WHyles I trauayled in Translation , and collection of my Droomme of Doomes daye : and was busyed in sorting of the same ( for I gathered the whole out of sundry Pamphlets : ) I chaunced at passage , to espye one shorte Epistle , written against Dronkennesse . And though the rest of such Treatises , as I founde in the same Coppie , dyd carrye none expresse name of theyr seuerall Aucthours : yet this Epystle was therein entytuled : An Admonition of Saint Augustine the Bishoppe , for the eschewing of Droonkennesse .

Which Epistle , both for the credite of the Aucthour , and for the tytles sake I thought good to peruse : fynding the same compendious , and eloquent , as the same Aucthour dyd commonlye wryte .

But when I had throughly considered it , and therewithall had some consideration of the huge enormyties , and shames which daylie followe that sinne : yea , when I had fullye aduised mée , howe commonly it is nowe a dayes exercised amongste vs : and how slylie it stealeth into this Realme through continuall custome of chéering , and banquetting : I thought it shoulde not be vnprofitable , nor any way vnpleasaunt ( vnlesse it be to such as can not abyde to heare of vertue , for feare least they might be ashamed of theyr vyce ) to adde some Aucthoryties and examples for the more speedy extyrpation of this monstrous plant , lately crepte into the pleasaunt Orchyardes of Englande .

And surely it is time ( yea more then tyme ) that we shoulde foresée , and learne to auoyde , those Bermaydes of myschiefe , which pype so pleasantly in euery Potte , that men be thereby allured to sayle into the Ilandes of all euyll . And there ( being iustly depryued of Gods grace , ) are transfourmed into most ougly shapes of brute Beastes .

And least I séeme ouer sodainly to leape into my matter , and ouer rashly to rayle before good proofe of reproofe , let mée set downe this for my generall proposition , That all Droonkardes are Beastes : yea , let mée not shrinke to affyrme that not onely , all common Droonkardes are Beasts , but euen the wysest councellour , the grauest Philosopher , the cooningest Artificer , the skylfullest wryter , and the most perfect of all sortes and Estates , if they chance at any time to bée infected , and contamynate with this Beastly vice , shall be ( in that dooing ) very Beastes also .

Mary , as there are on earth sundrye sortes of Beastes , so séemeth it that this Sorceresse ( Drinke ) doth also in her transformed Crewes , obserue a wonderfull varyetie : For some men delyghting in her onely for pleasure , and good fellowship ( as they terme it ) doo no furder exceede then into a certaine iocunde myrth , and dallyaunce : and yet therein also they chaunce most commonly to geue no small cause of offence . Then , this sorte of Droonkards , I can best compare vnto Apes , whose péeuishe propertie , is to bee delyghted with euerie fonde toye , and tryfle : and whose busie nature can seldome or neuer be exercysed , without hurt or dommage .

Another sort of men , stepping a foote further , doo fall vnto brawlyng and quarrellyng : not vnlyke to the Beares and Boares of the For rest , whose chiefe delyght consisteth in pertycular combat with theyr owne kind .

Another sort ( of a more mallicious nature ) wyll lye in wayte ( in theyr droonkennesse ) to entrap their companions with some disceypt . And such I accoumpt ( for all theyr cunning ) transfourmed into Foxes , and wyly Wolues ▪ What shoulde I speake of the Lecherous Droonkarde , who ( lyke Turrian Goate ) wyll spare neyther Sex , Age , Kyndred , nor companion , in the fylthy heate of his lewde concupyscence . Or of the prowde Droonkarde , whiche ( Peacocklike ) doth iet in euery stréete : Neyther ashamed to shew his vyle vanytie , nor yet neuer abashed , tyll hée fall downe in the channel , as the Peacocks pride is abated when hée looketh towardes his féete .

To conclude , they are all eyther boggishly dronke , and then lye vomitting and belching with great griefe , and greater offence , or else they become Asses , and sluggishly consume in sleepe , that Golden tyme which is lent vs to vse and bestowe to the honour of God , and for our owne auayle .

So that ( as I sayde ) I dare take in hande to defende this proposition , that All Droonkards are Beastes . And since God hath made none other so notable difference betwéene Man and Beast , as that he hath endewed the one , and depriued the other of reason and vnderstanding : I thought méete both to translate the foresayde Epistle , and also somewhat of my selfe , to wryte as an Inuectyue , against this so perryllous a Théefe , which so robbeth and despoyleth men of the most precious Iewell and treasure which God bestoweth vpon them . And to beginne with the Epistle of S. Augustine , the wordes thereof are these .

ALthough , my deerly beloued , I hope that you through the grace of Christ , wyll feare Droonkennesse , as you feare the pit of Hell : and that not only you wyl drinke no more then is conuenient , but also that you wyll not compell or allure any other to drinke more then wyll suffise : yet shall you take in good part this councell of mine , because it can not be chosen , but that some will be ne●ligent , and are not able to keepe them selues sober . But you which doo alwayes banquette soberlie , and temperately , take not this as spoken to your reproche : for it is necessarie that we do sometimes rebuke dronkardes .

Then whereas ( welbeloued brethren ) Droonkennesse is a great euyll , and an odious sin vnto God : yet is it so growen in vse , with many menne through the whole world : that with such as wyll not vnderstand Gods commaundements , it is now taken to be no great sinne : so that they mocke and scoffe in their banquettes , at suche as can not beare many Cuppes , and are not ashamed to bynde men by an enuious knotte of friendship that they shall drinke more then behoueth . But he which compelleth another man to make him selfe dronken by often bybbing : it were lesse euyll for that man , if he should wounde his fleshe with the sworde , then that he kyll his soule by droonkennesse : And because our bodyes are earthly , euen as when there hath beene some ouer greate dashe or glut of raine continuing long , the earth is soaked and resolued in myre , so that no tyllage can be made in the same : In lyke maner our flesh being made droonken , can neyther receiue the spirituall tyllage , nor yet the bread and foode , which is necessarie for the soule . And as all men doo desyre to haue sufficient and competent showres of rayne in their fieldes and closes , so that they maye bee able both to exercise tyllage , and to enioye the plentie of their fruites and encrease : so in this field they shoulde drinke but so much as ●ehoueth : least by excesse and droonkennesse , the verie earth of their body , ( being as it were turned into a verie Fenne and Quagmyre ) may better serue to breede Woormes and Serpentes of vice and sinne , then it should bee able to bringe forth the fruits of charitie . For all Droonkardes are euen such as Fennes & Marishes seeme to be in al respects : you are not ignoraunt ( welbeloued ) what groweth in Fens : for whatsoeuer groweth therin , bringeth sorth no fruite , therein breede Serpentes & sundrie kinds of Worms , which doo bring more horrour & dread , then encrease of victual : Euen such are Dronkardes , being fyt for no profite , or commoditie : for oftentimes in theyr droonkennesse they know neither them selues , nor any body else : neither can they goe , stande , nor speake any thing that pertayneth vnto reason : yea , oftentimes they are not ashamed to cramme vp their stomacks , euen to vomitting , and quasse ( out of al measure ) by Cuppes of assise and measure : then he which can get the vpperhande , desireth praise of his fowle and filthye faulte .

But they which delight therin , doo goe about wonderfully to excuse themselues , saying : I shoulde vse my friend but vncurteously ▪ if as often as I byd him to my house , I gaue him not as many Luppes as hee would call for : But let him be no friende of thine , which wyil make thee his enemie , & which is enemie both to thee & to him selfe : if thou make both thy self & another man droonken , thou maist haue that man thy frend for a tyme : but thou shalt haue God for thy perpetual enemie . Then consider wisely , whether it bee commaunded that thou shouldest separate thy selfe from God , to ioyne in league with a Droonkard .

And to conclude , do thou neither compel any man to drink , nor binde any man by oathes to drinke : but leaue it vnto his thoyse to drinke as much and as lytle as hee lysteth : that if he wyll needes make him selfe droonken , he maye perishe alone , and not both of you bee cast away .

Let those which bee incontinent and p●odigall in bybbing , consider with themselues , if they be not to be iudged worse then brute Beastes : for wheras brute Beastes wyll drinke no more then that which shall suffise them , they wyl yet drink fowre tymes more then behoueth : and that which might haue serued to refreshe theyr bodies three or fowre dayes , with reasonable contentacion , they striue to spend and rather to cast it away in one daye : yea , woulde to God that onely the drinke were cast away , & not they themselues also shoulde perishe : But if we eschew this at any tyme , peraduenture the Droonkards are offended , and do murmure against vs .

Well , though there want not such as wyll be so offended at vs , yet by Gods grace there wyll be many which ( hearing this holesome counsell ) shal be deliuered from this so greuous an enormitie & sinne : and they also which are moued & angrie with suche as speake against their yoakefellowe ▪ & lemmane droonkennesse , and let them geue mee leaue to pr●nounce this sentence with open mouth : That whosoeuer delighteth in droonkennesse , And doeth not earnestlie repent and amende the same , but doth remaine in his droonkennesse , without contrition and reformation , shall doubtles perishe for euer and euer : for the holy ghost doeth not lye by the holy Apostle , saying : The Droonkardes shall not enheryte the kingdom of God : And therefore as many as bee Droonkardes , shall doo better , not to be offended with you , but with themselues : and let them with the helpe of God , shake them selues out of the dyrte of dregges , or out of the fylthe of droonkennesse , whiles there is yet place and time to repent : and make al the haste that they can ( by Gods helpe ) to ryse againe . For droonkennesse ( euen like vnto hell ) whomesoeuer it ouercommeth , ) vnlesse worthy repentaunce do folow , and amendment also beare it company , ) it doeth so stoutlie challenge them vnto it selfe , that it suffceth them not ( at al ) to returne out of the darke pyof hell , vnto the light of Charit tie , or sobrietie .

Wherefore ( brethren ) whyles I put you in minde of these things , I doo absolue and discharge my selfe before God : and whosoeuer contempneth to heare mee , and is prone and prompte to bybbing , or wyll sweare & compel other men at his banquets to drinke , shal be guiltie at the day of iudgement both for himselfe , and for other men : Bea ▪ and ( that which is more abhominabe ) some of the Clergie which ought to forbid this , doo them selues also constraine many to drinke more then is expedient for them . Well , let them begin to amend and correct them selues , and then let them chastise others , that when they come before the Tribunal seate of Christ , they encurre not the danger of punishment for other mens dronkennesse , but rather that they may deserue to a●raine euerlasting rewarde , whyles they amende them selues , and cause not to chastise & correct others also .

And this aboue al things I beseech you , and by the dreadful day of iudgement , I coniure you , that as often as you banquette among your selues , you doo banishe and spew out of your Feasts and meryments , ( euen as it were the poyson of the Deuyl himselfe ) that filthy custome , whereby th●ee and three doo vse without all measure , to drinke eyther against their wyls , or at the least without any appetite to drinke : for th●t vnhappy and mischeuous custome , doth yet smell of the smoake of Paganisme : and whosoeuer vseth it , or suffreth it eyther at his owne table , or any other company , let him not doubt , but that he maketh him selfe a sacrifi●e to the Deuyll , synce therefore proceedeth that not only the body is weakned , but also the Soule is thereby wounded and slaine : Wherefore , I beseech God of his mercie , that he vouchsafe to enspire you with such grace , that this so shamefull and lamentable an euyl and wickednesse , maye become such an hortour vnto you , as that you suffer it neuer to be committed , but that you conuert that to helpe & refresh the poore , which shoulde haue bene cast away in superfluous droonkennesse . And this by the helpe & grace of our Lorde Jesus Christ , who with the Father and the holy ghost , lyueth and raigneth God , world without ende . Amen .

HYtherto the words of S. Augustine , in such sort as hée wrote the sayde Epystle : wherevnto I meane nowe to adde this short Treatise following , to the same ende and purpose that the sayde Augustine dyd wryte the same Epistle : And yet doo confesse a trueth , It is commonlye seene , that as in all actiuities , or common sortes of exercises , wee straine curtsie , and refraine to shewe our cunning , immediatly after that any excellent man hath dealt in the same before vs : least thereby wée might sooner defect our owne weakenesse , then better & amend the doings of others : ( yet when Apelles was present , meaner Painters woulde not prease to take pensyl in hande : neither would Marsias wel vaunt of his gaine in commendation , by striuing to warble vpon the Harpe ▪ which Apollo had erst layde asyde ) so it may seeme no lesse wonder , that I being a simple wryter generally , and perticularly ( for Diuinitie ) altogeather vnskylfull , woulde presume to take pen in hande , after so holy a Father as Augustine , so profoundly studied , and so well adorned with skyll to endight , both pleasantly , and pythily ▪

But for that my purpose and enterprise is not to contend in cunning , but rather to consent in doctrine , not to striue in curiositie , but to agree in vniformitie , nor to hunt for perticular prayses , but to labour for a generall profite , therfore I am bold ( in so honest a cause ) to doo my best : Beseeching the Reader , neither to regard the vnpleasauntnesse of my Style , nor the nakednesse of my simplicitie : but only to consider the necessity of my reprehensions , constrained by the extremitie of this beastly vice , which Augustine in his tyme dyd so sharply rebuke .

And surely if our common custome therein practised , dyd not much more exceede in the superlatiue degree , then the shortnesse of this his Epistle before rehearsed , doth minister occasion of further treatie , I coulde haue bene better contented to haue kept scilence , then thus to haue sowed a patche of Chainlette , in a garment of Satten : One comfort ( I must confesse ) I haue conceyued , that I can speede no worse in this small trauayle , then a number of learned & Godly teachers haue done before mee . Who calling and crying dayly against this horrible , & beastly custome , haue the deafe eare turned vnto their spirituall admonitions , and are constrayned ( with great griefe of minde ) to leaue this swyni●●● sorte of people , wallowing in the dyrt & myre of their most execrable droonkennesse . Such is the very nature and property of sinne generally ( but of this sinne especially ) that where it once getteth the maistry and vpperhand by continuall custome , it hardneth the hart , blindeth the eyes , amaseth the understanding , bewitcheth the sences , benoometh the members , dulleth the wyte , prouoketh vnto beastlynesse , discourageth from vertuous exercise , maketh louely to seeme lothsome , hasteneth crooked age , fostereth infirmyties , defyleth the body openly , & woundeth the soule vnseen .

This is that Circe , or Medea , which can Metamorphose , & transforme men into ougly mishapen monsters , yea ▪ the gallauntest peeres , in●o sencelesse Stocks . and mightiest Monarkes into brute Beastes . For was not Noah Genes. 9. ( euen the chosen seruaunt of God ) through this beastly vice , so Metamorphosed , that he lay in his ●ent vncouered , and shewed thereby the secreets which shame and nature forbyd vs to disclose ? But what punishment fell vppon his yongest Sonnes posteritie therefore ? euen a perpetual bondage & seruitude , and in lyke manner , what shoulde wee accoumpt Loth and his Genes. 19. Daughters but Beasts , who in theyr droonkennesse , committed abhominable incest in the sight of God ? Or what preuayled vnto Sampson , the marueilous Iudges . 16. force & strength wherewith God had blessed him , to ouercome so many enemies in battayle , ( when wallowing in concupiscence , which is a cosen to this lothsome vice ) he bewrayed vnto Dalyla the secreets of Gods misteries , and so became a mocking stocke vnto his enemies ? of amighty Champion , he became a mylksop : of a Giant a Gnat , and of a Patrone & defendor , a Babe & a weakling , ready to craue defence of others : suffering his eyes to be plucked out of his head , and his body to be led about as a common skorne and pastime for the Philistines .

Holofernes , in all the pompe of his Iudith . 12. 13. 14. pride , and in the very middest of his huge hoast and armie , ( being brought droonke a bed ) left his head in pawne with those whome he thought to haue subdued , & so discomforted his souldiors by the soddaine terror of his death , that the poore Cittizens of Bethulia , ( whose people they earst determined to haue deuowred ) could nowe boldly yssue out of their walles , & put them to shameful flight and slaughter : O wonderful exchange , the stoute Chaptaine which in his owne blynde imaginacion , thought hymselfe strong enough , ( with his hoste ) to haue subdewed the whole world , was ( through the shame full defe●●of this beastly vyce ) conquered in the middest of all his force by one weake womans hande : I might rehearse sundry famous examples out of the holy scripture , sufficient to terrifie and withdraw any Christian mindfrom this horrible and beastly abhomination . But as I haue partly begonne with the best & principal authority , so wyl I yet recite some examples out of Heathen Authors , who wrote of the ages passed , and then consequently descend vnto our owne age present : in which this enormity doth so farre exceede that ( if dead men might be called againe ) the Forefathers should not want sufficient cause to woder at our impudencie , who hauing not the cloked excuse of ignoraunce , and lacke of instruction , which the Heathen mi●ht ( after a sort ) aledge in defence of their defects , are not ashamed to pro●●de & to surpasse all ages , in so lothsome and beastly a transgression : whereas in all Morall vertues , we can neuerthelesse be content to come farre behind them .

Alexander the Macedonian , who by his valiaunce & prowesse , in lesse then twelue yeeres , conquered & subdued , Ill●ria , now called Slauonia , the Cittie of Thebes , with the Territories and Countreyes adioyning : yea al Greece , Asia , Persia , and India , with the East parts of the whole world : being setled in peaceable possession of his dominions , gaue himselfe ouer vnto vanity & pleasures , and at the last to excessiue droonkennesse : whereby hée became so obious vnto his people generally , that they priuily conspired his death , & executed the same : So that they hauing respect to the excellencie of his singuler vertues , and there withall weying that his ouerthrowe came chiefly by this detestable vice : I can not better terme him then a mighty man , transfourmed into a brute Beast . Apitius not contented to distemper his owne body continually with wine & delicate fare , and after much & great consumption therof , to find an hole in his bags . as bigge as fiue hundreth fowre score & three thousand , fifty & fowre peun●s sterlings , did yet infect the whole City of Rome , with poison of the same abomination : which in times past bad bene a perfect Myrror of temperance to other Nations : but in the ende he beas●ly & most vngodly , dyd wilfully drink poyson , and destroyed himself , fearing lest the remnant of his substaunce would not minister sufficiently vnto the plotforme or foundation which he had layd in this abhominable bybbing , banquetting , & quassing : and what shall I name this man , but a beastly Metamorphoser , both of himself & of others ? Lucullus a famous Romane , both for learning & skyl in Martial feats , after a nomber of great victories , & exceding Fame got by temperaunce in iustice , and pollitique gouerment , dyd geue him selfe ouer vnto such an Epicures lyfe , and soonke so déepe into the gulfe of this odious enormity , that in th , end he lost his wyts and memory , & with all his substaunce was lyke a chylde , committed vnto the charge & direction of others : and was not this a playne Metamorphosis ? What should I rehearse the Histories of Lucius verus , Marcus Bibulus , Sergius , and sundry other Romaines ? who wallowing and delyghting in this beastly vice , Metamorphosed themselues most monstrusly . For we must not thinke that the auncient Poettes in theyr most famous works ; dyd dyrectly meane as the lytterall text of theyr Fables do import : but they dyd Clarkly in figures , set before vs sundry tales , which ( being wel marked ) might serue as examples , to terrifie th● posteritie from falling into sundry vanities , and pestilent misgouernments : and thervpon , they feigned that Medea , Circe , and such other coulde Metamorphose & transforme men into Beastes , Byrdes , Plantes , and Flowres : meaning therby , that whoseuer is so blinded in sensuality , that forgetting his intellectuall reasons , & the better part of his understanding , he follow the appetite and concupiscence of nature , he shal without doubt transforme him self , or be transformed from a man to a Beast , &c. For what greater imperfection can we alledge in the most brute and sauage Beasts , then to follow sensuall appetyte , vnto al vaine apparaunce of delyghtes ? Nay , rather we must confesse that Beasts doo by a natural enstincte obserue a certaine mediocritie , in many thinges whiche doo by extremitie turne into vice : The Beasts and Cattell . with Fowles , Fishes , and other such creatures , voyde of reason : doo yet couet or desyre the acte of generation , but onely at certaine times prefixed , when nature doth thervnto kindle and prouooke them . But men who challenge a perfection aboue all other creatures , doo beastly and more then beastly , and abhominably delight therein , ( naye , prouoke & pamper the dayly excesse therof ) to the weakning of their bodies , offending of their deuout & wel disposed brethren , & high displeasing of almighty God :

The Beasts , &c. neuer or seldome do surcharge theyr stomacke with more meate then they maye well disgest , but men doo cramme them selues with Cates , vntyll they be constrained to vomitte : Beastes , when they are stirred or prouoked to wrath and angre , doo yet presently passe ouer the mallice , without entent of reuenge : But men can reteyne a mallice , yéeres & ages : whereby the destruction of sundry worthy famyllies hath ensued . And now to touch our purpose more perticularly : Beasts are satisfied with drinking once or twise a day at ordinary and accustomed howres , but men are not ashamed to syt bybbing , quassing , and tossing of pottes , whole daies and nyghtes : So that a iust accoumpt of their lyues being called , they maye seeme neyther borne to do none other thing , or else to haue so guilty mispent their time , that the most brute and senceles Beastes , are able to accuse them of sundry huge enormities .

By these and sundry other reasons , I thought not impertynent to name this detestable vice of droonkennesse , the Circe or Medea , which Metamorphoseth , & transfourmeth men into most ougly and monstrous shapes & proporcions : wherof I haue brought foorth some examples out of holy scriptures , and others some out of the Neathen Aucthors , which wrote the factes and gouernmentes of the famous Romaines .

But now if we consider our own age ( yea our owne Nation ) the verye chiefe cause which made me prefume to adde this smal treatise , vnto the Epistle of S. Angustine , we shal find by too true experience , that we doo so much exceede al those that haue gone before vs , that if they might seeme as men transfourmed into Beasts , we shal rather appeare as Beasts mishapen & chaunged into Deuyls . And in this accusation , I doo not onely summon the Germaines ( who of auncient tyme haue beene the continuall Wardens of the Droonkards fraternitye and corporation , ) but I would also cyte to appeare our newfangled Englyshe men , which thinke skorne to leaue any newe fashion ( so that it be euyll ) vntryed or vnfollowed . For now a dayes what Marchaunt , what Artificer , nay , what botcher , or boongler , in any occupation , can be contented to enuite his friende to dynner , or supper , vnlesse he doo his best , to geue him a Cap of Magis ( as they terme it ) and beguile both the Coffer of their store , and the treasure of theyr soule , with counterfeyts names to cloake their beastly inuentions : Wherin I note the vyce so much the more daungerous , since they cannot denye , that they are dayly therof both admonished and reproued by sundyr learned & godly Teachers and Preachers : who painfully and zealously doo exhort them from this Quassing . Carowsing , and tossing of Pots .

But what amendment followeth in many of vs ? surely I tremble to wryte it , and it greeueth mee sufficiently to thinke theron , that in steede of reformation , they scoffe and taunt amongst them selues , in theyr banquets , saying : Friendes we are forbidden to Quasse , or to Carowse , and therfore let vs vse none other drynking but a harty draught : And hauing thus ( in theyr owne frantike imaginations ) cloaked theyr deuyl●she & damnable intent , they procéede ●ntyll this new founde harty draught , bée found flue tymes worse then theyr former Nuassing & Carowsing : O grosse blindnesse of harte : can impudent men thinke so to deceyue the almightye God , which seeth the secreets of al harts ? no surely , For hee which dwelleth in heauen shall laugh Psal. 2. them to scorne : yea , the Lorde shall vexe them in his sore displeasure . Let vs but consider this one thing : in what ciuyll Realme or dominion , where the people are taught and exercised in the commandementes and counsels of God ( England onely excepted ) shall we see the vnthriftye Artificer , or the labourer , permitted to syt bybbing and drinking of Wine in euery Tauerne ? or what woman ( euen amongst the droonken Almaines ) is suffred to followe her Husbande vnto the Alehouse or Beerehouse ? But it were folly to stand so much vpon these meane personages , who for lacke of wytte or good education , maye easily be enclyned to thinges vndecent .

I woulde ( for God ) that our gentrie , and the better fort of our people , were not to much acquainted with Quassing , Carowsing , and drinking of harty draughtes , at many mery conuentions : would God that we learned not ( by the foreleaders before-named ) ●●for your ●aistreesse and best beloued sake , pledge mee this Cupfull . &c. to charge and coniure each other vnto the pledge , by the name of such as we most honour and haue in estimation : Ah las , we Englishe men can mocke & scoffe at all Countreyes for theyr defectes ▪ but before they haue many times mustred before vs , we can learne by lytle and lytle to exceede and passe them al , in all that which ( at first sight ) we accoumpted both vyle & vyllanous : The Spanish codpéece on the bellye : the Itallyan waste vnder the banch bones : the Frenche kuffes : the Polonian Hose : the Dutch Ierken : and the Turkie Bonnet : all these at the first we despised , & had in derision . But immediatly ( Mutate opinione ) we doo not onelye reteyne them , but we do so farre excéede them : that of a Spanish Codpéece , we make an English foo●eball : of an Itallyan wast , an English Petycoate : of a French ruffe , an English Chytterling : of a Polonian Hose , an English bowgette : of a Dutch Ierken , an old English Habergeone , and of a Turkie bonnet , a Copentank for Caiphas : In lyke manner we were woont ( in tymes past ) to contempne and condempne the Almaines and other of the low Countreyes , for theyr beastly drinking and quassing . But nowe a dayes ( although we vse it not dayly lyke them , for it séemes that they are naturally enclyned vnto that vyce ) yet , when we doo make banquets and merymentes ; as wée terme them , we surpasse them very farre : and small difference is founde betwixt vs and them , but only that they ( by a custome . rooted amongst them , & become next Cosen to nature as beforesayd ) doo dayly wallow in a grosse maner of beastlines , & we think to cloake the filthinesse therof by amore honorable solemnitye , & by the cleanly tytle of curtesie . The Almaines with their smal Kenish wine are contented : or rather than faile a cup of Béere may entreate them to stoupe : But we must haue March beere , dooble dooble Béere , Dagger ale , Bragget , Renish wine , White wine , French wine , Gascoyne wine , Sack , Hollocke , Canaria wine , Vino greco : Vinum amabile , & al the wines that may be gotten : Yea wine of it selfe is not sufficient , but Suger , Limons , & sundry sortes of Spices , must be drowned therin ▪ to minister mater vnto our vaine delights & to beguile our selues with the baite which dronkennesse doth therein lay for vs . And all this must be couered with the cleanlye name of curtesy , & friendly entertainment .

But geue mee leaue ( O Droonkards ) to aske you this question , if by this curtesy , & friendly entertainement of yours , a friend which is constrayned thus to pledge you , doo chance to surfeyte , & to fal thereby into such distemper , that he dye thereof : what kind of curtesie shall we then accoumpt it ? or what friendship can be found in such entertainment ? yea , if he escape surfeyting or daunger of death , ( which is seldome auoyded in them that vse drinking vnmeasurably ) yet if his former good fame & credyte be thereby so much touched , that his grauest friends take iust occasion to reprehend him , & to withdrawe theyr good wyls from him : shall hee not haue iust cause to condempne this curtesy as counterfayt , and curse this feyned friendship ? At the least , though his worldly friendes wynke , and temporall death forbeare him a whyle , let him yet not thinke to escape the iust iudge ment of God , who punisheth the abhomination of iniquitie , vnto the third & fowrth generation . And in these thrée poynts , especially haue I considred the enormity of this sinne : For that it weakeneth and endaungerth mans body dayly , it impayreth his credite openly , and woundeth his soule secréetly . So that for mine owne perticular opinion , I could wyshe that ( Italian or Spaniard lyke ) we dyd altogether banishe from our banquets , the common curtesy of drinking one to another at all : not that I would see me thereby to condempne it ( of it selfe ) if it be but temperately vsed , but because I finde that the pleasauntnesse of the drinke , and the infirmity of our nature doo beget one draught vpon another , so that beginning with curtesie , we ende with madnesse and beastlynesse . And well wrote hée which sayd , that the first Cuppe quenched thyrst , the seconde enduced myrth , and reioysing in hart , the thyrd voluptuosnesse , the fowrth droonkennesse , the fifth wrathfulnesse , the syxt contenciousnesse , the seuenth furiousnesse , the eyght sluggishnesse , and the nynth , extremitie of sycknesse .