.  Scanderbeg, Prince of Epirus, following one of his souldiers, with purpose to kill him, who by all means of humilitie, and submisse entreatie, had first offered to pacifie him, in such an unavoidable extremitie, resolved at last, resolutely to encounter him with his sword in his hand.  This resolution did immediately stay his Captains fury, who seeing him undertake so honourable an attempt, not only forgave, but received him into grace and favour.  This example may haply, of such as have not knowne the prodigious force and matchless valour of the said Prince, admit another interpretation.  The Emperor Conradus, third of that name, having besieged Guelphe, Duke of Bavaria, what vile or base satisfacfaction soever was offered him, would yeeld to no other milder conditions, but only to suffer such Gentlewomen as were with the Duke in the Citie (their honours safe) to issue out of the Towne afoot, with such things as they could carry about them.  They with an unrelenting courage advised and resolved themselves (neglecting all other riches or jewels) to carry their husbands, their children, and the Duke himselfe, on their backs: the Emperour perceiving the quaintnesse of their device, tooke so great pleasure at it, that hee wept for joy, and forthwith converted that former inexorable rage, and mortall hatred he bare the Duke, into so milde a relenting and gentle kindnesse, that thence forward he entreated both him and his with all favour and courtesie.  Either of these wayes might easily perswade mee: for I am much inclined to mercie, and affected to mildnesse.  So it is, that in mine opinion, I should more naturally stoope unto compassion, than bend to estimation.  Yet is pitty held a vicious passion among the Stoicks+.  They would have us aid the afflicted, but not to faint and co-suffer with them.  These examples seeme fittest for mee, forsomuch as these minds are

seene to be assaulted and environed by these two meanes, in undauntedly suffering the one, and stooping under the other.  It may peradventure be said, that to yeeld ones heart unto commiseration, is an effect of facility, tendernesse, and meeknesse: whence it proceedetrh, that the weakest natures, as of women, children, and the vulgar sort are more subject unto it.  But (having contemned teares and wailings) to yeeld unto the onely reverence of the sacred Image of vertue, is the effect of a couagious and imployable mind, holding a masculine and contant vigour, in honour and affection. Notwithstanding, amazement and admiration may in lesse generous minds worke the like effect.  Witnesse the Thebanes, who having accused and indited their Captaines, as of a capitall crime, forsomuch as they had continued their charge beyond the time prescribed them, absolved and quit Pelopidas of all punishment, because he submissively yeelded under the burden of such objections, and to save himselfe, imployed no other meanes, but suing-requests, and demisse entreaties; where on the contrary, Epaminondas boldly relating the exploits atchieved by him, and with a fierce and arrogant manner upbraiding the people with them, had not the heart so much as to take their lots into his hands, but went his way, and was freely absolved; the assembly much commending the stoutnesse of his courage.  Dionysius the elder, after extreme difficulties, having taken the Citie of Reggio, and in it the Captaine Phyton (a worthy honest man), who had so obstinately defended the same, would needs shew a tragicall example of revenge.  First, he told him, how the day before, he had caused his sonne and all his kinsfolkes to be drowned. To whom Phyton, stoutly out-staring him, answered nothing, but that they were more happy than himselfe by the space of one day.  Afterward he caused him to he stripped, and by his executioners to be taken and dragged thorow the Citie most ignominiously, whipping him, charging him besides with contumelious speeches.  All which not-

withstanding, as one no whit dismayed, he ever shawed a constant and resolute heart; and with a cheerefull and bold countenance went on still, loudly recounting the honourable and glorious cause of his death, which was, that he would never consent to yeeld his Country into the hands of a cruell tyrant, menacing him with an imminent punishment of the Gods. Dionysius plainly reading in his Souldiers lookes, that in lieu of animating them with braving his conquered enemie, they in contempt of him, and scorn of his triumph, seemed by the astonishment of so rare a vertue, to be moved with compassion, and inclined to mutinie, yea, and to free Phyton from out the hands of his Sergeants, or Guard, caused his torture to cease, and secretly sent him to be drowned in the sea.  Surely, man is a wonderful, vaine, divers, and wavering subject: it is very hard to ground any directly-constant and uniforme judgement upon him.  Behold Pompey, who freely pardoned all the Citie of the Mamertines (against which he was grievously enraged) for the love of the magnanimitie, and consideration of the exceeding vertue of Zeno, one of their fellow-citizens, who tooke the publike fault wholly upon himselfe, and desired no other favour, but alone to beare the punishment thereof; whereas Syllaes host having used the like vertue in the Citie of Perugia, obtained nothing, neither for himself, nor for others.  And directly against my first example, the hardiest amongst men, and so gracious to the vanquished, Alexander the great, after many strange difficulties, forcing the Citie of Gaza, encountred by chance with Betis, that commanded therein, of whose valour (during the siege) he had felt wonderfull and strange exploits, being then alone, forsaken of all his followers, his armes all-broken, all-besmeared with bloud and wounds, fighting amongst a number of Macedonians, who pell-mell laid still upon him; provoked by so deare a victorie (for among other mishaps he had newly received two hurts in his body) said this unto him; 'Betis, thou shalt not die as thou wouldest: for make account thou must indure all the torments

may possibly bee devised or inflicted upon a caitife wretch, as thou art.' But he, for all his enemies threats, without speaking one word, returned only an assured, sterne, and disdainefull countenance upon him; which silent obstinacie Alexander noting, said thus unto himselfe:  What? would hee not bend his knee? could he not utter one suppliant voyce?  I will assuredly vanquish his shence, and if I cannot wrest a word from him, I will at least make him to sob or groane.' And converting his anger into rage, commanded his heeles to bee through-pierced, and so all alive with a cord through them, to be torne, mangled, and dismembered at a carts-taile.  May it be, the force of his courage, was so naturall and peculiar unto him, that because he would no-whit admire him, he respected him the lesse? or deemed he it so proper unto himselfe, that in his height, he could not without the spigot of envious passion, endure to see it in an other? or was the naturall violence of his rage incapable of any opposition? surely, had it received any restraint, it may be supposed, that in the ransacking and desolation of the Citie of Thebes, it should have felt the same; in seeing so many Worthies lost, and valiant men put to the sword, as having no meanes of publike defence; for above six thousand were slaine and massacred, of which not one was seene, either to run away, or beg for grace.  But on the contrary, some here and there seeking to affront, and endeavouring to check their victorious enemies, urging and provoking them to force them die an honourable death. Not one was seene to yeeld, and that to his last gaspe did not attempt to revenge himselfe, and with all weapons of dispaire, with the death of some enemie, comfort and sweeten his owne miserie.  Yet could not the affliction of their vertue find any ruth or pitie, nor might one day suffice to glut or asswage his revengefull wrath.  This butcherous slaughter continued unto the last drop of any remaining bloud; where none were spared but the unarmed and naked, the aged and unpotent, the women and children; that so from amongst them, they might get thirtie thousand slaves.

No man is more free from this passion than I, for I neither love nor regard it: albeit the world hath undertaken, as it were upon covenant, to grace it with a particular favour.  Therewith they adorne age, vertue, and conscience.  Oh foolish and base ornament!  The Italians have more properly with it's name entitled malignitie: for, it is a qualitie ever hurtfull, ever sottish; and as ever base and coward, the Stoikes inhibit their Elders and Sages to be therewith tainted, or have any feeling of it.  But the Storie saith; that Psamneticus king of AEgypt, having been defeated and taken by Cambises king of Persia, seeing his owne daughter passe before him in base and vile aray, being sent to draw water from a well, his friends weeping and wailing about him (he with his eves fixed on the ground, could not be moved to utter one word), and shortly after beholding his sonne led to execution, held still the same undaunted countenance: but perceiving a familiar friend of his haled amongst the captives, he began to beat his head, and burst forth into extreame sorrow.  This might well be compared to that which one of our Princes was lately seene to doe, who being at Trent, and receiving newes of his elder brothers death; but such a brother as on him lay all the burthen and honour of his house; and shortly after tidings of his younger brothers decease, who was his second hope; and having with an unmatched countenance and exemplar constancie endureth these two affronts; it fortuned not long after, that one of his servants dying, he by this
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latter accident suffered himselfe to be so far transported, that quitting and forgetting his former resolution, he so abandoned himselfe to all manner of sorrow and griefe, that some argued, only this last mischance had toucht him to the quicke: but verily the reason was that being otherwise full, and over-plunged in sorrow, the least surcharge brake the bounds and barres of patience.  The light might (I say) be, judged of our storie, were it not it followeth, that Cambises enquirmg of Psamneticus, why he was nothing distempered at the misfortune of his sonne and daughter, he did so impatiently beare the disaster of his friend: 'It is,' answered he, 'because this last displeasure may be manifested by weeping whereas the two former exceed by much, all meanes and compass to bee expressed by teares.' The invention of that ancient Painter might happily fit this purpose, who in the sacrifice of Iphigenia, being to represent the griefe of the by- standers, according to the qualitie and interest each one bare for the death of so faire, so young and innocent a Lady, having ransacked the utmost skill and effects of his art, when he came to the Virgins father, as if no countenance were able to represent that degree of sorrow, he drew him with a vaile over his face.  And that is the reason why our Poets faine miserable Niobe, who first having lost seven sonnes and immediately as many daughters, as one over-burthened with their losses, to have been transformed into a stone;

Diriguisse malis:/1

And grew as hard as stone,
But miserie and moane.

our selves surprised, benummed, and as it were deprived of all motion, so that the soule bursting afterward forth into teares and complaints, seemeth at more ease and libertie to loose, to cleare and dilate it selfe.

Et via vix tandem voci laxata dolore est:/1

And scarce at last for speech
By griefe was made a breach.

Chi puo dir com' egli arde, e in picciol fuoco:/2

He that can say how he doth frie, ln pettie-gentle flames doth lie,

             misere quod omne
Eripit sensus mihi; Nam simul t
Lesbia aspexi, nihil est super mi
Quod loquar amen
Lingua torpet, tenuis sub artu
Flamma dimanant, sonitu suopt
Tinniunt aures, gemina teguntur
Lumina nocte./3

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1 VIRG.  Aen. 1. xi. 151. 2 PET. p. 1.  Son. 140.3 CATUL.  Epig. xlviii. 5.

                      miserably from me
This bereaves all sense: for I can no soone
Eie thee my sweet heart, but I wot not one word to speak amazed
Tongue-tide as in a trance, while a sprightly thin flam
       Flowes in all my joynts with a selfe-resounding
Both my ears tingle, with a night redoubled
Both mine eies are veild.

Curae leves loquuntur, ingentes stapent./1

Light cares can freely speake
Great cares heart rather breake.

Vt me conspexit venientem, et Troja circu
Arma amins vidit, maqnis exterrita monstris
Diriguit visu in medi, calor ossa reliquit
Labitur, et longo vix tandem tempore fatur./2

When she beheld me come, and round abou
Senselesse saw Trojan armes, she stood afrai
Stone-still at so strange sights: life heat flew out
She faints: at last, with long pause thus she said.

into an ague whereof he shortly died.  And for a more authenticall testimonie of humane imbecilitie, it is noted by our Ancients that Diodorus the Logician, being surprised with an extreme passion or apprehension of shame, fell down starke dead, because neither in his Schoole, nor in publique, he had beene able to resolve an argument prepounded unto him.  I am little subject to these violent passions.  I have naturally a hard apprehension, which by discourse I daily harden more and more.

THOSE which still accuse men for ever gaping after future things, and go about to teach us, to take hold of present fortunes+, and settle our selves upon them, 0as having no hold of that which is to come; yea much lesse than we have of that which is already past, touch and are ever harping upon the commonest humane error, if they dare call that an error, to which Nature her selfe, for the service of the continuation of her worke, doth address us, imprinting (as it doth many others) this false imagination in us, as more jealous of our actions, than of our knowledge.  We are never in our selves, but beyond.  Feare, desire, and hope, draw us ever towards that which is to come, and remove our sense and consideration from that which is, to amuse us on that which shall be, yea when we shall be no more. Calamitosus est animus futuri anxius./1 'A minde in suspense what is to come, is in a pittifull case.' This noble precept is often alleaghed in Plato, 'Follow thy businesse and know thy selfe;' Each of these two members, doth generally imply all our duty; and likewise enfolds his companion. He that should doe his businesse might perceive that his first lesson is, to know what he is, and what is convenient for him.  And he that knoweth himselfe, takes no more anothers matters for his owne, but above all other things, loveth and correcteth himselfe, rejecteth superfluous occupations, idle imaginations, and unprofitable propositions.
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SEN.  Epis. 98
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As if you grant follie what it desireth, it will no-whit be satisfied; so is wisdome content with that which is present, and never displeased with it selfe.  Epicurus doth dispense with his age touching the foresight and care of what shall insue.  Amongst the lawes that regard the deceased, that which ties the actions of Princes to be examined when they are dead, seemes to me verie solid.  They are companions, if not masters of the lawes: That which justice could not worke on their heads, it is reason it effect upon their reputation+, and goods of their successors: things wee many times preferre before our lives.  It is a custome brings many singular commodities unto nations that observe it, and to be desired of all good Princes: who have cause to complaine that the memorie of the wicked is used as theirs. Wee owe a like obedience and subjection to all Kings; for it respects their office: but estimation and affection, we owe it only to their vertue.  If they be unworthy, wee are to endure them patiently, to conceale their vices, and to aid their indifferent actions with our commendations, as long as their authoritie hath need of our assistance,{Kent+} and that ought to be ascribed unto politike order.  But our commerce with them being ended, there is no reason we should refuse the unfolding of our felt wrongs unto justice and our libertie.  And specially to refuse good subjects, the glory to have reverently and faithfully served a master, {Kent+} whose imperfections were so well knowne unto them: exempting posteritie from so profitable an example.  And such as for the respect of some private benefit or interest, doe wickedly embrace the memorie of an unworthy Prince, doe particular justice at the cbarge of publike justice.  Titus Livius speaketh truly, where he saith, that the speech of men brought up under a royaltie is ever full of vaine ostentations, and false witness; everyman indiferently extolling the King, to the furthest straine of valour and soveraigne greatnesse. The magnanimitie of those two Souldiers may be reproved, one of which being demanded of Nero, why he hated him, answered him to his teeth; I loved

thee whilest thou wast worthy of love, but Since thou becamest a parricide, a fire-brand, a Juglar, a Player, and a Coach-man, I hate thee, as thou deservest. {Kent+} The other being asked, wherefore he sought to kill him, answered, Because I finde no other course to hinder thy uncessant outrages and impious deeds.  But can any man, that hath his senses about him, justly prove the publike and generall testimonies that since his death have beene given, and so shall be for ever, both against him and all such like reprobates, of his tyrannicall and wicked demeanours?  I am sorrie that in so sacred a policie as the Lacedemonian was, so fained and fond a ceremonie at the death of their Kings was ever devised and brought in use.  All their confederates and neighbours, all the slave-Helotes, men and women pell- mell, for a testimonie of their grief and sorrow, did mangle and gash their foreheads, and in their out-cries and lamentations exclaimed, that their deceased King, howsoever he had lived, was and had beene the best Prince that ever they had, ascribing in order the commendations due unto desert, and to the last and latter ranke, what belongs unto the first merit.  Aristotle that hath an oare in every water, and medleth with all things, makes a question about Solons speech, who saith, that no man can truly be counted happy before his death, Whether he that lived and died according to his wish, may be named happy, whether his renowne be good or ill, and whether his posteritie be miserable or no.  Whilest wee stirre and remove, wee transport our selves by preoccupation wheresoever we list: but no sooner are wee out of being, but wee have no conununication at all with that which is. And it were better to tell Solon, that never man is happy then, since he never is so, but when he is no more.

         -----  Quisqua
Vix radicitus e vita se tollit, et ejicit
Se facit esse qui quiddam super inscius ipse
Nee removet satis a projecto corpora sese, et
Vindicat./1

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1 LUCRET.  Rer. nat. 1. iii. 912.

Scarce any rids himselfe of life so cleer
But leaves unwitting some part of him heere
Nor frees or quits himselfe sufficientl
From that his body which forlorne doth lie.
     Bertrand of Glesquin died at the siege of the castle of Rancon, neere unto Puy in Avergne: the besieged yeelding afterwards, were forced to carry the keies of the Castle, upon the deceased of the Captaine.  Bartholomew of Alviano, Generall of the Venetian forces dying in their service and wars about Brescia, and his bodie being to be transported to Venice, through the territorie of Verona, which was then enemie unto them, the greatest part of the army thought it expedient to demand a safe conduct for their passage of those of Verona, to which Theodore Trivulcio stoutly opposed himselfe, and chose rather to pass it by main force and to hazard the day, saying it was not convenient that he who in his life time had never apprehended feare of his enemies should now being dead, seeme to feare them.  Verily in like matters by the lawes of Greece, hee that required a dead body of his enemies, with intent to bury the same, renounced the victory, and might no more erect any trophy of it: and he who was so required, purchased the title of honour and gaine.  So did Nicias lose the advantage hee had clearely gained of the Corinthians; and contrariwise, Ageshaus assured that, hee doubtfully had gotten of the Boeotians.  These actions might bee deemed strange, if in all ages it were not a common-received opinion, not only to extend the care of our selves, beyond this life, but also to beleeve, that heavenly favours doe often accompany us unto our grave, and continue in our posterity.  Whereof there are so many examples (leaving our moderne a part that I need not wade farre into it.
     Edward the first King of England, in the long wars he had with Robert King of Scotland, having by triall found how greatly his presence advantaged the successe of his affaires, and how he was ever victorious in any enterprise he undertooke in his owne person; when hee

died, bound his sonne by solemne oath, that being dead he should cause his body to be boyled, untill the flesh fell from the bones, which he should cause to be interred, and carefully keeping the bones, ever carry them about him, whenever hee should happen to have wars with the Scots:  As if destiny had fatally annexed the victory unto his limmes.  John Zisca, who for the defence of Wickliff's opinions so much troubled the state of Bohemia, commanded that after his death his body should be flead, and a drum made of his skin, to be carried and sounded in all the wars against his enemies: deeming the sound of it would be a meanes to continue the advantages, which in his former warres hee had obtained of them.  Certaine Indians did likewise carry the bones of one of their Captaines in the skirmishes they had with the Spaniards, in regard of the good successe hee had, whilest hee lived, against them:  And other nations of that new-found world, doe likewise carry the bodies of such worthy aud fortunate men with them, as have died in their battels, to serve them in stead of good fortune and encouragement. The first examples reserve nothing else in their tombes, but the reputation acquired by their former atchievements: but these will also adjoyne unto it the power of working.  The act of Captaine Bayard is of better composition, who perceiving himslef deadly wounded by a shot received in his body, being by his men perswaded to come off and retire himselfe from out the throng, answered, he would not now so neere his end begin to turne his face from his enemie: and having stoutly foughten so long as he could stand, feeling himselfe to faint and stagger from his horse, commanded his steward to lay him against a tree, but in such sort, that he might die with his face toward the enemie; as indeed hee did.  I may not omit this other example, as remarkable for this consideration, as any of the precedent.  The Emperour Maximilian, great grand-father to Philip now King of Spaine, was a Prince highly endowed with many noble qualities, and amongst others with a well-nigh matchless comeliness of body; but

with other customes of his, hee had this one much contrarie to other Princes, who to dispatch their weightiest affaires make often their close- stoole their regall Throne or Council-Chamber, which was, that hee would not permit any groome of his chamber (were hee never so neere about him) to see him in his inner chamber, who if he had occasion but to make water, would as nicely and as religiously with-draw himselfe as any maiden, and never suffer so much as a Pbysitian, much lesse any other whatsoever, to see those privie parts that all in modestie seeke to keepe secret and unseene. My selfe, that am so broad-mouthed and lavish in speeches, am notwithstanding naturally touched with that bashfulnesse.  And unlesse it bee by the motion of necessity or of voluptuousnesse, I never willingly imparted those actions and parts (which custome willeth to bee concealed) to the view of any creature. I endure more compulsion, then I deeme befitting a man, especially of my profession.  But hee grew to such superstition, that by expresse words in his last will and Testament, hee commanded, that being dead, hee should have linnen-flops put about them.  Hee should by codiche have annexeed unto it, that hee who should put them on, might have his eies hood-winckt.  The instruction which Cyrus giveth his children, that neither they nor any other should either see or touch his body, after the breath were once out of it; I ascribe it unto some motive of devotion in him.  For both his historian and himselfe, amongst many other notable qualities they are endued with, have throughout all the course of their life seemed to have a singular respect and awfull reverence unto religion.  That story displeased me very much, which a nobleman told me of a kinsman of mine (a man very famous and well known both in peace and warre), which is, that dying very aged in his court, being much tormented with extreme pangs of the stone, hee with an earnest and unwearied care, employed all his last houres, to dispose the honour and ceremony of his funerals, and summoned all the nobilitie that came to visit him, to

give him assured premise to be as assistants, and to convey him to his last resting place.  To the very same Prince, who was with him at his last gasp, he made very earnest suit, he would command all his household to wait upon him at his interment, inforcing many reasons, and alleaging divers examples to prove that it was a thing very convenient, and fitting a man of his qualitie: which assured promise when he had obtained, and had at his pleasure marshalled the order how they should march, he seemed quietly and contentedly to yeeld up the ghost.  I have seldome seen a vanitie continue for so long.  This other curiositie meere opposite unto it (which to prove I need not labour for homeexamples) seemeth in my opinion cosen-german to this, that is, when one is ever ready to breathe his last, carefully and passionately to endevour how to reduce the convoy of his obsequies unto some particular and unwonted parcimonie, to one servant and to one lanterne.  I heare the humour and appointment of Marcus AEmilius Lepidus commended, who expressly forbade his heires to use those ceremonies about his interment, which in such cases were formerly accustomed.  Is it temperance and frugalitie, to avoid charge and voluptuousnesse, the use and knowledge of which is imperceptable unto us?  Loe here an easie reformation, and of small cost.  Were it requisite to appoint any, I would be of opinion, that as well in that, as in all other actions of man's life, every man should referre the rule of it to the qualitie of his fortune.  And the Philosopher Lycon did wisely appoint his friends to place his body where they should thinke it fittest and for the best: and for his obsequies, they should neither be superfluous, and over-costly, nor base and sparing.  For my part, I would wholly relie on custome, which should dispose this ceremonie, and would yeeld my selfe to the discretion of the first or next into whose hands I might chance to fall.  Totus hic locus est contemnendus in nobis, non negligendus in nostris:/1 'All this matter should be despised of us,
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CICERO, Tusc.  Quaest. i. 45.

but not neglected of ours.' And religiously said a holy man; Curatio funeris, conditio sepulturae, pompa exequiarum, magis sunt tivorum solatia, quam subsidia mortuorum:/1 'In the procuration of funerals, the maner of buriall, the pomp of obsequies, are rather comforts to the living, than helps to the dead.' Therefore Socrates answered Criton, who at the houre of his death asked him how he would be buried:  Even as you please, said he.  Were I to meddle further with this subject, I would deeme it more gallant to imitate those who yet living and breathing, undertake to enjoy the order and honour of their sepulchres, and that please themselves to behold their dead countenance in marble.  Happy they that can rejoyce and gratifle their sense with insensibilitie, and live by their death!  A little thing would make me conceive an inexpiable hatred against all popular domination; although it seeme most naturall and just unto me; when I call to minde that inhumane injustice of the Athenians, who without further triall or remission, yea without suffering them so much as to reply or answer for themselves, condemned those noble and worthy Captaines, that returned victoriously from the sea-battell, which they (neere the Iles Arginusae) had gained of the Macedenonians; the most contested, bloodie and greatest fight the Grecians ever obtained by sea with their owne forces: forsomuch as after the victory, they had rather followed those occasions, which the law of warre presented unto them, for their availe, than to their prejudice staid to gather and bury their dead men.  And the successe of Diomedon makes their ruthlesse execution more hatefull, who being a man of notable and exemplar vertue, both military and politike, and of them so cruelly condemned; after he had heard the bloody sentence, advancing himselfe forward to speake, having fit opportunitie and plausible audience; he, I say, in stead of excusing himselfe, or endevouring to justifie his cause, or to exasperate the evident iniquity of so cruell a doome, expressed but a care of the Judges preservation,
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1 AUG.  Civ.  Dei, l. i. c. 12, verb. apost. scr. 32.

earnestly beseeching the Gods to turne that judgement to their good, praying that for want of not satisfying the vowes which hee and his companions had vowed in acknowledgement and thanksgiving for so famous a victory, and honourable fortune, they might not draw the wrath and revenge of the Gods upon them, declaring what their vowes were.  And without more words, or any further reasons, couragiously addressed himselfe to his execution. But fortune some yeares after punished him alike, and made him taste of the verie same sauce.  For Chabrias, Captaine Generall of their sea-fleet, having afterward obtained a famous victory of Pollis, Admirall of Sparta, in the Ile of Naxos, lost absolutely the benefit of it, and onely contented with the day (a matter of great consequence for their affaires) fearing to incurre the mischiefe of this example, and to save a few dead carcasses of his friends, that floated up and downe the sea, gave leasure to an infinite number of his living enemies, whom he might easily have surprized to sail away in safety, who afterward made them to purchase their importunate superstition, at a deere-deere rate.

Quaeris, quo jaceas, post obitum, loc
Quo non nata jacent./1

Where shall you lie when you are dead?
Where they lye that were never bred.

Neque sepulchrum, quo recipiat, habeat portum corporis
Vbi remissa humana vita, corpus requiescat a malis?/2

To turne in as a hav'n, have he no grave
Where life left, from all griefe he rest may have.

A GENTLFMAN of ours exceedingly subject to the gout, being instantly solicited by his Physitions, to leave all manner of salt-meats, was wont to answer pleasantly, that when the fits or pangs of the disease tooke him, hee would have some body to quarell with; and that crying and cursing, now against Bolonie-sausage, and sometimes by railing against salt neats- tongues, and gammons of bakon, he found some ease.  But in good earnest even as the arme being lifted up to strike, if the stroke hit not, but fall void, wee feele some paine in it, and many times strike it out of joynt; and that to yeeld our sight pleasant, it must not be lost and dispiersed in the vast ayre, but ought rather to have a limited bound to sustaine it by a reasonable distance.

Ventus ut amittit vires, nisi robore densae
Occurrant silvae, spatio diffasus inani./1

As windes in emptie ayre diffus'd, strength lose
Unlesse thick-old-growne woods their strength oppose.

the soule in her passions doth rather deceive itselfe, by framing a false and fantasticall subject unto itselfe, yea against her owne conceit, than not to worke upon something.  So doth their owne rage transport beasts to set upon the stone or weapon that hath hurt them; yea and sometimes with irefull teeth to revenge themselves against themselves, for the hurt or smart they feele.

Pannonis haud aliter post utum saevior urs
Cui jaculum parva Lybis amentavit habena
Se rotat in vulnus, telumque irata receptu
Impetit, et secum fugientem circuit hastam./1

Even so the wound-enraged Austrian beare
On whom a Moore hath thir'ld his slinged speare
Wheeles on her wound, and raging bites the dart
Circling that flies with her, and cannot part.

for the pleasure his mother had received in the same.  When I was young, my countrimen were wont to say, That one of our neigbbour-Kings, having received a blow at Gods hand, sware to be revenged on him, and ordained, that for ten yeares space no man should pray unto him, nor speak of him, nor (so long as he were in authority), beleeve in him.  By which report, they doe not so much publish the sottishnesse, as the ambitious glorie, peculiar unto that nation of whom it was spoken.  They are vices that ever goe together:  But in truth such actions enclime rather unto selfe-conceit, than to fondnes.  Augustus Caesar having beene beaten by a tempest on the sea, defied the God Neptune, and in the celebration of the Circensian games, that so he might be avenged on him, he caused his image to be removed from out the place, where it stood amongst the other Gods; wherein he is also less excusable, than the former, and lesse than hee was afterward, when having lost a battel, under Quintilius Varus in Germanie, all in a rage and desperate, he went up and downe beating his bead against the walls, mainly crying out: 'Oh!  Varus, restore me my Souldiers againe:' For, those exceed, all follie (forsomuch as impietie is joyned unto it that will wreake themselves against God, or fortune, as if she had eares subject to our batterie:  In imitation of the Thracians, who when it lightens or thunders, begin with a Titanian revenge to shoot against heaven, thinking by shooting of arrowes to draw God to some reason.  Now, as saith that ancient Poet in Plutarch,

Point ne se faut corroucer aux affaires
Il ne leur chaut de toutes noz coleres./1

We ought not angry be at what God dooth
For he cares not who beares an angry tooth.

LVCIUS MARCIUS Legate of the Romans, in the warre against Perseus King of Macedon, desirous to get so much time, as he wanted to prepare his army, gave out some motives of accord, wherewith the king inveagled, yeelded unto a truce for certaine daies: by which meanes he furnished his enemie with opportunitie and leasure to arme himselfe: whereof proceeded the Kings last ruine and over-throw.  Yet is it, that the elders of the Senate, mindfull of their fore-fathers customes, condemned this practice as an enemie to their ancient proceedings, which was, said they, to fight with vertue, and not with craft, not by surprises, or stratagems by night, nor by set-flights, and unlookt-for approches, never undertaking a warre, but after it was proclaimed, yea many times after the appointed houre and place of the battell. With this conscience did they send backe to Pirrhus his traitorous Physitian, and to the Phalisci their disloyall schoolemaster.  These were true Romane+ proceedings, and not Grecian policies, nor Punike whes, with whom to vanquish by force is lesse glorious than to conquer by treacherie.  To deceive may serve for the instant but hee only is judged to be overcome, that knowes he was not vanquished by craft or deceit, nor by fortune or chance, but by meere valour, betweene troupe and troupe, in an overt and just warre. {rules of war+} It appeareth manifestly by the speech of these good men, they had not yet received this sentence.
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Dolus, an virtus, quis in hoste requirat?/1

Deceit, or vertue, either, in foes, it skills not whether.

Vos ne velit, an me regnare hera, quid-ve ferat fors
Virtute experiamur./2

If fortune will have you to raigne, or me
And what chance brings, let vertue's triall be.

that of parlies, and treaties of accord:  And therefore is it a common rule in the mouth of all our modern men of warre, that the Governour or Commaunder of a besieged place, ought never to sallie forth himselfe to parlie.  In the time of our forefathers, the same was cast in the teeth (as a reproach) unto the Lord of Montmord and Assigni, who defended Mouson, against the Earle of Nanseaw.  Yet in this case it were excusable in him, that should so sallie out, that the assurance and advantage, might still be on his side.  As did the Earle Guido Rangoni in the Citie of Reggio (if credit may be given to Bellay: for Guicciardin affirmeth, that it was himselfe) when as the Lord of Escute, comming to parlie made his approaches unto it; for he did so little forsake his fort, that whilest they were in parlie, a commotion being raised, the Lord of Escute and the troupes which came with him, in that tumult found himselfe to be the weakest, so that Alexander Trivultio was there slaine, and hee deeming it the safest way, was forced to follow the Earle, and on his word to yield himselfe to the mercie and shelter of blowes, into the Citie.  Eumenes in the Citie of Nera, being urged by Antigenus, that besieged him, to sallie forth to parlie, alleaging that there was reason he should come to him, sith he was the better man, and the stronger: after he had made, this noble answer, 'I will never thinke any man better than myselfe, so long as I can hold or rule my sword;' nor did he ever yeeld untill Antigonus had delivered him Ptolomey, his owne nephew for a pledge, whom he required.  Yet shall we see some to have prospered well in sallying foorth of their holdes to parlie, upon the word and honor of the assailant; witnes Henrie of Vaulx, a knight of Champaigns, who being beleagred by the English-men in the Castle of Commercie, and Bartholmew of Bones, who at that siege commaunded as Chiefe having caused the greatest part of the Castle to be undermined, so that there wanted nothing but the giving of fire, utterly to subvert the same, under the ruines of it, summoned the said Henrie to issue

out, and for his owne good to parlie with him, which he did, accompanied but with three more, who manifestly seeing the evident ruine, wherein he was undoubtedly like to fall, acknowledged himselfe infinitely beholding to his enemies unto whose discretion, after he had yeelded together with his troup, and that fire the Castle was given to the Mine, the maine props of the Castle failing, it was utterly overthrowne and carried away.  I am easily perswaded to yeeld to other mens words and faith, but hardly would I doe it, when I should give other men cause to imagine, that I had rather done it through despare and want of courage, than of a free and voluntary choise, and confidence in his honestie and well-meaning.

NOTWITHSTANDING I saw lately, that those of Musidan, a place not farre from mee, who with others of their partie were by our forces compelled to dislodge thence, exclaimed, they were betraid, because during the speech of accord, and the treatie yet continuing, they had beene surprized and defeated; which thing might haply other ages have had some apparence of truth; but, I say, our manner of proceeding in such cases, is altogether differing from these rules, and no man ought to expect performance of promise from an enemie, except the last seale of bond be fully annexed thereunto, wherein notwithstanding is then much care and vigilancie required, and much adoe shall be found.  And it was ever a dangerous counsell to trust the performance of word or oath given unto a Citie, that yeelds unto gentle and favourable composition, and in that furie to give the needie, bloudthirstie, and prey-greed Souldier free entrance into it, unto the free choise and licence of a victorious armie.  Lucius Emilius Regulus a Romane Proctor, having lost his time in attempting by force to take the Citie of the Phocens by reason of the singular prowesse, which the inhabitants shewed, in stoutly defending themselves, covenanted to receive them as friends unto the people of Rome, and to enter their Citie as a place confederate, removing all feare of hostile-action from them.  But to the end hee might apeare more glorious and dreadfull, having caused his armie to enter with him, doe what he might, be could not bridle the rage of his Souldiers; and with his owne
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eies saw most part of the Citie ransacked and spoiled: the rights of covetousnesse and revenge supplanting those of his authoritie and militarie discipline.  Cleomenes was wont to say, that 'What hurt soever a man might doe his enemies in time of warre, was beyond justice, and not subject unto it, as well towards the Gods as towards men:' who for seven dayes having made truce with those of Argos, the third night, whilest they were all asleepe mistrusting no harme, hee charged and overthrew them, aleaging for his excuse, that in the truce no mention had beene made of nights. But the Gods left not his perfidious policie unrevenged:  For during their enter- parlie and businesse about taking hostages, the Citie of Casilinum was by surprise taken from him: which happened in the times of the justest Captaines, and of the most perfect Romane discipline:  For it is not said, that time and place serving, wee must not make use and take advantage of our enemies foolish oversight, as we doe of their cowardise.  And verily warre hath naturally many reasonable privileges to the prejudice of reason. And here failes the rule; Neminem id agere, ut ex alterius praedetur inscitia:/1 'That no man should endeavour to prey upon another mans ignorance.' But I wonder of the scope that Xenophon allowes them, both by his discourse, and by divers exploits of his perfect Emperour: an Author of wonderfull consequence in such things, as a great Captaine and a Philosopher, and one of Socrates chiefest Disciples, nor doe I altogether yeeld unto the measure of his dispensation.  The Lord of Aubigny besieging Capua, after he had given it a furious batterie, the Lord Fabritius Colonna, Captaine of the towne, having from under a bastion or skonce begunne to parlie, and his men growing negligent and carelesse in their offices and guard, our men did suddenly take the advantage offered them, entered the towne, over-ranne it, and put all to the sword.  But to come to later examples, yea in our memorie, the Lord Iulio Romero at Yvoy, having committed this
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1 Cic.  Offic. 1. iii.

oversight to issue out of his holde, to parlie with the Constable of France, at his returne found the Towne taken, and himselfe jack-out-of- doores.  But that wee may not pass out unrevenged, the Marques of Pescara beleagering Genova, where the Duke Octavian Fregoso commanded under our protection, and an accord between them having so long been treated, and earnestly solicited, that it was held as ratified, and upon the point of conclusion, the Spaniards being entred the Towne, and seeing themselves the stronger, tooke their opportunitie and used it as a full and compleate victorie: and since at Lygny in Baroe, where the Earle of Brienne commanded, the Emperour having besieged him in person, and Bartholemy Lieutenant to the saide Earle, being come foorth of his hold to parlie, was no sooner out, whilest they were disputing, but the Towne was surprised, and he excluded, They say,

Fu il vincer sempre mai laudabil cosa
Vincasi o per fortuna o per ingegno./1

To be victorious, evermore was glorious,
Be we by fortune or by wit victorious.

Atque idem fugientem haud est dignatus Orode
Sternere, nec jacta caecum dare cuspide vulnus:

Obvius adversoque occurrit, seque viro vi
Contulit, haud furto melior, sed fortibus armis./1

He deign'd not to strike downe Orodes flying
Or with his throwne-launce blindely-wound him running
But man to man afront himselfe applying
Met him, as more esteem'd for strength than cunning.

The common saying is, that "Death acquits us of all our bonds.' I know some that have taken it in another sence.  Henry the seventh, King of England, made a composition with Philip, son to Maximilian the Emperour or (to give him a more honorable title) father to the Emperour Charles the fifth, that the said Philip should (deliver into his hands the Duke of Suffolke, his mortall enemie, who was fled out of England, and saved himself in the Low countries, always provided the king should attempt nothing against the Dukes life; which promise notwithstanding, being neere his end, he expresly by will and testament commanded his succeeding-sonne, that immediately after his decease, he should cause him to be put to death.  In the late tragedie, which the Duke of Alva presented us withall at Brussels, on the Earles of Horne and Egmond were many remarkable things and worthy to be noted: and amongst others, that the said Count Egmond upon whose faithfull word and assurance, the Earle of Horne was come in and yeelded himselfe to the Duke of Alva, required very instantly to be first put to death, to the end his death might acquit and free him of the word_and_bond+, which he ought and was engaged for, to the said Earle of Horne.  It seemeth that death hath no whit discharged the former of his word given, and that the second, without dying was quit of it.  We cannot be tied beyond our strength and meanes.  The reason is, because the effects and executions are not any way in our power,
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and except our will, nothing is truly in our power {Epictetus+}: on it onely are all the rules of man's dutie grounded and established by necessitie. And therefore Count Egmond, deeming his minde and will indebted to his promise, how beit the power to effect it, lay not in his hands; was no doubt cleerely absolved of his debt and dutie, although be had survived the Count Horne.  But the King of England failing of his word by his intention, cannot be excused, though hee delaide the execution of his disloyaltie untill after his death.  No more than Herodotus his Mason who during his natural life, having faithfully kept the secret of his Master the King of AEgypts treasure, when he died discovered the same unto his children. I have in my dayes seene many convicted by their owne conscience, for detaining other men's goods, yet by their last will and testament to dispose themselves, after their decease to make satisfaction.  This is nothing to the purpose. Neither to take time for a matter so urgent, nor with so small interest or shew of feeling, to goe about to establish an injurie.  They are indebted somewhat more.  And by how much more they pay incommodiously and chargably, so much the more just and meritorious is their satisfaction.  Penitence ought to charge, yet doe they worse, who reserve the revealing of some heinous conceit or affection towards their neighbour, to their last will and affection, having whilest they lived ever kept it secret.  And seeme to have little regard of their owne honour, by provoking the partie offended against their owne memory, and lesse of their conscience, since they could never for the respect of death cancell their ill-grudging affection, and in extending life beyond theirs.  Oh wicked and ungodly judges, which referre the judgement of a cause to such time as they have no more knowledge of causes!  I will as neere as I can prevent, that my death reveale or utter any thing, my life hath not first publikely spoken.

As we see some idle-fallow grounds, if they be fat and fertile, to bring foorth store and sundry roots of wilde and unprofitable weeds, and that to keep them in use we must subject and imploy them with certain seeds for our use and service; and as wee see some women, though single and alone, often to bring foorth lumps of shapelesse flesh, whereas to produce a perfect and naturall generation, they must be manured with another kinde of seed; so is it of mindes, which except they be busied about some subject, that may bridle and keepe them under, they will here and there wildely scatter themselves through the vast field of imaginations.

Sicut aquae tremulum labris ubi lumnen aheni
Sole repercwsum, aut radiantis imagine Lunae
Omnia pervolitat late loca jamque sub aura
Erigitur, summique ferit laquearia tecti.

As trembling light reflected from the Sunne
Or radiant Moone on water-fild brasse lavers
Flies over all, in aire unpraised soone
Strikes house-top beames, betwixt both strangely wavers.

   -----  velut aegri somnia, vana
Finguntur species./2

Like sicke mens dreames, that feigne
Inaginations vaine.

itselfe:  For, as we say, 'To be everiewhere, is to be nowhere.'

Quisquis ubigue habitat, Maxime, nusquam habitat./1

Good sir, he that dwels everywhere
No where can say, that he dwels there.

Variam semper dant otia mentem./2

Evermore idlenesse
Doth wavering mindes addresse.

THERE is no man living, whom it may lesse beseeme to speake of memorie+, than myselfe, for to say truth, I have none at all: and am fully perswaded that no mans can be so weake and forgetfull as mine.  All other parts are in me common and vile, but touching memorie, I thinke to carrie the prise from all other, that have it weakest, nay and to gaine the reputation of it, besides the naturall want I endure (for truely considering the necessitie of it, Plato hath reason to name it a great and mighty goddesse).  In my countrie, if a man will imply that one hath no sense, he will say, such a one hath no memorie: and when I complaine of mine, they reprove me, and will not beleeve me, as if I accused myselfe to be mad and senselesse. They make no diference betweene memorie and wit: which is an empairing of my market:  But they doe me wrong, for contrariwise it is commonly seene by experience, that excellent memories do rather accompany weake judgements. Moreover they wrong me in this (who can do nothing so well as to be a perfect_friend+) that the same words which accuse my infirmitie, represent ingratitude. From my affection they take hold of my memorie, and of a naturall defect, they infer a want of judgement or conscience.  Some will say, he hath forgotten this entreaty or request, or that promise, he is not mindful of his old friends, he never remembered to say, or doe, or conceale this or that, for my sake.  Verily I may easily forget, but to neglect the charge my friend hath committed to my trust, I never do it.  Let them beare
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with my infirmitie, and not conclude it to be a kind of malice; which is so contrarie an enemie to my humor.  Yet am I somewhat comforted.  First, because it is an evil, from which I have chieflie drawne the reason to correct a worse mischiefe, that would easily have growne upon me, that is to say, ambition+; which defect is intolerable in them that meddle with worldly negotiations.  For as divers like examples of natures progresse, say, she hath happily strengthened other faculties in me, according as it hath growne weaker and weaker in me, and I should easily lay downe and wire-draw my minde and judgement, upon other mens traces, without exercising their proper forces, if by the benefit of memorie, forren inventions and strange opinions were present with me.  That my speech is thereby shorter for the Magazin of Memorie is peradventure more stored with matter, than is the store-house of Invention.  Had it held out with me, I had ere this wearied all my friends with pratling: the subjects rouzing the meane facultie I have to manage employ them, strengthening and wresting my discourses. It is pitie; I have assayed by the trial of some of my private friends: according as their memory hath ministered them a whole and perfect matter, who recoile their narration so farre-backe, and stuff it with so many vaine circumstances, that if the story bee gqod, they smoother the goodnesse of it: if bad, you must needs either curse the good fortune of their memorie, or blame the misfortune of their judgement.  And it is no easie matter, being in the midst of the cariere of a discourse, to stop cunningly, to make a sudden period, and to cut it off.  And there is nothing whereby the cleane strength of a horse is more knowne, than to make a readie and cleane stop.  Among the skilfull I see some that strive, but cannot stay their race.  Whilest they labour to finde the point to stop their course, they stagger and falter, as men that faint through weaknesse.  Above all, old men are dangerous, who have onely the memorie of things past left them, and have lost the remembrance of their repetitions.  I have heard some very pleasant

reports become most irkesome and tedious in the mouth of a certaine Lord, forsomuch as all the bye-standers had many times beene cloyed with them.  Secondly (as said an ancient Writers that I doe not so much remember injuries received.  I had need have a prompter as Darius had, who not to forget the wrong he had received of the Athenians, whensoever he sate downe at his table, caused a page to sing unto him, 'Sir, remember the Athenians,' and that the places or bookes which I read over, do ever smile upon me with some new noveltie.  It is not without reason, men say, that be who hath not a good and readie memorie should never meddle with telling of lies, and feare to become a liar.  I am not ignorant how the Grammarians make a difference betweene speaking untrue and lying; and say that to speake untruly is to speake that which is false, but was reputed true; and that the definition of the Latin word, mentiri, whence the French word, mentir, is derived, which in English is to lie, implieth and meaneth to goe against ones conscience: and by consequence it concerneth onely those, who speake contrary to that which they know, of whom I speake.  Now, these, either invent, seale, stampe and all, or else they disguise and change a true ground.  When they disguise or change, if they be often put to the repetition of one thing, it is hard for them to keepe still in one path, and very strange if they lose not themselves: because the thing, as it is, having first taken up her stand in the memory, and there by the way of knowledge and witting, imprinted itselfe, it were hard it should not represent itselfe to the imagination, displacing and supplanting falshood, which therein can have no such footing, or setled fastnesse; and that the circumstances of the first learning, still diving into the minde, should not cause it to disperse the remembrance of all false or bastardizing parts gotten together. Where they altogether invent, forsomuch as there is no certaine impression, to front their falshood, they seeme to have so much the lesser feare to mistake or forget themselves, which also notwithstanding

being an airie bodie, and without hold-fast may easily escape the memorie, except it be well assured, whereof I have often do my no small pleasure) seene the experience, at the cost of those, who professe never to frame their speech, but as, best shall fit the affaires they negotiate, and as best shall please the great men they speak unto.  For the circumstances to which they will subject their credit and conscience, being subject to many changes, their speech must likewise diversifie and change with them, whence it followeth that of one selfsame subject they speak diversly, as now yellow, now gray, to one man thus, and thus to another.  And if peradventure these kind of men hoard-up their so contrarie instructions, what becomes of this goodly art?  Who besides, often most foolishly forget themselves, and run at randon:  For what memorie shall suffice them, to remember so many different formes they have framed to one same subject?  I have in my dayes seene divers that have envied the reputation of this worthy kind of wisedome, who perceive not, that if there be a reputation, there can be no effect.  Verily, lying is an ill and detestable vice.  Nothing makes us men, and no other meanes keeps us bound one to another, but our word+; knew we but the horror and weight of it, we would with fire and sword pursue and hate the same, and more justly than any other crime.  I see all men generally busied (and that verie improperly) to punish certaine innocent errours in children which have neither impression nor consequence, and chastice and vex them for rash and fond actions.  Onely lying and stubbornnesse somewhat more, are the faults whose birth and progresse I would have severely punished and cut off; for they grow and increase with them: and if the tongue have once gotten this ill-habit, good Lord how hard, nay how impossible it is to make her leave it? whereby it ensueth, that we see many very honest men in other matters, to bee subject and enthralled to that fault.  I have a good lad to my tailour, whom I never heard speak a truth, no not when it might stand him instead of profit.  If a lie

had no more faces+ but one, as truth had, we should be in farre better termes than we are:  For whatsoever a lier should say, we would take it in a contrarie sense.  But the opposite of truth has many shapes, and an undefinite field.  The Pythagoreans make good to be certaine and finite and evil to be infinite and uncertain.  A thousand by-wayes misse the marke, one onely hits the same.  Surely I can never assure myselfe to come to a good end, to warrant an extreme evident danger, by a shamelesse and solemne lie.  An ancient father saith, 'We are better in the companie of a known dogge, than in a mans societie, whose speech is unknowne to us.  Vt externus alieno non sit hominis vice: 'A stranger to a stranger is not like a man.' And how much is a false speech lesse sociable than silence?  King Francis the first, vaunted himselfe to have by this meanes brought Francis Taverna, ambassador to Francis Sforza, Duke of Millane, to a non- plus; a man very famous for his rare eloquence, and facilitie in speech, who had beene dispatched to excuse his master, toward his Majestie, of a matter of great importance, which was this.  The King to keepe ever some intelligence in Italy, whence he had lately beene expelled, but especially in the Dukedome of Millane, thought it expedient to entertaine a Gentleman of his about the Duke, in effect as his Ambassador, but in apparence as a private man; who should make shew to reside there about his particular affairess, forsomuch as the Duke, who depended much more of the Emperour (chiefely then that he was treating a marriage with his niece, daughter of the King of Denmarke, who is at this day Dowager of Loraine) could not without great prejudice unto himselfe discover to have any correspondencie and conference with us.  For which commission and purpose a Gentleman of Millane, named Merveille, then serving the King in place of one of the Quiers of his Quierie, was deemed fit.  This man being dispatched with secret letters of credence, and instructions of an Ambassador,
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1 PLIN.  Nat.  Hist. 1. vii. c. 1.

venient forces, as should be required to withstand so mightie, and set upon so puisant a King, and alleaging certaine pertinent reasons:  The Ambassador fondly and unfitly replied, that himselfe had long before maturely considered them and had told the Pope of them.  By which answer so farre from his proposition (which was with all speed, and without more circumstances to undertake and undergoe a dangerous warre) the King of England tooke hold of the first argument which in effect he afterward found true, which was, that the said Ambassador, in his owne particular intent, was more affected to the French side, whereof advertising his master, his goods were all confiscate, himselfe disgraced, and he very hardly escaped with life.

Onc ne furent a tous toutes qraces donnees.

All God's good graces are not gone
To all, or of all anyone.

charge being to make an Oration before the Pope, and having long time before premeditated and con'd the [REDO 43] remaineth mute, if he have no leisure to prepare himselfe, and he likewise to whom leisure giveth no advantage to say better, are both in one selfe degree of strangeness. It is reported that Severus Cassius spake better extempore, and without premeditation.  That he was more beholding to fortune, than to his diligence; that to be interrupted in his speech redounded to his profit: and that his adversaries feared to urge him, lest his sudden anger should redouble his eloquence.  I know this condition of nature by experience, which cannot abide a vehement and laborious premeditation: except it hold a free, a voluntarie, and selfe pleasing course, it can never come to a good end. We commonly say of some compositions, that they smell of the oile {sprezzatura+}, and of the lampe, by reason of a certaine harshnesse, and rudenesse, which long plodding labour imprints in them that be much elaborated.  But besides the care of well-doing, and the contention of the minde, overstretched to her enterprise, doth breake and impeach the same; even

as it hapneth unto water, which being closely pent in, through its owne violence and abundance, cannot finde issue at an open gullet.  In this condition of nature, whereof I now speake, this also is joyned unto it, that it desireth not to be pricked forward by these strong passions, as the anger of Cassius (for that motion would be overrude) it ought not to be violently shaken, but yeeldingly solicited: it desireth to be rouzed and prickt forward by strange occasions, both present and casual.  If it go alone, it doth but languish and loyteron is her life and grace.  I canuot well conataine myselfe in mine owne possession and disposition, chance hath more interest in it than myselfe; occasion, company, yea the change of my voice drawes more from my minde than I can finde therein, when by myselfe I second and endevor to employ the same.  My words likewise are better than my writings, if choice may be had in so worthlesse things.  This also hapheth unto me, that where I seeke myselfe, I finde not myselfe: and I finde myselfe more by chance, than by the search of mine owne judgement.  I shall perhaps have cast foorth some suttletie in writing, haply dull and harsh for another, but smooth and curious for myselfe.  Let us leave all these complements and quaintnesse. That is spoken by everie man, according to his owne strength, I have so lost it, that I wot not what I would have said, and strangers have sometilnes found it before me.  Had I alwayes a razor about me, where that hapneth, I should cleane raze myselfe out.  Fortune may at some other time make the light thereof appeare brighter unto me than that of mid-day, and will make mee wonder at mine owne faltring or sticking in the myre.

As touching Oracles it is very certaine, that long before the comming of our Saviour Iesus Christ, they had begun to lose their credit: for we see that Cicero laboureth to finde the cause of their declination: and these be his words:  Cur isto modo jam oracula Delphis non eduntur, non modo nostra aetate, sed jamdiu, ut nihil possit esse contemptius?|1 'Why in like sort are not oracles now uttered, not onely in our times, but a good while since, so as now nothing can be more contemptible?' But as for other Prognostikes, that were drawne from the anatomie of beasts in sacrifice, to which Plato doth in some sort ascribe the naturall constitution of the intermall members of them, of the scraping of chickens, of the flight of birds, Aves quasdam rerum augurandarum causa natas esse putamus:/2 'We are of opinion', certain birds were even bred to prognosticate some things; of thunders, of turnings and backe-recourse of rivers.' Multa cernunt aruspices: multa augures provident: multa oraculis declarantur: multa vaticinationibus: multa somniis: multa portentis:/3 'Soothsayers see much: bird-prophets foresee as much: much is foretold by Oracles; much by prophecies; much by portentuous signes,' and others, upon which antiquitie grounded most of their enterprises, as well publike as private: our religion hath abolished them.  And albeit there remaine yet amongst us some meanes of divination in the starres, in spirits; in shapes of the
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1 CIC.  Divin. 1. ii. 2 Id.  Nat.  Deor. 3 Id. ib. 1. ii.
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body in dreames, and elsewhere a notable example of the mad and fond curiositie of our nature, ammusing it selfe to preoccupate future things, as if it had not enough to doe to digest the present.

      -----  cur hanc titi, rector Olympi
Sollicitis mortalibus addere curam
Noscant venturas ut dira per omnia clade
Bit subitum quodcunque paras, sit caeca futur
Mens hominum fati, liceat sperare timenti./2

Why pleas'd it thee, thou ruler of the spheares,
To adde this care to mortals care-clog'd minde
That they their miserie know, ere it appeares?
Let thy drifts sudden come; let men be blind
T'wards future fate: oh let him hope that feares. {Pope+}

miseries which he foresaw prepared by the fates against the Crowne of France, and the many friends he had there, he unkindly revolted, and became a turne-cote on the Emperors side, to his intolerable losse and destraction, notwithstanding all the constellations then reigning.  But be was drawne unto it as a man encompassed and beset by divers passions; for having both strong castles, and-all maner of munition and strength in his owne hands, the enemies armie under Antonio Leva about three paces from him, and we nothing mistrusting him, it was in his power to do worse than he did.  For notwithstanding his treason, we lost neither man nor towne, except Fossan, which long after was by us stoutly contested and defended.

Prudens futuri temporis exitu
Caliginosa nocte premit Deus
Ridetque, si mortalis ultr
Fas trepidat./1

Our wise God hides in pitch-darke nigh
Of future time th' event decreed
And laughes at man, if man (affright
Feare more than he to feare hath need.

Ille potens su
Laetqusue deget, cui licet in diem
Dixisse, vixi, cras vel atr
Nube polum pater occupato,
Vel sole puro./2

He of himselfe lives merily
Who each day, I have liv'd, can say
To morrow let God charge the skie
With darke clouds, or faire sun-shine-ray.

Laetus in praesens animus, quod ultra est,
Oderit curare./3

For present time a mery mind
Hates to respect what is behind.

Ista sic reciprocantur ut et si divinatio sit dii sint, et si dii sint sit divinatio:/4

quence is so reciprocall as if there be any divination, there are Gods: and if there be Gods, there is divination.' Much more wisely Pacuvius.

Nam istis linguam avium intelligunt
Plusque ex alieno jecoresapiunt, quam ex su
Magis audiendum, quam auscultandum censio./1

Who understand what language birds expresse
By their owne than beasts-livers knowing lesse
They may be heard, not hearkned to, I guesse.

jaculans, non aliquando conlincet?/1 'For who is he that, shooting all day, sometimes hits not the white?' I thinke not the better of them, though what they say proove sometimes true.  It were more certaine, if there were either a rule or a truth to lie ever.  Seeing no man recordeth their fables, because they are ordinarie and infinit; and their predictions are made to be of credit, because they are rare, incredible and prodigious; so answered Diagoras surnamed the Atheist (being in Samothrace) to him, who in shewing him diver's vowes and offrings hanging in the Temple, brought thither by such as had escaped shipwracke, said thus unto him: 'You that thinke the Gods to have no care of humane things, what say you by so many men saved by their grace and helpe?' 'Thus is it done,' answered he: 'Those which were drowned farre exceeding their number, are not here set- forth.' Cicero saith, That amongst all other Philosophers that have avowed and acknowledged the Gods, onely Xenophanes the Colophonian hath gone about to root out all maner of divination.  It is so much the lesse to be wondred at, if at any time we have seene some of our Princes mindes, to their great damage, relie upon such like vanities.  I would to God, I had with mine owne eyes seene those two wonders, mentioned in the booke of Ioachin the Abbat of Calabria, who foretold all the Popes that should ensue, together with their names and shapes:  And that of Leo the Emperor, who fore-spake all the Emperors and Patriarkes of Greece.  This have I seene with mine owne eyes, that in publike confusions, men amazed at their owne fortune, give themselves head-long, as it were to all maner of superstition, to search in heaven the causes and ancient threats of their ill-lucke; and in my time are so strangely successefull therein, as they have perswaded me, that it is an ammusing of sharpe and idle wits; that such as are inured to this subtletie, by folding and unfolding them, may in all other writings be capable to finde out what they seeke-after.  But above all,
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1 CIC.  Div. 1. ii.

their dark, ambiguous, fantasticall, and propheticall, gibrish, mends the matter much, to which their authors never give a plaine sense, that posterity may apply what meaning and construction it shall please unto it.  The Daemon of Socrates was peradventure a certaine impulsion or will, which without the advice of his discourse presented it selfe unto him. In a minde so well purified, and by continuall exercise of wisedome and vertue so wel prepared, as his was, it is likely, his inclinations (though rash and inconsiderate) were ever of great moment, and worthie to be followed. Every man feeleth in himselfe some image of such agitations, of a prompt, vehement and casuall opinion.  It is in me to give them some authoritie, that affoord so little to our wisedome.  And I have had some, equally weake in reason, and violent in perswasion and disswasion (which was more ordinarie to Socrates) by which I have so happily and so profitably suffred my selfe to be transported, as they might perhaps be thought to containe some matter of divine inspiration.

The law of resolution and constancie implieth not, we should not, as much as lieth in our power shelter our selves from the chiefes and inconveniences that threaten us, nor by consequence feare, they should surprise us.  Contrariwise, all honest meanes for a man to warrant himselfe from evils are not onely tolerable, but commendable.  And the part of constancie is chiefly acted, in firmely bearing the inconveniences, against which no remedie is to be found.  So that there is no nimblenesse of bodie, nor wealding of hand-weapons, that we will reject, if it may in any sort defend us from the blow, meant at us.  Many most warlike nations in their conflicts and fights, used retreating and flight as a principall advantage, and shewed their backs to their enemie much more dangerously than their faces.  The Turkes at this day retaine something of that humour.  And Socrates in Plato doth mocke at Laches, because he had defined fortitude, to keepe herselfe steadie in her rancke against her enemies; 'What,' saith hee, 'were it then cowardise to beat them in giving them place?' And alleageth Homer against him, who commendeth in AEneas his skill in flying and giving ground.  And because Laches being better advised, avoweth that custome to be amongst the Scithians, and generally amongst all horsemen, he alleageth further unto him the example of the Lacedemonian footmen (a nation above all other used to fight on foot who in the battell of Plateae, to open and to put to rowt the Persian Phalanx, advised themselves to scatter and put themselves backe,
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that so by the opinion of their flight, they might if they should pursue them, rush in upon them, and put that so combined-masse to rout.  By which meanes they gained the victorie.  Touching the Scithians, it is reported, that when Darius went to subdue them, he sent their King many reproachfull speeches, for so much as hee ever saw him retire and give ground before him, and to avoid the maine battell.  To whom Indathirsez (for so was his name) answered, that 'They did it not for feare of him, nor any other man living, but that it was the fashion of his nation to march thus: as having neither cities, nor houses, nor manured land to defend, or to feare their enemies should reape any commoditie by them.' But if hee had so great a desire to feed on them, he might draw neerer to view the place of their ancient Sepulchers, and there hee should meet with whom to speake his belly-full. Notwithstanding when a man is once within reach of cannonshot, and as it were point-blancke before them, as the fortune of warre doth diverse times bring men unto, it ill beseemeth a resolute minde to start- aside, or be daunted at the threat of a shot, because by the violence and suddennesse thereof wee deeme it inevitable: and there are some, who by lifting up of a hand, or stooping their head have sometimes given their fellowes cause of laughter: yet have we seeene in the voyage, the Emperour Charles the fifth made against us in Provence, the Marquis of Guasto, being gone out to survey the citie of Arles, and shewn himself out of a winde- mill, under colour of which he was come somewhat neere the Towne, he was discovered by the Lord of Bonevall, and the Seneshall of Agenois, who were walking upon the Theatre Aux arenes (so called in French because it is fall of sand) who shewing him to the Lord of Villiers, Commissarie of the Artillerie, hee mounted a culverin so levell, that had not the Marquis perceived the fire, and so started aside, it was constantly affirmed, hee had beene shot through the body likewise not many yeeres before, Lorence of Medici, Duke of Vrbin, and father to the Queene-mother of France, besieging

Mondolphe, a place in Italie, in the province named Vicariate, seeing fire given to a piece that stood upright upon him, stooped his head, and well befell him that he plaide the duck, for otherwise the bullet, which wenr right over, and within a little of his head, had doubtlesse shot him through the paunch.  But to say truth, I will never thinke these motions were made with discourse, for what judgement can you give of an aime, either high or low, in a matter so sudden?  It may rather be thought that fortune favoured their feare: and which an other time might as well bee a meane to make them fall into the cannons-mouth, as to avoid the same.  I cannot chuse, if the cracke of a musket doe suddenly streeke mine eares, in a place where I least looke for it, but I must needs start at it: which I have seene happen to men of better sort than myselfe.  Nor doe the Stoickes meane, that the Soule of their wisest man in any sort resist the first visions and sudden fantasies, that surprise the same: but rather consent that, as it were unto a naturall subjection, he yeelds and shrinks unto the loud clattering and roare of heaven, or of some violent downefall; for example-sake, unto palenesse, and contraction.  So likewise in other passions, alwayes provided, his opinion remaines safe and whole, and the situation of his reason+, admit no tainting or alteration whatsoever: and hee no whit consent to his fright and sufferance.  Touching the first part; the same hapneth to him, that is not wise, but farre otherwise concerning the second.  For the impression of passions doth not remaine superficiall in him: but rather penetrates even into the secret of reason, infecting and corrupting the same.  He judgeth according to them and conformeth himselfe to them.  Consider precisely the state of the wise Stoicke:
Mens immota manet, lachrymae volvuntur inanes./1

His minde doth firme remaine,
Teares are distill'd in vaine.

THERE is no subject so vaine, that deserveth not a place in this rapsodie. It were a notable discourtesie unto our common rules, both towards an equall, but more toward a great person, not to meete with you in your house, if he have once warned you that he will come:  And Margaret Queene of Navarre, was wont to say to this purpose, 'That it was a kinde of incivilitie in a gentleman, to depart from his house, as the fashion is, to meet with him that is comming to him, how worthy soever he be: and that it more agreeth with civilitie and respect, to stay for him at home, and there to entertain him: except it were for feare the stranger should misse his way: and that it sufficeth to companie and wait upon him, when he is going away again.' As for me, I oftentimes forget these vaine offices; as one that endevoureth to abolish all maner of ceremonies+ in my house.  Some will bee offended at it, what can I doe withall?  I had rather offend a stranger once, than my selfe everie day; for it were a continuall subjection.  To what end doe men avoid the servitude of Courts, and entertaine the same in their owne houses?  Moreover it is a common rule in all assemblies, that hee who is the meaner man, commeth first to the place appointed, forsomuch as it belongs to the better man to be staid-for and waited upon by the other.  Neverthelesse we saw that at the enterview, prepared at Merceilles betweene Pope Clement the seventh, and Francis the first, King of France, the King having appointed all necessarie preparation, went him-selfe
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out of the Towne, and gave the Pope two or three dayes leasure, to make his entrie into it, and to refresh himselfe, before he would come to meet him there.  Likewise at the meeting of the said Pope with the Emperour at Bologna, the Emperour gave the Pope advantage and leasure to be first there, and afterward came himselfe.  It is (say they) an ordinarie ceremonie at enter-parlies betweene such Princes, that the better man should ever come first to the place appointed yea before him in whose countrey the assembly is and they take it in this sence, that it is, because this complement should testifie, he is the better man, whom the meaner goeth to seeke, and that hee sueth unto him.  Not onely each countrey, but every Citie, yea, and every vocation hath his owne particular decorum+{sprezzatura+} I have very carefully beene brought up in mine infancie, and have lived in verie good company, because I would not bee ignorant of the good maners of our countrey of France, and I am perswaded I might keepe a schoole of them.  I love to follow them, but not so cowardly, as my life remaine thereby in subjection.  They have some painfull formes in them, which if a man forget by discretion, and not by errour, hee shall no whit bee disgraced.  I have often seene men proove unmanerly by too much maners, and importunate by over-much courtesie+.  The knowledge of entertainment is otherwise a profitable knowledge.  It is, as grace+ and beautie are, the reconciler of the first accoastings of society and familiarity: and by consequence, it openeth the entrance to instruct us by the example of others, and to exploit and produce our example, if it have any instructing or communicable thing in it.

VALOUR hath his limits, as other vertues have: which if a man out-go, hee shall find himselfe in the traine of vice: in such sort, that unlesse a man know their right bounds, which in truth are not on a sudden easily hit upon, he may fall into rashnesse, obstinacie and folly.  For this consideration grew the custome wee hold in warres, to punish, and that with death, those who wilfully opiniate themselves to defend a place, which by the rules of warre cannot be kept.  Otherwise upon hope of impunitie, there should bee no cottage that might not entertaine an Armie.  The Lord Constable Momorancie at the siege of Pavia, having beene appointed to passe over the river Tesine, and to quarter himselfe in the suburbs of Saint Antonie, being impeached by a tower that stood at the end of the bridge. and which obstinately would needs hold out, yea and to be battered, caused all those that were with-in it, to be hanged.  The same man afterward, accompanying my Lord the Dolphin of France in his iourney beyond the Alpes, having by force taken the Castle Villane, and all those that were within the same, having by the furie of the Souldiers bin put to the sword, except the Captaine, and his Ancient, for the same reason, caused them both to be hanged and strangled:  As did also Captaine Martin du Bellay, the Governour of Turin, in the same conntrey, the Captaine of Saint Bony: all the rest of his men having beene massacred at the taking of the place.  But forsomuch as the judgement
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of the strength or weaknesse of the place is taken by the estimate and counterpoise of the forces that assaile it (for som might justly opinionate himselfe against two culverins, that wold play the mad-man to expect thirtie cannons) where also the greatnesse of the Prince conquering must be considered, his reputation, and the rest that is due unto him: there is danger a man should somewhat bend the balance on that side.  By which termes it hapneth, that some have so great an opinion of themselves, and their meanes, and deeming it unreasonable, anything should be worthie to make head against them, that so long as their fortune continueth, they overpasse what hill or difficultie soever they finde to withstand or resist them:  As is seene by the formes of sommonings and challenges, that the Princes of the East, and their successors yet remaining, have in use, so fierce, so haughtie and so full of a barbarous kinde of commandement.  And in those places where the Portugales abated the pride of the Indians, they found some states observing this universall and inviolalile law, that what enemie soever he be, that is overcome by the King in person, or by his Lieutenant, is exempted from all composition of ransome or mercie.  So above all, a man who is able should take heed, lest he fall into the hands of an enemie-judge, that is victorious and armed.

I HAVE heretofore heard a Prince, who was a very great Captaine, hold opinion, that a souldier might not for cowardise of heart be condemned to death: who, sitting at his table heard report of the Lord of Vervins' sentence, who for yeelding up of Bollein, was doomed to lose his head. Verily there is reason a man should make a difference between faults proceeding from our weaknesses and those that grow from our malice.  For in the latter we are directly bandied against the rules of reason, which nature hath imprinted in us; and in the former, it seemeth, we may call the same nature, as a warrant, because it hath left us in such imperfection and defect. So as divers nations have judged that no man should blame us for anything we doe against our conscience.  And the opinion of those which condemne heretikes and miscreants unto capitall punishments, is partly grounded upon this rule: and the same which establisheth, that a Judge or an Advocate may not bee called to account for any matter, committed in their charge through oversight or ignorance.  But touching cowardise, it is certain the common fashion is, to punish the same with ignominie and shame.  And some hold that this rule was first put in practice by the Law-giver Charondas, and that before him the lawes of Greece were wont to punish those with death, who for feare did run away from a Battell: where hee onely ordained, that for three dayes together, clad in womens attire, they should be made to sit in the market-place: hoping yet to have some service at
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their hands, and by meanes of this reproch, they might recover their courage againe.  Suffundere malis hominis sanguinem quam effundere: 'Rather move a man's bloud to blush in his face, than remove it by bleeding from his body.' It appeareth also that the Roman lawes did in former times punish such as had run away by death.  For Ammius Marcellinus reporteth, that Iulian the Emperor condemned ten of his Souliliers, who in a charge against the Parthians, had but turned their backs from it; first to be degraded, then to suffer death, as he saith, according to the ancient lawes, who neverthelesse, condemneth others for a like fault, under the ensigne of bag and baggage, to be kept amongst the common prisoners.  The sharp punishment of the Romans against those Souldiers that escaped from Cannae: and in the same warre against those that accompanied Cn.  Fulvius in his defeat, reached not unto death, yet may a man feare, such open shame may make them despaire, and not only prove faint and cold friends, but cruell and sharpe enemies.  In the time of our forefathers, the Lord of Franget, whilom Lieutenant of the Marshall of Chastillions company, having by the Marshall of Chabanes beene placed Governor of Fontarabie, in stead of the Earle of Lude and having yeelded the same unto the Spaniards, was condemned to be degraded of all Nobilitie, and not onely himselfe, but all his succeeding posteritie declared villains and clownes, taxable and incapable to beare armes; which severe sentence was put in execution at Lyons.  The like punishment did afterward all the Gentlemen suffer, that were within Guise, when the Earle of Nansaw enired the towne: and others since.  Neverthelesse if there were so grosse an ignorance, and so apparent cowardize, as that it should exceed all ordinary, it were reason it should be taken for a sufficient proofe of inexcusable treacherier and knaverie, and for such to be punished.

IN all my travels I did ever observe this custome, that is, alwaies to learne something by the communication of others (which is one of the best schooles that may be) to reduce those I confer withall to speake of that wherein they are most conversant and skilfull

Basti al nocchiero ragionar de' venti
Al bifolco de' tori, e le sue piagh
Conti 'l guerrier, conti 'l pastor gli armenti.

Sailers of windes plow-men of beasts take keepe
Let Souldiers count their woundes, shepherds their sheepe.

long since brought to see a study, stored with all manner of bookes, both of his owne, and of all other faculties, wherein he found no occasion to entertaine himselfe withal, but like a fond cunning clarke earnestly busied himselfe to glosse and censure a fence or a barricado, placed over the screw of the study, which a hundred Captaines and Souldiers see everie day, without obsererving or taking offence at them.

Optat ephippia bos piger, optat arare caballus./1

The Oxe would trappings weare
The Horse, ploughs--yoake would beare.

considered and marked the same in the historie of the Lord of Langley, a man most expert and intelligent in such matters: which is, that after he had exactly set downe and declared those glorious, and farre-fetcht remonstrances of the Emperor Charles the fifth made in the consistorie of Rome, in the presence of the Bishop of Mascon, and the Lord of Velly, our Ambassadors; wherein he entermixed many bitter and outrageous words against us; and amongst others, that if his Captaines and Souldiers were not of much more faithfulnesse and sufficiencie in the art of warre than our Kings, he would forthwith tie a rope about his necke, and goe aske him mercy: whereof he seemed to beleeve something: for afterward whilest he lived, he chanced twice or thrice to utter the verie same words.  Moreover, that he had challenged the King to fight with him, man to man in his shirt, with Rapier and dagger in a boat.  The said Lord of Langey, following his storie addeth that the said Ambassadors making a dispatch of what had passed unto the King, dissembled the chiefest part unto him, yea and concealed the two precedent articles from him.  Now me thought it very strange, that it should lie in the power of an Ambassador to dispence with any point, concerning the advertizements he should give unto his Master, namely of such consequence, comming from such a person, and spoken in so great an assembly, whereas me seemed it should have beene the office of a trustie servant, truly and exactly to set downe thin as they were, and in what manner they had succeeded: to the end the libertie of disposing, judging and chusing, might wholly lie in the master.  For to alter and conceale the truth from him, for feare he should conster and take it other than he ought, and lest that might provoke him to some had resolution; and in the meanewhile to suffer him to be ignorant of his owne affaires, mee thought should rather have appertained to him that giveth the law, than to him that receiveth the same; the Master or overseer of the schools, and not to him who should thinke himselfe inferior, as well in authority as in wisdome and

good_counsell+.  Howsoever it were, I would be loth be so used in mine owne small and particular businesse, we do so willingly upon every slight occasion and pretence neglect and forgoe commandement, and are so farre from obeying, that we rather usurp a kinde of mastery and free power: every man doth REDO 63
     On the other side a man might also consider, that this so strict obedience belongs but to precise and prefixed commandements. Ambassadors have a more scopefull and free charge, which in many points dependeth chiefly of their disposition.  They doe not meerely execute, but frame and direct by their owne advice+ and counsell, the will of their Master.  I have in dayes seene some persons of commandement, checked and found fault withall, because they had rather obeyed the literall sense, and bare words of the Kings letters, than the occasions of the affaires they had in hand.  Men of understanding and experience doe yet at this daye condemne the custome of the Kings of Persia, which was to mince the instructions given to their Agents, and Lieutenants so small, that in the least accident they might have recourse to their directions and ordinainces:  This delay, in so farre reaching a scope of domination, having often brought great

prejudice, and notable dammage unto their affaires.  And Crassus writing unto a man of that profession and advertizing him of the use whereto he purposed the foresaid mast; seemeth he not to enter into conference with him concerning his determination, and wish him to interpose his censure or advice of it.

Obstupui, steteruntque comae, et vox faucibus haesit./1

I stood agast, my haire on end
My jaw-tide tongue no speech would lead.

enemies, supposing the way to goe straight in the heart of the Citie: but in the end he no sooner perceived the Duke of Bourbons troupes advancing to withstand him, imagining it to bee some sallie the Citizens made that way, hee better bethinking himselfe, turned head, and the very same way he came out, he went into the towne againe, which was more than three hundred paces distance towards the fields.  The like happened, but not so successfully, unto Captaine Iulle his ensigne-bearer at what time Saint Paul was taken from us by the Earle of Bures, and the Lord of Reu, who was so frighted with feare, that going about to cast himselfe over the towne wals, with his Ancient in his hand, or to creepe thorow a spike-hole, he was cut in peeces by the assailants.  At which siege likewise, that horror and feare is very memorable, which so did cboake, seize upon, and freeze the heart of a gentleman, that having received no hurt at all, he fell downe starke dead upon the ground before the breach.  The like passion rage doth sometimes possesse a whole multitude.  In one of the encounters that Germanicus had with the Germanes, two mightie troupes were at one instant so frighted with feare, that both betooke themselves to their heeles, and ran away two contrary wayes, the one right to that place whence the other fled. It sometimes addeth wings unto our heeles, as unto the first named, and other times it takes the use of feet from us: as we may reade of Theophilus the Emperor, who in a battell hee lost against the Agarens, was so amazed and agonied, that he could not resolve to scape away by flight: adeo pavor etiam auxilia formidat;/1 'Feare is so afraid even of that should help;' Untill such time as Manuel, one of the chiefe leaders in his armie, having rouzed and shaken him, as it were out of a dead sleepe, said unto him, 'Sir, if you will not presently follow me, I will surely kill you, for better were it you should lose your life, than being taken prisoner, lose your Empire and all.' Then doth she shew the utmost of her power, when for her owne service, she calls us off unto valour,
-----
1 QUINT.  Curt. 1. iii. c. 1 l.

which it hath exacted from our duty and honor.  In the first set battell, the Romans lost against Hanibal, under the Consul Sempronius, a troupe of wel-nigh ten thousand footmen was so surprised with feare, that seeing no other way to take, nor by what other course to give their basenes free passage, they headlong bent their flight toward the thickest and strongest squadron of their enemies, which with such furie it rowted and slew a great number of the Carthaginians : purchasing a reproachfull and disgraceful flight, at the same rate it might have gained a most glorious victorie. It is feare I stand most in feare of.  For, in sharpnesse it surmounteth all other accidents.  What affecfion can be more violent and just than that of Pompeyes friends, who in his owne ship were spectators of that horrible massacre? yet is it, that the feare of the AEgyptian sailes, which began to approach them, did in such sort daunt and skare them, that some have noted, they only busied themselves to hasten the marriners to make what speed they could and by maine strength of oares to save themselves, untill such time, as being arrived at Tyre, and that they were free from feare, they had leasure to bethinke themselves of their late losse, and give their plaints and teares free passage, which this other stronger passion had suspended and hindred.

Tum pavor sapientiam omnem mihi ex animo expectorat./1
Feare then unbreasts all wit,
That in my minde did sit.

and languor; and thereby often lose both their drinking, their eating, and their rest.  Whereas the poore, the banished, and seely servants, live often as carelesly and as pleasantly as the other.  And so many men, who by the impatience and urging of feare, have hanged, drowned, and headlong tumbled downe from some rocke, have plainly taught us, that feare is more importunate and intolerable than death.  The Graecians acknowledge another kinde of it, which is beyond the error of our discourse: proceeding, as they say without any apparent cause, and from an heavenly impulsion.  Whole Nations and Armies are often seene surprised with it.  Such was that which brought so wonderfull a desolation to Carthage, where nothing was heard but lamentable out-cries and frightfull exclamations: the inhabitants were seene desperately to runne out of their houses, as to a sudden alarum, and furiously to charge, hurt, and enter-kill one another, as if they had beene enemies come to usurpe and possesse their Citie.  All things were there in a disordered confusion, and in a confused furie, until such time as by praiers and sacrifices they had appeased the wrath of their Gods. They call it to this day, the Panike terror./1
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1 ERAS.  Chil. ii. cent. x. ad. 19; Chil. iii, cent. vii. ad. 3.  DIOD. Sic. 1. xv. c. 7.

       -----   scilicet ultima sempe
Expectnda dies homini est, dicique beatu
Ante obitum nemo, supremaquefunera debet./1

We must expect of man the latest da
Nor ere he die, he's happie, can we say.

Corinth.  One that had conquered halfe the world, and been Emperour over so many Armies, became an humble and miserable suter to the raskally officers of a king of AEgypte:  At so high a rate did that great Pompey purchase the irkesome prolonging of his life but for five or six moneths.  And in our fathers daies, Lodowicke Sforze, tenth Duke of Millane under whom the State of Italie had so long beene turmoiled and shaken, was seene to die a wretched prisoner at Loches in France, but not till he had lived and lingered ten yeares in thraldom, which was the worst of his bargaine.  The fairest Queene, wife to the greatest King of Christendome, was she not lately mene to die by the hands of an executioner?  Oh unworthie and barbarous crueltie!  And a thousand such examples.  For, it seemeth that as the sea-billowes and surging waves, rage and storme against the Burly pride and stubborne height of our buildings, so are there above, certaine spirits that envie the rising prosperities and greatneme heere below.

Vsque adeo res humanas vis abdita quaeda
Obterit, et pulchros fasces saevasque secure
Proculcare, ac ludibrio sibi habere videtur./1

A hidden power so mens states hath out-worn
Faire swords, fierce scepters, signes of honours borne,
It seemes to trample and deride in scorne.

indifferent:  I deeme it very likely he had a further reach, and meant that the same good fortune of our life, which dependeth of the tranquillitie and contentment of a welborne minde, and of the resolution and assurance of a well ordered soule, should never be ascribed unto man, untill he have beene seene play the last act of his comedie and without doubt the hardest. In all the rest there may be some maske: either these sophisticall discourses of Philosophie are not in us bat by countenance, or accidents that never touch us to the quick, give us alwaies leasure to keep our countenance setled.  But when that last part, of death, and of our selves comes to be acted, when no dissembling will availe, then is it high time to speakeplaine_English+, and put off all vizards: then whatsoever the pot containeth must be shewne, be it good or had, foule or cleane, wine or water.

Nam verae voces tum demum pectore ab im
Ejiciuntur, et eripitur persona, manet res./1

For then are sent true speeches from the heart,
We are ourselves, we leave to play a part.

should be weighed without the honour and greatnesse of his end. {Prospero+} God hath willed it, as he pleased: but in my time three of the most execrable persons that ever I knew in all abomination of life, and the most infamous have beene seene to die very orderly and quietly, and in every circumstance composed even unto perfection.  There are some brave and fortunate deaths. I have seene her cut the twine of some man's life, with a progresse of wonderful advancement, and with so worthie an end, even in the flowre of his growth and spring of his youth, that in mine opinion, his ambitious and haughty couragious designes, thought nothing so high as might interrupt them: who without going to the place where he pretended , arived there more gloriously and worthily than either his desire or hope aimed at, and by his fall forewent the power and name whither by his course he aspired. When I judge of other men's lives, I ever respect how they have behaved themselves in their end; and my chiefest study is, I may well demeane myselfe at my last gaspe, that is to say, quietly and constantly.
<Mont1-72>

CICERO saith, that to Philosophise is no other thing than for a man to prepare himselfe to death: which is the reason that studie and contemplation doth in some sort withdraw our soule from us and severally employ it from the body, which is a kind of apprentisage and resemblance of death; or else it is, that all the wisdome and discourse of the world, doth in the end resolve upon this point, to teach us not to feare to die.  Truly either reason mockes us, or it only aimeth at our contentment, and in fine, bends all her travell to make us live well, and as the holy Scripture, saith, 'at our ease.' All the opinions of the world conclude, that pleasure is our end, howbeit they take divers meanes unto and for it, else would men reject them at their first comming.  For, who would give eare unto him, that for it's end would establish our paine and disturbance?  The dissentions of philosophicall sects in this case are verbal:  Transcurramus solertissimas nugas;/1 'Let us run over such over-fine fooleries and subtill trifles.' There is more wilfulnesse and wrangling among them, than pains to a sacred profession.  But what person a man undertakes to act, he doth ever therewithal personate his owne.  Allthough they say, that in vertue it selfe, the last scope of our aime is voluptuousnes.  It pleaseth me to importune their eares still with this word, which so much offends their bearing.  And if it imply any chief pleasure or exceeding contentment, it is rather due to the assistance of vertue, than to any
-----
1.  SEN.  Epist. 117.
<Mont1-73>

other supply, voluptuousnes being more strong, sinnowie, sturdie. and manly, is but more seriously voluptuous.  And we should give it the name of pleasure, more favorable, sweeter, and more naturall; and not terme it vigor, from which it hath his denomination.
     Should this baser sensuality deserve this faire name, it should be by competencie and not by privilege.  I finde it lesse void of incommodities and crosses than vertue.  And besides that, her taste is more fleeting,. momentarie, and fading, she hath her fasts, her eves and her travels, and both sweat and bloud.  Furthermore she hath particularly so many wounding passions, and of so severall sorts, and so filthie and loathsome a societie waiting upon her, that shee is equivalent to penitencie.  Wee are in the wrong, to thinke her incommodities serve her as a provocation and seasoning to her sweetues, as in nature one contrarie is vivified by another contrarie: and to say, when we come to vertue, that like succeses and difficulties overwhelme it, and yeeld it austere and inaccessible.  Whereasmuch more properly then unto voluptuousness they ennobled sharpen, animate, and raise that divine and perfecte pleasure which it meditates and procureth us.  Truly he is verie unworthie her acquaintance, that counter- ballanceth her cost to his friut, and knowes neither the graces nor use of it.  Those who go about to instruct us, how her pursuit is very hard and laborious, and her iovisance well-pleasing and delightfull: what else tell they us, but that shee is ever unpleasant and irksome?  For, what humane meane did ever attaine unto an absolute enjoying of it?  The perfectest have beene content but to aspire and approach her, without ever possessing her.  But they are deceived; seeing that of all the pleasures we know, the pursute of them is pleasant.  The enterprise is perceived by the qualitie of the thing, which it hath regard unto: for it is a good portion of the effect, and consubstantiall.  That happines and felicitie which shineth in vertue, replenishet her approaches and appurtenances, even unto the first entrance and utmost barre.

Now of all the benefits of vertue, the contempt of the contempt of death is the chiefest, a meane that furnisheth our life with an ease-full tranquillitie and gives us a pure and amiable taste of it: without which every other voluptuousnes is extinguished.  Loe, here the reasons why and all rules encounter and agree with this article.  And albeit they all leade us with a common accord to despise grife, povertie, and other accidentall crosses, to which man's life is subject, it is not with an equall care: as well because accidents are not of such a necessitie for most men passe their whole life without feeling any want or povertier and othersome without feeling any griefe or sicknes, as Xenophilus the Musitian, who lived an hundred and six yeares in perfect and continuall health: as also if the worst happen, death may at all times, and whensoever it shall please us, cut off all other inconveniences and crosses.  But as for death, it is inevitable.

Omnes eodem cogimur, omniu
Versatur urna, serius, ociu
Sors exitura, et nos in aeternu
Exilium impositura cymbae/1

All to one place are driv'n, of al
Shak't is the lot-pot, where-hence shal
Sooner or later drawns lots fall
And to deaths boat for aye enthrall.

           non Siculae dape
Dulcem elaborabunt saporem
Non avium, citharaeque cantu
Somnum reducent./1

Not all King Denys daintie fare,
Can pleasing taste for them prepare
No song of birds, no musikes sound
Can lullabie to sleepe profound.

Audit iter, numeratgue dies, spatioque viarum
Metitur vitam, torquetur peste futura./2

He heares his journey, counts his daies, so measures h
His life by his waies length, vext with the ill shall be.

Qui capite ipse suo instituit vestigia retro./3

Who doth a course contrarie runne
   With his head to his course begunne.

     It is no marvell if he be so often taken tripping some doe no sooner heare the name of death spoken of, but they are afraid, yea the most part will crosse themselves, as if they heard the Devill named.  And because mention is made of it in mens wills and testaments, I warrant you there is none will set his hand to them, til the physitian hath given his last doome, and utterly forsaken him.  And God knowes, being then betweene
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1 HOR. 1. iii.  Od. i. 12. 2 CLAUD. in Ruff. 1. ii. i. 137. 3 LUCRET. 1. iv. 474.

such paine and feare, with what sound judgment they endure him.  For so much as this syllable sounded so unpleasantly in their eares, and this voice seemed so ill-boding and unluckie, the Romans had learned to allay and dilate the name by a Periphasis.  In liew of saying, he is dead, or he hath ended his daies, they would say, he hath lived.  So it be life, be it past or no, they are comforted: from whom we have borrowed our phrases quondam, alias, or late such a one.  It may haply be, as the common saying is, the time we live is worth the money we pay for it.  I was borne betweene eleven of the clocke and noone, the last of Februarie 1533, according to our computation, the yeare beginning the first of Januarie.  It is but a fortnight since I was 39 yeares old.  I want at least as much more.  If in the meane time I should trouble my thoughts with a matter so farre from me, it were but folly.  But what? we see both young and old to leave their life after one selfe-same condition.  No man departs otherwise from it, than if he but now came to it, seeing there is no man so crazed, bedrell, or decrepit, so long as he remembers Methusalem, but thinkes he may yet live twentie yeares.  Moreover, seely creature as thou art, who hath limited the end of thy daies?  Happily thou presumest upon physitians reports.  Rather consider the effect and experience.  By the common course of things long since thou livest by extraordinarie favour.  Thou hast alreadie over-past the ordinarie tearmes of common life:  And to prove it, remember but thy acquaintances, and tell me how many more of them have died before they came to thy age, than have either attained or outgone the same: yea, and of those that through renoune have ennobled their life, if thou but register them, I will lay a wager, I will finde more that have died before they came to five and thirty years, than after. {usthem+} It is consonant with reason and pietie, to take example by the humanity of Jesus Christ, who ended his humane life at three and thirtie yeares.  The greatest man that ever was being no more than a man, I meane Alexander the Great, ended his dayes, and

died also of that age.  How many severall meanes and waies hath death to surprise us!

Quid quisque vitet, nunquam homini satis
Cautum est in horas./1

A man can never take good heed
Hourely what he may shun and speed.

a ball, that hit him a little above the right eare, without appearance of any contusion, bruse, or hurt, and never sitting or resting upon it, died within six houres after of an apoplexie, which the blow of the ball caused in him.  These so frequent and ordinary examples, hapning, and being still before our eies, how is it possible for man to forgo or forget the remembrance of death? {usthem+} and why should it not continually seeme unto us, that shee is still ready at hand to take us by tae throat?  What matter is it, will you say unto me, how and in what manner it is, so long as a man doe not trouble and vex himselfe therewith?  I am of this opinion, that howsoever a man may shrowd or hide himselfe from her dart, yea, were it under an oxe-hide, I am not the man would shrinke backe: it sufficeth me to live at my ease; and the best recreation I can have, that doe I ever take; in other matters, as little vain glorious, and exemplare as you list.

-----   praetulerim delirus inersque videri
Dum mea delectent mala me, vel dinique fallant,
Quam sapere et ringi./1

A dotard I had rather seeme, and dull
Sooner my faults may please make me a gull,
Than to be wise, and beat my vexed scull.

of cowardlinesse: but since it may not be, and that be you either a coward or a runaway, an honest or valiant man, she overtakes you,

Nempe et fugacem persequitur virum
Nec parcit imbellis juventa
Poplitibus, timidoque tergo./1

Shee persecutes the man that flies
Shee spares not weake youth to surprise,
But on their hammes and backe turn'd plies.

Ille licet ferro cautus se condat et aere
Mors tamen inclusum protrahet inde caput./2

Though he with yron and brasse his head empale
Yet death his head enclosed thence with hale.

to be brought before them, as a memorandum and warning to their guests.

Omnem crede diem ubi diluxisse supremum,
Grata superveniet, quo non sperabitur, hora./1

Thinke every day shines on thee as thy last
Welcome it will come, whereof hope was past.

Iucundum, cum aetas florida ver aqeret./2

When my age flourishin
Did spend its pleasant spring.

Iam fuerit nec post, unquam revocare licebit./1

Now time would be, no mor
You can this time restore.

in safety:  As one that am ever hatching of mine owne thoughts, and place them in my selfe:  I am ever prepared about that which I may be: nor can death come when she please) put me in mind of any new thing.  A man should ever, as much as in him lieth, be ready booted to take his journey, and above all things, looke he have then nothing to doe but with himselfe.

Quid brevi fortes jaculamur aevo multa?/1
To aime why are we ever bold,
At many things in so short hold?

O wretch, O wretchh (friends cry), one day
All joyes of life hath tane away:

The workes unfinisht lie
And walls that threatned hie.

     A man should designe nothing so long afore hand, or at least with such an intent, as to passionate himselfe to see the end of it; we are all borne to be doing.

Cum moriar, medium solvar et inter opus./1

When dying I my selfe shall spend
Ere halfe my businesse come to end.

Illud in his rebus non addunt, nec tibi earum
Iam desiderium rerum super insidet una./2

Friends adde not that in this case, now no mor
Shalt thou desire, or want things wisht before.

Quin etiam exhilarare viris convivia caede
Mos olim, et misercere epulis spectacula dir
Certantum ferro, saepe et super ipsa cadentu
Pocula, respersis non parco sanguine mensis./3

Nay more, the manner was to welcome guests
And with dire shewes of slaughter to mix feasts
Of them that fought at sharpe, and with bords tainte
Of them with much bloud, who o'er full cups fainted.

     And even as the AEgyptians after their feastings and carousings caused a great image of death to be brought in and shewed to the guests and by- standers, by one that cried aloud, 'Drinke and be merry, for such shalt thou be when thou art dead:' So have I learned this custome or lesson, to have alwaies death,not only in my imagination, but continually in my mouth.  And there is nothing I desire more to be informed of than of the death of men; {usthem+} that is to say what words, what countenance, and what face they shew at their death; and in reading of histories, which I so attentively observe.  It appeareth by the shuffling and hudling up of my examples, I affect no subject so particularly as this. Were I a composer of books, I would keepe a register, commented of the divers deaths, which in teaching men to die, should after teach them to live.  Dicearcus made one of that title, but of another and lesse profitable end.  Some man will say to mee, the effect exceeds the thought so farre, that there is no fence so sure, or cunning so certaine, but a man shall either lose or forget if he come once to that point; let them say what they list: to premeditate on it, giveth no doubt a great advantage: and it is nothing, at the least, to goe so farre without dismay or alteration, or without an ague?  There belongs more to it:  Nature her selfe lends her hand, and gives us courage.  If it be a short and violent death, wee have no leisure to feare it; if otherwise, I perceive that according as I engage my selfe in Sicknesse, I doe naturally fall into some disdaine and contempt of life.  I finde that I have more adoe to digest this resolution, that I shall die when I am in health, than I have when I am troubled with a fever: forsomuch as I have no more such fast hold on the commodities of life, whereof I begin to lose the use and pleasure, and view death in the face with a lesse undanted looke, which makes me hope, that the further I goe from that, and the nearer I approch to this, so much more easily doe I enter in composition for their exchange.  Even as I have tried in many other occurrences, which Caesar affirmed,

that often some things seeme greater, being farre from us, than if they bee neere at hand:  I have found that being in perfect health, I have much more beene frighted with sicknesse, than when I have felt it.  The jollitie wherein I live, the pleasure and the strength make the other seeme so disproportionable from that, that by imagination I amplifie these commodities by one moitie, and apprehended them much more heavie and burthensome, than I feele them when I have them upon my shoulders.  The same I hope will happen to me of death.  Consider we by the ordinary mutations and daily declinations which we suffer, how Nature deprives us of the sight of our losse and impairing: what hath an aged man left him of his youths vigour; and of his forepast life?

Heu senibus vitae portio quanta manet

Alas to men in yeares how smal
A part of life is left in all?

must bee rouzed and raised against the violence and force of this adversarie. For as it is impossible she should take any rest whilest she feareth: whereof if she be assured (which is a thing exceeding humane condition) she may boast that it is impossible unquietnesse, torment, and feare, much lesse the least displeasure should lodge in her.

Non vultus instantis tyrann
Mente qualit solida, neque Auster,
Dux inquieti turbidus Adriae
Nec fulminantis magna Jovis manus./1

No urging tyrants threatning face
Where mind is foun can it displace
No troublous wind the rough seas Master
Nor Joves great hand the thunder-caster.

In gyves and fetters I will hamper thee
Under a Jayler that shall cruell be
Yet, when I will, God me deliver shall
He thinkes, I shall die: death is end of all.

answered one that told him, 'The thirty tyrants have condemned thee to death.' 'And Nature them,' said he.  What fondnesse is it to carke and care so much, at that instant and passage from all exemption of paine and care?  As our-birth brought us the birth of all things, so shall our death the end of all things.  Therefore is it as great follie to weepe, we shall not live a hundred yeeres hence, as to waile we lived not a hundred yeeres agoe. 'Death is the beginning of another life." So wept we, and so much did it cost us to enter into this life; and so did we spoil us of our ancient vaile in entring into it.  Nothing can be grievous that is but once.  Is it reason so long to fear a thing of so short time?  Long life or short life is made all one by death.  For long or short is not ill things that are no more.  Aristotle saith, there are certaine little beasts alongst the river Hyspanis, that live but one day; she whieh dies at 8 o'clocke in the morning, dies in her youth, and she that dies at 5 in the afternoon, dies in her decrepitude, who of us doth not laugh, when we shall see ihis short moment of continuance to be had in consideration of good or ill fortune? The most and the least is ours, if we compare it with eternitie, or equall it to the lasting of mountains, rivers, stars, and trees, or any other living creature, is not lesse ridiculous.  But nature compels us to it. Depart (saith she) out of this world, even as you came into it.  The same way you came from death to life, returne without passion or amazement, from life to death: your death is but a peece of the worlds order, and but a parcell of the worlds life.
 

    -----  inter se mortales mutua vivunt
Et quasi cursores vitae lampada tradunt./1

Mortall men live by mutuall entercourse
And yeeld their life-torch, as men in a course. {usthem+}

being you enjoy is equally shared betweene life and death.  The first day of your birth doth as well addresse you to die, as to live.

Prima quae vitam dedit, hora, carpsit./1

The first houre, that to m
Gave life, strait, cropt it then.

Nascentes morimur, fluisque ab origine pendet./2

As we are borne we die; the end
Doth of th' originall depend.

Cur non ut plenus vitae conviva recedis/3

Why like a full-fed guest,
Depart you not to rest?

    -----cur amplius addere quaeri
Rursum quod percat male, et ingratum occidat omne?/4

Why seeke you more to gaine, what must againe,
All perish ill, and passe with griefe or paine?

Non alium videre patres, aliumve nepotes
Aspicient./1

No other saw our Sires of old
No other shall their sonnes behold.

    ----- Versamur ibidem, atque insumus usque,/2

We still in one place turne about
Still there we are, now in, now out.

Atque in se sua per vestigia volvitur annus./3

The yeare into it selfe is cas
By those same steps, that it hath past.

Nam tibi praeterea quod machiner, inveniamque
Quod placeat, nihil est; eadem sunt omnia semper./4

Else nothing, that T can devise or frame
Can please thee, for all things are still the same.

    -----  licet, quot vis, vivendo vincere secla
Mors aeterna tamen, nihilominus illa manebit./1

Though yeeres you live, as many as you will,
Death is eternall, death remaineth still.

In vera nescis nullum fore morte alium te,
Qui possit vivus tibi te lugere peremptum
Stansque jacentem./1

Thou know'st not there shall be not other thou
When thou art dead indeed, that can tell ho
Alive to waile thee dying
Standing to waile thee lying.

Nec sibi enim quisquam tum se vitamque requirit,/
Nec desiderium nostri nos afficit ullum./4

For then none for himselfe himselfe or life requires
Nor are we of our selves affected with desires.

    -----  multo mortem minus ad nos esse putandum
Si minus esse potest quam quod nihil esse videmus./5

Death is much less to us, we ought esteeme
If lesse may be, than what doth nothing seeme.

Respice enim quam nil ad nos anteacta vetusta
Temporis aeterni fuent.6

For marke, how all antiquitie foregon
Of all time ere we were, to us was none.

profit of life consists not in the space, but rather in the use.  Some man hath lived long, that hath a short life, Follow it whilst you have time.  It consists not in number of yeeres, but in your will, that you have lived long enough.  Did you thinke you should never come to the place, where you were still going?  There is no way but hath an end.  And if company may solace you, doth not the whole world walke the same path?

       ----- Omnia te, vita perfuncta, sequentur./1

Life past, all things at las
Shall follow thee as thou hast past.

Nam nox nulla diem, neque noctem aurora sequuta est
Que non audierit mistus vagitibus aegri
Ploratus, mortis comites et funeris atri./2

No night ensued day light; no morning folloived night
Which heard not moaning mixt with sick-mens groaning
With deaths and funerals joyned was that moaning.

father.  Imagine truly how much an ever-during life would be lesse tolerable and more painfull to a man, than is the life which I have given him. {Struldbrugs+} Had you not death you would then uncessantly curse, and cry out against me, that I had deprived you of it.  I have of purpose and unwittingiv blended some bitternesse amongst it, that so seeing the cornmoditie of its use, I might hinder you from over-greedily embracing, or indiscreetly calling for it.  To continne in this moderation, that is, neither to fly from life nor to run to death (which I require of you) I have tempered both the one and other betweene sweetnes and sowrenes.  I first taught Thales, the chiefest of your Sages and Wisemen, that to live and die were indifferent, which made him answer one very wisely, who asked him wherefore he died not: 'Because,' said he, 'it is indifferent.  The water, the earth, the aire, the fire, and other members of this my universe, are no more the instruments of thy life than of thy death.  Why fearest thou thy last day? he is no more guiltie, and conferreth no more to thy deith, than any of the others.  It is not the last step that causeth weariness: it only declares it.  All daies march towards death, only the last comes to it.' Behold heere the good precepts of our universall mother Nature.  I have oftentimes bethought my self whence it proceedeth, that in times of warre, the visage of death (whether wee see it in us or in others) seemeth without all comparison much lesse dreadful and terrible unto us, than in our houses, or in our beds, otherwise it should be an armie of Physitians and whiners, and she ever being one, there must needs bee much more assurance amongst countrie-people and of base condition, than in others.  I verily believe, these fearefull lookes, and astonishing countenances wherewith we encompass it, are those that more amaze and terrifie us than death: a new forme of life; the out cries of mothers; the wailing of women and children; the visitation of dismaid and swouning friends; the assistance of a number of pale-looliing, distracted, and whining

servants; a darke chamber: tapers burning round about; our couch beset round with Physitians and Preachers; and to conclude, nothing but horror and astonishment on every side of us: are wee not already dead and buried? The very children are afraid of their friends, when they see them masked; and so are we.  The maske must as well be taken from things as from men, which being removed, we shall find nothing hid under it, but the very same death, that a seely varlet, or a simple maid-servant, did latterly suffer without amazement or feare.  Happie is that death which takes all leasure from the preparations of such an equipage.

Fortis imaginatio generat casum: "A strong imagination begetteth chance,' say learned clearks.  I am one of those that feele a very great conflict and power of imagination.  All men are shockt therewith, and some overthrowne by it.  One impression of it pierceth me, and for want of strength to resist her, my endevour to avoid it.  I could live with the only assistance of holy and merry-hearted men.  The sight of others anguishes doth sensibly drive me into anguish; and my sense hath often usurped the sense of a third man.  If one cough continually, he provokes my lungs and throat.  I am more unwilling to visit the sicke dutie doth engage me unto, than those to whom I am little beholding, and regard least.  I apprehend the evill which I studie, and place it in me.  I deeme it not strange that she brings both agues and death to such as give her scope to worke her will and applaud her.  Simon Thomas was a great Pbysitian in his daies.  I remember upon a time comming by chance to visit a rich old man that dwelt in Tholouse, and who was troubled with the cough of the lungs, who discoursing with the said Simon Thomas of the meanes of his recoverie, he told him, that one of the best was, to give me occasion to be delighted in his companie, and that fixing his eyes upon the liveliness and freshness of my face and setting his thoughts upon the jolitie and vigor, wherewith my youthful age did then flourish, and filling all his senses with my flourishing estate, his habitude might thereby be amended, and his health recovered.  But he forgot to say, that mine might also be empaired and infected.  Gallus Vibius did so well enure
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his minde to comprehend the essence and motions of folly, that he so transported his judgement from out his seat, as he could never afterwards bring it to his right place againe; and might rightly boast to have become a foole through wisdome.  Some there are, that through feare anticipate the hang-mans hand; as he did, whose friends having obtained his pardon, and putting away the cloth wherewith he was hoodwinkt, that he might heare it read, was found starke dead upon the scaffold, wounded only by the stroke of imagination.  Wee sweat, we shake, we grow pale, and we blush at the motions of our imaginations; and wallowing in our beds we feele our bodies agitated and turmoiled at their apprehensions, yea in such manner as sometimes we are ready to yeeld up the spirit.  And burning youth (although asleepe) is often therewith so possessed and enfolded, that dreaming it doth satisfy and enjoy her amorous desires.

Ut quasi transactis saepe omnibu' rebu' profundan
Fluminis ingentes fluctus, vestemnque cruentent./1

And if all things were done, they powre foorth streames
And bloodie their night-garment in their dreames.

Italie these ages past:  And through a vehement desire of him and his mother.

Vota puer solvit, que femina voverat Iphis./1

Iphis a boy, the vowes then paid,
Which he vow'd when he was a maid.

fall into a swone, and bee so forcibly carried from himselfe, that did any chide and braule never so loud, pinch and thumpe him never so much, be could not be made to stirre, untill hee came to himselfe againe.  Then would he say, he had heard sundry strange voyces, comming as it were from a farre, and perceiving his pinches and bruses, wondered at them.  And that it was not an obstinate conceit, or wilfull humour in him, or against his feeling sense, it plainly appeared by this, because during his extasie, he seemed to have neither pulse nor breath.  It is very likely that the principall credit of visions, of enchantments, and such extraordinary effects, proceedeth from the power of imaginations, working especially in the mindes of the vulgar sort, as the weakest and seeliest, whose conceit and beleefe is so seized upon, that they imagine to see what they see not.  I am yet in doubt, these pleasant bonds, wherewith our world is so fettered, and France so pestered, that nothing else is spoken of, are haply but the impressions of apprehension, and effects of feare.  For I know by experience, that some one, for whom I may as well answer as for my selfe, and in whom no manner of suspition either of weaknesse or enchantment might fall, hearing a companion of his make report of an extraordinary faint sowning, wherein he was fallen, at such a time as he least looked for it and wrought him no small shame, whereupon the horrour of his report did so strongly strike his imagination, as he ranne the same fortune, and fell into a like drooping.  And was thence forward subject to fall into like fits:  So did the passionate remembrance of his inconvenience possesse and tyrannize him; but his fond doting was in time remedied by another kinde of raving.  For himselfe avowing and publishing aforehand the infirmitie he was subject unto, the contention of his soule was solaced upon this, that bearing his evil as expected, his dutie thereby diminished, and he grieved lesse thereat.  And when at his choice, he hath had law and power (his thought being cleered and unmasked, his body finding it selfe in his right due place) to make

the same to be felt, seized upon, and apprehended by others knowledge: he hath fully and perfectly recovered himselfe.  If a man have once beene capable, he cannot afterward be incapable, except by a just and absolute weaknesse.  Such a mischief is not to be feared, but in the enterprises where our minde is beyond all measure bent with desire and respect; and chiefly where opportunitie comes unexpected, and requires a sudden dispatch. There is no meanes for a man to recover himselfe from his trouble; I know some, who have found to come unto it with their bodies as it were halfe glutted elsewhere, thereby to stupifie or allay the heat of that furie, and who through age, finde themselves lesse unable, by how much more they be lesse able:  And another, who hath also found good, in that a friend of his assured him to bee provided with a counter-battery of forcible enchantments, to preserve him in any such conflict:  It is not amisse I relate how it was.  An Earle of very good place, with whom I was familiarly acquainted, being married to a very faire Lady, who had long beene solicited for love by one assisting at the wedding, did greatly trouble his friends; but most of all an old Lady his kins-woman, who was chiefe at the marriage, and in whose house it was solemnized, as she that much feared such sorceries and witchcrafts: which shee gave mee to understand, I comforted her as well as I could, and desired her to relie upon me.  I had by chance a peece of golden plate in my trunke, wherein were ingraven certaine celestiall figures good against the Sunne-beames, and for the head-ach, being fitly laid upon the suture of the head: and that it might the better he kept there, it was sewed to a riband, to be fasteded under the chin.  A fond doting conceit, and cosin-germane to that we now speake of.  James Peletier had whilest he lived in my house bestowed that singular gift upon mee; I advised my selfe to put it to some use, and told the Earle, he might haply be in danger, and come to some misfortune as others had done, the rather because some were present, that would not sticke to procure him some ill

lucke, and which was worse, some spitefull shame; but neverthelesse I willed him boldly to go to bed:  For I would shew him the part of a true friend, and in his need, spare not for his good to employ a miracle, which was in my power; alwaies provided, that on his honour he would promise me faithfully to keepe it very secret; which was only, that when about mid- night he should have his candle brought hime if he had had no good successe in his businesse, he should make such and such a signe to me. It fel out his mind was so quailed, and his eares so dulled, that by reason of the bond wherewith the trouble of his imagination had tied him, hee could not run on poste: and at the houre appointed, made the signe agreed upon betweene us, I came and whispered him in the eare, that under pretence to put us all out of his chaluber, he should rise out of his bed, and in jesting manner take my night-gowne which I had on, and put it upon himselfe (which he might well doe, because wee were much of one stature) and keepe it on till he had performed my Appointment, which was, that when we should he gone out of the chamber, he should withdraw himselfe to make water, and using certaine jestures I had shewed him, speake such words thrice over.  And every time hee spake them he should girt the ribband, which I put into his hands, and very carefully place the plate thereto fastened, just upon his kidneyes, and the whole figure, in such a posture.  All which when he had accordingly done, and the last time so fastened the ribband, that it might neither be untide nor stirred from his place, he should then boldly and confidently returne to his charge, and not forget to spread my night- gowne upon his bed, but so as it might cover them both.  These fopperies are the chiefe of the effect.  Our thought being unable so to free it selfe, but some strange meanes will proceed from some abstruse learning:  There inanitie gives them weight and credit.  To conclude, it is most certaine, my Characters proved more venerian than solare, more in action than in prohibition.  It was a ready and curious humour drew me to this effect, farre from my

nature.  I am an enemie to craftie and fained actions, {PlainDealer+} and hate all suttletie in my hands, not only recreative, but also profitable. If the action be not vicious, the course to it is faultie.  Amasis King of Egypt tooke to wife Laodice, a very beauteous young virgin of Greece, and he that before had in every other place found and showed himselfe a lustie gallant, found himselfe so short, when he came to grapple with her, that he threatned to kill her, supposing it had beene some charme or sorcerie. As in all things that consist in the fantasia, she addrest him to devotion. And having made his vowes and promises to Venus, he found himselfe divinely freed, even from the first night, of his oblations and sacrifices.  Now they wrong us to receive and admit us with their wanton, squeamish, quarellous countenances, which setting us afire, extinguish us.
     Pythagoras his neece was wont to say, that a woman which lies with a man ought, together with her petiecoate, leave off all bashfulnesse, and with her petiecoate, take the same againe.  The minde of the assailant molested with sundry different alarums, is easily dismaid.  And he whom imagination hath once made to suffer this shame (and she hath caused the same to be felt but in the first acquaintances; because they are then burning and violent, and in the first acquaintance and comming together, or triall a man gives of himselfe, he is much more afraid and quaint to misse the marke he shoots at) having begun ill he fals into an ague or spite of this accident, which afterward continueth in succeeding occasions.  Married men because time is at their command, and they may go to it when they list, ought never to presse or importune their enterprise, unlesse they be readie.  And it is better undecently to faile in hanseling the nuptiall bed, full of agitation and fits, by waiting for some or other fitter occasion, {Chris+} and more private opportunitie, less sudden and alarmed, than to fall into a perpetual miserie, by apprehending an astonishment and desperation of the first refusall.  Before possession taken, a patient ought by sallies, and divers times, lightly assay and offer

himselfe without vexing or opiniating himselfe, definitively to convince himselfe.  Such as know their members docile and tractable by nature, let them only endevour to countercosin their fantasia.  Men have reason to checke the indocile libertie of this member, for so importunately insinuating himselfe when we have no need of him, and so importunately, or as I may say impertinently failing, at what time we have most need of him; and so imperiously contesting by his authority with our will, refusing with such fiercenes and obstinacie our solicitations both mentall and manuall.  Neverthelesse if a man inasmuch as he doth gormandize and devour his rebellion, and drawes a triall by his condemnation, would pay me for to plead his cause, I would peradventure make other of our members to be suspected to have (in envy of his importance, and sweetnesse of his use) devised this imposture, and framed this set quarrell against him. and by some malicious complot armed the world against him, enviously charging him alone with a fault common to them all.  For I referre to your thought, whether there be any one particular part of our body that doth not sometimes refuse her particular operation to our will and wish, and that doth not often exercise and practise against our will.  All of them have their properpassions+, which without any leave of ours doe either awaken or lull them asleepe.  How often doe the forced motions and changes of our faces witnesse the secretest and most lurking thoughts we have, and bewray them to by-standers?  The same cause that doth animate this member, doth also, unwitting to us, embolden our heart, our lungs, and our pulses.  The sight of a pleasing object, reflecting imperceptibly on us, the flame of a contagious or aguish emotion.  Is there nought besides these muscles and veines, that rise and fall without the consent, not only of our will, but also of our thought?  We cannot command our haire to stand on end, nor our skinne to startle for desire or feare.  Our hands are often carried where we direct them not.  Our tongue and voice are sometimes to

seeke of their faculties, the one loseth her speech, the other her nimblenesse. Even when we have nothing to feed upon, we would willingly forbid it: the appetites to eat, or list to drinke, doe not leave to move the parts subject to them, even as this other appetite, and so, though it be out of season, forsaketh us, when he thinks good.  Those instruments that serve to discharge the belly, have their proper compressions and dilatations, besides our intent, and against our meaning, as those are destined to discharge the kidneys.  And that which, the better to authorize our wills power, Saint Augustin alleageth, to have seene one, who could at all times command his posterior, to let as many scapes as he would, and which Vives endeareth by the example of an other in his daies, who could let tunable and organized ones, following the tune of any voice propounded into his eares, inferreth the pure obedience of that member: than which none is commonly more indiscreet anid tumultuous.  Seeing my selfe know one so skittish and mutinous, that these fortie yeares keepes his master in such awe, that, will he or nill be, he will with a continuall breath, constant and unintermitted custome breake winde at his pleasure, and so brings him to his grave.  And would to God I knew it but by histories how that many times our belly being restrained thereof, bring us even to the gates of a pining and languishijig heath: And that the Emperour, who gave us free leave to vent at all times, and every where, had also given us the power to doe it.  But our will, by whose privilege we advance this reproch, how much more likely, and consonant to trueth may we tax it of rebellion, and accuse it of sedition, by reason of its unrulinesse and disobedience.  Will shee at all times doe that which we would have her willingly to doe?  Is shee not often willing to effect that which we forbid her to desire? and that to our manifest prejudice and dammage?  Doth she suffer herselfe to be directed by the conclusions of our reason?  To conclude, I would urge in defence of my client, that it would please the judges to consider, that concerning this matter, his

cause being inseparably conjoyned to a comfort, and indistinctly; yet will not a man addresse himselfe but to him, both by the arguments and charges, which call no way appertaine to his said consort.  For, his effect is indeed sometime importunately to invite, but to refuse never: and also to invite silently and quietly.  Therefore is the sawcinesse and illegalitie of the accusers seene.  Howsoever it be, protesting that advocates and judges may wrangle, contend, and give sentence, what and how they please, Nature will in the meane time follow her course; who, had she endued this member with any particular privilege, yet had she done but right, and shewed but reason.  Author of the only immortall worke of mortall man.  Divine worke according to Socrates; and love, desire of immortalitie, and immortall Damon himselfe.  Some man peradventure, by the effects of imagination leaveth the pox or kings evill heere, which his companion carrieth into Spaine againe: loe heere why in such cases men are accustomed to require a prepared minde, wherefore doe physitians labour and practise before hand the conceit and credence of their patients, with so many false promises of their recovery and health, unlesse it be that the effect of imagination may supple and prepare the imposture of one of their decoction?  They knew that one of their trades-masters hath left written, how some men have been found, in whom the only sight of a potion hath wrought his due operation: all which humour or caprice is now come into my minde, upon the report which an apothecarie, whilome a servant in my fathers house, was wont to tell me, a man by knowledge simple, and by birth a Switzer; a nation little vaine-glorious, and not much given to lying, which was, that for a long time he had knowne a merchant in Tholouse, sickish, and much troubled with the stone, and who often had need of glisters, who according to the fits and occurrences of his evill, caused them diversly to be prescribed by physitians.  Which being brought him, no accustomed forme to them belonging was omitted, and would often taste whether they were too hot, and view them well.

and lying along upon his bed, on his bellie, and all complements performed, only injection excepted, which ceremony ended, the apothecarie gone, and the patient lying in his bed, even as if he had received a glister indeed, he found and felt the very same effect which they doe that have effectually taken them.  And if the physitian saw it had not wrought sufficiently, he would accordingly give him two or three more in the same manner.  My witnesse protesteth, that the sicke mans wife, to save charges (for he paid for them as if he had received them) having sometimes assaid to make them onely with luke warme water, the effect discovered the craft, and being found not to worke at all, they were forced to returne to the former, and use the apothecarie.  A woman supposing to have swallowed a pinne with her bread, cried and vexed her-selfe, even as if she had felt an intolerable paine in her throat, where she imagined the same to sticke; but because there appeared neither swelling or alteration, a skilfull man deeming it to be but a fantasie conceived, or opinion, apprehended by eating of some gretty peece of bread, which haply might pricke her in the swallow, made her to vomit, and unknonne to her, cast a pin in that which she had vomited.  Which the woman perceiving and imagining she had cast the same, was presently eased of her paine.  I have knowne a gentleman, who having feasted a company of very honest gentlemen and gentlewomen, in his owne house, by way of sport, and in jest, boasted two or three daies after (for there was no such thing) that he had made them eat of a baked cat; where the gentlewoman of the companie apprehended such horror, that falling into a violent ague and distemper of her stomacke, she could by no meanes he recovered.  Even brute beasts, as well as we, are seene to be subject to the power of imagination; witnesse some dogs, who for sorrow of their masters death are seene to die, and whom we ordinarily see to startle and harke in their sleep, and horses to neigh and struggle.  But all this may be referred to the narrow future of the spirit and the body, entercommunicating

their fortunes one unto another.  It is another thing that imagination doth sometimes worke, not only against her own body, but also against that of others.  And even as one body ejecteth a disease to his neighhour, as doth evidently appeare by the plague, pox, or sore eies, that goe from one to another:

Dum spectant oculi laesos, laeduntur et ipsi
Multaque corporibus transitione nocent./1

Eies become sore, while they looke on sore eies
By passage many ills our limmes surprise.

Nescio quis teneros oculus mihi fascinat agnos./2

My tender Lambs I cannot see
By what bad eie, bewitched be.

seeing the cat, they both so wistly fixed their looks one upon another, so long, that at last the bird fell downe as dead in the cat's pawes, either drunken by his owne strong imagination, or drawne by some attractive power of the cat.  Those that love hawking, have haply heard the Falkner tale, who earnestly fixing his sight upon a kite in the aire, laid a wager that with the only force of his looke, he would make it come stooping downe to the ground, and as some report did it many times.  The histories I borrow, I referre to the consciences of those I take them from.  The discourses are mine, and hold together by the proofe of reason, not of experiences: each man may adde his example to them: and who hath none, considering the number and varietie of accidentes let him not leave to think, there are store of them.  If I come not well for my selfe, let another come for me. So in the studie wherein I treat of our manners and motions, the fabulous testimonies, alwaies provided they be likely and possible, may serve to the purpose, as well as the true, whether it hapned or no, be it at Rome or at Paris, to John or Peter, it is alwaies a tricke of humane capacitie, of which I am profitably advised by this report.  I see it and reape profit by it, as well in shadow as in bodie.  And in divers lessons that often histories afford, I commonly make use of that which is most rare and memorable. Some writers there are whose end is but to relate the events.  Mine, if I could attaine to it, should be to declare what may come to passe, touching the same.  It is justly allowed in schooles, to suppose similitudes, when they have none.  Yet doe not I so, and concerning that point, in superstitious religion, I exceed all historicall credit.  To the examples I here set down, of what I have read, heard done, or seene, I have forbid my selfe so much as to dare to change the least, or alter the idlest circumstances.  My conscience doth not falsifie the least jot.  I wot not whether my insight doth.  Concerning this subject I doe sometimes enter into conceit, that it may well become a divine, a philosopher, or rather men of exquisite conscience, and exact wisdome, to

write histories.  How can they otherwise engage their credit on a popular reputation?  How can they answer for the thoughts of unknowne persons?  And make their bare conjectures passe for current paiment?  Of the actions of divers members, acted in their presence, they would refuse to beare witness of them, if by a judge they were put to their corporall oath.  And there is no man so familiarly knowne to them, of whose inward intention they would undertake to answer at full.  I hold it lesse hazardous to write of things past than present; forasmuch as the writer is not bound to give account but of a borrowed trueth.  Some perswade mee to write the affaires of my time, imagining I can see them with a sight lesse blinded with passion, than other men, and perhaps neerer, by reason of the accesse which fortune hath given me to the chiefest of divers factions.  But they will not say, how for the glory of Salust, I would not take the paines; as one that am a vowed enemy of observance, to assiduitie, and to constancie, and that there is nothing so contrarie to my style as a continued narration.  I doe so often for want of breath breake off and interrupt my selfe.  I have neither composition nor explication of any worth.  I am as ignorant as a childe of the phrases and vowels belonging to common things.  And therefore have I attempted to say what I can, accommodating the matter to my power.  Should I take any man for a guide, measure might differ from his.  For, my libertie being so farre, I might haply publish judgements, agreeing with me, and consonant to reason, yet unlawfull and punishable.  Plutarke+ would peradventure tell us of that which he had written, that it is the workes of others, that his examples+ are in all and everie where true, that they are profitable to posteritie, and presented with a lustre, that lights and directs us unto vertue, and that is his worke.  It is not dangerous, as in a medicinable drug, whether an old tale or report, be it thus or thus, so or so.

DEMADES the Athenian condemned a man of the Citie, whose trade was to sell such necessaries as belonged to burials, under colour, hee asked too much profit for them: and that such profit could not come unto him without the death of many people.  This judgement seemeth to be ill taken, because no man profiteth but by the losse of others: by which reason a man should condemne all manner of gaine. {liberality+} The Merchant+ thrives not but by the licentiousnesse of youth; the Hushandman by dearth of some; the Architect but by the ruine of houses; the Lawyer by suits and controversies betweene men:
it selfe, and practice of religious ministers, is drawne from our death and vices. 'No physitian delighteth in the health of his owne friend,'{LaRocheoucault+} saith the ancient Greeke Comike: 'nor no Souldier is pleased with the peace of his citie, and so of the rest.' And which is worse, let every man sound his owne conscience, hee shall finde that our inward desires are for the most part nourished and bred in us by the losse and hurt of others; which when I considered, I began to thinke how Nature doth not gainesay herselfe in this, concerning her generall policie: for Physitians hold that the birth, increase, and augmentation of everything, is the alteration and corruption of another.  Nam quodcunque suis mutatum finibus exit
Continuo hoc mors est illius, quodfuit ante./1

Whatever from it's bounds doth changed passe,
That strait is death of that which erst it was.

My opinion is that hee conceived aright of the force of custome that first invented this tale; how a country woman having enured herselfe to cherish and beare a young calfe in her armes, which continuing, shee got such a custome, that when he grew to be a great oxe, shee carried him still in her armes.  For truly Custome is a violent and deceiving schoole-mistris. She by little and little, and as it were by stealth, establisheth the foot of her authoritie in us; by which mild and gentle beginning, if once by the aid of time it have setled and planted the same in us, it will soone discover a furious and tyrannicall countenance unto us; against which we have no more the libertie to lift so much as our eies; wee may plainly see her upon every occasion to force the rules of Nature:  Vsus efficacissimus rerum omnium magister:/1 Use is the most effectuall master of all things.' I beleeve Platoes+ den mentioned in his common-wealth, and the Physitians that so often quit their arts reason by authoritie; and the same King who by meanes of her, ranged his stomacke to be nourished with poyson; and the mayden that Albert mentioneth to have accustomed her-selfe to live upon spiders: and now in the new-found world of the Indians, there were found divers populous nations, in farre differing climates, that lived upon them; made provision of then, and carefully fed them; as also of grass- hoppers, pissemires, lizards, and nightbats; and a toad was sold for six crownes in a time
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1 PLIN.  Epist. xx.
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that all such meats were scarce amongst them, which they boyle, rost, bake, and dresse with divers kinds of sawces.  Others have beene found to whom our usuall flesh and other meats were mortall and venomous.  Consuetudinis magna est vis; Pernoctant venatores in nive, in montibus uri se patiuntur: Pugiles claestibus contusi, ne ingemiseunt quidem./1 'Great is the force of custome:  Huntsmen wil watch all night in snow, and endure to bee scorched on the hils:  Fencers brused with sand-bags or endgels, doe not so much as groane.' These forrein examples are not strange, if wee but consider what we ordinarily finde by travell, and how custome quaileth and weakeneth our customary senses.  We need not goe seeke what our neighbours report of the Cataracts of Nile; and what Philosophers deeme of the celestiall musicke, which is, that the bodies of it's circles, being solid smooth, and in their rowling motion, touching and rubbing one against another, must of necessitie produce a wonderfull harmonie: by the changes and entercaprings of which, the revolutions, motions, cadences, and carols of the asters and planets, are caused and transported.  But that universally the hearing senses of these low world's creatures, dizzied and lulled asleepe, as those of the AEgyptians are, by the continuation of that sound, how loud and great soever it be, cannot sensibly perceive or distinguish the same.  Smiths, Millers, Forgers, Armorers, and such other, could not possibly endure the noise that commonly rings in their eares, if it did pierce them as it doth us.  My perfumed Jerkin serveth for my nose to smell unto, but after I have worne it three or foure daies together, not I, but others have the benefit of it.  This is more strange, that notwithstanding long intermissions, custome may joyne and establish the effect of her impression upon our senses; as they prove that dwell neere to bells or steeples.  I have my longing neere unto a tower, where both evening and morning a very great bell doth chime Ave Marie and Coverfew, which jangling
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1 CIC.  Tusc.  Qu. ii.

doth even marke the tower to shake; at first it troubled me much, but I was soone acquainted with it, so that now I am nothing offended with it, and many times it cannot waken me out of my sleeps.  Plato did once chide a child for playing with nuts, who answered him, 'Thou chidest me for a small matter.' 'Custome,' replied Plato, 'is no small matter.' I finde that our greatest vices make their first habit in us from our infancie, and that our chiefe government and education lieth in our nurses hands. Some mothers thinke it good sport to see a childe wring off a chickens necke, and strive to beat a dog or cat.  And some fathers are so fond-foolish, that they will conster as a good Augur or fore-boding of a martiall minde to see their sonnes misuse a poore peasant, or tug a lackey, that doth not defend himselfe; and impute it to a ready wit, when by some wily disloyaltie, or crafty deceit, they see them cousin and over-reach their fellowes: yet are they the true seeds or roots of cruelty, of tyranny+, and of treason. In youth they bud, and afterward grow to strength, and come to perfection by meanes of custome.
     And it is a very dangerous institution, to excuse so base and vile inclinations, with the weaknesse of age, and lightnesse of the subject.  First, it is nature that speaketh, whose voice is then shriller, purer, and more native, when it is tender, newer, and youngest. Secondly, the deformity of the crime consisteth not in the difference betweene crownes and pins; it depends of it selfe.  I finde it more just to conclude thus: why should not hee as well deceive one of a crowne as he doth of a pinne? than as commonly some doe, saying, alas, it is but a pinne; I warrant you, he will not doe so with crownes.  A man would carefully teach children to hate vices of their owne genuity, and so distinguish the deformity of them, that they may not only eschew them in their actions, but above all I hate them in their hearts: and what colour soever they beare, the very conceit may seeme odious unto them, I know well, that because in my youth I have

ever accustomed my selfe to tread a plaine-beaten path, and have ever hated to entermeddle any manner of deceipt of cousoning-craft, even in my childish sports (for truly it is to be noted, that Childrens playes are not sports, and should be deemed as their most serious actions); there is no pastime so slight, that inwardlie I have not a naturall propension and serious care, yea extreme contradiction, not to use any deceipt.  I shuffle and handle the cards as earnestly for counters, and keepe as strict an accompt, as if they were double duckets, when playing with my wife or children, it is indifferent to mee whether I win or lose, as I doe when I play in good earnest.  How and wheresoever it be, mine owne eies will suffice to keepe me in office; none else doe watch mee so narrowly; not that I respect more. {PlainDealer+!} It is not long since in mine owne house, I saw a little man, who at Nantes was borne without armes, and hath so well fashioned his feet to those services his hands should have done him, that in truth they have almost forgotten their naturall office.  In all his discourses he nameth them his hands: he carveth any meat, he chargeth and shoots off a pistole, be threads a needle, he soweth, he writeth, puts off his cap, combeth his head, plaieth at cards and dice; shuffleth and handleth them with as great dexteritie as any other man that hath perfect use of his hands: the monie I have sometimes given him he hath carried away with hist feet, as well as any other could doe with his hands.  I saw another, being a Child, that with the bending of his feet (because he had no hands) would brandish a two-hand-sword and manage a Hol-bard, as nimbly as any man could doe with his hands: he would cast them in the aire, then receive them againe, he would throw a Dagger, and make a whip to yarke and lash, as cunningly as any Carter in France.  But her effects are much better discovered in the strange impressions which it worketh in our mindes where it meetes not so much resistance.  What cannot she bring to passe in our judgements and in our conceits?  Is there any opinion so fantastical, or conceit so

extravagant (I omit to speake of the grosse imposture of religions, wherewith so many great nations and so many worthy and sufficient men have beene besotted, and drunken:  For, being a thing beyond the compasse of our humane reason, it is more excusablo if a man that is not extraordinarily illuminated thereunto by divine favour, doe lose and miscarrie himselfe therein), or of other opinions, is there any so strange, that custome hath not planted and established by lawes in what regions soever it hath thought good?  And this ancient exclamation is most just:  Non pudet physiumc, id est speculatorem venatoremque naturae, ab animis consuetudine imbutis quaerere testimonium veritatis?/1 'Is it not a shame for a naturall Philosopher, that is the watchman and hunts-man of nature, to seeke the testimonie of truth from mindes endued and double dide with custome?' I am of opinion, that no fantasie so mad can fall into humane imagination, that meetes not with the example of some publike custome, and by consequence that our reason doth not ground and bring to a stay.  There are certaine people that turne their backs towards those they salute, and never looke him in the face whom they would honour or worship. 'There are others, who when the King spitteth, the most favoured Ladie in his court stretcheth forth her hand; and in another countrey, where the noblest about him, stoope to the ground to gather his ordure in some fine linnen cloth.  Let us here by the way insert a tale.  A French Gentleman was ever wont to blow his nose in his hand (a thing much against our fashion), maintaining his so doing; and who in wittie jesting was very famous.  He asked me on a time, what privilege this filthie excrement had, that we should have a daintie linnen cloth or handkercher to receive the same; and which is worse, so carefully fold it up, and keepe the same about us, which should be more loathsome to ones stomacke than to see it cast away, as we doe all our other excrements and filth.  Mee thought he spake not altogether without reason: and custome had taken
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1 CIC.  Nat.  Deor. 1. i.

from me the discerning of this strangenesse, which being reported of another countrie we deeme so hideous.  Miracles are according to the ignorance wherein we are by nature, and not according to natures essence; use brings the sight of our judgement asleepe.  The barbarous heathen are nothing more strange to us than we are to them: {common humanity+} nor with more occasion, as every man would avow, if after he had travelled through these farre-fetcht examples, hee could stay himselfe upon the discourses and soundly conferre them.  Humane reason is a tincture in like weight and measure, infused into all our opinions and customes what form soever they be of: infinite in matter: infinite in diversitie.  But I will returne to my theme.  There are certaine people, where, except his wife and children, no man speaketh to the King but through a trunke.  Another nation, where virgins shew their secret parts openly, and married women diligently hide and cover them. To which custome, this fashion, used in other places, hath some relation: where chastitie is nothing regarded but for marriage sake; and maidens may at their pleasure lie with whom they list; and being with childe, they may without feare of accusation, spoyle and cast their chitdren with certaine medicaments, which they have only for that purpose.  And in another country, if a Merchant chance to marrie, all other Merchants that are bidden to the wedding are bound to lie with the bride before her hushand, and the more they are in number, the more honour and commendation is hers for constancie and capacitie; the like if a gentleman or an officer marrie; and so of all orders: except it be a day- labourer, or some other of base condition for then must the Lord or Prince lie with the bride amongst whom (notwithstanding this abusive custom) loyaltie in married women is highly regarded, and held in speciall account during the time they are married.  Others there are where publike brothel- houses of men are kept, and where open mart of marriages are ever to be had: where women goe to the warres with their hushands, and have place, not onely in fight, but also

in command, where they doe not onely weare jewels at their noses, in their lip and cheekes, and in their toes, but also big wedges of gold through their paps and buttocks, where when they eat they wipe their fingers on their thighs, on the bladder of their genitories, and the soles of their feet; where not children, but brethren and nephewes inherit; and in some places, the nephewes onely, except in the succession of the Prince.  Where to order the communitie of goods, which amongst them is religiously observed, certaine Soveraigne Magistrats have the generall charge of husbandry and tilling of the lands, and of the distribution of the fruits, according to every mans need: where they howle and weepe at their childrens deaths, and joy and feast at their old mens decease.  Where ten or twelve men be all in one bed with all their wives; where such women as lose their hushands, by any violent death, may marrie againe, others not: where the condition of women is so detested that they kill all the maiden children as soon as they are borne, and to supply their naturall need, they buy women of their neighbours. {Gullivers_Travels+} Where men may at their pleasure, without alleaging any cause, put away their wives, but they (what just reason soever they have) may never put away their husbands.  Where husbands may lawfully sell their wives, if they be barren.  Where they cause dead bodies first to be boyled, and then to be brayed in a morter, so long till it come to a kind of pap, which afterward they mingle with their wine, and so drinke it.  Where the most desired sepulcher that some wish for, is to bee devoured of dogges, and in some places of birds.  Where some thinke that blessed soules live in all liberty, in certaine pleasant fields stored with al commodities, and that from them proceeds that Eccho which we heare. Where they fight in the water, and shoot execeeding true with their bowes as they are swimming.  Where in signe of subjection men must raise their shoulders and stoope with their heads, and put off their shoes when they enter their Kings houses.  Where Eunuchs that have religious women in keeping, because they shall not be

loved, have also their noses and lips cut off.  And Priests that that they may the better acquaint themselves with their Demons, and take their Oracles, put out their eyes.  Where every man makes himself a God of what be pleaseth: the hunter of a Lion or a Fox; the fisher, of a certaine kinde of Fish; and frame themselves Idols of every humane action or passion: the Sunne, the Moone, and the earth are their chiefest Gods: the forme of swearing is, to touch the ground, looking upon the Sunne, and where they eat both flesh and fish raw.  Where the greatest oath is to sweare by the name of some deceased man that hath lived in good reputation in the countrie, touching his grave with the hand.  Where the new-yeares gifts that Kings send unto Princes their vassals every yeare, is some fire, which when it is brought, all the old fire is cleane put out: of which new fire all the neighbouring people are bound upon paine, laese majestatis, to fetch for their uses.  When the King (which often cometh to passe) wholly to give himselfe unto devotion, giveth over his charge, his next successor is bound to doe like, and convayeth the right of the Kingdome unto the third heire.  Where they diversifie the forme of policie according as their affaires seeme to require; and where they depose their Kings when they thinke good, and appoint them certaine ancicnt grave men to undertake and weald the Kingdoms government, which sometimes is also committed to the communaltie.  Where both men and women are equally circumcised, and alike baptised.  Where the souldier, that in one or divers combats hath presented his King with seven enemies heads, is made noble.  Where some live under that so rare and unsociable opinion of the mortalitie of soules.  Where women are brought abed without paine or griefe.  Where women on both their legs weare greaves of Copper: and if a louse bite them, they are bound by duty of magnanimitie to bite it againe: and no maid dare marrie, except she have first made offer of her Virginitie to the King.  Where they salute one another laying the forefinger on the ground, and then lifting it

up toward heaven: where all men beare burthens upon their head, and women on their shoulders.  Where women pisse standing, and men cowring. Where in signe of true friendship they send one another some of their owne bloud, and offer incense to men which they intend to honour, as they doe to their Gods: where not only kindred and consanguinitie in the fourth degree, but in any furthest off, can by no means be tolerated in marriages: where children sucke till they be four, and sometimes twelve years old, in which place they deeme it a dismal thing to give a childe sucke the first day of his birth.  Where fathers have the charge to punish their male children, and mothers only maidchildren, and whose punishment is to hang them up by the feet and so to smoke them.  Where women are circumcised: where they eat all manner of herbes, without other distinction but to refuse those that have ill savour: where all things are open, and how faire and rich soever their houses be, they have neither doors nor windowes, nor any chests to locke: yet are all theeves much more severely punished there than anywhere else; where, as monkies do, they kill lice with their teeth, and thinke it a horrible matter to see them crusht between their nailes; where men as long as they live never cut their haire nor paire their nailes: another place where they onely paire the nailes of their right hand, and those of the left are never cut, but very curiously maintained: where they endeavour to cherish all the haire growing on the right side, as long as it will grow, and very often shave away that of the left side: where in some Provinces neere unto us some women cherish their haire before, and other some that behinde, and shave the contrarie: where fathers lend their children, and husbands their wives to their guests, so that they pay ready money: where men may lawfully get their mothers with childe: where fathers may he with their daughters and with their sonnes: where in solemne assemblies and banquets, without any distinction of blood or alliance, men will lend one another their children.  In some places men

feed upon humane flesh, and in others, where it is deemed an office of pietie in children to kill their fathers at a certaine age: in other places fathers appoint what children shall live and be preserved, and which die and be cast out, whilest they are yet in their mothers wombe: where old husbands lend their wives to young men, for what use soever they please: In other places, where al women are common without sinne or offence: yea in some places, where for a badge of honour they weare as many frienged tassels, fastened to the skirt of their garment, as they have laine with severall men.  Hath not custome also made a severall common- wealth of women? hath it not taught them to manage Armies? to levie Armies, to marshall men, and to deliver battles?  And that which strict- searching Philosophie could never perswade the wisest, doth she not of her owne naturall instinct teach it to the grosest headed vulgar?  For we know all nations, where death is not only condemned, but cherished: where children of seven years of age, without changing of countenance, or showing any signe of dismay, endured to be whipped to death; where riches and worldly pelfe was so despised and holden so contemptible, that the miserablest and neediest wretch of a Citie would have scorned to stoope for a purse full of gold.  Havo we not hcard of divers most fertile regions, plenteously yeelding al maner of necessary victuals, where neverthelesse the most ordinary cates and daintiest dishes were but bread, water-cresses, and water?  Did not custome worke this wonder in Chios, that during the space of seven hundred yeres it was never found or heard of that any woman or maiden had her honor or honestie called in question?  And to conclude, there is nothing in mine opinion, that either she doth not, or cannot: and with reason doth Pindarus, as I have heard say, call her the Queen and Empresse of all the world. He that was met beating of his father answered, 'It was the custome of his house; that his father had so beaten his grandfather, and he his great-grandfather;' and pointing to his sonne, said, 'This child shall also beat mee when he

shall come to my age.' And the father, whom the sonne haled and dragged through thicke and thinne in the street, commanded him to stay at a certaine doore: for himself had dragged his father no further: which were the bounds of the hereditaire and injurious demeanours the children of that family were wont to shew their fathers. 'By custome,' saith Aristotle, 'as often by sicknesse, doe we see women tug and teare their haires, bite their nailes, and eat cole and earth and more by custome than by nature doe men meddle and abuse themselves with men.' The laws of conscience, which we say to proceed from nature, rise and proceed of custome; every man holding in special regard and inward veneration the opinions approved, and customes received about him, cannot without remorse leave them, nor without applause applie himselfe unto them: {esteem+} when those of Creet would in former ages curse any man, they besought the Gods to engage him in some bad custome. But the chiefest effect of her power is to seize upon us, and so to entangle us, that it shall hardly lie in us to free ourselves from her hold-fast, and come into our wits againe, to discourse and reason of her ordinances; verily, because we sucke them with the milke of our birth, and forasmuch as the worlds visage presents itselfe in that estate unto our first view, it seemeth we are borne with a condition to follow that course.  And the common imaginations we finde in credit about us, and by our fathers seed infused in our soule, seeme to be the generall and naturall.  Whereupon it followeth, that whatsoever is beyond the compasse of custome, wee deeme likewise to bee beyond the compasse of reason, God knowes how for the most part, unreasonably.  If as we, who study ourselves, have learned to doe, every man that heareth a just sentence, would prescatly consider, how it may in any sort belonging unto his private state, each man should finde that this is not so much a good word as a good blow to the ordinary sottishnesse of his judgment. {rationalization+} {selfcriticism+} But men receive the admonitions of truth and her precepts, as directed to the vulgar, and never to themselves; and

in liew of applying them to their maners, most men most foolishly and unprofitably apply them to their memorie.  But let us returne to customes soveraignty: such as are brought up to libertie, and to command themselves, esteeme all other forme of policie as monstrous and against nature.  Those that are enured to, Monarchie doe the like.  And what facilitie soever fortune affoordeth them to change, even when with great difficultie they have shaken off the importunitie of a tutor, they run to plant a new one with semblable difficulties because they cannot resolve themselves to hate tutorship. It is by the meditation of custome that every man is contented with the place where nature hath setled him; and the savage people of Scotland have nought to do with Touraine; nor the Scithians with Thessalie.  Darius demanded of certaine Graecians, 'For what they would take upon them the Indians custome, to eat their deceased fathers.' (For such was their maner, thinking they could not possibly give them a more noble and favourable tomb than in their owne bowels.) They answered him, 'That nothing in the world should ever bring them to embrace so inhumane a custome.' But having also attempted to perswade the Indians to leave their fashion and take the Graecians, which was to burne their corpes, they were much more astonished thereat. Every man doth so, forsomuch as custome doth so bleare us that we cannot distinguish the true visage of things.

Nil adeo magnum, nec tam mirabile quicqua
Principio, quod non minuant mirarier omnes Paulatim./1

Nothing at flrst so wondrous is, so great.
But all, t'admire, by little slake their heat.

foundation of it so weake that myselfe, who was to confirme it in others, had much adoe to keepe my countenance.  This is the receipt by which Plato undertaketh to banish the unnaturall and preposterous loves of his time, and which hee esteemeth soveraigne and principall:  To wit, that publike opinion may condemne them; that Poets, and all men else may tell horrible tales of them.  A receit by meanes whereof the fairest daughters winne no more the love of their fathers, nor brethren most excellent in beautie the love of their sisters.  The very fables of Thyestes, of Oedipus, and of Macareus, having with the pleasures of their songs infused this profitable opinion in the tender conceit of children.  Certes, chastitie is an excellent virtue, the commoditie whereof is very well knowne; but to use it, and according to nature to prevaile with it, is as hard as it is easie, to endeare it and to prevaile with it according to custome, to lawes and precepts. The first and universall reasons are of a hard perscrutation.  And our Masters passe them over in gleaning, or in not daring so much as to taste them, at first sight cast themselves headlong into the libertie or sanctuarie of custome.  Those that will not suffer themselves to be drawne out of his original source, do also commit a greater error, and submit themselves to savage opinions: witnesse Chrysippus; who in so many severall places of his compositions, inserted the small accompt he made of conjunctions, how incestuous soever they were.  Hee that will free himselfe from this violent prejudice of custome, shall find divers things received with an undoubted resolution, that have no other anker but the hoarie head and frowning wimples of custom, which ever attends them: which maske being pulled off, and referring all matters to truth and reason, he shall perceive his judgment, as it were overturned, and placed in a much surer state. As for example, I will then aske him, what thing can be more strange than to see a people bound to follow lawes he never understod?  Being in all his domesticall affaires, as marriages, donations, testaments, purchases, and sales, necessarily

bound to customary rules, which forsomuch as they were never written nor published in his owne tongue, he cannot understand, and whereof he must of necessity purchase the interpretation and use.  Not according to the ingenious opinion of Isocrates, who counselled his King 'to make the Trafikes and negotiations of his subjects free, enfranchize and gameful, and their debates, controversies, and quarrels burthensome, and charged with great subsidies and impositions.' But according to a prodigious opinion, to make open sale, and trafficke of reason itselfe, and to give lawes a course of merchandize, is very strange.  I commend fortune for that (as our historians report) it was a Gentleman of Gaskonie, and my Countriman, that first opposed himselfe against Charles the great, at what time he went about to establish the Latine and Imperiall lawes amongst us.  What is more barbarous than to see a nation, where by lawful custome the charge of judging is sold, and judgments are paid for with readie monie; and whore justice is lawfully denied him that hath not wherewithall to pay for it; and that this merchandize hath so great credit, that in a politicall government there should be set up a fourth estate of Lawyers, breath-sellers, and pettifoggers, and joyned to the three ancient states, to wit, the Clergy, the Nobility, and the Communaltie; which fourth state having the charge of lawes, and sometimes auctoritie of goods and lives, should make a body, apart and severall from that of Nobilitie, whence double lawes must follow, those of honour+ and those of justice; in many things very contrarie do those as rigorously condemne a lie pocketed up, as these a lie revenged: by the law and light of armes he that putteth up an injurie shall be degraded of honour and nobilitie; and he that revengeth himselfe of it, shall by the civill Law incurre a capitall punishment.  Hee that shall addresse himselfe to the lawes to have reason for some offence done unto his honour, dishonoureth himself. {Shylock+} And who doth not so, is by the Lawes punished and chastised. And of these. so different parts, both neverthelesse having reference

to one head; those having peace, these war committed to their charge; those having the gaine, these the honour; these knowledge, these vertue; those reason, these strength; those the word, these action; those justice, these valour; those reason, these force; those a long gowne, and these a short coat, in partage and share.  Touching indifferent things, as clothes and garments, {Lear+} whosoever will reduce them to their true end, which is the service and commodity of the bodie, whence dependeth their originall grace and comlines, for the most fantasticall to my humour that may be imagined, amongst others I will give them our square caps; that long hood of plaited velvet, that hangs over our womens head, with his parti-coloured traile, and that vaine and unprofitable modell of a member which we may not so much as name with modestie, whereof notwithstanding we make publike shew and open demonstration.  Those considerations do neverthelesse never distract a man of understanding from following the common guise.  Rather, on the contrary, mee seemeth that all severall, strange, and particular fashions proceed rather of follie or ambitious affectation than of true reason: and that a wise man ought inwardly to retire his minde from the common presse, and hold the same liberty and power to judge freely of all things, but for outward matters he ought absolutely to follow the fashions and forme customarily received. {conform_in_dress) Publike societie hath nought to do with our thoughts; but for other things, as our actions, our travel, our fortune, and our life, that must be accommodated and left to its service and common opinions; as that good and great Socrates, who refused to save his life by disobeyig the magistrate, yea a magistrate most wicked and unjust.  For that is the rule of rules, and genrall lawe of lawes, for every man to observe those of the place wherein he liveth.

. . .  GREEK . . .

Lawes of the native place,
To follow, is a grace.

     Loe here some of another kind.  There riseth a great doubt whether any so evident profit may be found in the change of a received law, of what nature soever, as there is hurt in removing the same; forsomuch as a well- setled policie may be compared to a frame or building of divers parts joyned together with such a ligament as it is impossible to stirre or displace one, but the whole body must needes be shaken, and shew a feeling of it.  The Thurians Law-giver instituted that "whosoever would goe about, either to abolish any one of the old Lawes, or attempt to establish a new, should present himself before the people with a rope about his necke, to the end, that if his invention were not approved of all men, he should present ly be strangled.' And he of Lacedemon laboured all his life to get an assured promise of his citizens, that they would never infringe any one of his ordinances.  That Ephore or Tribune, who so rudely cut off the two strings that Phrinis had added unto musicke, respecteth not whether musicke be better or no with them, or whether the accords of it be better filled, he hath sufficient reason to condemne them, because it is an alteration of the old forme.  It is that which the old rustie sword of justice of Marseille did signify.  I am distasted with noveltie, what countenance soever it shew; and I have reason so to be, for I have seene very hurtfull effects follow the same.  That which so many yeares since doth so presse us, hath not yet exploited all.  But some alleage, with apparance, that by accident it hath produced and engendered all, yea, both the mischiefes and ruines that since are committed without against it; it is that a man should blame and finde faulte with.

Heu patior telis vulnera facta meis./1

Alas I suffer smar
Procured by mine owne dart. {Lear+}

first mover of the same, reapeth not alwayes the fruit of such troubles; he beats and troubleth the water for others to fish in.  The contexture and combining of this monarchie and great building, having bin dismist and disolved by it, namely in her old yeares, giveth as much overture and entrance as a man will to like injuries.  Royall Majestie doth more hardly fall from the top to the middle, than it tumbleth downe from the middle to the bottom.  But if the inventors are more damageable, the imitators are more vicious, to cast themselves into examples, of which they have both felt and punished the horror and mischiefe.  And if there be any degree of honour, even in ill doing, these are indebted to others for the glory of the invention and courage of the first attempt.  All sorts of new licentiousnesse doe haply draw out of this originall and fruitfull source, the images and patterns to trouble our commonwealth.  We may reade in our very lawes, made for the remedie of the first evill, the apprentisage and excuse of all sorts of wicked enterprise:  And in favour of publike vices, they are named with new and more pleasing words for their excuses, bastardizing and allaying their true titles: yet it is to reforme our consciences and our conceits, Honesta oratio est/1 - 'It is an honest speech and well said.' But the best pretence of innovation or noveltie is most dangerous:  Adeo nihil motum ex antiquo probabile est./2 ,So nothing moved out of the first place is allowable.' Yet, me seemeth (if I may speake boldly) that it argueth a great selfe-love and presumption for a man to esteeme his opinions so far, that for to establish them a man must be faine to subvert a publike peace, and introduce so many inevitable mischiefes, and so horrible a corruption of manners, as civill warres and alterations of a state bring with them, in matters of such consequence, and to bring them into his owne countrie. Is it not ill husbanded to advance so many certaine and knowne vices, for to combate contested and debatable
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1 TEREN.  Andria Act. i. sc. i. 2 TIT.  LIV. xxxiv. 54.

errors?  Is there any worse kinde of vices than those which shocke a man's owne conscience and naturall knowledge?  The Senate durst give this defeate in payment about the controversies betweene it and the people for the mysterie of their religion:  Ad deos id magis quam ad se pertinere: ipsos visuros, ne sacra sua polluantur:/1 'That that did rather belong to the Gods than to them, and the Gods should looke to it, that their due rites were not polluted.' Agreeing with that, which the Oracle answered those of Delphos, in the Median warre, fearing the invasions of the Persians. They demanded of that God what they should doe with the treasures consecrated to his temple, whether hide or cary them away: who answered them, that they should remove nothing, but take care of themselves, for he was able to provide for all things that were fit for him.  Christian religion hath all the markes of extreme justice and profit, but none more apparent than the exact commendation of obedience due unto magistrate, and manutention of policies: what wonderfull example hath divine wisdome left us, which to establish the: wel-fare of humane kinde, and to conduct this glorious victorie of hers against death and sinne, would not do it but at the mercy of our politik order, and hath submitted the progresse of it, and the conduct of so high and worthie effect, to the blindnesse and injustice of our observations and customes, suffering the innocent bloud of so many her favored elect to run, and allowing a long losse of yeares for the ripening of this inestimable fruit?  There is much difference betweene the cause of him that followeth the formes and lawes of his countrie, and him that undertaketh to governe and change them.  The first alleageth for his excuse, simplicitie, obedicnce, and example; whatsoever he doth cannot be malice, at the most it is but ill lucke.  Quis est enim, que non moveat clarissimis monumentis testata consignataque antiquitas?/2 'For who is he whom antiquitie will not move, being witnessed and signed with former monuments?' Besides that which Isocrates saith that defect
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1 TIT.  LIV. x. 6. 2 CIC.  Div. 1. i.

hath more part in moderation, than hath excesse.  The other is in much worse case.  For he that medleth with causing and changing, usurpeth the authoritie of judging: and must resolve himselfe to see the fault of what he hunteth for, and the good of what he bringeth in.  This so vulgar consideration hath confirmed me in my state, and restrained my youth, that was more rash, from burthening my shoulders with so filthie a burthen, as to make my selfe respondent of so important a science.  And in this to dare, what in sound judgement I durst not in the easiest of those wherein I had been instructed, and wherein the rashnesse of judging is of no prejudice.  Seeming most impious to me, to goe about to subject publike constitutions and unmoveable observances, to the instabilitie of a private fantasie (private reason is but a private jurisdiction) and to undertake that on divine lawes, which no policie would tolerate in civill law.  Wherein although man's reason have much more commerce, yet are they soveraignly judges of their judges: and their extreme sufficiencie serveth to expound custome and extend the use that of them is received, and not to divert and innovate the same.  If at any time divine providence hath gone beyond the rules to which it hath necessary constrained us, it is not to give us a dispensation from them.  They are blowes of her divine hand, which we ought not imitate, but admire: as extraordinarie examples, markes of an expresse and particular avowing of the severall kinds of wonders, which for a testimonie of her ominpotencie it offereth us, beyond our orders and forces, which it is follie and impietie to goe abont to represent, and which we onght not follow but contemplate with admiration, and meditate with astonishment.  Acts of her personage, and not of ours.  Cotta protesteth very opportunely; Quum de religione agitur, T.  Coruncanium, P.  Scipionem, P.  Scaevolam, Pontifices maximos, non Zenonem, aut Cleanthem, aut Chrysippum sequor:/1 'When we talke of religion, I follow Titus Coruncanium, Publius Scipio, P.  Scaevola,
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1 CIC.  De.  Nat. 1. iii. c. 2.

and the professors of religion, not Zeno, Cleanthes, or Chrysippus.' May God know it in our present quarell, wherein are a hundred articles, yea, great and deepe articles, to be removed and alterd, although many there are who may boast to have exactly survaid the reasons and foundations of one and another faction.  It is a number, if it be a number, that should have no great meane to trouble us.  But whither goeth all this other throng? Under what colours doth it quarter itselfe?  It followeth of theirs, as of other weake and ill applied medicines, the humors that it would have purged in us, it hath enflamed, exasperated, and sharpned, by her conflict, and still do remaine in our bodies.  It could not by reason of her weaknesse purge us, but hath rather weakned us; so that we cannot now void it, and by her operation we reap nothing but long, continuall, and intestine griefes and aches, yet is it, that fortune, ever reserving her authoritie above our discourses, doth sometimes present us the urgent necessitie, that lawes must need yeeld her some place:  And when a man resisteth the increase of an innovation, brought in by violence, to keepe himselfe each-where and altogether in rule and bridle against those that have the keyes of fields, to whom all things are lawfull, that may in any sort advance their desseigne, that have not law, nor order, but to follow their advantage, it is a dangerous obligation and prejudiciall inequalitie.

Aditum nocendi perfido prostat fides./1

Trust in th' untrustee, may
To hurt make open way

unbridled proceeding.  It is yet, as all men know, a reproach to those two great personages, Octavius and Cato, in their civill warres: the one of Scilla, the other of Caesar, because they rather suffered their countrie to incur all extremities, than by her lawes to aid her, or to innovate anything.  For truly in these last necessities, where nothing is left to take hold by, it were. peradventure better to shrug the shoulders, stoope the head, and somewhat yeeld to the stroke, than beyond possibilitie to make head and resist, and be nothing the better, and give violence occasion to trample all underfoot: and better were it to force the lawes to desire but what they may, since they may not what they would.  So did he that ordained them to sleepe foure and twentie houres:  And he who for a time removed one day from the Calendar:  And another who of the moneth of June made a second May.  The Lacedemonians themselves, so strict observers of their countries ordinances, being urged by their Lawes, which precisely forbid and inhibited to chuse one man twice to be their Admirall, and on the other side their affaires necessarily requiring that Lysander should once more take that charge upon him, they created one Aracus Admirall, but instituted Lysander superintendent of all maritime causes.  And with the same sutteltie, one of their Ambassadors being sent to the Athenians for to obtaine the change of some ordinance, Pericles alleaging that it was expresly forbid to remove the table wherein a law had once beene set downe, perswaded him but to turne, for that was not forbidden.  It is that whereof Plutarke commendeth Philopaemen, who being borne to command, could not onely command according to the lawes, but the lawes themselves, whensoever publike necessitie required it.

JAMES AMIOT, great Almoner of France, did once tell me this storie, to the honour of one of our Princes (and so he was indeed by very good tokens, albeit by offspring he were a stranger), that during our first troubles, at the siege of Roane, the said Prince being advertised by the Queene-mother of a conspiracie and enterprise that should be attempted against his life, and by letters particularly informed him of the partie that should performe it, who was a gentleman of Anjow, or Manse, and who to that purpose did ordinarily frequent the said Princes court; he never imparted that secret or communicated that warning to any man, but the next morrow walking upon Saint Catherins hill, whence our batterie played against the towne (for it was, at what time we laid siege to Roane) with the said Lord great Almoner and another Bishop by his side, he chanced to descrie the said gentleman, whom the Queene-mother had described unto him, and caused him to be called, who being come before his presence, said thus unto him, perceiving him alreadie to wax pale and tremble at the alarums of his conscience:  Master, such a one, I am fully perswaded you fore-imagine what I will charge you with, and your countenance doth plainly shew it, you can conceale nothing from me: for I am so well instructed of your businesse that would you goe about to hide it, you should but marre all, you have perfect knowledge of this and this thing (which were the chiefest props and devices of the secretest drifts of his complot and conspiracie) faile not therefore, as you tender your
<Mont1-131>

life, to confesse the truth of all your purpose.' When the silly man saw himselfe so surprized and convicted (for the whole matter had beene discovered unto Queene by one of the complices) he had no other way but to lift up his hands and beg for grace and mercie at the Princes hands, at whose feete he would have prostrated himselfe, but that he would not let him: thus following his discourse: 'Come hither my friend,' said he, 'Did I ever doe you any displeasure?  Have I ever through any particular hatred wronged or offended any friends of yours?  It is not yet three weekes since I knew you, what reason might move you to conspire and enterprise my death?' The gentleman with a faint trembling voyce, and and self-accusing looke, answered him, that no particular occasion had ever moved him to that, but the interest of the general cause of his faction, and that some of them had perswaded him, that to root out, and in what manner soever, to make away so great an enemy of their religion, would be an execution full of pietie, and a worke of supererogation.  Then said the Prince, "I shew you how much the religion which I profess is more milde than that whereof you make profession: yours hath perswaded you to kill me, without hearing me, having never been offended by me: and mine commands me to pardon you, convicted as you are, that you would so treacherously and without cause have killed me.  Goe your way, withdraw your selfe, let me never see you here againe, and if you be wise, henceforward in your enterprises take honester men for your counsellers than those of your religion.' The Emperour Augustus being in Gaule, received certaine advertisement of a conspiracie, that L.  Cinna complotted against him, whereof he purposed to be avenged, and for that purpose sent to all his friends against the next morrow for advice and counsell, but passed the fore-going night with great anxietie and unrest, considering that following his intent, be should bring a yong Gentleman, well borne, of a noble house, and great Pompeyes nephew, to his death: which perplexitie produced

divers strange discourses and consideration in him. 'What,' saith he unto himselfe, 'shall it ever be reported, that I doe live in feare, and suffer mine enemie to walke at his pleasure and libertie?  Shall he then goe free, that hath attempted and resolved to deprive me of my life, which both by sea and land I have saved from so many civill warres, and from so many battels?  And now that I have stablished an universall peace in the world, shall he be absolved and goe unpunished, that hath not only determined to murther, but sacrifice me?' (For, the complot of the conspiracie was to murther him when he should be at sacrifice.) After that, having taken some rest with himselfe, he with a lowder voice began to exclaime and cry out against himselfe, saying, 'Why livest thou, if the lives of so many depend on thy death?  Shall thy vengeance and cruelties never have an end?  Is thy life of that worth, as it may countervaile the sundry mischiefes that arelike to ensue, if it be preserved?' Livia his wife being in bed with him, perceiving his agonie and hearing his speeches, saith thus unto him: 'And may not womens counsells be admitted?  Doe as Physitians are wont, wbo when their ordinairie receipts will not worke, have recourse to the contrarie.  Hitherto thou couldest never doe any good with severitie:  Lepidus hath followed Savidienus Murena Lepidus, Coepio Murena, Egnatius Scoepio; begin now to prove what a good lenitie and clemencie will doe thee:  Cinna is convicted, pardon him:  To annoy or hurt thee now he is not able, and thou shalt thereby increase thy glory.' Augustus seemed very glad to have found an Advocate of his humour, and having thanked his wife, and countermanded his friends whom he had summoned to the Counsell, commanded Cinna to be brought before him alone.  Then sending all men out of his chamber, and a chaire prepared for Cinna to sit in, he thus bespoke him: 'First, Cinna, I require to have a gentle audience, and that thou wilt not interrupt my speech, which ended, I will give thee time and leasure to answer me:  Thou knowest (oh Cinna) that when

I had taken thee prisoner in mine enemies campe, who wast not only become, but borne my foe; I saved thee, then put thee in quiet possession of thy goods, and at last, have so enriched thee, and placed thee in so high a degree, that even the conquerours are become envious over the conquered. The Priests office, which thou beggedst at my hands, I freely bestowed on thee, having first refused the same to others, whose fathers and friends had in many battels shed their bloud for me:  After all which benefits, and that I had in dutie tied thee so fast unto me, thou hast notwithstanding undertaken to kill me.' To whom Cinna replied, crying alowd, 'That he had never so much as conceived so wicked a thought, much lesse entertained the same.' 'Oh Cinna, this is not according to thy promise,' answered then Augustus, 'which was that thou wouldest not interrupt me:  What I say is true, thou hast undertaken to murther me in such a place on such a day, in such a company. and in such manner:' and seeing him so amazed in heart, and by his evidence strucken dumbe, moved thereunto, not by the condition of his promise, but by the guilt of his selfe-accusing conscience; 'why wouldest thou doe it,' replied he, 'is it because thou wouldest be Emperour? Truly the commonwealth is but in hard condition, if none but myselfe hinder thee from the Empire.  Thou canst not so much as defend thine owne hous and didst but lately lose a processe only by the favor of a seely libertine. What, hast thou no meane of power in any other matter, but to attempt Caesars life?  I quit it, if there he no man but my selfe to impeach thy hopes. Supposest thou that Paulus, that Fabius, that the Cossenians, or the Servillianes will ever permit thee?  And so great a troupe of noble men, noble not only in name, but such as by their virtues honour their nobilitie, will ever suffer it?' After many other such like discourses (for he talked with him more than two houres) he said unto him: 'Away, oh China, that life which once I gave thee, as to an enemie, I now give thee againe, as to a traitour and a patricide: let a

true friendship+ from this day forward begin betweene us, let us strive together which of us two with a better faith shall out-goe the other, and whether I have given thy life, or thou hast received the same with great confidence:' and so left him.  Shortly after he gave him the Consulship, blaming him that he durst not aske it of him.  And ever after held him as his deere friend, and made him alone heire and executor of his goods.  Now after this accident, which hapned to Augustus in the xl yeare of his age, there was never any conspiracie or enterprise attempted against him; and he received a just reward for his so great clemency.  But the like succeeded not to one Prince, for his mildnesse and lenitie could not so warrant him, but that afterward he fell into the snares of the like treason: so vaine and frivolous a thing is humane wisdome: and contrary to all projects, devices, counsels and precautions, fortune+ doth ever keepe a full sway and possession of all events.  We count those Physitians happy and successful, that successfully end a desperate cure, or come to a good issue: as if there were no other art but theirs, that could not subsist of itselfe, and whose foundations were too feeble to stand and relie upon her owne strength: and as if there were none but it, that stands in need of fortunes helpe-affoording hand, for the effecting of her operations.  My conceit of it is, both the worst and the best a man may imagine: for, thankes be to God, there is no commerce betweene us:  I am contrary to others: for I ever despise it, and when I am sick, instead of entring into league or composition with it, I then beginne to hate and feare it most: and answer such as urge mee to take Physicke, that at least they will tarie till such time as I have recovered my health and strength againe; that then I may the better be enabled to endure the violence and hazard of their potions. I let nature worke, and presuppose unto my selfe that she hath provided her selfe, both of teeth and clawes, to defend her self from such assaults as shall beset her, and to maintaine this contexture or

frame, whose dissolution it so much hateth.  In liew of bringing helpe unto her when shee most striveth, and is combated by sicknesse I greatly feare lest I bring succor unto her adversarie, and surcharge her with new enemies.  Now I conclude, that not onely in Physicke, but likewise in sundry more certaine arts, fortune+, hath great share in them.  The Poeticall furies, which ravish and transport their Author beyond himselfe, why shall we not ascribe them to his good fortune, since himselfe confesseth that they exceed his strength and sufficiencie, and acknowledgeth to proceed from elsewhere than from himselfe, and that they are not in his power, no more than Orators say to have those strange motions and extraordinary agitations, that in their art transport them beyond their purpose?  The like wee see to bee in painting, for sometimes the Painters hand shall draw certaine lines or draughts, so farre exceeding his conception or skill, that himselfe is forced to enter into admiration and amazement.  But fortune yet doth much more evidently shew the share shee hath in all their workes, by the graces and beauties that often are found in them, not onely beyond the intent, but besides the very knowledge of the workman.  A heedy Reader shall often discover in other mens compositions, perfections farre differing from the Authors meaning, and such as haply he never dreamed of, and illustrateth them with richer senses and more excellent constructions.  As for military enterprises, no man is so blinde but seeth what share fortune hath in them : even in our counsels and deliberations, some chance or good lucke must needs be joyned to them, for whatsoever our wisdome can affect is no great matter.  The sharper and quicker it is, more weaknesse findes it in it selfe, and so much the more doth it distrust it selfe.  I am of Sillaes opinion: and when I nearest consider the most glorious exploits of warre, me thinkes I see, that those who have the conduct of them, employ neither counsell nor deliberation about them, but for fashion-sake, and leave the best part of the enterprise to fortune, and on the

confidence they have in her ayd, they still go beyond the limits of all discourse.  Casuall rejoycings, and strange furies ensue among their deliberations, which for the most induce them to take the counsell least grounded upon apparance or reason, and which quaile their courage beyond reason; whence it hath succeeded unto divers great Captaines, by giving credit to such rash counsels; and alleaging to their souldiers, that by some divine inspiration, and other signes and prognostications, they were encouraged to such and such enterprises.  Loe here wherefore in this uncertaintie and perplexitie, which the impuissances and inabilitie doth bring us to see and chuse what is most commodious for the difficulties which the divers accidents and circumstances of everie thing draw with them: the surest way, if other considerations did not invite us thereto, is, in my conceit, to follow the partie, wherein is most honestie+ and justice; and since a man doubteth of the nearest way, ever to keepe the right.  As in these two examples I have lately mentioned, there is no doubt but that it was more commendable and generous in him who had received the offence+, to remit and pardon+ the same, than to have done otherwise.  If the first had but ill-successe, his good intent is not to be blamed; and no man knoweth, had be taken the contrary way, whether he should have escaped the end, to which destinie called him; and then had he lost the glorie and commendations of so seld-seene humanitie.  Sundrie men possessed with this feare, are read-of in ancient Histories; the greatest part of which have followed the way of fore-running the conspiracies which were complotted against them, by revenge or tortures, but I see very few, that by this remedy have received any good; witnesse so many Romane Emperours.  Hee that perceiveth himselfe to be in this danger ought not much to relie upon his power, or hope in his vigilancie.  For, how hard a matter is it for a man to warrant and safeguard himselfe from an enemie, that masks under the visage of the most officious and heartie-seeming friend we have?  And to know the inward thoughts and

minde-concealed meanings of such as daily attend, and are continually with us?  It will little availe him to have foraine nations to his guard, and ever to be encircled about with troupes of Armed men? whosoever he be that resolveth to condemne his owne life, may at any time become Master of other mens lives.  Moreover, that continuual suspicion which makes the Prince to mistrust every body, should be a wonderfull vexation to his minde. And therefore when Dion was advertised that Calippus watched to kill him, could never finde in his heart to informe himselfe of it: affirming: 'He had rather die once, than ever live in feare and miserie, and to guard himselfe not onely from his enemies, but from his very friends.' Which thing Alexander presented more lively and undantedly by effect, who by a letter of Parmenio having received advertisement that Philip, his neerest and best regarded Physitian, had with money beene suborned and corrupted by Darius to poison him, who at the very instant that he gave Philip the letter to reade, swallowed downe a potion he had given him: was it not to express his resolution, that if his friends would kill him he would not shun them, but consent to their treachery?  This Prince is the Soveraigne patterne of hazardous attempts: yet know I not whether in all his life he shewed an act of more resolute constancie+ than this, nor an ornament so many wayes famous.  Those which daily preach and buzze in Princes eares, under colour of their safetie, a heedy diffidence and everwarie distrustfulnesse, doe nought but tell them of their ruine, and further their shame and downefall. No noble act is atchieved withoutdanger+.  I know one by his owne complexion, of a right martial courage and ready for any resolution, whose good and hopefull fortune is dayly corrupted by such verball perswasion; as first to keepe close with his friends; never to listen to any reconciliation with his old enemies: to stand upon his owne guard; never to commit himselfe to any stronger than himselfe, what faire promise soever they make him, or whatsoever apparant profit they

seeme to containe. {caution+} I also know another, who because he did ever follow the contrarie counsell, and would never listen to such schoole- reasons, hath beyond all hope raised his fortune above the common reach. That boldnesse wherewith they so greedily gape after glory, is alwayes at hand, when ever need shall be, as gloriously in a doublet as in an armour; in a cabinet as in a campe; the arme held downe, as lifted up.  A wisedome so tenderly precise, and so precisely circumspect, is a mortall enemie to haughty executions. {revenge+} Scipio, to sound the depth of Siphax intent, and to discover his minde; leaving his armie, and abandoning the yet unsetled country of Spaine, which under his new conquest of it was likely to be suspected, he, I say, could passe into Affrike onely with two simple ships or small barkes, to commit himselfe in a strange and foe countrie, to engage his person, under the power of a barbarous King, under an unknowne faith, without either hostage or letters of credence, yea, without any body, but onely upon the assurance of the greatnesse of his courage, of his successeful good fortune, and of the promise of his high- raised hopes.  Habita fides ipsam plerumque fidem obligat: 'Most commonlytrusting+ obligeth trustinesse.' To an ambitious and fame aspiring minde, contrariwise, a man must yeeld little, and cary a hard hand against suspicions: Feare and distrust draw on offences and allure them.  The most mistrustful of our Kings established his affaires, and setled his estate, especially because he had voluntarily given over, abandoned and committed his life and liberty, to the hands and mercy of his enemies:  Seeming to put his whole confidence in them, that so they might likewise conceive an,undoubted affiance in him.  Caesar did onely confront his mutinous legions, and oppose his hardly-ruled Armies, with the minde-quelling authoritie of his countenance, and awe-moving fiercenesse of his words: and did so much trust himselfe and his fortune, that he no whit feared to abandon and commit himselfe to a seditious and rebellious Armie.

       ----- stetit aggere fultu
Cespitis, intrepidus vultu, meritqu timer
Nil metuens./1

He on a rampart stood of turfe upreard
Fearlesse and following none, was to be fear'd.

sooner receive reverence and admit feare.  I might also blame him, that having undertaken a resolution (in my judgment, rather brave than rash) to caste himselfe inconsiderately, weake and unarmed, amidst a tempestuous ocean of senselesse and mad men, he should have gone through stitch with it, and not leave the person he represented in the briers, whereas after he had perceived the danger at hand, he chanced to bleed at the nose; and then to change that demisse and flattering countenance he had undertaken into a dismaid and drooping looke, filling both voice and eyes with astonishment and repentance: and seeking. to squat himselfe, hee the more enflamed and called them upon him.  It was determined there should be a generall muster made of divers troupes of armed men (a place fittest for secret revenges, and where they may safest be achieved) there were most apparent reasons, that the place was very unsure, or at least, to be suspected, by such as were to have the principall and necessary charge to survey them.  Divers counsels were proposed, sundry opinions heard, as in a subject of great difficultie, and on which depended so many weightie consequences.  My advice was, they should carefully avoid to give any testimonie of suspition or shew of doubt, and that our troupes should be as full as might be, and the Fyles orderly ranked, and every Souldier shew an undaunted carriage and undismayed countenance, and instead of keeping some of our forces backe (which thing most opinions aimed at) all Captaines should he put in minde to admonish their Souldiers to make their sallies as orderly and as strong as might be, in honour of the assistance; and spare no powder, which would serve as a gratification toward these suspectfull troupes, which afterward caused a mutuall and profitable confidence.  I finde the course that Julius Caesar held to be the best a man may take:  First he assayed by clemencie to purchase the love of his very enemies, contenting himselfe in the conspiracies that were discovered unto him, simply to shew they were not unknowne to him, but, had perfect notice of them.  That done, he tooke

a most noble resolution, which was, without dread or dismay, or any care- taking, to attend whatsoever might betide him, wholy abandoning and remitting himselfe into the hands of the Gods and of fortune.  For certainely, it is the state wherein he was, when he was murthered in the Senate.  A stranger having published ere that he could teach Dionysius the tyrant of Siracusa a way to understand and discover the very certaintie of all the practices his subjects or any else should practise against him, if he could bestowe a good summe of money upon him:  Dionysius being thereof advertised, sent for him, to discover the secret, and understand the truth of so necessarie an art for this preservation: the stranger told him, there was no other skill in his art, but that he should deliver him a talent, and then boast hee had learned the use of so unvaluable a secret of him. Dionysius allowed of his invention, and forthwith caused six hundred crownes to be delivered him.  It is not likely that ever he would have given so great a summe of mony to an unknowne man, but in reward of a most profitable instruction; for by way of this reputation he kept his enemies still in awe.  And therefore doe Princes wisely publish such advertisements as they receive of the plots conspired, and treasons practised against their lives and states, thereby to make men beleeve, that nothing can be attempted against them, but they shall have knowledge of it.  The Duke of Athens committed many fond oversights in the establishing of his late tyrannie upon the Florentines, but this the chiefest, that having received the first advertisement of the Monopolies and Complots the Florentines contrived ahainst him, by Mathew, surnamed Morozo, one of the complices, thinking to suppresse this warning, and conceale that any in the Citie were offended at him, or grudged at his rule, caused him immediately to be put to death.  I remember to have heretofore read the storie of a Romane (a man of speciall dignitie) who flying the tyrannie of the Triumvirate, had many times by the sutteltie of his invention, escaped those who

pursued him.  It fortuned upon a day, that a troupe of horse-men, who had the charge to apprehend him, passing alongst a hedge under which he lay lurking, had well-nigh discovered him; which he perceiving, and considering the dangers and difficulties he had so long endured, thinking to save himselfe from the continuall and daily searches that every where were made after him, and calling to minde the small pleasure he might hope of such a life, and how much better it were for him to die at once than live in such continuall feare and agonie, himselfe called them, and voluntarily discovered his lurking hole, and that he might rid them and himselfe from further pursuit and care, did willingly yeeld unto their crueltie.  For a man to call his enemies to aid him, is a counsell somewhat rash, yet thinke I it were better to embrace it, then remaine still in the continuall fit of such a fever that hath no remedie.  But since the provisions of man may apply unto it, are full of unquietnesse and uncertaintie, much better is it with a full assurance to prepare himselfe patiently to endure whatsoever may happen, and draw some comfort from that which a man is never sure shall come to passe.

I HAVE in my youth oftentimes beene vexed to see a Pedant+ brought in, in most of Italian comedies, for a vice or sport-maker, and the nicke-name of Magister to be of no better signification amongst us.  For, my selfe being committed to their tuition, how could I chuse but he somewhat jealous of their reputation?  In deed I sought to excuse them by reason of the naturall disproportion that is betweene the vulgar sort, and rare and excellent men, both in judgment and knowledge: forsomuch as they take a cleane contrarie course one from another.  But when I considered the choysest men were they that most contemned them, I was far to seeke, and as it were lost my selfe: witnesse our good Belay:

Mais je hay par sur tout un scavoir pedantesque./1

A pedant knowledge,
Detest out of all cry.

without amendment containe the discourse and judgement of the most excellent wits the world ever produced, I still remaine doubtfull.  To receive so many, so strange, yea and so great wits, it must needs follow (said once a Lady unto me, yea one of our chiefest Princesses, speaking of somebody) that a man's owne wit, force, droops, and as it were diminishes it selfe, to make roome for others.  I might say, that as plants are choked by over-much moisture, and lampe dammed with too much oyle, so are the actions of the mind over-whelmed by over-abundance of matter and studie: which occupied and intangled with so great a diversitie of things, loseth the meane to spread and cleare it selfe and that surcharge keepeth it low- drooping, and faint.  But it is otherwise, for our mind stretch the more by how much more it is replenished.  And in examples of former times, the contrary is seene, of sufficient men in the managing of publike affaires, of great Captaines, and notable Counsellers in matters of estate, to have been therewithall excellently wise.  And concerning Philosophers, retired from all publike negotiations, they have indeed sometimes been vilified by the comike libertie of their times, their opinions and demeanors yeelding them ridiculous. Will you make them Judges of the right of a processe, or of the actions of a man?  They are readie for it.  They enquire whether there be any life yet remaining, whether any motion.  Whether man be any thing but an Oxe, what working or suffering is; what strange beasts law and justice are. Speake they of the Magistrate, or speake they unto him; they do it with an unreverent and uncivill libertie.  Heare they a Prince or a King commended? Hee is but a shepherd to them, as idle as a Swaine busied about milking of his cattell, or shearing of his sheepe: but more rudely.  Esteeme you any man for possessing two hundred acres of land?  They scoffe at him, as men accustomed to embrace all the world as their possession.  Do you boast of your Nobilitie, because you can blazon your descent of seven or eight rich Grandafthers?  They will but little regard

you, as men that conceive not the universall image of nature, and how many predecessors every one of us hath had, both rich and poore, Kings and groomes, Greekes and Barbarians.  And were you lineally descended in the fiftieth degree from Hercules, they deeme it a vanitie to vaunt or allege this gift of fortune+.  So did the vulgar sort disdaine them as ignorant of the first and common things, and as presumptuous and insolent.  But this Platonicall lustre is far from that which our men stand in need of.  They were envied as being beyond the common sort, as despising publike actions, as having proposed unto themselves a particular and inimitable life, aiming and directed at certam high discourses, and from the common use; these are disdained as men beyond the ordinary fashion, as incapable of publike charges, as leading an unsociable life, and professing base and abject customes, after the vulgar kind.  Odi homines ignavos opere, Philosophos sententia:/1 'I hate men that are fooles in working, and Philosophers in speaking.' As for those Philosophers, I say, that as they were great in knowledge, so were they greater in all action.  And even as they report of that Syracusan Geometrician, who being taken from his bookish contemplation to shew some practice of his skill, for the defence of his countrie reared sodainly certaine terror-moving engines, and shewed effects farre exceeding all mens conceit, himselfe notwithstanding disdaining all this his handieworke, supposing he had thereby corrupted the dignitie of his art; his engines and manuall works being but the apprentiships, and trials of his skill in sport:  So they, if at any time they have been put to the triall of any action, they have been seen to flie so high a pitch, and with so lofty a flight, that men might apparently see their minds and spirits were through the intelligence of things become wonderfully rich and great.  But some perceiving the seat of politike government possessed by unworthy and incapable men, have withdrawne themselves from it.  And hee who
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1 PACUVIUS, Lips. 1. i. c. x.

demanded of Crates, how long men should Philosophize, received this answer, 'Untill such time as they who have the conduct of our Armies be no longer blockish asses.' Heraclitus resigned the royaltie unto his brother.{Prospero+} And to the Ephesians, who reproved him for spending his time in playing with children before the temple he answered, 'And is it not better to doe so, than to governe the publike affaires in your companie?' Others having their imagination placed yond fortune and the world, found the seat of justice, and the thrones of Kings, to be but base and vile. And Empedocles refused the royaltie which the Agrigentines offered him. Thales sometimes accusing the carke and care men tooke about good busbandry, and how to grow rich; some replied unto him, that he did as the Fox, because he could not attaine unto it himselfe; which hearing, by way of sport he would needs shew by experience how he could at his pleasure become both thriftie and rich; and bending his wits to gaine and profit, erected a traffike, which within one yeare brought him such riches as the skilfullest in trade of thriving could hardly in all their life devise how to get the like.  That which Aristotle reporteth of some who called both him and Anaxagoras, and such like men, wise and not prudent, because they cared not for things more profitable: besides, I doe not verie well digest this nice difference of words that serveth my find-fault people for no excuse: and to see the base and needie fortune wherewith they are content, we might rather have just cause to pronounce them neither wise nor prudent.  I quit this first reason, and thinke it better to say, that this evill proceedeth from the bad course they take to follow sciences; and that respecting the manner we are instructed in them, it is no wonder if neither Schollers nor Masters, howbeit they may prove more learned become no whit more sufficient.  Verily the daily care and continuall charges of our fathers aymeth at nothing so much as to store our heads with knowledge and- learning; as for judgement and virtue, that is never spoken of.  If a man passe by,

crie out to our people: 'Oh what a wise man goeth yonder!' And of another: 'Oh what a good man is yonder!' he will not faile to cast his eyes and respect toward the former.  A third crier were needfull, to say, 'Oh what blocke-heads are those!' We are ever readie to aske, 'Hath he any skill in the Greeke and Latine tongue? can he write well? doth hee write in prose or verse?' But whether hee be growne better or wiser, which should be the chiefest of his drift, that is never spoken of.  We should rather enquire who is better wise than who is more wise.  We labour, and toyle, and plod to fill the memorie, and leave both understanding and conscience emptie. Even as birds flutter and skip from field to field to pecke up corne, or any graine, and without tasting the same, carrie it in their bils, therewith to feed their little ones; so doe our pedants gleane and picke learning from bookes, and never lodge it further than their lips, only to degorge and cast it to the wind.  It is strange how fitly sottishnesse takes bold of mine example.  Is not that which I doe in the greatest part of this composition, all one and selfe same thing?  I am ever heere and there picking and culling, from this and that booke, the sentences that please me, not to keepe them (for I have no store-house to reserve them in) but to transport them into this: where, to say truth, they are no more mine than in their first place: we are (in mine opinion) never wise, but by present learning, not by that which is past, and as little by that which is to come.  But which is worse, their Schollers and their little ones are never a whit the more fed or better nourished: but passeth from hand to hand, to this end only, thereby to make a glorious shew, therewith to entertaine others, and with it's help to frame some quaint stories, or prettie tales, as of a light and counterfeit coyne unprofitable for any use or imployment, but to reckon and cast accompts.  Apud alios loqui didicerunt, non ipsi secum.  Non est loquendum, sed gubernandum:/1 'They have learned to speake with others, not with
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1 SEN.  Epist. cviii.

themselves: speaking is not so requisite as government.' Nature, to shew that nothing is savage in whatsoever she produceth, causeth oftentimes, even in rudest and most unarted nations, productions of spirits to arise, that confront and wrestle with the most artist productions.  As concerning my discourse, is not the Gaskonie proverbe, drawne from a bagpipe, prettie and quaint?  Bouha prou houha, mas a remuda lous dits qu'em:  You may blow long enough, but if once you stirre your fingers, you may go seeke.' Wee can talke and prate, Cicero saith thus, These are Platoes customes, These are the verie words of Aristotle; but what say we our selves? what doe we? what judge we?  A Peroquet would say as much.  This fashion puts me in mind of that rich Romane, who to his exceeding great charge had beene verie industrious to finde out the most sufficient men in all sciences, which he continually kept about him, that if at any time occasion should bee moved amongst his friends to speake of any matter pertaining to Schollership, they might supplie his place, and be readie to assist him: some with discourse, some with a verse of Homer, othersome with a sentence, each one according to his skill or profession; who perswaded himselfe that all such learning was his owne, because it was contained in his servants minds.  As they doe whose sufficiencie is placed in their sumptuous libraries.  I know some, whom if I aske what he knoweth, hee will require a booke to demonstrate the same, and durst not dare to tell me that his posteriors are scabious, except he turne over his Lexicon to see what posteriors and scabious is. Wee take the opinions and knowledga of others into our protection, and that is all; I tell you they must be enfeoffed in us, and made our owne. Wee may verie well be compared unto him, who having need of fire, should goe fetch some at his neigbbours chimney, where finding a good fire, should there stay to warme himselfe, forgetting to carrie some home.  What availes it us to have our bellies full of meat, if it be not digested?  If it bee not transchanged in us? except it nourish, augment, and strengthen us. We

may imagine that Lucullus, whom learning made and framed so great a captaine without experience, would have taken it after our manner?  We relie so much upon other mens armes, that we disanull our owne strength.  Will I arme my selfe against the fear of death+? it is at Seneca's cost: will I draw comfort either for my selfe, or any other?  I borrow the same of Cicero.  I would have taken it in my selfe, had I been exercised unto it: I love not this relative and begd-for sufficiencie.  Suppose we may be learned by other mens learning.  Sure I am we can never be wise but by our owne wisdome.

M,@r. oux a@TZ aocerl

That wise man I cannot abide
That for himselfe cannot provide.

----
cupidus, s
Vanuqs et Euganea quantumvis mollior aqna./3

If covetous, if vaine (not wise
Than any lambe more base, more nice.

our universitie men or bookish schollers returne from schole, after he hath there spent ten or twelve years under a pedanvs charge: who is so inapt for any matter? who so unfit for any companie? who so to seeke if he come into the world? all the advantage you discover in him is that his Latine and Greeke have made him more sottish, more stupid, and more presumptuous, than before he went from home. {pedant+} Whereas he should return with a mind full-fraught, he retures with a wind-puft conceit: instead of plum- feeding the same, he has only spunged it up with vanitie.  These masters, as Plato speaketh of sophisters (their cosin Germanes) of all men, are those that promise to be most profitable unto men, and alone, amongst all, that not only amend not what is committed to their charge as doth a carpenter or a mason, but empaire and destroy the same, and yet they must full dearely be paied.  If the law which Protagoras proposed to his disciples, were followed, which was, that either they should a pay him according to his word, or sweare in the temple how much they esteemed the profit they had received by his discipline, and accordingly satisfy him for his paines, my pedagogues would be aground, especially if they would stand to the oath of my experience.  My vulgar Perigordian speech doth verie pleasantly terme such selfe-conceited wizards, letter ferits, as if they would say letter-strucked men, to whom (as the common saying is) letters have given a blow with a mallet.  Verily for the most part they seeme to be distracted even from common sense.  Note but the plaine busbandman, or the unwilie shoemaker, and you see them simply and naturally plod on their course, speaking only of what they know, and no further; whereas these letter-puft pedants, because they would faine raise themselves aloft, and with their litterall doctrine which floteth up and downe the superficies of their braine, arme themselves beyond other men, they uncessantly intricate and entangle themselves: they utter loftie words, and speake golden sentences, but so that another man doth place, fit, and applie them.

They are acquainted with Galen, but know not the disease.  They will stuffe your head with lawes, when God wot they have not yet conceived the ground of the case.  They knowe the theorike of all things, but you must seeke who shall put it in practice.  I have seene a friend of mine, in mine owne house, who by way of sport talking with one of these pedanticall gulls, counterfeited a kind of fustian tongue, and spake a certaine gibrish, without rime or reason, sans head or foot, a hotch-potch of divers things, but that he did often enterlace it with inke-pot termes, incident to their disputations, to ammuse the bookish sot for a whole day long with debating and contending; ever thinking he answered the objections made unto him; yet was he a man of letters and reputation, a graduate, and wore a goodly formall long gowne.

Vos, o patritius sanguis, quos vivere par es
Ooccipiti caeco, posticae occurrite sannae

You noble blouds, who with a noddle blin
Should live, meet with the mocke that's made behind.

what leg, or reverence he makes, note his garbe or demeanor, view his boots or his hat, and marke what manner of man he is.  For his inward parts, I deeme him to have been one of the most unspotted and truly honest minds that ever was.  I have sundry times of purpose urged him to speak of matters furthest from his study, wherein he was so cleare-sighted, and could with so quicke an apprehension conceive, and with so sound a judgment distjnguish them, that he seemed never to have professed or studied other facultie than warre and matters of state.  Such spirits, such natures may be termed worthy, goodly, and solid

       ----- queis arte beingna
Et meliore luto finxit praecordia Titan:/1

Whose bowels heavens-bright-Sunne composed
Of better mold, art wel disposed.

Learning nought worth doth lie
Be not discretion by.

'We learne not for our life, but for the schoole.' It is not enough to joyne learning and knowledge to the minde, it should be incorporated into it: it must not be inckled, but dyed with it; and if it change not and better her estate (which is imperfect) it were much better to leave it.  It is a dangerous sword, and which hindreth and offendeth her master, if it be in a weake hand, and which hath not the skill to manage the same: Vt fuerit melius non didicisse! 'So as it were better that we had not learned.' It is peradvenulre the cause that neither we nor divinitie require much learning in women; and that Francis, Duke of Britannie, sonne to John the fifth, when be was spoken unto for a marriage betweene him and Isabel a daughter of Scotland; and some told him she was meanly bronght up and without any instruction of learning, answered, hee loved her the better for it, and that a woman was wise enough if she could but make a difference betweene the shirt and dublet of her husbands.  It is also no such wonder (as some say) that our auncesters did never make any great accompt of letters, and that even at this day (except it be by chaunce) they are not often found in our kings and princes chiefest councels and consultations:  And if the end to grow rich by them {liberal_arts+} which now adaies is altogether proposed unto us by the studie of law, of Phisicke, of Pedantisme, and of Divinitie, did not keep them in credit, without doubt you should see them as beggarly and needy, and as much vilified as ever they were.  And what hurt I pray you since they neither teach us to think well nor-doe well?  Postquam docti prodierunt, boni desunt./1 'Since men became learned, good men failed.' Each other science is prejudiciall unto him that hath not the science of goodnesse. {Prospero+} But may not the reason I whilom sought for, also proceed thence?  That our studie in France, having as it were no other aime but profit, but those lesse whom nature hath produced to more generous offices, than lucrative, giving themselves unto learning, or so briefly (before they have apprehended
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1 SEN.  Epist. xciii.

any liking of them, retired unto a profession that hath no communitie with bookes) there are then none left, altogether to engage themselves to studie and Bookes, but the meaner kind of people, and such as are borne to base fortune, and who by learning and letters seek some meane to live and enrich themselves.  The minds of which people being both by naturall inclination, by example, and familiar institution, of the basest stampe doe falsly reap the fruit of learning.  For it is not in her power to give light unto the mind, that hath none, nor to make a blind man to see.  The mysterie of it is not to affoord him sight, but to direct it for him, to addresse his goings, alwaies provided he have feet of his owne, and good, strait, and capable legs.  Knowledge is an excellent drug, but no drug is sufficiently strong to preserve it selfe without alteration or corruption, according to the fault of the vessell that contained it.  Some man hath a cleare sight, that is not right-sighted, and by consequence seeth what good is, and doth not follow it; and seeketh knowledge, but makes no use of it.  The chiefest ordinance of Plato in his Commonwealth is to give unto his Citizens their charge according to their nature.  Nature can doe all, and doth all.  The crookt backt, or deformed, are unfit for any exercise of the bodie, and crooked and mis-shapen minds unproper for exercises of the minde.  The bastard and vulgar sort are unworthy of Philosophie.  When we see a man ill shod, if he chance to be a Shoomaker, wee say it is no wonder, for commonly none goes worse shod than they.  Even so it seemes that experience doth often shew us, a Physitian lesse healthy, a Divine lesse reformed, and most commonly a Wiseman lesse sufficient than another. Aristo Chius had heretofore reason to say that Philosophers did much hurt their auditors, forasmuch as the greatest number of minds are not apt to profit by such instructions which, if they take not a good, they will follow a bad course: offcSrovs ex Aristippi, acerbos ex Zenonis Schola exire./1 'They proceed licentious out of
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1 CIC.  Nat.  Deor. 1. iii.

the Schoole of Aristippus, but bitter out of the Schoole of Zeno.' In that excellent institution which Zenophon giveth the Persians, wee find, that as other nations teach their ohildren Letters, so they taught theirs vertue.  Plato said the eldest borne sonne, in their royall succession, was thus taught. 'As soone as he was borne, he was delivered, not to women, but to such Enmuchs as by reason of their vertue were in chiefest authoritie about the King.  Their speciall charge was first to shapen his limmes and bodie, goodly and healthy; and at seven yeares of age they instructed and inured him to sit on horsebacke, and to ride a hunting: when he came to the age of fourteene, they delivered him into the hands of foure men, that is to say, the wisest, the justest, the most temperate and the most valiant of all the nation.  The first taught him religion; the second, to be ever upright and true; the third, to become Master of his owne desires; and fourth, to feare nothing. {Republic+} It is a thing worthy great consideration, that in that excellent, and as I may terme it, matchlesse policie of Lycurgus, and in truth, by reason of her perfection, monstrous, yet notwithstanding, so carefull for the education of children, as of her principall charge, and even in the Muses bosome and resting-place, there is so little mention made of learning: as if that generous youth disdaining all other yokes but of vertue, ought only to be furnished, in liew of tutors of learning, with masters of valour, of justice, of wisdome, and of temperance.  An example which Plato hath imitated in his Lawes.  The manner of their discipline was, to propound questions unto them, teaching the judgement of men and of their actions: and if by way of reason or discourse they condemned or praised either this man or that deed, they must be told the truth and best: by which meanes at once they sharpened their wits, and learned the right. Astiages in Zenophon calleth Cyrus to an accompt of his last lesson.  It is (saith be) that a great lad in our Schools, having a little coat, gave it to one of his fellowes, that was of lesser stature than himselfe, and

tooke his coat from him, which was too big for him: our Master having made me judge of that difference, I judged that things must be left in the state they were in, and that both seemed to be better fitted as they were; whereupon he showed me I had done ill; because I had only considered the comelinesse where I should chiefly have respected justice, which required that none should be forced in any thing which properly belonged to him, and said he was whipt for it, as we are in our countrie-townes, when we have forgotten the first preterperfect tense or Aoriste of r@7rTco.  My Regent might long enough make me a prolixe and cunning Oration in genere demonstrativo, in the oratorie kind of praise or dispraise, before ever hee should perswade me his Schoole is worth that.  They have gone about to make the way aborter: and since Sciences (even when they are right taken) can teach us nothing but wisdome, honestie, integritie, and resolution; they have at first sight attempted to put their children to the proper of effects, and instruct them, not by heare-say, but by assay of action, lively modelling and framing them not only by precepts and words, but principally by examples and works, that it might not be a Science in their mind, but rather his complexion and habitude; not to purchase, but a naturall inheritance. To this purpose, when Agesilaus was demanded what his opinion was, children should learne: he answered, 'What they should doe being men.' It is no marvell, if such an institution have produced so admirable effects.  Some say, that in other Cities of Greece they went to seeke for Rhetoricians, for Painters, and for Musicians; whereas in Lacedemon, they sought for Law-givers, for Magistrates, and Generals of armies:  In Athens men learn'd to say well, but here, to doe well: there to resolve a sophisticall argument, and to confound the imposture and amphibologie of words, captiously enterlaced together; here to shake off the allurements of voluptuousnesse+, and with an undaunted courage to contemne the threats of fortune, and reject_

the menaces of death: those busied and laboured themselves about idle words, these after martiall things: there the tongue was ever in continuall exercise of speaking, here the minde is an uncessant practice of well-doing. And therefore was it not Strange, if Antipater requiring fiftie of their children for hostages, they answered cleane contrarie to that we would doe, 'that they would rather deliver him twice so many men;' so much did they value and esteeme the losse of their countries education.  When Agesilaus inviteth Xenophon to send his children to Sparta, there to be brought up; it is not because they should learne Rhetorike or Logike, but, as himselfe saith, 'to the end they may learne the worthiest and best science that may bee, to wit the knowledge how to obey and the skill how to commmand.' It is a sport to see Socrates, after his blunt manner, to mocke Hippias, who reporteth unto him what great summes of money he had gained, especially in certain little Cities ana small townes of Sicily, by keeping schoole, and teaching letters, and that at Sparta he could not get a shilling.  That they were but idiots and foolish people, who can neither measure nor esteeme nor make no accompt of Grammer, or of Rythmes and who only ammuse themselves to know the succession of Kings, the establishing and declination of estates, and such like trash of flim-flam tales.  Which done, Socrates forcing him particularly to allow the excellencie of their forme of publike government, the happinesse and vertue of their private life, remits unto him to guesse the conclusion of the unprofitablenesse of his arts. {liberal_arts+}.  Examples teach us both in this martiall policie, and in all such like, that the studie of sciences donth more weaken and effeminate mens minds than corroborate and adapt them to warre.  The mightiest, yea the best setled estate, that is now in the world, is that of the Turkes, a nation equally instructed to the esteeme of armes, and disesteeme of letters.  I find Rome to have beene most valiant when it was least learned.  The most warlike nations of our daies are the rudest

and most ignorant.  The Scithians, the Parthians and Tamburlane, serve to verifie my saying.  When the Gothes over-ran and ravaged Greece; that which saved all their Libraries from the fire was, that one among them scattered this opinion, that such trash of bookes and papers must be untoucht and whole for their enemies, as the only meane and proper instrument to divert them from all militarie exercises, and ammuse them to idle, secure, and sedentarie occupations.  When our King Charles the eight, in a manner without unsheathing his sword, saw himselfe absolute Lord of the whole Kingdome of Naples, and of a great part of Tuscanie, the Princes and Lords of his traine ascribed this sodaine and unhoped for victorie, and facilitie of so noble and prodigious a conquest, only to this, that most of the Princes and nobilitie of Italie ammused themselves rather to become ingenious and wise by learning, than vigorous and warriers by militarie exercises.

I NEVER knew father, how crooked and deformed soever his sonne were, that would either altogether cast him off, or not acknowledge him for his owne: and yet (unlease he be meerely besotted or blinded in his affection) it may not be said, but he plainly perceiveth his defects, and hath a feeling of his imperfections.  But so it is, he is his owne.  So it is in myselfe. I see better than any man else, that what I have set downe is nought but the fond imaginations of him who in his youth hath tasted nothing but the paring, and seen but superficies of true learning: whereof he hath retained but a generall and shapelesse forme: a smacke of every thing in general, but nothing to the purpose in particular:  After the French manner.  To be short, I know there is an art of Phisicke; a course of lawes; foure parts of the Mathematikes; and I am not altogether ignorant what they tend unto. And perhaps I also know the scope and drift of Sciences in generall to be for the service of our life. {liberal_arts+} But to wade further, or that ever I tired my selfe with plodding upon A ristotle (the Monarch of our moderne doctrine) or obstinately continued in search of any one science: I confesse I never did it.  Nor is there any one art whereof I am able so much as to draw the first lineaments. {{PlainDealer+} And there is no scholler (be he of the lowest forme) that may not repute himselfe wiser than I, who am not able to oppose him in his first lesson: and if I be forced to it, I am constrained verie impertinently to draw in matter from some generall discourse, whereby I
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examine, and give a guesse at his naturall judgement: a lesson as much unknowne to them as theirs is to me.  I have not dealt or had commerce with any excellent booke, except Plutarke+ or Seneca+, from whom (as the Danaides) I draw my water, uncessantly filling, and as fast emptying: some thing whereof I fasten to this paper, but to my selfe nothing at all.  And touching Bookes:  Historie is my chiefe studie, Poesie my only delight, to which I am particularly affected: for as Cleanthes said, that as the voice being forciblie pent in the narrow gullet of a trumpet, at last issueth forth more strong and shriller, so me seemes, that a sentence cunningly and closely couched in measure-keeping Posie, darts it selfe forth more furiously, and wounds me even to the quicke.  And concerning the naturall faculties that are in me (whereof behold here an essay).  I perceive them to faint under their owne burthen; my conceits, and my judgement march but uncertaine, and as it were groping, staggering, and stumbling at every rush:  And when I have gone as far as I can, I have no whit pleased my selfe: for the further I saile the more land I descrie, and that so dimmed with fogges, and overcast with clouds, that my sight is so weakned, I cannot distinguish the same. And then undertaking to speake indifferently of all that presents it selfe unto my fantasie, and having nothing put mine owne naturall meanes to imploy therein, if it be my hap (as commonly it is) among good Authors, to light upon those verie places which I have undertaken to treat off, as even now I did in Plutarke, reading his discourse of the power of imagination, wherein in regard of those wise men, I acknowledge my selfe so weake and so poore, so dull and grose-headed, as I am forced both to pittie and disdaine my selfe, yet am I pleased with this; that my opinions have often the grace to jump with theirs, and that I follow them a loofe-off, and thereby possesse at least, that which all other men have not; which is, that I know the utmost difference between them and my selfe: all which notwithstanding, I suffer my inventions to run abroad, as weake and 

faint as I have produced them, without bungling and botching the faults which this comparison hath discovered to me in them.  A man had need have a stronge, backe, to undertake to march foot to foot with these kind of men.  The indiscreet writers of our age, amidst their triviall compositions, intermingle and wrest in whole sentences taken from ancient Authors, supposing by such filching-theft to purchase honour and reputation to themselves, doe cleane contrarie.  For, this infinite varietie and dissemblance of lustres, makes a face so wan, so ill-favored, and so uglie, in respect of theirs, that they lose much more than gaine thereby.  These were two contrarie humours: The Philosopher Chrisippus was wont to foist- in amongst his bookes, not only whole sentences and other long-long discourses, but whole bookes of other Authors, as in one, he brought in Euripides his Medea.  And Apollodorus was wont to say of him, that if one should draw from out his bookes what he had stolne from others, his paper would remaine blanke.  Whereas Epicurus cleane contrarie to him in three hundred volumes he left behind him, had not made use of one allegation.  It was my fortune not long since to light upon such a place:  I had languishingly traced after some French words, so naked and hollow, and so void either of sense or matter, that at last I found them to be nought but meere French words; and after a tedious and wearisome travell, I chanced to stumble upon an highe riche and even to the clouds-raised piece, the descent whereof had it been somewhat more pleasant or easie, or the ascent reaching a little further, it had been excusablee and to be borne with-all; but it was such a steepie downe-fall, and by meere strength hewen out of the maine rocke, that by reading of the first six words, me thought I was carried into another world: whereby I perceive the bottome whence I came to be so low and deep, as I durst never more adventure to go through it; for, if I did stuffe any one of my discourses with those rich spoiles, it would manifestly cause the sottishnesse of others to

appeare.  To reprove mine owne faults in others, seemes to me no more insufferable than to reprehend (as I doe often) those of others in my selfe: They ought to be accused every where, and have all places of Sanctuarie taken from them; yet do I know how over boldly, at all times I adventure to equall my selfe unto my filchings, and so march hand in hand with them, not without a fond hardie hope, that I may perhaps be able to bleare the eyes of the Judges from discerning them.  But it is as much for the benefit of my application, as for the good of my invention and force.  And I doe not furiously front, and bodie to bodie wrestle with those old champions: it is but by flights, advantages, and false offers I seek to come within them, and if I can, to give them a fall.  I do not rashly take them about the necke, I doe but touch them, nor doe I go so far as by my bargains I would seeme to doe; could I but keepe even with them, I should then be an honest man; for I seek not to venture on them, but where they are strongest. To doe as I have seen some, that is, to shroud themselves under other armes, not daring so much as to show their fingers ends unarmed and to botch up all their works (as it is an easie matter in a common subject, namely for the wiser sort) with ancient inventions, here and there hudled up together. And in those who endeavoured to hide what they have filched from orhers, and make it their owne, it is first a manifest note of injustice, then a plaine argument of cowardlinesse; who having nothing of any worth in themselves to make show of, will yet under the countenance of others sufficiencie goe about to make a faire offer:  Moreover (oh great foolishnesse) to seek by such cosening tricks to forestall the ignorant approbation of the common sort, nothing fearing to discover their ignorance to men of understanding (whose praise only is of value) who will soon trace out such borrowed ware. As for me, there is nothing I will doe lesse.  I never speake of others, but that I may the more speake of my selfe.  This concerneth not those mingle-mangles

of many kinds of stuffe, or as the Grecians call them Rapsodies, that for such are published, of which kind I have (since I came to yeares of discretion seen divers most ingenious and wittie; amongst others, one under the name of Capilupus; besides many of the ancient stampe.  These are wits of such excellence, as both here and elsewhere they will soone be perceived, as our late famous writer Lipsius, in his learned and laborious work of the Politikes: yet whatsoever come of it, for so much as they are but follies, my intent is not to smother them no more than a bald and hoarie picture of mine, where a Painter hath drawne not a perfect visage, but mine owne. For, howsoever, these are but my humors and opinions, and I deliver them but to show what my conceit is, and not what ought to be beleeved.  Wherein I ayme at nothing but to display my selfe, who peradventure (if a new prentiship change me) shall be another to morrow.  I have no authoritie to purchase beliefe, neither do I desire it; knowing well that I am not sufficiently taught to instruct orhers.  Some having read my precedent Chapter, told me not long since in mine owne house, I should somewhat more have extended my selfe in the discourse concerning the institution of children.  Now (Madam) if there were any sufficiencie in me touching that subject, I could not better employ the same than to bestow it as a present upon that little lad, which ere long threatneth to make a happie issue from out your honorable woombe: for (Madame) you are too generous to begin with other than a man childe.  And having had so great a part in the conduct of your successeful marriage, I may challenge some right and interest in the greatnesse and prosperitie of all that shall proceed from it: moreover, the ancient and rightful possession, which you from time to time have ever had, and still have over my service, urgeth me with more than ordinarie respects, to wish all honour, wellfare and advantage to whatsoever may in any sort concerne you and Tours.  And truly, my meaning is

but to show that the greatest difficultie, and importing all humane knowledge, seemeth to be in this point, where the nurture and institution of young children is in question.  For as in matters of husbandrie, the labor that must be used before sowing, setting; and planting, yea in planting itselfe, is most certaine and easie.  But when that which was sowen, set and planted, commeth to take life; before it come to ripenesse, much adoe, and great varietie of proceeding belongeth to it.  So in men, it is no great matter to get them, but being borne, what continuall cares, what diligent attendance, what doubts and feares, doe daily wait to their parents and tutors, before they can be nurtured and brought to any good?  The fore-shew of their inclination whilest they are young is so uncertaine, their humours so variable, their promises so changing, their hopes so false, and their proceedings so doubtful, that it is very hard (yea for the wisest) to ground am certaine judgment, or assured successe upon them.  Behold Cymon, view Themistocles, and a thousand others, how they have differed, and fallen to better from themselves, and deceive the expectation of such as knew them.  The young whelps both of Dogges and Beares at first sight shew their naturall dispositions but men headIong embracing this custome or fashion, following that humor or opinion, admitting this or that passion, allowing of that or this law, are easily changed, and soone disguised; yet it is hard to force the naturall propension or readinesse of the minde, whereby it followeth, that for want of heedie fore-sight in those that could not guide their course well, they often employ much time in vaine, to addresse young children in those matters whereunto they are not naturally addicted. All which difficulties notwithstanding in mine opinion is, to bring them up in the best and profltablest studies, and that a man should slightly passe over those fond presages, and deceiving prognostikes, which we over precisely gather in their infancie.  And (without offence be it said) me thinks that Plato in his Commonwealth allowed them too-too much authoritie.

     Madame, Learning joyned with true knowledge is an especiall and gracefull ornament, and an implement of wouderfull use and consequence, namely, in persons raised to that degree of fortune wherein you are.  And in good truth, learning hath not her owne true forme, nor can she make shew of her beauteous lineaments, if she fall into the hands of base and vile persons. [Fore as famous Torquato Tasso faith: 'Philosophie being a rich and noble Queene, and knowing her owne worth, graciously smileth upon and lovingly embraceth Princes and noble men, if they become suiters to her, admitting them as the minions, and gently affoording them all the favours she can; whereas upon the contrarie, if she be wooed, and sued unto by clownes, mechanicall fellowes, and such base kind of people, she holds herselfe disparaged and disgraced, as holding no proportion with them.  And therefore see we by experience, that if a true Gentleman or nobleman follow her with any attention, and wooed her with importunitie, he shall learne and know more of her, and prove a better scholler in one yeare, than an ungentle or base fellow shall in seven, though he pursue her never so attentively.'] She is much more readie and fierce to lend her furtherance and direction in the conduct of a warre, to attempt honourable actions, to command a people, to treat a peace with a prince of forraine nation, than she is to forme an argument in Logick, to devise a Syllogisme, to canvass a case at the barre or to prescribe a receit of pills.  So (noble Ladie) forsomuch as I cannot perswade myselfe, that you will either forget or neglect this point, concerning the institution of yours, especially having tasted the sweetnesse thereof, and being descended of so noble and learned a race.  For we yet possesse the learned compositions of the ancient and noble Earles of Foix, from out whose heroicke loynes your husband and you take your ofspring.  And Francis Lord of Candale, your worthie uncle, doth daily bring forth such fruits thereof, as the knowledge of the matchlesse qualitie of your house shall hereafter extend itselfe to, many ages will

therefore make you acquainted with one conceit of mine, which contrarie to the common use I hold, and that is all I am able to affoord you concerning that matter.  The charge of the Tutor, which you shall appoint your sonne, in the choice of whom consisteth the whole substance of his education and bringing up; on which are many branches depending, which (forasmuch as I can adde nothing of any moment to it) I will not touch at all.  And for that point, wherein I presume to advise him, he may so far forth give credit unto it, as he shall see just cause.  To a gentleman borne of noble parentage, and heire of a house that aymeth at true learning, and in it would be disciplined, not so much for gaine or commoditie to himselfe (because so abject an end is far unworthie the grace and favour of the Muses, and besides, hath a regard or dependencie of others) nor for externall shew and ornament, but to adorne and enrich his inward minde, desiring rather to shape and institute an able and sufficient man, than a bare learned man; my desire is therefore, that the parents or overseers of such a gentleman he very circumspect, and careful in chusing his director, whom I would rather commend for having a well composed and temperate braine, than a full stuft head, yet both will doe well.  And I would rather prefer wisdome, judgement, civill customes, and modest behaviour, than bare and meerly literall learning; and that in his charge he hold a new course.  Some never cease brawling in their schollers eares (as if they were still pouring in a tonell) to follow their booke, yet is their charge nothing else but to repeat what hath beene told them before.  I would have a tutor to correct this part, and that at first entrance, according to the capacitie of the wit he hath in hand, he should begin to make shew of it, making him to have a smacke of all things, and how to choose and distinguish them, without helpe of others, sometimes opening him the way, other times leaving him to open it by himselfe.  I would not have him to invent and speake alone, but suffer his disciple to speak when his turne

commeth.  Socrates, and after him Arcesilaus, made their schollers to speak first and then would speake themselves.  Obest plerumq ue iis qui discere volunt, auctoritas eorum qui docent;/1 'Most commonly the authoritie of them that teach, hinders them that would learne.'
     It is therefore meet that he make him first trot-on before him, whereby he may the better judge of his pace, and so guesse how long he will hold out, that accordingly he may fit his strength: for want of which proportion we often marre all.  And to know how to make a good choice, and how far forth one may proceed (still keeping a due measure), is one of the hardest labours I know.  It is a signe of a noble, and effect of an undanted spirit, to know how to second, and how far forth he shall condescend to his childish proceedings, and how to guide them.  As for myselfe, I can better and with more strength walke up than downe a hill.  Those which, according to our common fashion, undertake with one selfe-same lesson, and like maner of education, to direct many spirits of divers formes and different humours, it is no marvell if among a mulutude of children, they scarce meet with two or three that reap any good fruit by their discipline, or that come to any perfection.  I would not only have him to demand an accompt of the words contained in his lesson, but of the sense and substance thereof, and judge of the profit he hath made of it, not by the testimonie of his memorie, but by the witnesse of his life.  That what he lately learned, he cause him to set forth and pourtray the same into sundrie shapes, and then to accommodate it to as many different and severall subjects, whereby he shal perceive, whether he have yet apprehended the same, and therein enfeoffed himselfe, at due times taking his instruction from the institution given by Plato. It is a signe of cruditie and indigestion for a man to yeeld up his meat, even as he swallowed the same: the stomacke hath not wrought his full operation, unlesse it have changed forme, and altered fashion of that which was given him to boyle and concoct.
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1 CIC.  De Nat. 1. i.

[Wee see men gape after no reputation but learning, and when they say, such a one is a learned man, they thinke they have said enough; Our minde doth move at others pleasure, and tyed and forced to serve the fantasies of others, being brought under by authoritie, and forced to stoope to the lure of their bare lesson; wee have beene so subjected to harpe upon one string, that we have no way left us to descant upon voluntarie; our vigor and libertie is cleane extinct.  Nunquam tutelae suae fiunt: 'They never come to their owne tuition.' It was my hap to bee familiarlie acquainted with an honest man at Pisa, but such an Aristotelian, as he held this infallible position; that a comformitie to Aristotles doctrine was the true touchstone and squire of all solid imaginations and perfect veritie; for, whatsoever had no coherencie with it, was but fond Chimeraes and idle humors; inasmuch as he had knowne all, seene all, and said all.  This proposition of his being somewhat over amply and injuriously interpreted by some, made him a long time after to be troubled in the inquisition of Rome.  I would have him make his scholler narrowly to sift all things with discretion, and harbour nothing in his head by mere authoritie or upon trust.  Aristotles principles shall he no more axiomes unto him, than the Stoikes or Epicurians. Let this diversitie of judgements he proposed unto him, if he can, he shall be able to distinginsh the truth from falsehood, if not, he will remaine doubtful. {objectivity+}

Che non men che saper dubbiar m'aggrata./1

No lesse it pleaseth me
To doubt, than wise to be.

least know that he knoweth.' It is requisite he endevour as much to feed himselfe with their conceits as labour to learne their prbcepts; which, so he know how to applie, let him hardily forget, where or whence he had them.  Truth and reason are common to all, and are no more proper unto him that spake them heretofore, than unto him that shall speake them hereafter. And it is no more according to Platoes opinion than to mine, since both he and I understand and see alike.  The Bees do here and there sticke this and cull that flower, but afterward they produce the hony, which is peculiarly their owne, then is it no more Thyme or Majoram.  So of peeces borrowed of others, he may lawfully alter, transforme, and confound them, to shape out of them a perfect peece of worke, altogether his owne; alwaies provided his judgement, his travell, studie, and institution tend to nothing, but to frame the same perfect.  Let him hardily conceale where or whence he hath had any helpe, and make no shew of anything, but of that which he hath made himselfe.  Pirates, pilchers, and borrowers, make a shew of their purchases and buildings, but not of that which they have taken from others: you see not the secret fees or bribes Lawyers+ take of their Clients, but you shall manifestly discover the alliances they make, the honours they get for their children, and the goodly houses they build.  No man makes open shew of his receits, but every one of his gettings.  The good that comes of studie (or at least should come) is to prove better, wiser and honester.  It is the understanding power (said Epicharmus) that seeth and heareth, it is it that profiteth all and disposeth all, that moveth, swayeth, and ruleth all: all things else are but blind, senselesse, and without spirit.  And truly in barring him of libertie to doe any thing of himselfe, we make him thereby more servile and more coward.  Who would ever enquire of his scholler what he thinketh of Rhetorike, of Grammar of this or of that sentence of Cicero?  Which things thoroughly fethered (as if they were oracles) are let flie

into our memorie; in which both letters and syllables are substantiall parts of the subject.  To know by roat is no perfect knowledge, but to keep what one hath committed to his memories charge, is commendable: what a man directly knoweth, that will he dispose-of, without turning still to his booke or looking to his pattern.  A meere bookish sufficiencie is unpleasant. All I expect of it is an imbellishing of my actions, and not a foundation of them, according to Platoes mind, who saith, constancie, faith, and sinceritie are true Philosophie; as for other Sciences, and tending elsewhere, they are but garish paintings.  I would faine have Paluel or Pompey, these two excellent dauncers of our time, with all their nimblenesse, teach any man to doe their loftie tricks and high capers, only with seeing them done, and without stirring out of his place, as some Pedanticall fellowes would instruct our minds without moving or putting it in practice.  And glad would I be to find one that would teach us how to manage a horse, to tosse a pike, to shoot-off a peece, to play upon the lute, or to warble with the voice, without any exercise, as these kind of men would teach us to judge, and how to speake well, without any exercise of speaking or judging.  In which kind of life, or as I may terme it, Prentiship, what action or object soever presents it-selfe into our eies, may serve us in stead of a sufficient booke.  A prettie pranke of a boy, a knavish tricke of a page, a foolish part of a lackey, an idle tale or any discourse else, spoken either in jest or earnest, at the table or in companie, are even as new subjects for us to worke upon: for furtherance whereof commerce or common societie among men, visiting of forraine countries, and observing of strange fashions, are verie necessary, not only to be able (after the manner of our yong gallants of France) to report how many the Church of Santa Rotonda is in length or breadth, or what rich garments the curtezan Signora Livia weareth and the worth of her hosen: or as some do, nicely to dispute how much longer or broader the face of Nero is, which they have seene in some old

ruines of Italie, than that which is made for him in other old monuments else-where.  But they should principally observe, and he able to make certaine relation of the humours and fashions of those countries they have seene, that they may the better know how to correct and prepare their wits by those of others.  I would therefore have him begin even from his infancie to travell abroad; and first, that at one shoot he may hit two markes, he should see neighbour-countries, namely where languages are most different from ours; for, unlesse a mans tongue he fashioned unto them in his youth, he shall never attaine to the true pronunciation of them if he once grow in yeares.  Moreover, we see it received as a common opinion of the wiser sort, that it agreeth not with reason, that a childe he alwaies nuzzled, cockered, dandled, and brought up in his pairents lap or sight; forsomuch as their naturall kindnesse, or (as I may call it) tender fondnesse, causeth often, even the wisest to prove so idle, so overnice, and so base-minded. For parents are not capable, neither can they find in their hearts to see them checkt, corrected, or chastised, nor indure to see them brought up so meanly, and so far from daintinesse, and many times so dangerously, as they must needs be.  And it would grieve them to see their children come home from those exercises, that a Gentleman must necessarily acquaint himselfe with, sometimes all wet and bomyred, other times sweatie and full of dust, and to drinke being either extreme hot or exceeding cold; and it would trouble them to see him ride a rough, untamed horse, or with his weapon furiously incounter a skilful Fencer, or to handle or shoot-off a musket; against which there is no remedy, if he will make him prove a sufficient, compleat, or honest man: he must not he spared in his youth; and it will come to passe, that he shall many times have occasion and be forced to shocke the rules of Physicke.

Vitamque sub dio et trepidis aga
In rebus./1

Leade he his life in open aire.
And in affaires full of despaire.

     It is not sufficient to make his minde strong, his muskles must also be strengthened: the mind is overborne if it be not seconded: and it is too much for her alone to discharge two offices. I have a feeling how mine panteth, being joyned to so tender and sensible a bodie, and that lieth so heavie upon it.  And in my lecture, I often perceive how my Authors in their writings sometimes commend examples for magnanimitie and force, that rather proceed from a thicke skin and hardnes of the bones. I have knowne men, women and children borne of so hard a constitution, that a blow with a cudgell would lesse hurt them, than a filip would doo me, and so dull and blockish, that they will neither stir tongue nor eyebrowes, beat them never so much.  When wrestlers goe about to counterfeit the Philosophers patience, they rather shew the vigor of their sinnewes than of their heart. For the custome to beare travell, is to tolerate griefe:  Labor callum obducit dolori:/1 'Labour worketh a hardnesse upon sorrow.' Hee must be enured to suffer the paine and hardnesse of exercises, that so he may be enduced to endure the paine of the colicke, of cauterie, of fals, of sprains, and other diseases incident to mans bodie: yea, if need require, patiently to beare imprisonment and other tortures, by which sufferance he shall come to be had in more esteeme and accompt: for according to time and place, the good as well as the bad man may haply fall into them; we have seen it by experience.  Who-soever striveth against the lawes, threats good men with mischiefe and extortion.  Moreover, the authoritie of the Tutor (who should be soveraigne over him) is by the cockering and presence of the parents, hindred and interrupted: besides the awe and respect which the houshold beares him, and the knowledge of the meane, possibilities, and greatnesse of his house, are in my judgement no small lets in a young Gentleman. In this schoole of commerce,
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1 CIC.  Tusc.  Qu. 1. ii.

and societie among men, I have often noted this vice, that in lieu of taking acquaintance of others, we only endevour to make our selves knowne to them: and we are more ready to utter such merchandize as we have, than to ingrosse and purchase new commodities.  Silence and modestie+ are qualities very convenient to civil conversation.  It is also necessary that a young man be rather taught to be discreetly-sparing and closehanded, than prodigally-wastfull and lavish in his expences, and moderate in husbanding his wealth when he shall come to possesse it.  And not to take pepper in the nose for every foolish tale that shall be spoken in his presence, because it is an uncivil importunity to contradict whatsoever is not agreeing to our humour: let him be pleased to correct himselfe.  And let him not seeme to blame that in others which he refuseth to doe himselfe, nor goe about to withstand common fashions.  Licet sapere sine pompa, sine invidia:/1 'A man may bee wise without ostentation, without envie.' Let him avoid those imperious images of the world, those uncivil behaviours and childish ambition wherewith, God wot, too-too many are possest: that is, to make a faire shew of that which is not in him: endevouring to be reputed other than indeed he is; and as if reprehension and new devices were hard to come by, he could by that meane acquire into himselfe the name of some peculiar vertue.  As it pertaineth but to great Poets to use the libertie of arts; so is it tolerable but in noble minds and great spirits to have a preheminence above ordinarie fashions.  Si quid Socrates et Aristippus contra morem et consuetudinem fecerunt, idem sibi ne abitretur licere; Magis enim illi et divinis honis hanc licentiam assequebantur:/2 'If Socrates and Aristuppus have done ought against customs or good manner, let not a man thinke he may doe the same: for they obtained this license by their great and excellent good parts:' He shall be taught not to enter rashly into discourse or contesting, but when he shall encou nter with a Champion worthie his strength; And
-----
1 SEN.  Epist. ciii. f. 2 CIC.  Off. 1. i.

then would I not have him imploy all the tricks that may fit his turne, but only such as may stand him in most stead. {PlainDealer+} That he be taught to be curious in making choice of his reasons, loving pertinency, and by consequence brevity.  That above all, he be instructed to yeeld, yea to quit his weapons unto truth, as soone as he shall discern the same, whether it proceed from his adversarie, or upon better advice from himselfe; for he shall not be preferred to any place of eminencie above others, for repeating of a prescript part; and he is not engaged to defend any cause, further than he may approove it; nor shall he bee of that trade where the libertie for a man to repent and re-advise himselfe is sold for readie money.  Neque, ut omnia, que praescripta et imperata sint, defendat, necessitate ulla cogitur:/1 'Nor is he inforced by any necessitie to defend and make good all that is prescribed and commanded him.' If his tutor agree with my humour, he shall frame his affection to be most loyall and true subject to his Prince, and a most affectionate and couragious Gentleman in al that may concerne the honor of his Soveraigne or the good of his countrie, {Smiley+} and endevour to suppresse in him all maner of affection to undertake any action otherwise than for a publike_good+ and dutie.  Besides many inconveniences, which greatly prejudice our liberty by reason of these particular bonds, the judgment of a man that is waged and bought, either it is less free and honest, or else it is blemisht with oversight and ingratitude.  A meere and precise Courtier can neither have law nor will to speake or thinke otherwise than favourable of his Master, who among so many thousands of his subjects hath made choice of him alone, to institute and bring him up with his owne hand.  These favours, with the commodities that follow minion Courtiers, corrupt (not without some colour of reason) his libertie, and dazle his judgement.  It is therefore commonly seene that the Courtiers-language differs from other mens, in the same state, and to be of no great credit in such matters.
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1 CIC.  Acad.  Qu. 1. iv.

Let therefore his conscience and vertue shine in his speech, and reason be his chiefe direction.  Let him be taught to confesse such faults as he shall discover in his owne discourses, albeit none other perceive them but himselfe; for it is an evident shew of judgement, and effect of sinceritie, which are the chiefest qualities he aymeth at. {sprezzatura+} That wilfully to strive, and obstinately to contest in words, are common qualities, most apparent in hasest mindes:  That to readvise and correct himselfe, and when one is most earnest, to leave an ill opinion, are rare, noble, and Philosophicall conditions.  Being in companies he shall be put in minde, to cast his eyes round about, and every where:  For I note, that the chiefe places are usually seezed upon by the most unworthie and lesse capable; and that height of fortune is seldome ioyned with sufficiencie.  I have seene that whilst they at the upper end of a board were busie entertaining themselves with talking of the beautie of the hangings about a chamber, or of the taste of some good cup of wine, many good discourses at the lower end have utterly been lost.  He shall weigh the carriage of every man in his calling, a Heardsman, a Mason, a Stranger, or a Traveller; all must be imployed; every one according to his worth; for all helps to make up a houshold; yea, the follie and the simplicitie of others shall be as instructions to him.  By controlling the graces and manners of others, he shall acquire unto himselfe envie of the good and contempt of the bad.  Let him hardly be possest with an honest curiositie to search out the nature and causes of all things: let him survey whatsoever is rare and singular about him; a building, a fountaine, a man, a place where any battell hath been fought, or the passages of Caesar or Charlemaine.

Quae tellus sit lenta gelu, quae putris ab aestu
Ventus in Italiam quis bene vela ferat./1

What land is parcht with heat, what clog'd with frost
What wind drives kindly to th' Italian coast.

the customes, with the meanes, with the state, with the dependances and alliances of all Princes; they are things soone and pleasant to be learned, and most profliable to be knowne.  In this acquaintance of men, my intending is, that hee chiefely comprehend them, that live but by the memorie of bookes.  He shall, by the help of Histories, informe himselfe of the worthiest minds that were in the best ages.  It is a frivolous studie, if a man list, but of unvaluable worth to such as can make use of it, and as Plato saith, the only studie the Lacedemonians reserved for themselves. What profit shall he not reap, touching this point, reading the lives of our Plutark+?  Alwayes conditioned, the master bethinke himselfe whereto his charge tendeth, and that he imprint not so much in his schollers mind the date of the ruine of Carthage, as the manners of Hanniball and Scipio, nor so much where Marcellus died, as because he was unworthy of his devoire+ he died there: that he teach him not somuch to know Histories as to judge of them.  It is amongst things that best agree with my humour, the subject to which our spirits doe most diversly applie themselves.  I have read in Titus Livius a number of things, which peradventure others never read, in whom Plutarke haply read a hundred more than ever I could read, which perhaps the author himselfe did never intend to set downe.  To some kind of men it is a meere gramaticall studie but to others a perfect anatomie of Philosophy; by means whereof the secretest part of our nature is searched into.  There are in Plutarke many ample discourses most worthy to be knowne: for in my judgement, he is the chiefe worke-master of such works, whereof there are a thousand, whereat he hath but slightly glanced; for with his finger he doth but point us out a way to walke in, if we list; and is sometimes pleased to give but a touch at the quickest and maine point of a discourse, from whence they are by diligent studie to be drawne, and so brought into open market.  As that saying of his, That the inhabitants of Asia served but one alone,

because they could not pronounce one onely syllable, which is Non, gave perhaps both subject and occasion to my friend Boetie to compose his booke of voluntarie_servitude+.  If it were no more but to see Plutarke wrest a slight action to mans life, or a word that seemeth to beare no such sence, it will serve for a whole discourse.  It is pittie men of understanding should so much love brevitie; without doubt their reputation is thereby better, but we the worse.  Plutarke had rather we should commend him for his judgement than for his knowledge, he loveth better to leave a kind of longing-desire in us of him, than a satietie.  He knew verie well that even in good things too much may be said: and that Alexandridas did justly reprove him who spake verie good sentences to the Ephores, but they were over tedious.  Oh stranger, quoth he, thou speakest what thou oughtest, otherwise then thou shouldest.  Those that have leane and thin bodies stuffe them up with bumbasting.  And such as have but poore matter, will puff it up with loftie words.  There is a marvelous cleerenesse, or as I may terme it an enlightning of mans judgement drawne from the commerce of men, and by frequenting abroad in the world; we are all so contrived and compast in our selves, that our sight is made shorter by the length of our nose. When Socrates was demaunded whence he was, he answered, not of Athens, but of the world; for he, who had his imagination more full and farther stretching, embraced all the world for his native Citie, and extended his acquaintance, his societie, and affections to all man-kind: and not as we do, that looke no further than our feet.  If the frost chance to nip the vines about my village, my Priest doth presently argue that the wrath of God hangs over our head, and threatneth all mankind: and judgeth that the Pippe is alreadie falne upon the Canibals.
     In viewing these intestine and civill broiles of ours, who doth not exclaime, that this worlds vast frame is neere unto a dissolution, and that the day of judgement is

readie to fall on us? never remembering that many worse revolutions have been seene, and that whilest we are plunged in griefe, and overwhelmed in sorrow, a thousand other parts of the world besides are blessed with happinesse, and wallow in pleasures, and never thinke on us? whereas, when I behold our lives, our license, and impunitie, I wonder to see them so milde and easie.  He on whose head it haileth, thinks all the Hemispheare besides to be in a storme and tempest.  And as that dull-pated Savoyard said, that if the seelie King of France could cunningly have managed his fortune, he might verie well have made himselfe chiefe Steward of his Lords household, whose imagination conceived no other greatnesse than his Masters; we are all insensible of this kind of errour: an errour of great consequence and prejudice.  But whosoever shall present into his inward eyes, as it were in a Table, the Idea of the great image of our universall mother Nature, attired in her richest robes, sitting in the throne of her Majestie, and in her visage shall read so generall and so constant a varietie; he that therein shall view himselfe, not himselfe alone, but a whole Kingdome, to be in respect of a great circle but the smallest point that can be imagined, he onely can value things according to their essentiall greatnesse and proportion.  This great universe (which some multiplie as Species under one Genus) is the true looking-glasse wherein we must looke, if we will know whether we be of a good stamp or in the right byase.  To conclude, I would have this worlds-frame to be my Schollers choise-booke:  So many strange humours, sundrie sects, varying judgements, diverse opinions, different lawes, and fantasticall customes teaches us to judge rightly of ours, and instruct our judgement to acknowledge his imperfections and naturall weaknesse, which is no easie an apprentiship:  So many innovations of estates, so many fals of Princes, and changes of publike fortune, may and ought to teach us, not to make so great accompt of ours:  So many names , so many victories, and so many conquests buried in darke oblivion, makes

the hope to perpetuate our names but ridiculous, by the surprising of ten Argo-lettiers, or of a small cottage, which is knowne but by his fall. The pride and fiercenesse of so many strange and gorgeous shewes: the pride- puft majestie of so many courts, and of their greatnesse, ought to confirme and assure our sight, undauntedly to beare the affronts and thunder-claps of ours, without feeling our eyes:  So many thousande of men, low-laide in their graves afore us, may encourage us not to feare, or be dismaied to go meet so good companie in the other world; and so of all things else.{Prospero_dream+ Our life (said Pithagoras) drawes neare unto the great and populous assemblies of the Olympike games wherein some, to get the glorie and to win the goale of the games, exercise their bodies with all industrie; others, for greedinesse of gaine, bring thither marchandise to sell: others there are (and those be not the worst) that seek after no other good, but to marke how wherefore, and to what end, all things are done: and to be spectators or observers of other mens lives and actions, that so they may the better judge and direct their owne.  Unto examples+ may all the most profitable Discourses of Philosophie be sorted, which ought to be the touch-stone of human actions, and a rule to square them by, to whom may be said,

         -----  quid fas optare, aspe
Vtile nummus habet, patriae charisque propinqui
Quantum elargiri deceat, quem te Deus ess
Iussist, et humana qua parte locatus es in re
Quid sumus, aut quidnam victuri gignimur./2

What thou maiest wish, what profit may come cleare
From new-stampt coyne, to friends and countrie dear
What thou ought'st give: whom God would have thee bee
And in what part mongst men he placed thee
What we are, and wherefore
To live heer we were bore.

ambition and avance, bondage and freedome, subjection and libertie, by which markes a man may distinguish true and perfect contentment, and how far-forth one ought to feare or apprehend death, griefe, or shame.{gent+}

Et quo quemque modo fugiatque fertaque laborem./1

Now ev'ry labour he may plie.
And beare, or ev'ry labour flie.

       ----- sapere aud
Incipe: vivendi qui recte prorogat hora
Rusticus expectat dum defluayt amnis at ill
Labitur, et labetur in omne volubis aevum

Be bold to be wise: to begin, be stron
He that to live well doth the time prolong
Clowne-like expects, till downe the streame be run
That runs, and will run, till the world be done./2

Quid moveant Pisces, animosaque siqna Leonis
Lotus et Hesperia quid Capricornus aqua./3

What Pisces move, or hot breath'd Leos beames.

T,'fi-yeiise@@s 4,uo /l

What longs it to the seaven stars, and me.
Or those about Bootes be.

words, on which small hold may be taken; wherein is nothing to quicken the minde.  In this the spirit findeth substance to hide and feed upon. A fruit without all comparison much better, and that will soone be ripe. It is a thing worthy consideration, to see what state things are brought unto in this our age; and how Philosophie, {Prospero+} even to the wisest, and men of best understanding, is but an idle, vaine and fantasticall name, of small use and lesse worth, both in opinion and effect.  I thinke these Sophistries are the cause of it, which have forestalled the wayes to come unto it:  They doe very ill that goe about to make it seeme as it were inaccessible for children to come unto, setting it foorth with a wrimpled, gastlie, and frowning visage; who hath masked her with so counterfet, pale, and hideous a countenance?  There is nothing more beauteous, nothing more delightfal, nothing more gainesome; and as I may say, nothing more fondly wanton: for she presenteth nothing to our eyes, and preacheth nothing to our eares. but sport and pastime.  A sad and lowring-looke plainly declareth that that is not her haunt.  Demetrius the Gramarian, finding a companie of Philosophers sitting close together in the Temple of Delphos, said unto them, 'Either I am deceived, or by your plausible and pleasant lookes, you are not in any serious and earnest discourse amongst your selves;' to whom one of them, named Heracleon the Megarian, answered, 'That belongeth to them, who busie themselves in seeking whether the future tense of the verbe SdkAw hath a double k, or that labour to find the derivation of the comparatives, xe4poy, OcArio;, and of the superlatives Xeiplo.Top',BC'.kTITTOV, it is that they must chafe in intertaining themselves with their science: as for discourses of Philosophie they are wont to glad, rejoyce, and not to vex and molest those that use them.

Deprendas animi tormenta latentis in agr
Corpore, deprendas et gaudia; sumit virumque utrumque lnde habitum facies./1

You may perceive the torments of the mind.
Bid in sicke bodie, you the joyes may find;
The face such habit takes in either kind.
     That mind which harboureth Philosophie, ought by reason of her sound health, make that bodie also sound and healthie: it ought to make her contentment to through-shine in all exteriour parts: it ought to shapen and modell all outward demeanours to the modell of it: and by consequence arme him that doth possesse it, with a gracious stoutnesse and lively audacite, with an acuve and pleasing gesture, and with a setled and cheereful countenance.  The most evident token and apparant signe of true wisdome is a constant and unconstrained rejoycing, whose estate is like unto all things above the Moone, that is ever cleare, alwaies bright. It is Baroco and Baralipton, that makes their followers prove so base and idle, and not Philosophie; they know her not but by heare-say; what?  Is it not shee that cleereth all stormes of the mind?  And teacheth miserie famine and sicknesse to laugh?  Not by reason of some imaginarie Epicicles, but by naturall and palpable reasons.  Shee aymeth at nothing but vertue; it is vertue shee seekes after; which as the schoole saith, is not pitcht on the top of an high, steepie, or inaccessible; hill; for they that have come unto her, affirme that cleane-contrarie shee keeps her stand, and holds her mansion in a faire, flourishing, and pleasant plaine, whence as from an high watch tower, she survaieth all things, to be subject unto her, to whom any man may with great facilitie come, if he but know the way or entrance to her palace: for, the pathes that lead unto her are certaine fresh and shadie greene allies, sweet and flowrie waies, whose ascent is even, easie, and nothing wearisome, like unto that of heavens vaults.  Forsomuch as they have not frequented this vertue, who gloriously, as in a throne of Majestie, sits soveraigne, goodly, triumphant, lovely, equally delicious, and couragious, protesting her selfe to be a professed and irreconcileable enemie to all sharpnesse, austerite, feare, and compulsion; having

nature for her guide, fortune and voluptuousness for her companions; they according to their weaknesse have imaginarily fained her, to have a foolish, sad, grim, quarelous, spitefull, threatning, and disdainfull visage, with an horride and unpleasant looke; and have placed her upon a craggie, sharpe, and unfrequented rocke, amidst desert climes and uncouth crags, as a scar-crow, or bug-beare, to affright the common people with. Now the tutour, which ought to know that he should rather seek to fill the mind and store the will of his disciple, as much, or rather more, with love and affection, than with awe, and reverence unto vertue, may shew and tell him, that Poets follow common humours, making him plainly to perceive and as it were palpably to feele, that the Gods have rather placed labour and sweat at the entrances which lead to Venus chambers, than at the doores that direct to Pallas cabinets.  And when he shall perceive his scholler to have a sensible feeling of himselfe presenting Bradamant or Angelica before him, as a Mistresse to enjoy, embelished with a naturall, active, generous, and unspotted beautie not uglie or Giant-like, but blithe, livelie, in respect of a wanton, soft, affected, and artificiall- flaring beautie; the one attired like unto a young man, coyfed with a bright-shining helmet, the other disguised and drest about the head like unto an impudent harlot, with embroyderies, frizelings, and carcanets of pearles: he will ho doubt deeme his owne love to be a man and no woman, if in his choice he differ from that effeminate+ shepheard of Phrygia.  In this new kind of lesson be shall declare unto him, that the prize, the glorie, and height of true vertue, consisted in the facilitie, profit, and pleasure of his exercises: so far from difficultie and incumbrances, that children as well as men, the simple as soone as the wise, may come unto her Discretion and temperance, not force or waywardnesse are the instruments to bring him unto her.  Socrates (vertues chiefe favorite) that he might the better walke in the

pleasant, naturall, and open path of her progresses, doth voluntarily and in good earnest, quit all compulsion.  Shee is the nurse and foster-mother of all humane pleasures, who in making them just and upright, she also makes them sure and sincere.  By moderating them, she keepeth them in ure and breath.  In limiting and cutting them off, whom she refuseth; she whets us on toward those she leaveth unto us; and plenteously leaves us them, which Nature pleaseth, and like a kind mother giveth us over unto satietie, if not unto wearisomnesse, unlesse we will peradventure say that the rule and bridle, which stayeth the drunkard before drunkennesse, the glutton before surfetting, and the letcher before the losing of his haire, be the enemies of our pleasures.  If common fortune faile her, it cleerely scaped her; or she cares not for her, or she frames another unto herselfe, altogether her owne, not so fleeting nor so rowling.  She knoweth the way how to be rich, mightie and wise, and how to lie in sweet-perfumed beds.  She loveth life; she delights in beautie, in glorie, and in health.  But her proper and particular office is, first to know how to use such goods temperately, and how to lose them constantly.  An office much more noble than severe, without which all course of life is unnaturall, turbulent, and deformed, to which one may lawfully joyne those rocks, those incumbrances, and those hideous monsters.  If so it happen, that his Disciple prove of so different a condition, that he rather love to give eare to an idle fable than to the report of some noble voiage, or other notable and wise discourse, when he shall heare it; that at the sound of a Drum or clang of a Trumpet, which are wont to rowse and arme the youthly heat of his companions, turneth to another that calleth him to see a play, tumbling, jugling tricks, or other idle lose-time sports; and who for pleasures sake doth not deeme it more delightsome to returne all sweatie and wearie from a victorious combat, from wrestling, or riding of a horse, than from a tennis-court or dancing schoole, with the prize or honour of such exercises;

The best remedy I know for such a one is, to put him prentice to some base occupation, in some good towne or other, yea, were he the sonne of a Duke; according to Platoes rule, who saith 'That ohildren must be placed, not according to their fathers conditions, but the faculties of their mind.' Since it is Philosophie that teacheth us to live, and that infancie as well as other ages, may plainly read her lessons in the same, why should it not be imparted unto young Schollers?

Vdum et molle lutum est, nunc nunc propetandus, et acri
Fingendus sine fine rota./1

He's moist and soft mould, and must by and by
Be cast, made up, while wheele whirls readily.

good precepts concerning valour, prowesse, magnanimitie, and temperance+, and an undanted assurance not to feare any thing; and with such munition he sent him, being yet verie young, to subdue the Empire of the world, only with 30000 footmen, 4000 horsemen, and 42000 Crownes in mome.  As for other arts amd sciences; he saith Alexander+ honoured them, and commended their excellencie and comlinesse; but for any pleasure he tooke in them, his affection could not easily be drawne to exercise them.

       ----- petite hinc juvenesque senesqu
Finem animo certum, miserisque viatica canis./1

Young men and old, draw hence (in your affaires
Your minds set marke, provision for gray haires.
     It is that which Epicurus said in the beginning of his letter to Memiceus: 'Neither let the youngest shun nor the oldest wearie himselfe in philosophying for who doth otherwise seemeth to say, that either season to live happily is not yet come, or is already past.' Yet would I not have this young gentleman pent-up, nor carelesly cast-off to the heedlesse choler or melancholy humour of the hasty Schoole-master. I would not have his budding spirit corrupted with keeping him fast-tied, and as it were labounng fourteene or fifteene houres a day poaring on his booke, as some doe, as if he were a day-labouring man; neither doe I thinke it fit, if at any time, by reason of some solitairie or melancholy complexion, he should be seene with an over-indiscreet application given to his booke, it should be cherished in him; for, that doth often make him both unapt for civill conversation and distracts him from better imployments:  How many have I seene in my daies, by an over-greedy desire of knowledge, become as as it were foolish?  Carneades was so deeply plunged, and as I may say besotted in it, that he could never have leasure to cut his haire, or pare his nailes: nor would I have his noble manners obscured by the incivilitie and barbarisms of others.
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1 PERS.  Sat. v. 64.

The French wisdome hath long since proverbially been spoken of as verie apt to conceive study in her youth, but most unapt to keepe it long.  In good truth, we see at this day that there is nothing lovelier to behold than the young children of France; but for the most part, they deceive the hope which was fore-apprehended of them: for when they once become men, there is no excellencie at all in them.  I have heard men of understanding hold this opinion, that the Colleges to which they are sent (of which there are store) doe thus besot them: whereas to our schollers a cabinet, a gardin, the table, the bed, a solitarinesse, a companie, morning and evening, and all houres shall be alike unto him, all places shall be a study for him: for Philosophy (as a former of judgemente, and modeler of customes) shall be his principall lesson, having the privilege to entermeddle her selfe with all things, and in all places.  Isocrates the Orator, being once requested in a great banket to speake of his art, when all thought he had reason to answer, said, 'It is not now time to doe what I can, and what should now be done, I cannot doe it; For, to present orations, or to enter into disputation of Rhetorike, before a companie assembled together to be merrie, and make good cheere, would be but a medley of harsh and jarring musicke.'/1 The like may be said of all others Sciences.  But touching Philosophy, namely, in that point where it treateth of man, and of his duties and offices, it hath been the common judgement of the wisest, that in regard of the pleasantnesse of her conversations, she ought not to be rejected, neither at banquets nor at sports.  And Plato having invited her to his solemne feast, we see how kindly she entertaineth the companie with a milde behaviour, fitly stuting her selfe to time and place, notwithstanding it be one of his learned'st and profitable discourses.{wit+}

Aeque pauperibus prodest, locupletibus aeque
Et neglecta aeque pueris senibusque nocebit./1

Poore men alike, alike rich men it easeth.
Alike it, scorned, old and young displeaseth.
     So doubtlesse he shall lesse be idle than others; for even as the paces we bestow walking in a gallerie, althouch they be twice as many more, wearie us not so much as those we spend in going a set journey:  So our lesson being past over, as it were, by chance, or way of encounter, without strict observance of time or place, being applied to all our actions, shall be digested, and never felt.  All sports and exercises shall be a part of his study; running, wrestling, musicke, dancing, hunting, and managing of armes and horses.  I would have the exterior demeanor or decencie, and the disposition of his person to be fashioned together with his mind: for, it is not a mind, it is not a body that we erect, but it is a man, and we must not make two parts of him.  And as Plato saith, They must not be erected one without another, but equally be directed, no otherwise than a couple of horses matched to draw in one selfe-same teeme.  And to heare him, doth he not seeme to imploy more time and care in the exercises of his bodie: and to thinke that the minde is together with the same exercised, and not the contrarie?  As for other matters, this institution ought to be directed by a sweet-severe mildnesse; Not as some do, who in liew of gently-bidding children to the banquet of letters, present them with nothing but horror and crueltie.  Let me have this violence and compulsion removed, there is nothing that in my seeming, doth more bastardise and dizzie a wel-borne and gentle nature:  If you would have him stand in awe of shame and punishment, doe not so much enure him to it: accustome him patiently to endure sweat and cold, the sharpnesse of the wind, the heat of the sunne, and how to despise all hazards.  Remove from him all nicenesse and quaintnesse in clothing,{fop+} in lying, in eating, and in drinking: fashion him to all things, that he prove not a faire and wanton-puling boy, but a lustie and vigorous boy:  When I was a child, being a man, and now am old, I have ever judged and believed the same.  But

amongst other things, I could never away with this kind of discipline used in most of our Colleges.  It had peradventure been lesse hurtfull, if they had somewhat inclined to mildnesse, or gentle entreane.  It is a verie prison of captivated youth, and proves dissolute in punishing it before it be so.  Come upon them when they are going to their lesson, and you heare nothing but whipping and brawling, both of children tormented, and masters besotted with anger and chafing.  How wide are they, which go about to allure a child's mind to go to its booke, being yet but tender and fearefull, with a stearne-frowning countenance, and with hands full of rods?  Oh wicked and pernicious manner of teaching! which Quintillian hath very wel noted, that this imperious kind of authoritie, namely, this way of punishing of children, drawes many dangerous in-conveniences within. How much more decent were it to see their school-houses and formes strewed with green boughs and flowers, than with bloudy burchentwigs?  If it lay in me, I would doe as the Philosopher Speusippus did, who caused the pictures of Gladness and Joy, of Flora and of the Graces, to be set up roundabout his school-house.  Where their profit lieth, there should also be their recreation.  Those meats ought to be sugred over, that are healthful for childrens stomakes, and those made bitter that are hurtfull for them.  It is strange to see how carefull Plato sheweth him selfe in framing of his lawes about the recreation and pastime of the youth of his Citie, and how far he extends him selfe about their exercises, sports, songs, leaping, and dancing, whereof he saith, that severe antiquitie gave the conduct and patronage unto the Gods themselves, namely, to Apollo, to the Muses, and to Minerva.  Marke but how far-forth he endevoreth to give a thousand precepts to be kept in his places of exercises both of bodie and mind. As for learned Sciences, he stands not much upon them, and seemeth in particular to commend Poesie, but for Musickes sake.  All strangenesse and selfe- particularitie in our manners and conditions, is to be shunned, as an enemie

to societie and civill conversation.  Who would not be astonished at Demophons complexion, chiefe steward of Alexanders household, who was wont to sweat in the shadow, and quiver for cold in the sunne?  I have seene some to startle at the smell of an apple more than at the shot of a peece; some to be frighted with a mouse, some readie to cast their gorge at the sight of a messe of creame, and others to be scared with seeing a fether bed shaken: as Germanicus, who could abide to see a cock, or heare his crowing.  There may haply be some hidden propertie of nature, which in my judgement might easilie be removed, if it were taken in time.  Institution hath gotten this upon me (I must confesse with much adoe) for, except heere, all things else that are mans food agree indifferently with my taste.  The bodie being yet souple, ought to be accommodated to all fashions and customes; and (alwaies provided, his appetites and desires be kept under) let a yong man boldly be made fit for al Nations and companies; yea, if need be, for al disorders and surfetings; let him acquaint him selfe with al fashions; That he may be able to do al things, and love to do none but those that are commendable.  Some strict Philosophers commend not, but rather blame Calisthenes, for losing the good favour of his Master Alexander, only because he would not pledge him as much as he had drunke to him.  He shall laugh, jest, dally, and debauch himselfe with his Prince.  And in his debauching, I would have him out-go al his fellowes in vigor or and constancie, and that he omit not to doe evil neither for want of strength or knowledge, but for lacke of will.  Multum interest utrum peccare quis nolit, aut nesciat./1 'There is a great difference, whether one have no will, or no wit to goe amisse.' I thought to have honoured a gentleman (as great a stranger, and as far from such riotous disorders as any is in France) by enquiring of him in verie good companie, how many times in all his life he had bin drunke in Germanie during the time of his abode there, about the necessarie
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1 HOR.  Epist. xvii. 23.

affaires of our King; who tooke it even as I meant it, and answered three times, telling the time and manner how.  I know some, who for want of that qualitie, have been much perplexed when they have had occasion to converse with that nation.  I have often noted with great admiration, that wonderfull nature of Alcibiades, to see how easilie he could sute himselfe to so divers fashions and different humors, without prejudice unto his health; sometimes exceeding the sumptuousnesse and pompe of the Persians, and now and then surpassing the austeritie and frugalitie of the Lacedemonians; as reformed in Sparta, as voluptuous in Ionia.

Omnis Aristippum decuit color, et status, et res./1

All colours, states, and things are fit
For courtly Aristippus wit.

Whom patience clothes with sutes of double kind
I muse, if he another way will find.

Personamque feret non inconcinnus uttamque./2
He not unfitly ma
Both parts and persons play.

fcience; but I am a Philosopher.' {Prospero+} Some reproved Diogenes, that being an ignorant man, he did nevertheless-enmeddle with Philosophie, to whom he replied, 'So much the more reason have I and to greater purpose doe I meddle with it.' Hegesias praid him upon a time to reade some booke unto him: 'You are a merry man,' said he; 'As you chuse naturall and not painted right and not counterfeit figges to eat, why doe you not likewise chuse, not the painted and written, but the true and naturall exercises?' He shall not so much repeat, as act his lesson.  In his actions shall he make repetition of the same.  We must observe, whether there bee wisdome in his enterprises, integritie in his demeanor, modestie in his jestures, justice in his actions, judgement and grace in his speech, courage in his sicknesse, moderation in his sports, temperance in his pleasures, order in the government of his house, and indifference in his taste, whether it be flesh, fish, wine, or water, or whatsoever he feedeth upon.  Qui disciplinam suam non ostentationem scientiae sed legem vitae putet: quique obtemperet ipse sibi et decretis pareat./1 'Who thinks his learning not an ostentation of knowledge, but a law of life, and himselfe obayes himselfe and doth what is decreed.'
     The true mirror of our discourses is the course of our lives.  Zeuxidamus answered one that demanded of him, why the Lacedemonians did not draw into a booke, the ordinances of prowesse, that so their yong men might read them; 'it is,' saith he, 'because they would rather accustome them to deeds and actions than to bookes and writings.' Compare at the end of fifteene or sixteens yeares one of those collegiall Latinizers, who hath imployed all that while onely in learning how to speake, to such a one as I meane.  The world is nothing but babling and words, and I never saw man that doth not rather speake more than he ought, than lesse.  Notwithstanding halfe our age is consumed that way.  We are kept foure or five yeares learning to understand bare words, and to joine
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1 CIC.  Tusc.  Qu. 1. ii.

them into clauses, then as long in proportioning a great bodie extended into foure or five parts; and five more at least ere we can succinctly know how to mingle, joine, and interlace them handsomly into a subtil fashion, and into one coherent orbe.  Let us leave it to those whose profession is to doe nothing else.  Being once on my journey to Orleans, it was my chance to meet upon that plaine that lieth on this side Clery, with two Masters of Arts, traveling toward Bordeaux, about fiftie paces one from another; far off behind them, I descride a troupe of horsemen, their Master riding formost, who was the Earle of Rochefocault; one of my servants enquiring of the first of those Masters of Arts, what Gentleman he was that followed him; suposing my servant had meant his fellow-scholler, for he had not yet seen the Earles traine, answered pleasantly, 'He is no gentleman.  Sir, but a Gramarian, and I am a Logitian.' Now, we that contrariwise seek not to frame a Gramiarian, nor a Logitian, but a compleat gentleman, let us give them leave to mispend their time; we have else-where, and somewhat else of more import to doe.  So that our Disciple be well and sufficiently stored with matter; words will follow and if they will not follow gently, he shall hale on perforce.  I heare some excuse themselves, that they cannot expresse their meaning, and make a semblance that their heads are so full stuft with many goodly things, but for want of eloquence they can neither utter nor make show of them.  It is a meere fopperie.  And will you know what, in my seeming, the cause is?  They are shadows and Chimeraes, proceeding of some formelesse conceptions, which they cannot distinguish or resolve within, and by conseguence are not able to produce them inasmuch as they understand not themselves:  And if you but marke their earnestnesse, and how they stammer and labour at the point of their deliverie, you would deeme that what they go withall, is but a conceiving, and therefore nothing neere downe-lying; and that they doe but licke that imperfect and shapelesse lump of matter,

As for me, I am of opinion, and Socrates would have it so, that he who had a cleare and lively imagination in his mind, may easilie produce and utter the same, although it be in Bergamask or Welsh, and if he be dumbe, by signes and tokens.

Verbaque praevisam rem non invita sequentur./1

When matter we fore-know
Words voluntarie flow.

out two of their cunning Architects, were to chuse one to erect a notable great frame; the one of them more affected and selfe presuming, presented himselfe before them with a smooth fore-premeditated discourse, about the subject of that piece of worke, and thereby drew the judgements of the common people unto his liking; but the other in few words spake thus: 'Lords of Athens, what this man hath said I will performe.' In the greatest earnestnesse of Ciceroes eloquence many were drawn into a kind of admiration; But Cato jesting at it, said, 'Have we not a pleasant Consull?' A quicke cunning Argument, and a wittie saying, whether it go before or come after, it is never out of season.  If it have no coherence with that which gooth before, nor with what commeth after; it is good and commendable in it selfe.  I am none of those that think a good Ryme, to make a good Poeme; let him hardly (if so he please) make a short syllable long, it is no great matter: if the invetition be rare and good, and his wit_and_judgement+ have cunningly played their part.  I will say to such a one; he is a good Poet, but an ill Versifier.

Emunctae naris durus componere versus./1

A man whose sense could finely pierce.
But harsh and hard to make a verse.

Tempora certa modosque et quod prius ordine verbum est,/2

Posterius facias, praeponens ultima primis
Invenias etiam disjecti membra Poetae./3

Set times and moods, make you the first word las
The last word first, as if they were new cast
Yet find th' unjoynted Poets joints stand fast.

being at hand, in which he had promised a Comedy, and had not begun the same, 'Tut-tut,' said he, I it is alreadie finished, there wanteth nothing but to adde the verse unto it;' for, having ranged and cast the plot in his mind, he made small accompt of feet, of measures, or cadences of verses, which indeed are but of small import in regard of the rest. Since great Ronsarde and learned Bellay have raised our French Poesie unto that height of honour where it now is:  I see not one of these petty ballad-makers, or prentise dogrell rymers, that doth not bombast his labours with high- swelling . and heaven-disimbowelling words, and that doth not marshall his cadences verie neere as they doe.  Plus sonat quam valet,/1 'The sound is more than the weight or worth.' And for the vulgar sort,there were never so many Poets, and so few good: but as it hath been easie for them to represent their rymes, so come they far short in imitating the rich descriptions of the one, and rare inventions of the other.  But what shall he doe, if he be urged with sophisticall subtilties about a Sillogisme?  A gammon of Bacon makes a man drink, drinking quencheth a mans thirst; Ergo, a gammon of bacon quencheth a mans thirst.  Let him mock at it, it is more wittie to be mockt at than to be answered.  Let him borrow this pleasant counter-craft of Aristippus: 'Why shall I unbind that, which being bound doth so much trouble me?' Someone proposed certaine Logicall quiddities against Cleanthes, to whom Chrisippus said; use such jugling tricks to play with children, and divert not the serious thoughts of an aged man to such idle matters. If such foolish wiles, Contorta et aculeata sophismata,/2 'Intricate and stinged sophismes,' must perswade a lie, it is dangerous: but if they proove void of any effect, and move him but to laughter, I see not why he shall beware of them.  Some there are so foolish that will go a quarter of a mile out of the way to hunt after a quaint new word, if they once get in chace; Aut qui non verba rebus aptant, sed res extstrinsecus arcessunt, quibus verba
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1 SEN.  Epist. xi. 2 CIC.  Acad.  Qu. 1. iv.

conveniant: 'Or such as fit not words to matter, but fetch matter from abroad, whereto words be fitted.' And another, Qui ancicujus verbi decore placentis vocentur ad id quod non proposuerant scribere: 'Who are allured by the grace of some pleasing word, to write what they intended not to write.' I doe more willingly winde up a wittie notable sentence, that so I may sew it upon me, than unwinde my thread to go fetch it.  Contrariwise, it is for words to serve and wait upon the matter, and not for matter to attend upon words, and if the French tongue cannot reach unto it, let the Gaskonie, or any other.  I would have the matters to surmount, and so fill the imagination of him that harkeneth, that he have no remembrance at all of the words.  It is a naturall, simple, and unaffected speech that I love, so written as it is spoken, and such upon the paper, as it is in the mouth, a pithie, sinnowie, full, strong, compendious and materiall speech, not so delicate and affected as vehement and piercing.

Haec demum sapiet dictio quae feriet./2

In fine, that word is wisely fit
Which strikes the fence, the marke doth hit.

libertie of France, is unseemely in a Courtier.  And in a Monarchie every Gentleman ought to addresse himselfe unto a Courtiers carriage.  Therefore do we well somewhat to incline to a native and carelesse behaviour.  I like not a contexture, where the seames and pieces may be seen:  As in a well compact bodie, what need a man distinguish and number all the bones and veines severally?  Quae veritati operam dat oratio, incomposita sit et simplex./1 Quis accuratete loquitur nisi qui vult putide loqui/2 'The speach that intendeth truth must be plaine and unpollisht:  Who speaketh elaborately, but he that meanes to speake unfavourably?' That eloquence offereth injurie unto things, which altogether drawes us to observe it.  As in apparell, it as a signe of pusillammitie for one to marke himselfe, in some particular and unusuall fashion: so likewise in common speech, for one to hunt after new phrases, and unaccustomed quaint words, proceedeth of a scholasticall and childish ambition.  Let me use none other than are spoken in the hals of Paris.  Aristophanes the Gramarian was somewhat out of the way, when he reproved Epicurus, for the simplicitie of his words, and the end of his art oratorie, which was onely perspicuitie in speeche.  The imitation of speech, by reason of the facilitie of it, followeth presently a whole nation.  The imitation of judging and inventing, comes more slow.  The greater number of Readers, because they have found one self-same kind of gowne, suppose most falsely to holde one like bodie.  Outward garments and clokes may be borrowed, but never the sinews and strength of the bodie.  Most of those that converse with me, speake like unto these Essayes; but I know not whether they think alike.  The Athenians (as Plato averreth) have for their part great care to be fluent and eloquent in their speech; The Lacedemonians endevour to be short and compendious; and those of Creet labour more to bee plentifull in conceits than in language.  And these are the best.  Zeno was wont to say,
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1 SEN.  Epist. xi. 2 Ib.  Epist. lxxv.

'That he had two sorts of disciples; the one he called ctNoAdyovs, curious to learne things, and those were his darlings, the other he termed xoyo(pfxovs, who respected nothing more than the language.  Yet can no man say, but that to speake well, is most gracious and commendable, but not so excellent as some make it: and I am grieved to see how we employ most part of our time about that onely.  I would frst know mine own tongue perfectly, then my neighbours with whom I have most commerce.  I Must needs acknowledge, that the Greeke and Latine tongues are great ornaments in a gentleman, but they are pnrchased at over-high a rate.  Use it who list, I will tell you how they may be gotten better, cheaper, and much sooner than is ordinarily used, which was tried in myselfe.  My late father, having, by all the meanes and industrie that is possible for a man, sought amongst the wisest, and men of best understanding, to find a most exquisite and readie way of teaching, being advised of the inconveniences then in use; was given to understand that the lingring while, and best part of our youth, that we imploy in learning the tongues, which cost them nothing, is the onely cause we can never attaine to that absolute perfection of skill and knowledge of the Greekes and Romanes.  I doe not beleeve that to be the onely cause.  But so it is, the expedient my father found out was this; that being yet at nurse, and before the first loosing of my tongue, I was delivered to a Germaine (who died since, a most excellent Physitian in France) he being then altogether ignorant of the French tongue, but exquisitely readie and skilfull in the Latine.  This man, whom my father had sent for of purpose, and to whom he gave verie great entertainment, had me continually in his armes, and was mine onely overseer.  There were also joyned unto him two of his countrimen, but not so learned; whose charge was to attend, and now and then to play with me; and all these together did never entertaine me with other than the Latine tongue.  As for others of his household, it was an inviolable rule,

that neither himselfe, nor my mother, nor man, nor maid-servant, were suffered to speake one word in my companie, except such Latine words as every one had learned to chat and prattle with me.  It were strange to tell how every one in the house profited therein.  My Father and my Mother learned so much Latine, that for a need they could understand it, when they heard it spoken, even so did all the household servants, namely such as were neerest and most about me.  To be short, we were all so Latinized, that the townes round about us had their share of it; insomuch as even at this day, many Latine names both of workmen and of their tooles are yet in use amongst them.  And as for myselfe, I was about six years old, and could understand no more French or Perigordine than Arabike; and that without art, without bookes, rules, or grammar, without whipping or whining, I had gotten as pure a Latin tongue as my Master could speake; the rather because I could neither mingle or confound the same with other tongues. If for an Essay they would give me a Theme, whereas the fashion in CoIleges is, to give it in French, I had it in bad latine, to reduce the same into good.  And Nicholas Grouchy, who hath written De comitiis Romanorum, William Guerente, who hath commented Aristotele:  George Buchanan, that famous Scottish Poet, and Marke Antonie Muret, whom (while he lived) both France and Italie to this day, acknowledge to have been the best orator: all which have beene my familiar tutors, have often told me, that in mine infancie I had the Latine tongue so readie and so perfect, that themselves feared to take me in hand.  And Buchanan, who afterward I saw attending on the Marshall of Brissacke, told me, he was about to write a treatise of the institution of children, and that he tooke the model and patterne from mine: for at that time he had the charge and bringing up of the young Earle of Brissack, whom since we have seene prove so worthy and so valiant a Captaine.  As for the Greeke, wherein I have but small understanding, my father purposed to

make me learne it by art; But by new and uncustomed meanes, that is, by way of recreation and exercise.  We did tosse our declinations and conjugations to and fro, as they doe, who by way of a certaine game at tables learne both Arithmetic and Geometrie.  For, amongst other things he had especially beene perswaded to make me taste and apprehend the fruits of dutie and science by an unforced kinde of will, and of mine owne choice; and without any compulsion or rigor to bring me up in all mildnesse and libertie: yea with such kinde of superstition, that, whereas some are of opinion that suddenly to awaken young children, and as it were by violence to startle and fright them out of their dead sleepe in a morning (wherein they are more heavie and deeper plunged than we) doth greatly trouble and distemper their braines, he would every morning cause me to be awakened by the sound of some instrument; and I was never without a servant who to that purpose attended upon me.  This example may serve to judge of the rest; as also to commend the judgement and tender affection of so carefull and loving a father: who is not to be blamed, though hee reaped not the fruits answerable to his exquisite toyle and painefull manuring.  Two things hindered the same; first the barrennesse and unfit soyle: for howbeit I were of a sound and strong constitution, and of a tractable and yeelding condition, yet was I so heavie, so sluggish, and so dull, that I could not be rouzed (yea were it to goe to play) from out mine idle drowzinesse.  What I saw, I saw it perfectly; and under this heavy, and as it were Lethe- complexion did I breed hardie imaginations, and opinions farre above my yeares.  My spirit was very slow, and would goe no further, than it was fed by others; my apprehension blockish, my invention poore; and besides, I had a marvelous defect in my weake memorie; it is therefore no wonder, if my father could never bring me to any perfection.  Secondly, as those that in some dangerous sicknesse, moved with a kind of

hope-full and greedie desire of perfect health againe, give eare to every Leach of Emperike, and follow all counsels, the good man being exceedingly fearefull to commit any oversight, in a matter he tooke so to heart, suffered himselfe at last to be led away by the common opinion, which like unto the Cranes, followeth over those that go before, and yeelded to custome: having those no longer about him, that had given him his first directions, and which they had brought out of Italie.  Being but six yeares old I was sent to the College of Guienne, then most flourishing and reputed the best in France, where it is impossible to adde any thing to the great care he had, both to chuse the best and most sufficient masters that could be found, to reade unto me, as also for all other circumstances partaining to my education; wherein contrary to usuall customes of Colleges, he observed many particular rules.  But so it is, it was ever a College.  My Latin tongue was forthwith corrupted, whereof by reason of discontinuance, I afterward lost all manner of use: which new kind of institution stood me in no other stead, but that at my first admittance it made me to over-skip some of the lower formes, and to be placed in the highest.  For at thirteene yeares of age that I left the College, I had read over the whole course of Philosophie (as they call it) but with so small profit, that I can now make no account of it.  The first taste or feeling I had of bookes, was of the pleasure I tooke in reading the fables of Ovids Metamorphosies; for, being but seven or eight yeares old, I would steale and sequester my selfe from all other delights, only to reade them:  Forsomuch as the tongue wherein they were written was to me naturall; and it was the easiest booke I knew, and by reason of the matter therein contained most agreeing with my young age. For of King Arthur, of Lancelot du Lake, of Amadis, of Huon of Burdeaux, and such idle time consuming and wit-besotting trash of bookes wherein youth doth commonly ammuse it selfe, I was not so much as acquainted with their names, and to this day

know not their bodies, nor what they containe:  So exact was my discipline. Whereby I became more carelesse to studie my other prescript lessons.  And well did it f.11 out fall out for my purpose, that I had to deale with a very discreet master, who out of his judgement could with such dexterite winke at and second my untowardlinesse, and such other faults that were in me.  For by that meanes I read over Virgils AEneados, Terence, Plautus, and other Italian Comedies, allured thereunto by the pleasantnesse of their severall subjects:  Had he beene so foolishly-severe, or so severely froward as to crosse this course of mine, I thinke verily I had never brought any thing from the College, but the hate and contempt of Bookes, as doth the greatest part of our Nobilitie.  Such was his discretion, and so warily did he behave himselfe, that he saw and would not see: hee would foster and increase my longing: suffering me but by stealth and by snatches to glut my selfe with those Bookes, holding ever a gentle hand over me, concerning other regular studies.  For, the chiefest thing my father required at their hands (unto whose charge he had committed me) was a kinde of well conditioned mildnesse and facilitie of complexion.  And, to say truth, mine had no other fault, but a certaine dull languishing and heavie slothfullnesse.  The danger was not, I should doe ill, but that I should doe nothing.
     No man did ever suspect I would prove a bad, but an uuprofitable man: foreseeing in me rather a kind of idlenesse than a voluntary craftinesse.  I am not so selfe-conceited but I perceive what hath followed.  The complaints that are daily buzzed in mine eares are these; that I am idle, cold, and negligent in offices of friendship, and dutie to my parents and kinsfolkes; and touching publike offices, that I am over singular and disdainfull.  And those that are most injurious cannot aske, wherefore I have taken, and why I have not paied? but may rather demand, why I doe not quit, and wherefore I doe not give? {gift+} I would take it as a favour, they should wish such effects of supererogation

in me.  But they are unjust and over partiall, that will goe about to exact that from me which I owe not, with more rigour than they will exact from themselves that which they owe; wherein if they condemne me, they utterly cancell both the gratifying of the action, and the gratitude, which thereby would be due to me.  Whereas the active well doing should be of more consequence, proceeding from my hand, in regard I have no passive at all.  Wherefore I may so much the more feetly dispose of my fortune, by how much more it is mine, and of my selfe that am most mine owne.  Notwithstanding, if I were a great blazoner of mine owne actions, I might peradventure barre such reproches, and justly upraid some, that they are not so much offended, because I doe not enough, as for that I may, and it lies in my power to doe much more than I doe. {beneficence+} Yet my mind ceased not at the same time to have peculiar unto it selfe well setled motions, true and open judgements concerning the objects which it knew; which alone, and without any helpe or communication it would digest. And amongst other things, I verily beleeve it would have proved altogether incapable and unfit to yeeld unto forces or stoope unto violence.  Shall I account or relate this qualitie of my infancie, which was, a kinde of boldnesse in my lookes, and gentle softnesse in my voice, and affabilitie in my gestures, and a dexterite in conforming my selfe to the parts I undertooke? for before the age of the

Alter ab undecimo tum me vix ceperat annus. /1

Yeares had I (to make even
Scarce two above eleven.

chiefest Rector of France, and my selfe (without ostentation be it spoken) was reputed, if not a chiefe master yet a principall Actor in them.  It is an exercise I rather commend than disalow in young Gentlemen: and have seene some of our Princes (in imitation of some of former ages) both commendably and honestly, in their pproper persons act and play some parts in Tragedies. It hath heretofore been esteemed a lawfull exercise, and a tolerable profession in men of honor, namely in Greece.  Aristoni tragico actori rem aperit: huic et genus et fortuna honesta erant: nec ars, quia nihil tale apud Graecos pudori est, ea deformabat:/1 'He imparts the matter to Ariston a Player of tragedies, whose progenie and fortune were both honest; nor did his profession disgrace them, because no such matter is a disparagement amongst the Grecians.' And I have ever accused them of imertinencie, that condemne and disalow such kindes of recreations, and blame those of injustice that refuse good and honest Comedians, or (as we call them) Players, to enter our good townes, and grudge the common people such publike sports.  Politike and wel ordered commonwealths endevour rather carefully to unite and assemble their Citizens together; as in serious offices of devotion, so in honest exercises of recreation.  Common societie and loving friendship is thereby cherished and increased.  And besides, they cannot have more formal and regular pastimes allowed them, than such as are acted and represented in open view of all, and in the presence of the magistrates themselves:  And if I might beare sway I would thinke it reasonable, that Princes should sometimes, at their proper charges, gratifie the common people with them as an argument of a fatherly affection, and loving goodness towards them: and that in populous and fequented cities, there should be Theatres and places appointed for such spect-acles; as a diverting of worse inconveniences, and secret actions.  But to come to my intended purpose, there is no better way to allure the affection, and to
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1 Liv.  Deo. iii. 1. iv.

entice the appetite: otherwise a man shall breed but asses laden with Bookes, With jerks of rods they have their satchels full of learning given them to keepe.  Which to doe well, one must not only harbor in himselfe, but wed and marry the same with his minde.

IT is not peradventure without reason that we ascribe the facilitie of beleeving and easines of perswasion us to simplicitie+ and ignorance: For me seemeth to have learnt heretofore, that beliefe was, as it were an impression conceived in our minde, and according as the same was found either more soft, or of lesse resistance, it was easier to imprint anything therein.  Vt necesse est lancem in libra ponderibus impositis deprimi: sic animum perspicuis cedere./1 'As it is necessarie a scale must go down the ballance when weights are put into it, so must a minde yeeld to things that are manifest.' Forasmuch, therefore, as the minde being most emptie and without counterpoize, so much the more easily doth it yeeld under the burden of the first perswasion.  And that's the reason why children, those of the common sort, women, and sickefolks, are so subject to be mis-led, and so easie to swallow gudgeons.  On the other side it is a sottish presumption to disdaine and condemne that for false, which unto us seemeth to beare no show of likelihood or truth which is an ordinarie fault in those who perswade themselves to be of more sufficiency than the vulgar sort.  So was I sometimes wont to doe, and if I heard any body speake, either of ghosts walking, of foretelling future things, of enchantments, of witchcrafts, or any other thing reported, which I could not well conceive, or that was beyond my reach - Somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, saqas, Nocturnos lemures, prtentaque Thessala - /2
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1 CIC.  Acad.  Qu. 1. iv. 2 HOR. 1. ii.  Ep. ii. 208.
<Mont1-209>

Dreames, magic terrors, witches, uncouth wonders.  Night walking sprites, Thessalian conjur'd thunders - I could not but feele a kinde of compassion to see the poore and seely people abused with such follies.  And now I perceive that I was as much to be moaned myselfe:  Not that experience hath since made to discerne any thing beyond my former opinions: yet was not my curiositie the cause of it, but reason hath taught me, that so resolutely to condemne a thing for false and impossible, is to assume unto himselfe the advantage, to have the bounds and limits of Gods will, and of the power of our common mother Nature tied to his sleeve:  And that there is no greater folly in the world than to reduce them to the measure of our capacitie and bounds of our sufficiencie. {Pope+} If we terme those things monsters or miracles to which our reason cannot attaine, how many such doe daily present themselves unto our sight?  Let us consider through what clouds, and how blinde-fold we are led to the knowledge of most things that pass our hands: verily we shall finde, it is rather custome than science that removeth the strangenesse of them from us
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jam nemo fessus saturusqae videndi
Suspicere in coeli dignatur lucida templa./1

Now no man tir'd with glut of contemplation
Deignes to have heav'ns bright Church in admiration.

       ----- si nunc primum mortalibus adsin
Ex improviso, ceu sint objecta repente
Nil magis his rebus paterat mirabile dici
Ut minus ante quod auderent fore credere gentes./2

If now first on a sudden they were here
Mongst mortall men, object to eie or eare
Nothing than these things would more wondrous bee, Or that, men durst lesse thinke, ever to see.

saw be thought it to be the Ocean: and things that are the greatest in our knowledge, we judge them to be the extremest that nature worketh in that kinde.

Scilicet et fluvius qui non est maximum, ei est
Qui non ante aliquem majorem vidit, ei ingens
Arbor homoque videtur, et omnia de qenere omni
Maxima quae vidit quisque, haec ingentia fingit./1

A streame none of the greatest, may so seem
To him, that never saw a greater streame
Trees, men, seeme huge, and all things of all sorts, The greatest one hath seene, he huge reports.

them to be celebrated throughout all Italie.  For, the authoritie of the witnesses hath peradventure no sufficient warrant to restraine us. But what if Plutrake, besides divers examples which he alleageth of antiquitie, saith to have certainly knowne, that in Domitians time the newes of the battle lost by Antonius in Germany many daies journeies thence, was published in Rome, and divulged through the world the very same day it succeeded: And if Caesar holds that it hath many time happened, that report hath foregone the accident:  Shall we not say that those simple people have suffered themselves to be cousened and seduced by the vulgar sort, because they were not as clears-sighted as he?  Is there any thing more daintie, more unspotted, and more lively than Plinies judgement, whensoever it pleaseth him to make shew of it?  Is there any farther from vanitie?  I omit the excellencie of his learning and knowledge, whereof I make but small reckoning: in which of those two parts doe we exceed him?  Yet there is no scholler so meanely learned but will convince him of lying, and read a lecture of contradiction against him upon the progresse of natures works.  And when wee read in Bouchet the myracles wrought by the reliques of Saint Hillarie, his credit is not sufficient to barre us the libertie of contradicting him: yet at random to condemne all such like histories, seemeth to me a notable impudencie. That famous man, Saint Augustine, witnesseth to have seene a blinde child to recover his sight, over the reliques of Saint Gervase, and Protaise at Milane: and a woman at Carthage to have become cured of a canker by the sign of the holy Crosse, which a woman newly baptized made unto her: and Hesperius a familiar friend of his, to have expelled certain spirits that molested his house, with a little of the earth of our Saviours sepulcher; which earth being afterwards transported into a Church, a Paralitike man was immediately therewith cured: and a woman going in procession, having as she past by with a nose-gaie toucht the case wherein Saint Stevens bones were, and with the same afterward rubbed her eies, she recovered

her sight, which long before she had utterly lost: and divers other examples, where he affirmeth to have beene an assistant himselfe.  What shal we accuse him of, and two other holy Bishops.  Aurelius and Maximmus, whom he calleth for his witnesses?  Shal it be of ignorance, of simplicity+, of malice, of facility, or of imposture?  Is any man living so impudent, that thinks he may be compared to them, whether it be in vertue or piety, in knowledge or judgement, in wisdome or sufficiency?  Qui ut rationem nulllam afferent, ipsa auctoritate me frangerent:/1 'Who though they alleaged no reason, yet might subdue me with their very authoritie.' It is a dangerous fond hardinesse, and of consequence, besides the absurd temerity it drawes with it, to despise what we conceive not.  For, after that according to your best understanding, you have established the limits of truth and bounds of falsehood, and that it is found you must necessarily beleeve things wherein is more strangenesse, than in those you deny; you have alreadie bound your selfe to abandon them.  Now that which me thinkes brings as much disorder in our consciences, namely in these troubles of religion wherein we are, is the dispensation Catholikes make of their beliefe.  They suppose to shew themselves very moderate and skilfull, -when they yeeld their adversaries any of those articles now in question.  But besides that, they perceive not what an advantage it is for him that chargeth you, if you but once begin to yeeld and give them ground; and how much that encorageth him to pursue his point: those articles which they chuse for the lightest, are often times most important.  Either a man must wholy submit himselfe to the authoritie of our Ecelesiasticall policie, or altogether dispence himselfe from it:  It is not for us to determine what part of obedience we owe unto it.  And moreover, I may say it, because I have made triall of it, having sometimes used this libertie of my choice, and particular election, not regarding certaine points of the observance of our Church, which seeme to beare a
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1 CIC.  Div. 1. i.

face either more vaine or more strange; comming to communicate them with wise men, I have found that those things have a most solid and steadic foundation, and that it is but foolishnesse and ignorance, makes us receive them with lesse respect and reverence than the rest.  Why remember we not, what, and how many, contradictions we finde and feele even in our own judgement? How many things served us but yesterday as articles of faith, which to day we deeme but fables?  Glory and curiositie are the scourges of our soules. The latter induceth us to have an oare in every ship, and the former forbids us to leave anything unresolved or undecided.

CONSIDERING the proceeding of a Painters worke I have, a desire hath possessed mee to imitate him:  He maketh choice of the most convenient place and middle of everie wall, there to place a picture, laboured with all his skill and sufficienc-ie; and all void places about it he filleth up with antike Boscage or Crotesko works; which are fantasticall pictures, having no grace, bnt in the variety and strangenesse of them.  And what are these my compositions in truth, other than antike works and monstrous bodies, patched and hudled up together of divers members without any certaine or well ordered figure, having neither order, dependencie, or proportion, bu casual and framed by chance?

Definit in piscem mulier formosa superne./1

A woman faire for parts superior
Ends in a fish for parts inferior.

men of understanding, not without great and well deserved commendations: for it is full of wit and containeth as much learning as may be: yet doth it differ much from the best he can do.  And if in the age I knew him in, he would have undergone my dessigne to set his fantasies downe in writing, we should doubtlesse see many rare things, and which would very meerely approch the honour of antiquity: for especially touching that part of natures gifts, I know none may be compared to him.  But it was not long of him, that ever this Treatise came to mans view, and I beleeve he never saw it since it first escaped his hands: with certaine other notes concerning the edict of Januarie, famous by reason of our intestine warre, which haply in other places finde their deserved praise.  It is all I could ever recover of his reliques (whom when death seized, he by his last will and testament, left with so kinde remembrance, heire and executor of his librarie and writings) besides the little booke, I since caused to be published:  To which his pamphlet I am particularly most bounden, for so much as it was the instrumentall meane of our first acquaintance.  For it was shewed me long time before I saw him; and gave me the first knowledge of his name, addressing, and thus nourishing that unspotted friendship which we (so long as it has pleased God) have so sincerely, so entire and inviolably maintained between us, that truly a man shall not commonly heare of the like; and amongst our moderne men no signe of any such is seene.  So many parts are required to the erecting of such a one, that it may be counted a wonder if fortune once in three ages contract the like.  There is nothing to which Nature hath more addressed us than to societie+.  And Aristotle saith that perfect Law-givers have had more regardful care of friendship+ than of justice+.  And the utmost drift of its perfection is this.  For generally, all those amities nourished by voluptuousnesse or profit, publike or private need, are thereby so much the lesse faire snd and so much the lesse true amities, in that

they intermeddle other causes, scope, and fruit with friendship, than it selfe alone:  Nor doe those foure ancient kindes of friendships, Naturall, sociall, hospitable, and venerian, either particularly or conjointly beseeme the same.  That from children to parents may rather be termed respect:  Friendship is nourished by communication, which by reason of the over-great disparitie cannot bee found in them, and would happly offend the duties of nature: for neither all the secret thoughts of parents can be communicated unto children, lest it might engender an unbeseeming familiaritie betweene them, nor the admonitions and corrections (which are the chiefest offices_of_friendship+) could be exercised from children to parents.  There have nations beene found, where, by custome, children killed their parents, and others where parents slew their children, thereby to avoid the hindrance of enterbearing one another in after-times: for naturally one dependeth from the ruine of another. There have Philosophers beene found disdaining this naturall conjunction: witnesse Aristippus, who being urged with the affection he ought his children, as proceeding from his loyns, began to spit, saying, That also that excrement proceeded from him, and that also we engendred wormes and lice.  And that other man, whom Plutarke would have perswaded to agree with his brother, answered, 'I care not a straw the more for him, though he, came out of the same wombe I did.' Verily the name of Brother is a glorious name, and full of loving kindnesse, and therefore did he and I terme one another sworne brother: but this commixture, dividence, and sharing of goods, this joyning wealth to wealth, and that the riches of one shall be the povertie of another, doth exceedingly distemper and distract all brotherly alliance, and lovely conjunction:  If brothers should conduct the progresse of their advancement and thrift in one same path and course, they must necessarily oftentimes hinder and crosse one another.  Moreover, the correspondencie and relation that begetteth these true and mutually perfect amities, why shall it be found

in these?  The father and the sonne may very well be of a farre differing complexion, and so many brothers.  He is my sonne, he is my kinsman; but he may be foole, a bad, or a peevish-minded man.  And then according as they are friendships which the law and dutie of nature doth command us, so much the lesse of our owne voluntarie choice and libertie is there required unto it:  And our genuine libertie hath no production more properly her owne, than that of affection an amitie.  Sure I am, that concerning the same I have assaied all that might be, having had the best and most indulgent father that ever was, even to his extremest age, and who from father to sonne was descended of famous house, and touching this rare-seene vertue of brotherly concord very exemplare:

       ----- et ips
Notus in fratres ommi paterni./1

To his brothers knowne so kinde
As to beare a fathers minde.

       ----- neque enim est dea nescia nostr
Quae 1dulcem curis miscat amaritiem.)/2

(Nor is that Goddesse ignorant of me
Whose bitter-sweets with my cares mixed be.)

Come seque la lepre il cacciator
Al fredo, al caldo, alla montagna, al lito
Ne piu l'estima poi che presa vede
E sol dietro a chi fugge afretta il piede./1

Ev'n as the huntsman doth the hare pursue,
In cold, in heat, on mountaines, on the shore
But cares no more, when he her ta'en espies
Speeding his pace only at that which flies.

but also bodies, a share of the alliance, and where a man might wholly be engaged:  It is certaine, that friendship would thereby be more compleat and full: {Portia+} But this sex could never yet by any example attaine unto it, and is by ancient schooles rejected thence.  And this other Greeke licence is justly abhorred by our customes, which notwithstandnlg, because according to use it had so necessarie a disparitie of ages, and diference of offices betweene lovers, did no more sufficiently answer the perfect union and agreement, which here we require:  Quis est enim iste amor amicitiiae? cur neque deformem adolescentem quisquam amat, neque formosum senem? /1 'For, what love is this of friendship? why doth no man love either a deformed young man, or a beautifull old man?' For eyen the picture the Academie makes of it, will not (as I suppose) disavowe mee, to say thus in her behalfe: That the first furie, enspired by the son of Venus in the lovers hart, upon the object of tender youths-flower, to which they allow all insolent and passionate violences, an immoderate heat may produce, was simply grounded upon an externall beauty; a false image of corporall generation: for in the spirit it had no power, the sight whereof was yet concealed, which was but in his infancie, and before the age of budding.  For, if this furie did seize upon a base minded courage, the meanes of its pursuit were riches, gifts, favour to the advancement of dignities, and such like vile merchandice, which they reprove.  If it fell into a more generous minde, the interpositions were likewise generous:  Philosophicall instructions, documents to reverence religion, to obey the lawes, to die for the good of his countrie: examples of valor, wisdome and justice; the lover endevoring and studying to make himselfe acceptable by the good grace and beauty of his minde (that of his body being long since decayed) hoping by this mentatll societie to establish a more firme and permanent bargaine.  When this pursuit attained the effect in due season (for by not requiring in a lover, he should bring leasure and discretion in his
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1 CIC.  Tusc.  Qu. iv. c. 33.

enterprise, they require it exactly in the beloved; forasmuch as he was to judge of an internall beauty, of difficile knowledge, and abstruse discovery) then by the interposition of a spiritual beauty was the desire of a spiritual conception engendred in the beloved.  The latter was here chiefest; the corporall, accidentall and second, altogether contrarie to the lover.  And therefore doe they preferre the beloved, and verifie that the gods likewise preferre the same: and greatly blame the Poet AEschylus, who in the love betweene Achilles and Patroclus aseribeth the lovers part unto Achilles, who was in the first and beardlesse youth of his adolescency and the fairest of the Graecians.  After this general communitie, the mistris and worthiest part of it, predominant and exercising her offices (they say the most availefull commodity did thereby redound both to the private and publike).  That it was the force of countries received the use of it, and the principall defence of equitie and libertie: witnesse the comfortable loves of Hermodius and Aristogiton.  Therefore name they it sacred and divine, and it concerns not them whether the violence of tyrants, or the demisnesse of the people be against them:  To conclude, all that can be alleaged in favor of the Academy, is to say, that it was friendship, a thing which hath no bad reference unto the Stoical definition of love:  Amorem conatunt esse amicitiae faciendae ex pulchritudinis specie./1 'That love is an endevour of making friendship, by the show of beautie.' I returne to my description in a more equitable and equall manner.  Omnino amicitiae, corroboratis jam confirmatisque, ingeniis et aetatibus, judicandae sunt:/2 'Clearely friendships are to be judged by wits, and ages already strengthened and confirmed.' As for the rest, those we ordinarily call friendes and amities, are but aequaintances and familiarities, tied together by some occasion or commodities, by meanes whereof our mindes are entertained.  In the amitie I speake of, they entermixe and confound themselves one in the other, with so
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1 2 CIC.  Tusc.  Qu. ii,. c. 84. 2 Cic.  Amic.

universall a commixture, that they weare out and can no more finde the seame that hath conjomed them together.  If a man urge me to tell wherfore I loved him, I feele it cannot be expressed, but by answering; Because it was he, because it was myself.  There is beyond all my discourse, and besides what I can particularly report of it I know not what inexplicable and fatall power a meane and a mediatrix of this indissoluble union.  We sought one another before we had seene one another, and by the reports we heard one of another; which wrought greater violence in us, than the reason of reports may well beare; I thinke by some secret ordinance of the heavens, we embraced one another by our names.  And at our first meeting which was by chance at a great feast, and solemne meeting of a whole towneship, we found our selves so surprized, so knowne, so acquainted, and so combinedly bound together, that from thence forward, nothing was so neer unto us as one unto anothers.  He writ an excellent Latyne Satyre since published; by which he excuseth and expoundeth the precipitation of our acquaintance, so suddenly come to her perfection; Sithence it must continue so short a time, and begun so late (for we were both growne men, and he some yeares older than my selfe) there was no time to be lost.  And it was not to bee modelled or directed by the paterne of regular and remisse friendship, wherein so many precautions of a long and preallable conversation are required. This hath no other Idea than of it selfe, and can have no reference but tg itselfe.  It is not one especiall consideration, nor two, nor three, nor foure, nor a thousand:  It is I wot not what kinde of quintessence, of all this commixture, which having seized all my will, induced the same to plunge and lose it selfe in his, which likewise having seized all his will, brought it to lose and plunge it selfe in mine, with a mutuall greedinesse, and with a semblable concurrance.  I may truly say, lose, reserving nothing unto us, that might properly be called our owne, nor that was either his or mine.  When Lelius in the presence of the

Romane Consuls, who after the condemnation of Tiberius Gracchus, pursued all those that had beene of his acquaintance, came to enquire of Caius Blosius (Who was one of his chiefest friends) what he would have done for him, and that he answered, 'All things.' 'What, all things?' replied he. 'And what if he had willed thee to burne our temples?' Blosius answered, 'He would never have commanded such a thing.' 'But what if he had done it?' replied Lelius.  The other answered, 'I would have obeyed him.' If hee were so perfect a friend to Gracchus as histories report, he needed not offend the Consuls with this last and bold confession, and should not have departed from the assurance hee had of Gracchus his minde.  But yet those who accuse this answer as seditious, understand not well this mysterie: and doe not presuppose in what termes he stood, and that he held Gracchus his will in his sleeve, both by power and knowledge.  They were rather friends than Citizens, rather friends than enemies of their countrey, or friends of ambition and trouble.  Having absolutely committed themselves one to another, they perfectly held the reines of one anothers inclination: and let this yoke be guided by vertue and conduct of reason (because without them it is altogether, impossible to combine and proportion the same). The answer of Blosius was such as it should be.  If their affections miscarried, according to my meaning, they were neither friends one to other, nor friends to themselves.  As for the rest, this answer sounds no more than mine would doe, to him that would in such sort enquire of me; if your will should command you to kill your daughter, would you doe it? and that I should consent unto it: for, that heareth no witnesse of consent to doe it: because I am not in doubt of my will, and as little of such a friends will.  It is not in the power of the worlds discourse to remove me from the certaintie I have of his intentions and judgments of mine: no one of its actions might be presented unto me, under what shape soever, but I would presently linde the spring and motion of it.  Our mindes have

jumped so unitedly together, they have with so fervent an affection consideredof each other, and with like affection so discovered and sounded, even to the very bottome of each others heart and entrails, that I did not only know his, as well as mine owne, but would (verily) rather have trusted him concerning any matter of mine than my selfe.  Let no man compare any of the other common friendships to this.  I have as much knowledge of them as another, yea of the perfectest of their kind; yet wil I not perswade any man to confound their rules, for so a man might be decieved.  In these other strict friendships a man must march with the bridle of wisdome and precaution in his hand: the bond is not so strictly tied but a man may in some sort distrust the same.  Love him (said Chilon) as if you hould one day hate him againe.  Hate him as if you should love him againe.  This precept, so abhominable in this soveraigne and mistris Amitie, is necessarie and wholesome in the use of vulgar and customarie friendships: toward which a man must employ the saying Aristotle was wont so often repeat, 'Oh ye friends, there is no perfect friend.'
     In this noble commerce, offices and benefits (nurses of other amities) deserve not so much as to bee accounted of: this confusion so full of our wills is cause of it: for even as the friendship I beare unto my selfe, admits no accrease, by any succour I give my selfe in any time of need, whatsoever the Stoickes allege; and as I acknowledge no thanks unto my selfe for any service I doe unto myselfe so the union of such friends, being truly of perfect, makes them lose the feeling of such duties, and hate, and expell from one another these words of division and difference: benefit+, good deed, dutie, obligation, acknowledgement, prayer, thanks, and such their like.  All things being by effect common betweene them.  Wils, thoughts, judgements, goods, wives, children, honour, and life; and their mutual agreement, being no other than one soule in two bodies, according to the fit definition of Aristotle, they can neither lend or give ought to each other.  See here the reason why

Lawmakers, to honour marriage with some imaginary resenmblance of this divine bond, inhibite donations between husband and wife; meaning thereby to inferre, that all things should peculiarly bee proper to each of them, and that they have nothing to divide and share together.  If in the friendship uhereof I speake, one might give unto another, the receiver of the benefit should binde his fellow.  Fore each seeking more than any other thing to doe each other good, he who yeelds both matter and occasion, is the man sheweth himselfe liberall, giving his friend that contentment, to effect towards him what he desireth most.  When the Philosopher Diogenes wanted money, he wvas wont to say that he redemanded the same of his friends, and not that he demanded it:  And to show how that is practised by effect, I will relate an ancient singular example.  Eudamidas the Corinthian had two friends:  Charixenus a Sycionian, and Aretheus a Corinthian; being upon his death-bed, and very poore, and his two friends very rich, thus made his last will and testament: "To Aretheus, I bequeath the keeping of my mother, and to maintaine her when she shall be old:  To Charixenus the marrying of my daughter, and to give her as great a dowry as he may: and in case one of them shall chance to die before, I appoint the survivor to substitute his charge, and supply his place.' Those that first saw this testament laughed and mocked at the same; but his heires being advertised thereof, were very well pleased, and received it with singular contentment. {Antonio+} And Charixenus, one of them, dying five dayes after Eudamidas, the substitution being declared in favour of Aretheus, he carefully and very kindly kept and maintained his mother, and of the five talents that he was worth he gave two and a halfe in marriage to one only daughter he had, and the other two and a halfe to the daughter of Eudamidas, whom he married both in one day.  This example is very ample, if one thing were not, which is the multitude of friends:  For, this perfect amity I speake of, is indivisible: each man doth so wholly give himself unto his friend, that he hath

nothing left him to divide else-where: moreover he is grieved thatbhe is not double, double, triple, or quadruple, and hath not many soules or sundry wils, that he might conferre them all upon this subject.  Common friend-ships may bee divided; a man may love beauty in one, facility of behaviour in another and wisdome in another, paternity in this, fraternitie in that man, and so forth: but this amitie that possesseth the soule, and swaies it in all soveraigntie, it is impossible it should he double.  If two at one instant should require helpe, to which would you run?  Should they crave contrary offices of you, what order would you follow?  Should one commit a matter to your silence, which if the other knew would greatly profit him, what course would you take?  Or how would you discharge yourselfe? A singular and principall friendship disolveth all other duties, and freeth all othet obligations.  The secret I have sworne not to reveale to another impart it unto him, who is no other but my selfe.  It is a great and strange wonder for a man to double himselfe; and those that talke of tripling know not, nor cannot reach into the height of it. 'Nothing is extreme that hath his like.' And he who shal presuppose that of two I love the one as wel as the other, and that they enter-love one another, and love me as much as I love them: he multiplieth in brother-hood, a thing most singular, and a lonely one, and than which one alone is also the rarest to be found in the world.  The remainder of this history agreeth very wel with what I said; for, Eudamidas giveth us a grace and favor to his friends to employ them in his need: he leaveth them as his heires of his liberality, which consisteth in putting the meanes into their hands to doe him good. {Antonio+} And doubtlesse the force of friendship is much more nobly shewen in his deed than in Aretheus.  To conclude, they are imaginable effects to him that hath not tasted them; and which makes me wonderfully to honor the answer of that young Souldier to Cyrus, who enquiring of him what he would take for a horse with which he had

lately gained the prize of a race, and whether he would change him for a Kingdome? 'No surely, my Liege (said he), yet would I willingly forgoe him to gaine a true friend, could I but finde a man worthy of so precious an alliance.' He said not ill, in saying 'could I but finde.' For, a man shall easily finde men fit for a superficial acquaintance; but in this, wherein men negotiate from the very centre of their harts, and make no spare of any thing, it is moste requisite all the wards and springs be sincerely wrought and perfectly true.  In confederacies, which hold but by one end, men have nothing to provide for, but for the imperfections, which particularly doe interest and concerne that end and respect.  It is no great matter what religion my Physician or Lawyer is of: this consideration hath nothing in common with the offices of that friendship they owe mee. So doe I in the familiar acquaintances that those who serve me contract with me.  I am nothing inquisitive whether a Lackey be chaste or no, but whether he be diligent:  I feare not a gaming Muletier, so much as if he be weake; nor a hot swearing Cooke, as one that is ignorant and unskilfull; I never meddle with saying what a man should doe in the world; there are over man others that doe it; but what my selfe doe in the world.

Mihi sic usus est:  Tibi, ut opus est facto, face./1

So is it requisite for me
Doe thou as needfull is for thee.

which then would posesse his minde should make him an impartiall judge of such an action; so would I wish to speake to such as had tried what I speake of: but knowing how far such an amitie is from the common use, and how seld seene and rarely found, I looke not to finde a competent judge. For, even the discourses, which sterne antiquitie hath left us concermng this subject, seeme to me but faint and forcelesse in respect of the feeling I have of it:  And in that point the effects exceed the very precepts of philosophie.

Nil ego contulerim jucundo sanus antico./1

For me, be I well in my wit
Nought, as a merry friend, so fit.

Which I shall ever hold a bitter day
Yet ever honour'd (so my God t'obey).

were with us at halfe; me thinkes I have stolne his part from him.

                 ---- Nec fas esse ulla me voluptate hic frui
Decrevi, tantisper dum ille abest meus particeps./1

I have set downe, no joy enjoy I may.
As long as he my partner is away.

Illam mea si partem animae tulit,
Maturior vis, quid moror altera,
Nec charus aeque nec superestes
Integer?  Ille dies utramque
Duxit ruinam?/2

Since that part of my soule riper fate reft me,
Why stay I heere the other part he left me?
Not so deere, nor entire, while heere I rest:
That day hath in one ruine both opprest.

Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus
Tam chari capitis?/3

What modesty or measure may I beare
In want and wish of him that was so deare?

O misero frater adempte mihi!
Omnia tecum una perierunt gaudia nostra
Quae tuus in vita dulcis alebat amor./4

Tecum una tota est nostra sepulta anima
Cujus ego interitu tota demente fugav
Haec studia, atque omnes delicias animi./6

Alloquar? audiero nunquam tua verba loquentem

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1 TER.  Heau. act. 1. sc. i, 97. 2 HOR. 1. ii.  Od. xvii. 7. 3 Id. 1. i.  Od. xxiv. 1. 4 CATUL.  Eleg. iv. 20, 92, 23, 95. 5 Ib. 21. 6 Ib. 94. 7 Ib. 25.

Numquam eqo te vita frater amabilior
Aspiciam post hac? at certe semper amabo./1

O brother rest from miserable me
All our delights are perished with thee
Which thy sweet love did nourish in my breath
With thee my soule is all and whole inshrinde
At whose death I have cast out of my mind
All my mindes sweet-meats, studies of this kind
Never shall I, heare thee speake, sapeake with thee
Thee brother, than life dearer, never see
Yet shalt thou ever be belov'd of mee.

have imployed the utmost of his endevours to extinguish and suppresse, than to favour or further them:  His minde was modelled to the patterne of other best ages.  But yet in exchange of his serious treatise, I will here set you downe another, more pithie, materiall, and of more consequence, by him likewise produced at that tender age.

MADAME, I present you with nothing that is mine, either because it is already yours, or because I finde nothing therein worthy of you.  But wheresoever these verses shall be seene, for the hononr which thereby shall redound to them, by having this glorious Corisanda of Andoins for their guide, I thought it good to adorne them with your worthy name.  I have deemed this present fit for your Ladiship, forsomuch as there are few Ladies in France, that either can better judgo of Poesie, or fitter apply the use of it, than your worthy selfe: and since in these her drooping daies, none can give it more life, or vigorous spirit, than you, by those rich and high-tuned accords, wherewith amongst a million of other rare beauties Nature hath richly graced you.  Madame, these verses deserve to be cherished by you: and I am perswaded you will be of mine opinion; which is that none have come out of Gaskonie, that either had more wit or better invention and that witnesse to have proceeded from a richer veine.  And let no jealousie possesse you, inasmuch as you have but the remainder of that which whilome I caused to be printed under the name of my Lord of Foix, your worthy, noble and deare kinsman:  For truly, these have a kinde of livelinesse, and more piercing Emphasis than any other, and which I cannot well expresse: as hee that made them in his Aprile youth, and when he was enflamed with a noble glorious flame, as I will one day tell your honour in your eare. The other were afterward made by him in favour of his wife, at what
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time he wooed and solicited her for marriage, and began to feele I wot not what martiall chilnesse and husbands coldnesse.  And I am one of those whose opinion is, that divine Poesie doth no where fadge so well, and so effectually applaudeth, as in a youthfull, wanton, and unbridled subject. The above mentioned nine and twentie Sonnets of Boetie, and that in the former impressions of this booke were here set downe, have since beene printed with his other works.

As if our sense of feeling were infected, wee corrupt by our touching, things that in themselves are faire and good.  We may so seize on vertue, that if we embrace it with an over greedy and violent desire, it may become vitious.  Those who say, 'There is never excesse in vertue, because it is no longer vertue if any excesse be in it,' doe but jest at words.

Insani sapiens nomen ferat, aequus iniqui,
Vltra quam satis est, virtutem si petat ipsam./1

A wise man mad, just unjust, may I name
More than is meet, een vertue if he claime.

The Archer that overshoots his marke, doth no otherwise than he that shooteth short.  Mine eics trouble me as much in climbing up toward a great light, as to goe downe into the darke.  Callicles in Plato/1 saith, the extremitie of Philosophy to bee hurtfull: and perswades no man to wade further into it than the bounds of profit:  And that taken with moderation, it is pleasant and commodious, but in the end it makes a man wilde and vicious, disdainfull of religion and of common lawes: an enemie of civill conversation; a foe to humane sensualitie and worldly pleasures: incapable of all politike administration; and unfit to assist others or to helpe himselfe: apt to be without revenge buffeted, and baffled.  He saith true: for in her excesse, she enthralleth our naturall liberties, and by an importunate wile, diverts us from the faire and plaine path, which nature traceth out for us.  The love we beare to women is very lawful; yet doth Divinitie bridle and restraine the same.  I remember to have read in Saint Thomas, in a place where he condemneth marriages of kinsfolkes in forbidden degrees, this one reason amongst others: that the love a man beareth to such a woman may be immoderate; for, if the wedlocke, or husbandlike affection be sound and perfect, as it ought to be, and also surcharged with that a man oweth to alliance and kindred; there is no doubt but that surcease may easily transport a husband beyond the bounds of reason.  Those Sciences that direct the manners of men, as Divinitie and Philosophy, medleth with all things. There is no action so private and secret may be concealed from their knowledge and jurisdiction.  Well doe they learne that search and censure their libertie. It is women who communicate their parts as much as a man list to wantonize with them: but to phisicke them bashfulnesse forbids them.  I will then in their behalfe teach husbands this, if there be any too much flesht upon them: which is, that the verie pleasures they have by the familiaritie of their wives, except moderately, used, they are reproved: and not only is that, but in
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1 GORGIAS.

in any other unlawfull subjects, a man may trespasse in licentiousnesse, and offend in excesse.  Those shamelesse endearings, which the first heat suggests unto us in that sportfull delight, are not only undecently, but hurtfully employed towards our wives.  Let them at least learne impudence from another hand.  They are ever broad-waking when we need them.  I have used no meanes but naturall and simple instruction.  Marriage is a religious and devout bond: and that is the reason the pleasure a man hath of it should be a moderate, staied and serious pleasure, and mixed with severitie, it ought to bee a voluptuousnesse somewhat circumspect and conscientious. And because it is the chiefest of generation, there are that make a question, whether it be lawfull to require them of copulation, as well when we have no hope of children, as when they are over-aged, or big with childe.  It is an homicide, according to Plato.  Certaine Nations (and amongst others, the Mahometane) abhorre conjunction with women great with childe.  Many also with those that have their monethly disease.  Zenobia received her husband but for one charge which done, all the time of her conception she let him go at random, and that past, she gave him leave to begin againe: a notable and generous example of marriage.
     Plato borroweth the narration of some needy and hunger-starven Poet of this sport.  That Jupiter one day gave his wife so hot a charge, impatient to stay till she came to bed, hee laid her along upon the floors; and by the vehemence of his pleasure forgot the urgent and weighty resolutions lately concluded upon with the other gods of his celestiall court; boasting he found it as sweet at that time as he had done when first he spoiled her of her virginitie by stealthe and unknowne to their parents.  The Kings of Persia called for their wives when they went to any solemne feast, but when much drinking -and wine began to beat them in good earnest, they sent them to their chambers, seeing they could no longer refrain, but must needs yeeld to sensualitie lest they should be partakers of their immoderate

lust, and in their stead sent for other women, whom this duty of respect might not concern.  All pleasures and gratifications are not well placed in all sorts of people.  Epaminondas had caused a dissolute young man to be imprisoned:  Pelopidas intreated him, that for his sake he would set him at libertie, but he refused him, and yeelded to free him at the request of an harlot of his, which likewise sued for his enlargement; saying, it was a gratification due unto a Courtizan, and not to a Captaine.  Sophocles being partner with Pericles in the Pretorship, seeing by chance a faire boy to passe by: 'Oh what a beauteous boy goeth yonder!' saith he to Pericles: 'That speech were more fitting another than a Pretor,' answered Pericles, 'who ought not only to have chaste hands, but also unpolluted eies.' AElius Verus the Emperour, his wife complaining that he followed the love of other women, answered, be did it for conscience sake, for so much as marriage was a name of honour and dignity, and not of foolish and lascivious lust.' And our Ecclesiasticall Historie hath with honour preserved the memorie of that wife which sued to be devorced from her husband, because she would not second and consent to his over-insolent and lewde embracements.  To conclude, there is no voluptuousuesse so just, wherein excesse and intemperance is not reproachfull unto us.  But to speake in good sooth, is not a man a miserable creature?  He is scarce come to his owne strength by his naturall condition, to taste one only compleate, entire and pure pleasure, but he laboreth by discourse to cut it off: he is not wretched enough, except by art and study he augment his miserie.

Fortunae miseras auximus arte vias./1

Fortunes unhappie ill
We amplifie by skill.