The ephemerides of Phialo deuided into three bookes. The first, a method which he ought to follow that desireth to rebuke his freend, when he seeth him swarue: without kindling his choler, or hurting himselfe. The second, a canuazado to courtiers in foure pointes. The third, the defence of a curtezan ouerthrowen. And a short apologie of the Schoole of abuse, against poets, pipers, players, [et] their excusers. By Steph. Gosson, stud. Oxon.

To the right noble Gentleman , Master Philipp Sydney Esquier , Stephan Gosson wysheth health and happinesse .

IT was a custome , right worshipfull , among the Heathens , when they had trauailed the Seaes , and escaped the danger , to sacrifice some part of their treasure to that god , which they iudged to be their deliuerer : And sith it hath beene my fortune to beare sayle in a storme , since my first publishing the Schoole of Abuse , and too bee tossed by such as some without reason , and threaten me death without a cause , feeling not yet my finger ake , I can not but acknowledge my safetie , in your Worships patronage , and offer you Phialo my chiefest Iuel , as a manifest pledge of my thankfull heart . Notwithstanding if the value answere not your expectation , accept my good will , which hold out my hand to doe my best : little children , that drawe but a hazel sticke , thinke they performe as much as he , that shootes euerie shaft in a bowe of steele . I confesse that Phialo is too blunt for the court if you iudge his conditions by his coate , for the skinne of the Fox is not comparable to the Leopard , yet that is no signe that hee wanteth witte . Though Phialo present himselfe barely to your worships viewe , when my skill wil not suffer me to pounce him out , yet such as he is , I dare affirme , that cloth and carkasse is at your commaundement . The pardon he craues is for his simplicitie , which hath beene somewhat homely brought vp like a rude Macedon , and taught too call a spade , a spade without any glosing . Wherein I iudge him the more to be esteemed , bicause he vseth no going about the bushe , but treades Dunstable waye in all his trauell . For such as haue tried the conclusion , knowe , that he which baiteth his hookes with medicinable drugges , catcheth the greatest store of fishe ; yet are they not toothesome , nor good to bee brought vnto the table : And hee that tempers his speeche with art , smootheth his style wi●● a double tongue , shall quickly haue infinite swarmes of freendes , but angle with poyson , and doe much hurt . The Daies works of Phialo , which spendeth his time in profitable disputation among his freendes , I haue called his Ephemerides , after the maner of the Greekes ; humbly requesting your worship to vouchsafe them the reading , bicause you are learned ; & to yelde them your patronage , sith they carie some taste of the Vniuersitie .

Your Worships to commande . S. G.

¶ Literarum Studiosis in Oxoniensi Academia Steph. Gosson Sal.

EA est ( egregij Philosophi ) Academiae seueritas in iudicijs ; & multitudinis temeritas in assensu ; vt , quae vobis obijciuntur , rationis statera ; quae huic occurunt , opinionis trutina perpendantur . Apud vos qui contorta dissoluit , qui distinguit ambigua , qui Metrodorum configit , qui eruit abstrusa , & altiores in natura sulcos agit , solus coronam demeretur . Apud hanc , qui formam , qui fu●um , qui Veneris pigmenta cantat , acclamatione recipitur & applausu . Videte , quaeso , quomodo mihi ista cogitanti , & Phiali Diaria in lucem emittere cupienti , vtriusque spectra faces ardentes intentarunt , qui bus , ab instituto facilèdeterrerer , nisi me vestra humanitas è tantis angustijs emanciparet . Aliquot iam menses sunt elapsi , cùm ego in Poëtarum , Fidicinum atqueue Histrionum ineptias grauiter inuehebam , quo negotio , quia profligatis hominibus in Epicureorum reorum hortulis apricantibus , Solem ac Coelum interclusi , mei nominis existimationem effraenatè inuaserunt . Verùm , quia rumoribus pugnant , cùm argumenta expectemus , non possumus tam inani crepitu perterreri . Quid enim est quod acutuli isti hohomines pungunt ? quid premunt ? quid asserunt ? Gossonum eiecisse Poësin in exilium : fabrè ; Scholas , Academias , Musarum domicilta , Philosophorum coetum & Senatum reclamare : Papè , iugulârunt hominem . Non sum ita rerum optimarum rudis , vt negem aliquando Poësin esse numerum , numerum ordinem , ordinem de coelo , quasi de iugo sapientiae defluxisse . Nihilo tamen magis ista probant Poëtas omnes esse diuinos , quàm Medicos omnes , Aesculapios . Fateor ego , fabularum inuolucris multa non contemnenda adumbrari , sed somnia sunt ista , quae succos de foece hauriendos propinârunt . Nolo Poësin verborum suppellectile , vel suauitate fidium , sed rerum harmonia iudicari : nec Poëtam illum sertis redimiri , qui carmina ad digitorum terminos studiosè panxerit , sed cuius animus cum ordine , vita cum scriptis conspirauerit . Auidè sibi hoc homines famelic● arripiunt , me qui Poëtas reprehendo , Poëtae partes suscepisse , & dictasse ijs versus quos in Theatris recitarunt . At prae stupore non intelligunt , nos ea studia iuuentutis aestu persequi , quae flexu aetatis nauseamus , & quae desideria eo temporis flore , quasi verè tepefacta pullulant , maturiori iudicio circumcîdi . Laudant Agricolae eas arbores , quae se ita profundunt , vt resecentur ; & malumus omnes amputare nimia , quàm noua serere . Spero me in adolescentiae delicijs cum Poëtae personam sustinerem , moribus ijs enituisse , qui frugem virtutis nutricarent , & futurae industriae culmum erigerent . Quod si , vt isti volunt , delinitus impegerim , non est refragandum enatanti : Malo semel emergere , quàm haerere semper . Conceditur ara fugienti , deprecanti medicina . Non sumus ex aere Corinthio fabrefacti , vt tardè admodùm intabescamus , & ocyssimè expiemur . Me suadent haec tempora , priora studia non exuere solùm , sed abijcere ; & maturè ad metam collineare . Illi verò qui meum consilium malè probant , pergant , quâ caeperint , & Poëtis inhient , non officio ; si omnia sic desiderio condiant , vt immoderata siti aestuantes , turbidas aquas iucundè ingurgitent , sua voluptate perfruantur ; mihi fontium perennitas arridebit . Itaqueue ne diffluamus otio , diarijs istis maiora quaedam latinè molior , quae emanabunt aliquando , & meum in vos animum eminenter expriment . Vale te Londini 5. Kalend. Nouemb. 1579.

Stephanus Gosson .

To the Reader .

GEntlemen & others I coulde wishe it , that I had that vertue in my penne , whiche the Beare hath in her tounge , too licke out mye whelps in some proportion , when I haue cast them in a rude lump . But I see my cunning serues me so il , that whilest I desire to perfect my worke , I am constrayned with Apelles too set it out , where euery beholder may view it at will , and tell me his minde when hee sees a faulte . Many hands make light worke . Coppie of Preceptes breede an Arte. Where sundry woorkmen shewe them selues , a rare deuice is broughte to light . Reade and runne ouer , I giue you leaue , I set it downe to none other ende . Diuers are the studyes of men in one Schoole , some followe Philosophie , some the tongues some are contented with meaner Lectures ; infinite wares in one fayre , where the Souldier approcheth to cheapen a Swoorde , the wanton inquireth for a glasse . And I knowe that in Bookes , as in open fieldes , euery man pursueth that game that he lyketh best : a noble minde wil chase the Hart , but fooles pick Dasies if they may find them . Therfore if idle Drones assayle me , let them know that I shewe no sporte for them , my desire is , to seeke out meate for manly stomackes . I haue seene what Cankers shoote alofte , where amorous toyes are dayly sowen . He that troubleth the Springe where you shoulde drinke , may be turnd to a Frog if Iuno frowne . Such as flatter the Reader with vaine delightes , beare the shape of a monster in their heartes , and are to be fled as dangerous shelues . Those stormes that forbid vs to shoot into harbor , ar more to bee feared then those that discourage vs too hoyst our sayle ; and those discourses are worst of all , that hinder our passage when we trauell home , & seeke for the ende in which we shoulde rest . As I write not this for mine owne behoofe , to iustifie that which I do my selfe , of too spurne at other that haue gone before mee ; So I hope you will take it for a lawfull excuse , that I write not so loosely as some desire . I haue bin requested by some of my friendes to take longer time , and encrease my volume , wherein I perceiue they vnderstande not that the Countrieman casteth his seede very thin , yet findeth his barnes to be filled by them . That the spirite of man , in the straightest Trumpet hath greatest sound ; blowne through a barrel , makes no noyse . But sith they had rather see their handes full of Paper , then their heades full of knowledge , I let them goe . And trusting too the curtesie of you that are skilfull Gentlemen , I haue performed my promise , and discharged my handes , giuen Phialo his pasporte , and sent him to you .

Farewell . Yours , Stephan Gosson .

The Ephemerides of Phialo .

VARRO reporteth , that they whiche did sacrifize to Hercules , vsed continually before they began their Ceremonies , to driue their dogs out of the citie . And I think it necessary , before I set downe the discourses of Phialo , as the fruite of my trauell sacrificed heere vnto skilful Readers , to whippe out those Doggs , which haue barked more at mee for writinge the Schoole of Abuse , then Cerberus did at Hercules for descending to Hell ; and haue laboured with the venom of their teeth to wound me deeper , then that curst Curre , which was the death of Licinius , and the cause of a battaile , wherein Hercules lost his brother Iphiclus . It is not long since , A Libell ca●● out against the Schoole of abuse . a friend of mine presented me with straunge newes out of Affrick , requesting me earnestly to shape them an answere . After I had vnfolded the Paper , and found nothing within but guttes and garbage , neither heart nor liuer , nor anye good intrayles , I called too minde the replie that Apelles made to a course Painter , which brought him a counterfait of his own drawing , requesting his iudgment in the work ; Truely , quoth Apelles , hadst thou not tolde me it had bin thine , at the first blush I would haue iudged it to bee doone in haste . And had not the writer himself , which sent these newes into England , reuealed his name to some of his friends by whom I hearde it , I would haue iudged such a Daw to bee hatcht in Barbary , & the tydinges that came , to be scribled in ●ost . Commodus the Emperor comming to Rome , in the face of the whole senate , began with a graue countenan e to declame : When euery man loked for some weighty matter touching the gouernment of the common wealth , he fell to trifling ; & told them , that riding abroad one day with his father , who at that time was cast from his horse , himself alighted & holy him out of the myre . This Doctour of Affrike with a straunge kinde of style begins to write thus : To his frinds the Plaiers , & to 〈◊〉 rare , at the first like a perfect Orator , he sittes down in his study , lookes about for his bookes , takes pen in his hand , & as manerly as he can , breathes out this oracle from the threefootedstoole of Pythia : Affrica semper aliquid apportat noui , There is euer a new knack in a knaues hood , or some kind of monster to be sene in Affrik . To which principle when he thinketh he hath giuen sufficient light , by the ioyning togither of sundry beastes , his frends gaping for some strange conceit to bring to the stage , finde him to dally : for with a tale of a tub , he slippeth down presently into a dirtie comparison of a dutch Mule & an english mare , that ingendred an Asse , & to cast his foale quickly ( with a deuoute prayer to God , to send players few asses , & many auditors ) he growes to conclusion , behauing himself in his learned Paraphrase like Megabizus , who came into Apelles shop & began to talk of his shadows , til the painter reproued him in this maner : Hadst thou kepte silence O Megabizus , I woulde haue reuerenced thee for thy gay coate ; now the worst boy that grindeth my coulors wil laugh thee to scorne . And I , if this Geographer had stayed his pen within the compasse of Affrike , would haue read him with patience for the countries sake , but now the least childe which is able to temper his ynke , wil giue him a floute . If Players get no better Atturnie to pleade their case , I wil holde mee contented where the Hardest is harde , too take Otes of yl debters in parte of payment .

Touching the frutefulnes of his Mule , which is not agreeable vnto kinde , because the coldenesse of seede killes the power of ingendering , I coulde find him sporte by Philosophie , if I were disposed to play with his nose , or to caste any thinge but draffe to Swine . But I intende not to aunswere him , lest I kick with Cresiphon , when my Mule win●eth . As long as hee rayles , he profites not ; as long as hee dotes , hee hurtes not ; Let him say what he wil , he shall not cut me ; Let him write what he please , he shal not kill me ; and fauour him that list , they shall not greeue me ; it is but kinde for a Cocke heade , to breede a Combe ; and a rashe witte , a rawe deuise . Though the Mariner haue skill to gouerne his vessel , it lyeth not in his cunning to calme the seas : though the countriman know how to graffe an ympe , his toile wil not alter the caste of the Crab : Though my selfe haue learned to rule mine owne talke , I can not snaffle the tounge of a Carper . Notwithstanding the Sayler commeth safely to harbour , though he be shaken : The husbandman gathereth much pleasaunt fruite , though his Wylding bee sower : And I haue no doubte I shall please the wise , though the malicious turne vpp their gall . The same Solomon which forbiddes vs to aunsweare a foole in his follie , lest we liken our selues vnto him , chargeth vs sharpely to shewe him his faulte , lest he seeme wise in his owne conceite . Therefore I haue neither replyed to the writer of this Libel for loosing my time , nor let him go scotfree for making him proude , but poynted to the strawe where the Padd lurkes , that euery man at a glimse , might discry the beaste , and repaire to Phialo .

To deliuer you the Historie as faithfully as I learned it , you shall first vnderstand that Phialo a young Gentleman , & a younger brother , borne in Ferara , and brought vp in Sienna , studyed there in the Vniuersitie to win that by learning , which he wanted in liuing : But Fortune in the end so knit her browes , & discharged her shot at the face of him , that his Father dyed , leauing his portion in the handes of an Abbot in Ferara , of whome I dare neither speake as I shoulde , nor complaine as I would , nor cry out as the cause it selfe requires . For , withholding that which he ought to distribute , he stopped the conduit and cut of the pipes , that conueighed such liquor to Phialo as was necessary . Whervpon the poore gentelman perceiuing himself in danger of death , because he was dry ; & vnable to striue with the mightie , because he was weake ; remooued himselfe to a moister soyle , & leauing Sienna , came vnto Venice , where after the death of his father , he withered as fast , as he bloomed before in the time of his life . And Philotimo a noble gentleman of a quick wit and a ripe iudgement , which euer delighted in the company of Phialo , was pluckte from the Vniuersitie , and sent to Ferara , to serue in the Court , not long before the death of Phialoes father , where though he had cast his Philosophers hed , and seemed so bathed in Heraclitius floode , that he was almost changed to an other nature , yet in all his ruffe shewing the sparks of a noble mind the higher he sat , the lower he looked , the farther he saw him self from Sienna , the more hee renewed the remembraunce of Phialo ; And forgetting no curtesie in the Courte , enquired so longe for his olde friende , that hearing at the laste bothe of the vntymely decease of the father from life , and the vnfortunate departure of the Sonne from his Booke ; with dropping eyes distilled into teares , and a sorrowfull hearte resolued into bloode , hee withdrewe him selfe presently from the Courte , and posted to Venice as fast as hee coulde . Beeing entred the Citie , and very desirous too seeke out his friende , suddainly he espyed Phialo comming from the Rialto with a Merchant of Englande : and stepping too them both with many courtly greetings broke of their talke . Phialo reioycing more in his olde friend , whose affection he knew ; than in his new acquaintance , whome he neuer tryed , with a Vibaccio tooke his leaue of the Merchaunt , and brought Philotimo to his lodginge . When they were entred , both sett , and the dore shut , Philotimo , with a sterne looke , and a troubled minde beganne thus .

They which are sicke of a burning feuer , tosse and turne from side , to side , to seeke rest : but in the ende they increase the fitte and open a gapp to their owne perill . I stand in doute Phialo whither I might rightly compare thee to those that are vexed with this disease , because that remoouing thy studyes and chaunging thy pastute , whilst thou desirest to be euery where , thou art no where ; & like a graffe planted in many grounds , wilte become baraine . Hath thy father wasted his treasure on thee in Sienna , that thou shouldest mispend thy time in Venice ? Haue thy friends hoped so long for a plentifull haruest , that they shoulde he constrayned to gather weedes ? Haue I sounded the Trumpet with thy commendations , to begin this vaine skirmish with a false Alarme ? Hast thou from thy youth bin trayned vp in learning , that after thou hast giuen a good soape to the paile , thou shouldst kick it downe curstly with thy beeles ? Is this the ende of our trauell ? the fruite of thy studie ? Oh , howe much better had it beene for thee neuer to haue ripened , then so soone to haue rotted ? I perceiue nowe that all is not Golde in thee which glistereth , euery hooked nose doeth not argue a Conqueror ; nor euery fine wit a stated Philosopher . Thou makest thy selfe but an emptie Barrel , yeeldinge to the eares of thy friendes a sharpe sound , & nothing else . Thou hast promised much , and performed little : thou saidst thou wouldest bury thy selfe in Philosophy , but thou liuest here in Venice a colledge of Curtezans . Orat. pro Caelio . Tully thinketh it an inuincible Bulwarke and sufficiente purgation for M. Caelius , that hee coulde haue no acquaintance with wicked Clodia , because he was giuen to his booke , & had made a learned Oration in the Senate house , which could not be doone without great studie . And where the minde is so busied , all sportes are tedious , all delightes irkesome , all company lothsome : As if he should say : He that loyters not , loues not ; he that loues not , is no companion for Clodia , Therefore to gather an argument of the contrary , because thou spendest thy time in this Towne , I may wel conclude that it is impossible for the● to profite in Learning , which seekest to be fostred in such a stewes . Venus her self when she passed Eurota , caste away her Combe and her brush , her Glasse & her Liepot , and tooke vp a Iauelin . And if thou desire to passe by Eurota , or growe vp in knowledge , shake of this Citie as Venus dregges ; take vp thy tooles and returne to Sienna ; settle thy selfe and slip no more ; A rowling stone gathers no mosse , & a running hed wil neuer thriue .

Phialo throughly netteled with this strange kinde of greeting , scratcht many times where it ytched not , and bustlinge very often with profers to speak , stopped sudenly ; not vnlike to a yong colte , which at the first prick plungeth as though hee felt no ground , but when he hath champed a while on the bit , and chafed a little in his owne greace ; stands still , & begins to find a better pace . Thus Phialo vexed with the fresh remembrance of a new grief , angry with Philotimo for his tauntes , yet considering at laste to what ende hee spoke , when hee had sufficiently chewed his cudde , and sweate as he sat , recouered him selfe with this reply .

Signior Philotimo , your selfe is as welcome to me in Venice , as your words are vnwelcome to mine eares . You admonish me as a friend , and dutie ●indeth me to thank you for your good wil : Neuerthelesse , sith you make your Plaister so sharp , and apply it to my wound in an ill time , for the one I cannot but accuse you of rashnes ; for the other I am forst to reproue you of ignorance ; meaning hence forth to take you as I find , which is other wise then I thought , a bad Apothecarie , and a worse Phisition . Plutarch forbiddeth you to rebuke your friende either in mirth or in miserie : in mirth ; because it straiteneth the senses , choketh the heart , stops the passage of the spirits , and ouercasteth the mind , with a cloude of sorow . In misery ; because we haue more neede to be restored , than brought low ; to be strengthened , than weakened ; to be comforted , than corrected ; to be raysed vp , than hurled downe . When the flesh chafes , the wound prickes ; the sore shootes , when the body shakes ; the disease growes , when the mind greeues . Therfore Crates the philosopher which was dogged of nature , & in al his rebukes as ouerthwart , as Diogenes , taunting bitterly ; when he sawe Demetrius Phalereus in his banishment liue porely at Thebes ; softned his speach , gaue him faire words , and friendly comfort smoothly disputing of the fruites of exile , and approouing by reason that there could be no wretchednes in such a life . Insomuch that Demetrius who fearing at the first to be vpbraided , and looking for a peale that should not like him , woulde haue shunned his company , contrarye too his expectation finding suche sweetnesse in his talke , reioyced greatly in his conference , and began to be sorye , that he met him no sooner . But Euctus and Eulaeus , the friendes of Persa , when they saw him failed by the Romans , and so ouerthrowne in the battaile at Pydna , that he was forced to turne his backe , rated & checked him in the middest of his sorrowes , till sobbing at the hearte , for his yll fortune ; and mooued to wrath , by the bitternesse of their rebukes ; as one ouerwhelmed with a double griefe , he slew them both . And trust me Philotimo mourning here solitary for my fall , seeing my selfe teinted , where I shoulde bee anoynted ; burnt , where I shoulde be balmed ; cutte , where I should be closed ; I stand almost at vtter defiance with thy freendshippe , and am presently ready as a man desperate , little esteeming which end goeth forward , to abandon thy company , to forsake Venice , to forsweare my country , to sette the hares heade to the goose gybblettes , and al that I haue at a mumme chaunce . Better hadde it here for Euctus and Eulaeus by the example of Crates to geue heauie Persa a lenitiue in his ouerthrowe , to asswage his griefe ; then a sharpe corosiue , to augment his paine : And a friendlier touch had it ben of thee , perceiuing mee drounde in mine owne teares , to streatch foorth thy handes , too saue mee halfe deade ; then too thrust out thy tongue , to kill me quicke . Had they tolde Persa , that Fortune ruleth in feates of armes , and victorie in warre is euer vncertayne , that Phillip , at one pushe lost all Macedon ; Antiochus , Asia ; the Carthaginians , Lybia ; that Iulius Caesar when hee had subdued all Fraunce , made a conqueste of Englande , returned into Italy , and triumphed in Rome , was s●ayne in the Senate house among his freendes ; that Fortune is paynted with feete and winges , because shee comes running , and departes flying , that this dayes glory was but a proppe to the Romanes , to set them higher , that too morrowe , their fal might be the greater ; they had incouraged Persa too renue the battayle , and kepte themselues harmelesse . And I am perswaded that if thou hadst played the good Nurse , which seing her childe catche a knocke , steppes to it presently , not with threatninges , nor roddes , nor rebukes , but with gentle intreatie takes it vppe ; dandles it often in her lappe ; and with many a sweete songe , rather giuing it a soft ●eate , then a harde stripe , lulles it a sleepe to ease the paine ; thou hadst cured my sorrowe , quenched mine anger , and woone me for euer to be thine . Thou little considerest whether I fell wantonly by mine owne folly , or was sudainly ouerturned by vnruly lubbers ; thou condemnest my leuitie not regarding my necessitie ; thou hast forgotten that he is forced to go whom the deuil driues ; & that neede maketh euery man to trot . If you haue not hearde of Chrysogono ( I meane not him which thrust Sextus Roscius out of his farmes in Ameria ; but him which defeated mee of my liuing in Sienna , and droue thy poore Phialo out of Hetruria ) let this be sufficient to stopp thy mouth that it is hee , whiche beeing an Abbote in Ferara , cleane contrary too his profession , because he is holy ; and to the othe hee tooke at the death of my father , who trusted him farther then hee deserued ; enioyeth that by force whiche is none of his : it is hee which shoulde ra-rather helpe , then hurte ; rather giue , than take ; rather feede then famish ; rather clothe the naked , then strip them of all to the bare bones : It is he , which stuffing his bagges with the frutes of Learning , alloweth not Philosophers to touche money ; but with a full ●orge commends fasting : To be shorte , Philolotimo it is euen hee , which keepes that back that shoulde bee my maintenaunce in Sienna ; yet art thou so franticke , to bid mee returne thyther againe in haste , and followe my studie , as if thou shouldest charge mee to fight , without weapons , climbe without ladders , mounte without wings . Hast thou not reade that Ex nihilo nihil fit , Nothing doeth lye in childbed of Nyfles ? How wouldest thou then haue me to apply my Booke , when the meane as I tolde thee is taken away ?

Philotimo beholding his friende wistly , the more he delighted in his talk , the more he lamented the losse of his time ; and woondring at the pithynesse of his speech , which in al his conference neuer vsed a waste worde , egged him on to a farther discourse in this maner .

I remember Phialo , that Plato giueth hartie thanks to Nature , for making him rather a reasonable creature , then a brute beast ; a man , then a woman ; an Athenien , then a Theban ; and chiefely for giuing him life in the time of Socrates . Whose example hath humbled me often before God , with duetiful thankes to his diuine maiestie , for fashioning of me to his owne likenesse , giuing me a mind to conceiue , and a toung to speake , when he might haue made me a dumbe beast ; for making me rather a man , then a woman that is , a Lord , then a slaue ; an Athenien , than a Theban ; a Tuscan , rather then a rude Bergamaske ; and last of all , for yeelding parte of thy studyes to mee , whiche like a young Socrates , applyest all thy knowledge too reforming of manners . Therefore as thou haste already begun , approuing me by strong argumentes , to be both brainsicke and vnskilfull in my proceedings , for dealing so roughly with thee , at such an il time , go forwards , good Phialo , and shewe mee aswell what I ought to follow , in rebuking my freend , as thou hast declared what I shall flye , that through mine owne ignoraunce , I offend no more . I neuer resorted to thee yet since our first acquaintance , but ere I departed , I carried some lessons awaye woorth the noting .

Not so sir ( quoth Phialo ) It is hard to draw water in a dry soile , or fishe out any skil from an emptie pond . Socrates affirmeth himself to know nothing : & trust me I se no reason why Plato , which is accomted a great Philosopher , and a searcher of wisedome , Socrates able to teach nothing because hee knew nothing . shoulde reioyce so muche to liue in his time , which was not able too teach him any more then he knewe . If he iudge the person more luckie then the man was learned , or thinke it sufficient to vertue , to haue beene a student in those dayes , he little considereth that Alcibiades and Critias were both Scholers too Socrates , yet the one a Traytour , the other a Tyrant . It is not the place wee are borne in , that maketh vs learned ; nor the name of our mayster that leades vs to vertue .

Thus can I not deuise with my self , Philotimo , what it is that should mooue thee too triumph so much in thine owne conceit , because thou art rather an Athenien , then a Theban ; a Tuscan , then a Bargamaske , as though all were learned , that came from Athens ; or all ignorant , that dwelt at Thebes ; or all Courtiers , that are bredde in Tuscanie ; or all Carters , that are borne in Bargamaske . But moste of all I woonder howe thou canst possibly sucke any fruite from my studies , which are very small , because I haue loytered ; & stenderly grounded , through want of abilitie . Sith thou hast likened me to Socrates , whose Nihil scio is confirmed by Arcesilas , Zeno , Empedocles , Anaxagoras , and the whole rabble of them which pulled out our eyes , that wee mighte not see : and taught vs to wander in the darke , giuing no credite to their senses , but doubting continually whether Snowe were white , or the Crowe black , I might ripp vp that controuersie of the Academikes and the Peripatetikes , and shew thee by reason , that I knowe nothing , to driue thee off from the thinge which thou longest to heare . Which if I should doe , and dote in those thinges that I dayly see , I am fully perswaded , when I call for a Booke , Philotimo woulde presentlye giue me a Brickbatte , to make me distinguish a Stacioners shoppe , from a Stone wall . Therefore acknowledging my self to be made of a soule , and of a bodie , the one deriued from Heauen , the fountaine of Knowledge ; the other from Earth , the seate of ignoraunce ; I am driuen too confesse that I neither knowe all thinges , which belongeth too GOD ; nor am ignoraunte in all thinges , which is proper too Beastes ; but am perfecte in some thinges , vnskilfull in other , which life is onely peculiar to man . This doctrine is taught by Aristotle , approued by Foxius , layde open by Tully , and soundely discoursed by Lactantius . Whose arguments , Philotimo , I wil not alledge , because I see the ignorant which neuer redde them will not vnderstande them ; the learned which knowe them already , will not regarde them . And thy selfe I perceiue art more desirous to heare such thinges , as are profitable to reforme manners ; than suttle , to stirre vp discention in schooles . The greatest thing that at this time thou desirest to knowe , is onely this : Which way thou mightest behaue thy selfe to rebuke thy friende in his fault without offence . A busie prouince no doute for a simple witte , and suche a burden as Hercules might refuse . There are many good Scholers and grounded Philosophers in Sienna , whose shoulders would better become this taske : yet seeing all men to looke for greater thinges at their hands , because of their knowledge ; than they are willing to shew , Want of rewarde , the death of learning . when they are flightly rewarded ; they had rather content them with a priuate life , then take so much paine , for so little thanks . But if I ( which may not compare with them , neither in learning , for I am young ; nor in iudgement , for I am rawe ) chaunce to swarue in my penne through wante of reading ; lay the fault to my youth , & pardon my folly , I desire no more recompence for my trauell : A little streame , serues to driue a light Mill ; and a lea●e fee is fitte for a lazie Clarke . Therefore sith thou requirest , whose friendshipp I cannot forget ; thou commaundest , whose authoritie I will not resiste ; I meane to prosecute that which I first began , not as chefest of al men , that with greatest grauitie , but chosen by thy selfe , that with smallest ieoperdie , might shew my mind ; nor that thou shalt find me as plentiful as Amaltheaes horne , to yeeld thee what fruit soeuer thou crauest ; but that in this vacant time , wherein your affayres are little , my businesse lesse ; you from the Court , I from the Vniuersitie , & bothe idle ; the day slipe not away without some profite .

Diogenes thought it necessary for vs in this life , to haue either good friendes or great enemyes ; they neuer cease to exhorte vs to vertue , these are stil searching for a hole in our garmentes . Therefore when one perceiuing the Greekes to bee subdued , and the Carthaginiens vtterly ouerthrowen , boldely pronounced that the Romanes were safe ; Nay , quoth Scipio Nascica , now is the time of our chiefest danger , because we haue left vs neither friendes a broade , whome we should follow ; nor foes , of whom we should stand in feare . Whereby thou maist see , Philotimo , howe requisite it is for vs in these dayes by one meanes or other to be tolde of our faults . Euery man is desirous , if he haue a blot in his paper , or a botch in his verse , or a stain in his cote , or a spot in his face , to heare of the same , that for his owne credit he might amend it . We are al willing to dresse our selues by a glasse , that nothing about vs stand awry , yet are we also blinde of affection , so blunt of condition , so waywarde of minde , and so waspish of nature , that wee cannot abide to heare of any wrinkle , in our behauiour ; but if any man friendly admonishe vs of such● deformities , we are straight at daggers drawing , we flinge out of company , wee chalenge the fielde , and for his good will we rewarde him with hate . To auoyde such a braule , and to keepe thy friende , to shew him his vice , and to saue thy selfe to rebuke him for his manners , and ye● winne his hart ; I haue alredy giuen the● a Caue at , forbidding thee flatly to reprehend in ioy , or in sorowe ; in mirth , or i● misery ; in pleasure , or paine . And that I may the better imitate the course of nature , which runneth à priuatione ad habitum , from killing , too quickening ; from death , vnto life ; I will firste remooue the blocks out of thy way that thou stumble not , and shewing thee what turnings betwixte this and thy iournyes ende muste be lefte , to keepe thee stil in the righte way , I thinke it best to vnfolde vnto thee as plainely as I can , what thou shalt flie in reproouing thy friend , that I may the easier teache thee heereafter what thou shalt followe . As our friendes are not to be rebuked when they are pleasaunt , nor when they are dumpish : so are they not likewise to be touched in Company , nor in Choler , nor Continually , nor in a brauery , nor when our selues are as bad as they . In Company : because we loath to he taunted before them , of whom we desire to be well lyked . When Aristomenes the scholemaister of King Ptolome saw the king sleepe before certaine Ambassadors , & with rebukes awaked him in their presence , he gaue occasion to flatterers to picke a thank in his Maiesties quarrell , who incensed him so farre with the remembraunce of that reproch , that they caused him streighte to enforce his Maister , to drinke his laste draught in a Cup of poyson . Dion . Tiberius which succeded Augustus in the Empire of Rome , and withhelde the legacie which Augustus by Testament had giuen to the people , perceiuing one round a dead coarse in the eare , called the man , and demaunded the cause why he did so ; To whom the fellow replied before them all , that he willed the soule which was fleeting from thence , to an other world , to certifie Augustus that the commons of Rome were yet vnpaid . Wherevpon the Emperor charged him presently to be slaine , that he might carry the newes and doe the errande him self , which knewe best howe the case stoode . Because Pythagoras sharply rebuked his friend in company , Pl●● . a young man presently cast a halter aboute his neck , meaning either to bridle his tong , or to thrattle him ; By which the Philosopher euer after amended his faulte , and learned in such places , to vse other talke . And Plato perceiuing Socrates too charme his friende rashely at an open Table , shewed him that it had beene the poynt of a wise man , to haue doone that in secret : Very wel , quoth Socrates , had it not beene as wise a parte , for thee to haue tolde mee this in secret ? The like method hath the holy Ghost sette downe in the Booke of God , willing vs if wee see our brother offend , to drawe him aside , and admonishe him gently : if that preuayle not , then to rebuke him before witnesse : but if this will not serue , by order of law to appeale to the Iudge .

In Choler ; because wee are perswaded that bitter wordes proceede rather from a foe then a friend , Dion . from an ill mind then a well meaning . Vespasian hearing Demetrius reuyle him , tolde him this : Thou hast prouoked me already Demetrius to kill thee , but it is not my fashion to slay any Curr because he barketh . Had not that Prince with greater wisedome gouerned his handes , than rayling Demetrius ruled his tounge , so lauishe a mouth had cost him his life . We are willed which are christians , to reforme one another with the spirit of meekenes , which is likened to a Doue , and the Doue hath this propertie , it lack● a gall ; so must we in reuealing the faultes of our friends , be cleane voyde of Gall , of bitternesse , of anger , of malice .

In a Brauerie : because he which seeketh to win glory by other mens vices , is no more to bee regarded , then a common quacksaluer , which trudgeth from Citie to citie , with a box full of drugs , to proclame in the market what sores , or what sicknesse , he is able to cure , and by this dauncing ●inde of gesture with the proude Pharisee iustifie himselfe to his owne shame .

Continually : because it is irksome to be euer rubd on the gaule , too much of one thing is good for nothing . The Surgion doth not alwayes tormente his cure , for troubling the wounde , and making his patient refuse remedie . The maister is not euer whipping his Scholer , or casting the offence he commits in his teeth , for dulling his wit , hardening his heart , and forcing him vtterly too abhorre his Booke . He that continually wipeth the face to make it cleane , may chafe of the skinne and disfigure it more . Therefore I may well like the man whiche at no time ceaseth too rebuke , too a pestilente whilewinde , that gathereth togither nothing but cloudes , and driues all the dust in the streetes on a heape ; or to a Rauen , whose propertie is euer to seaze vppon carrion ; or to the Sow , that is euer wrooting among weedes .

If our selues be naught : because it is a great shame to reprooue that in others , which we go not about to reforme in our selues . They were forbid in ancient time too expounde Oracles , Plut. whiche had any botch about their body : Much more are their lippes to be sealed vp , which haue neuer a cleere corner in their soules . Seneca was ill thought on for inueighing against lewdnesse , and loued Agrippina ; for mislyking of authoritie , and was an Emperours maister ; for dispraysing the Courte , himself a Courtier ; for speaking against flatterers , and fawnde vppon Queenes ; for condemning of riches , himselfe beeing wealthie ; and for rebuking excesse , when himselfe had fiue hundred stooles in his house of one fashion , Dion . al headed with Cipres , and footed with Yuory . Salust wrote many things againste spoylers of countryes , and robbers of prouinces , yet when Caesar appoynted him to gouerne Affrike , he polled the people as fast himselfe . Thus may we not minister remedie to others , when our selues are full of the like corruption ; lest we be commaunded as hypocrites , ere we take away the mote from our brothers sight , to remoue the beame from our owne eyes ; Or as diseased Phisitions , to helpe our selues . For he that is fallen , cannot pull vp his friend ; nor he that is wicked , giue any good counsell to offenders .

These are the rocks , Philotimo , which thou must shunne in rebuking thy friend , if thou desire to vtter thy wares , & bringe thy shippe to a safe harbour . Peraduenture there may bee more added by riper wittes , which my selfe haue not reade , or not remembred ; And sith time will not serue me to search them out , I had rather contente my selfe with these , then coyne any more without commission , leste I chaunce to passe my lymites as farre as Priamus , which was registred to be the father of fiftie Children , and but xvii . of them lawfully begotten . He that will not be runne a grounde in his passage , muste tary the tide ere he take Boate ; The sayler that is lothe to be driuen beyonde his reach , must waite till he cary the winde in a bag ; The Merchant that wisheth to make a hande of his goods , muste watch opportunitie to open his Shop ; And if that inreprouing the abuses of thy frend , thou forsake those daungerous shelues which I haue shewed thee , and art come to Anchour , very desirous to be vnladen , thou must chuse a fitte time to discharge thy conscience : for the neede of the chapman rayseth the market , and the occasion which they them selues giue that are to be chide , shall fetch out thy counsel at a good rate .

Suche a time did Solon pick out to rebuke Craesus when he shewed him his treasure : A tempore● such aduauntage Demaratus tooke of kinge Philip , to tell him of the debate betwixt him & his Queene . For when the king asked him how the Greeks did agree within themselues : It is very well doone my leege ( quoth Demaratus ) for your maiestie to demande how quietly the Atheniens & Peloponnesians doe liue abrode , when you and your Queene are at discorde at home . Such an occasion Diogenes caught at the first bounde , who beeing taken in the tentes of the same Philip ( which then determined too warre with the Greekes ) and brought in his presence , the king asked presently , if he were a spye : yea , sayd Diogenes , a spye , that hath already discouered thy rashenes , which neither constreined by force , nor prouoked by iniury , art come hither , to hazard thy lyfe , thy glory , thy power , thy possession , thy Crowne , thy Kingdome , and al that thou hast , in owne houre . Such opportunitie was not forslewed by Bato the ringleader of the Rebelles in Dalmatia , Dion . for comming too the Emperour too entreate of peace , when Tiberius first questioned with him , why he arose in Armes ? Bycause ( answered hee ) you sent vs neyther shepperds to regarde vs , nor dogges too defende vs , but Woolues too deuoure vs .

Some tymes bicause the wind is not euer in one quarter , we must ship out our ●ares , and further our course , either by the person of our selues , A personae . Quinque modis . which rebuke , or of him which is rebuked , or of his felow , or of his friendes , or of his enemies . Of our person : when we confesse our selues to haue had the like vice , and amended it ; to haue beene in lyke daunger , and escaped it . So Iupiter and Iuno falling at variance for matters belonging too Venus sportes , thought Tiraesias , who had beene both a man and a woman , fittest of all ; to take vppe the controuersie , and to conclude for them bothe , which of the twoo , the man , or the woman , was greatest wanton . Of the person of him whom we rebuke : when the partie himselfe of his owne accorde confesseth one of his lightest faultes ; so is the example of Philotimo the Phisition too bee followed , which tolde his patient , that shewed him a chapte finger , that he fostered a greater disease then that , and shoulde take some Phisicke for his hotte liuer . Of his fellowes : when he perceiueth the faultes which himself committeth , to be seuerely punished in another . So did Ammonius accustome to rebuke his schollers . For vnderstanding one day that some in the schoole had played the gluttons , hee commanded his seruant to beate his own sonne , and turning his face too them that deserued it , told them , that such a wagge coulde neuer dyne wel without sauce too his meate . Of his friendes : whome hee might to reuerence for their good wil and fully perswade him of their honest mind . After this fort Plato reprehended Dionysius , for thrusting him out of the Court , without cause . And hauing obtayned audience of the King , he began firste to reason in the person of an enemie . If thou knewest Dionysius , that any of thy fooes had ariued in Sicily to doe thee hurt , and wanting opportunitie fayled of his purpose , wouldest thou let him escape without reuenge ? No , said Dionysius , for I punish the intent aswell as the deede doing . Then Plato disputing with him pretily à contrariis , descended straighte into the person of a friende and replyed thus ; If any of your friends for the loue that he beares you , come hether to Sicily , to doe you good , but hath loste his labour , because your self hath not giuen him leaue , will you turne him away without reward ? Dionysius demanded who it was that had taken such paine , and was so lightly regarded : Plato yet couered himselfe and said , it was Aeschines , whose eloquence was abie too reforme the manners of those that imbraced his companie : It is euen he that hath trauelled far , and passed the Seaes in danger of life to teach thee Philosophy , and is not esteemed . Wherevpon the Kinge greatly delighting in the boldesse of his spirit , embraced him againe , brought him into the Courte , and delte very bountifully with him and Aeschines . Orat. pro. Caeli● So likewise Tully nippes Clodia in the person of her little brother . It mooueth vs asmuch too amend our manners , and saueth the rebuker without hurte , when our vice is laide open to vs in the person of such , as by affinitie of bloode wee are bounde to like . By which meanes I haue hearde , that one Fulco , a bolde Bishopp , which was Embassadour in Engande in the time of King Richarde the first , King Richards three daughters banished the Courte . and perceiuing very great abuses in the Courte , boldely stepped to the King , and tolde him , that hee had three arraunce Whoores to his daughters , for whome if he speedily prouided not mariages , it woulde turne his maiestie to shame , and his Courte too reproche . The first of them he tearmed to be Pride , the seconde Couetousnesse , the thirde Luxurie . The good king hearing the names of his straunge daughters , entred into a deeper consideration of their natures ; & the next day called his Councell togither , to gette them husbandes . When hee had opened the talke of the Bishop to the Peeres of his Realme ; he presently gaue Pride to the Templers , Couetousnes to the Cisterttan Monks , and Luxurie to the ruffling Prelates of the Church . Sometime if wee suppose all those deformities to be in an other , which abounde in the partie whome we reproue , naming no body , but leauing the matter doubtful , and indifferent to bee applyed by the guilt●e conscience it self , it is very forcible . So Tully playes with Clodia in the same Oration for Caelius , which I cyted before . If any widowe haue set her dores wide open to Bawdry , and yeelded her selfe a common Curtezan , refusing not to feast among those whom she neuer knewe , if she do this in the citie , in gardens , in common meetings : To be short , if shee behaue her selfe so not onely in gesture , but in attyre and companie ; nor in gloating of her eyes , and lauishnesse of speech , but in embracinges , in kissings , in bathinges , in banquetes , whereby she is iudged as impudent as whoorish ; If , I say , a younge Nouice haue stumbled by chaunce into her company , tell me Lucius Herennius , whether thou terme him a lecher or a louer ? Such a fellow as hath sought to robb her of her honestie , or to reaue her of that shee was willing to loose ? I forget my iniuryes Clodia , I shake of the remembrance of my sorrowe , I ouerskippe thy crueltie to my friendes in my absence , doe not thinke these things which I haue vttered , to be spoken of thee ; yet giue me leaue to aske thee a question , because our accusers haue sifted the crime out of thee and alledge thee for witnesse : if there bee any such woman as I late described vnlike to thy selfe in life , or in lewdnesse , with whom a young man hath a little beene conuersaunt , whether thou thinke it so heynous a matter ? If thou be not the same woman , as I wish ; what is it that can bee obiected to Caelius ? but if other men apply , and say thou art she , why shoulde we feare that offence which thou regardest not ? Neuerthelesse sith you may wel perceiue that Cicero vsed this going aboute the bushe , rather to checke her bitterly , then reforme her friendly ; to taunte her in the Senate , than teach her in secret ; and to touch her neerest , when she least loked for it ; I will let slippe , and com● to the person of his enemies whom we are willing to reprehende . For hee that rebuketh in this manner , remooueth the blame from him selfe , and turnes it to him in whose person hee speakes ; which I will shewe thee , Philotimo , by a very familiar example . Signior leraldi , a Magnifico in this Citie , whom thou knowest well , since my comming to Venice , inuited mee diuers times to his house . One day especiallyas we sat at dinner , he began to moue talke of Samarcho the Lawyer : from him he descended to his Sonne , which at this time enioyeth my roome in Sienna , demaunding of me , how I lyked his wit : So , so , Sir , said I , and shooke my heade . Then Ieraldi tolde mee , that within these fewe dayes the young man came from the Vniuersitie to visite his friends , the father requested Ieraldy too Supper , that hee might see this towarde youth . When they were set , Sirra , quoth the wise Father to the wittie sonne , you haue Phialoes place , but I hope you wil not proue such an vnthrist as Phialo ; wherat the manerly puppie began to pou● . Credit me , said Ieraldi , I stoode in doubte whether I shoulde blame the Father for speakinge without booke , or condemne the sonne for his ill nurture : but you may see , Phialo , how good it is for you to walke warely , that the mouthes of your enemyes may be stopped : This prety kinde of rebuke so far fetcht , caused me to thank the Magnifico for telling me what he hearde , and to storme at Samarcho , for reporting so il of me without ground . I would not haue him to counte his Chickens so soone before they be hatcht , nor tryumphe so long before the victorie : These are rath daies , it is honie moone yet , if he see his sonne swimme , let him thanke GOD which hath made him able too holde him vppe by the sinne . There is yet small iudgement to be giuen : the greene blade that appeares firste , & shootes highest , is soonest bitte with a blacke froste . As too much drought hath caused thy Phialo to shedde his leaues : so too muche moysture may choke vp his graffe , and both wither for company . But to leaue them , I will cast aboute to the place where I strooke sayle , and returne to my purpose as fast as I can . When thou hast watched thy time and caught thy friende solitary , vnfolded thy minde in any of these persons which I haue rehearsed , the thing it selfe many times will accuse the man , though thou holde thy peace . The thinge it self , 〈◊〉 . saith Tully , wil cry out , though I be mute . And Plato prouounceth that the life it selfe rebuketh Speusippus . Think not , Oratio : pro Rose : Amer. saith Tully , that as you haue heard in olde tales , the wicked are chased & affrighted with the firebrandes of furyes , euery mans owne tretchery & his owne feare troubleth him , euery mans owne faulte torments him , and pricks him , their owne conceite , and their owne consciences euer gnawe them . Where the man is so scourged , & feeles so many witnesses in himselfe , thou shalt haue the lesse neede to shewe it him . Ab 〈◊〉 . Otherwise if thou see him alofte , and feare that he will be carryed away with pleasure to forget himselfe , thou mayest then take occasion by his presente state too warne him : Speusippus wrot vnto Dion in his chiefest pompe , exhorting him not to looke too high , because he was a gallant Gentleman , and muche made of amongst women , but to haue a care that Sicily bee well gouerned with equitie , maintained by Iustice , and beautified trimly by good lawes . The same Plato which coulde not bee perswaded too prescribe any orders of lyfe to the Cirenenses , bicause he thought their prosperitie woulde not suffer them to take the bitte , iudged it necessary to bid Dion beware of his comely personage and flourishing dayes , for pryde at one tyme or other wil haue a fal .

And bycause that sore eyes maye not view the light , without a scarfe ; I thinke it necessary for thee , in making thy friend acquainted with his faulte , too vse a shadowe ; which may bee doone by tempring thy speaches with commendations . The Phisition is more desirous too cure his Patient by sleepe , then by Rubarbe ; by comfortable meates , than foraine drugs , by the Cookes helpe , than the Apothecaries shop . The Fencer entring the Liste to come too blowes , geueth a florish with his weapon too moue delight , & in al the conflict bendeth his body with a comely grace . The Surgeon comming too the member that must bee cutte , bolstereth it vp with softe pillowes , muffleth his Patients eyes with a clout , and toucheth the ●yle as tenderly as he can . So shal it behooue thee in reforming thy friend , and purging the humor whiche hurteth him most , too take away the bitternesse of thy Lozinge , with sweete Syrops , commending him for that he hath done wel , auoyding comparisons , bycause they are odious , accepting his excuse , if he chance to reply , lessening his fault asmuch as you may , cooling his moode , with a fewe prayses , as the Smith doth his Iron too knit it the straighter , and make it strong . By reckoning vpp too them that which was done wel , wee make them ashamed , of that which is il .

Fye Pandar whers thy bow and fethered flight , Which make thee beare the pryre from euery wight ?

Thus are they cheeflie too be wonne with fayre meanes , by the example of the Phisition : or gently too bee entreated at the first , and then gaulled , as you see by the Fencer , and the Surgion : or too bee first heated , and fashioned , then cooled , & calmed , as a Smithes Iron , or a lazie Pandar . For the Mason , after hee hath stryken a deep gashe with the Chysel , in too his woorke , leaues it not rough , for beeing deformed , but smootheth it ouer , with finer tooles , to make it shewe beautifull to the eye : He pareth away whatsoeuer is rugged , for spi●●ing his woork ; And wee muste shaue of all that , with a smooth tounge , which wee lefte sharpe , with a rough taunte , for spoyling our friende . Therefore it is tollerable sometimes to purge him aloofe , and post the faulte ouer to another , as the onely cause of that offence . So Tully excuseth Atracinus , for accusing of Caelius , imputing the fault to his zeale , who was willing to haue all amended ; or to compulsion , as though he were forced to it by other ; or to his youth , which was easie to bee brybed . Wherein I may liken his practize to the countrieman , whiche soweth Onions and Garlike , neere to his Roses , that they might draw the grosse & sowre moysture into them selues , & so make the flowers a great deale sweeter . This might bee handled , Philotimo , more at large , but a becke is as good , as a Dieu garde , and a woorde enough , too a wise hearer . The Atheniens were one day desirous to haue some new peece of work , and setting two notable Carpenters before them , to knowe which was the best : the one hauing a quick wit , and a ready tounge , reasoned of many things belonging to building , and discoursed his art with apte woords and sentences orderly placed , which lyked them well : The other beeing the better workman , and the woorse Orator , more skilful in his toles , than in his toung ; tolde the Atheniens , that all which his fellowe had vtterrd in woordes , himselfe was able to shewe in deedes . And sith we both studie to counsell our friendes when we see them swarue , which no doubte wil be a profitable peece of woorke , because I haue according too my small skill in Rhetorike , drawne out the frame with a fewe woordes , I woulde haue thee presently to put it in practize : which if thou doe , auoyding that which is to be fled ; pursuing that , which is to be followed not chiding thy friende in ioy , for ouerthwarting ; nor in sorrow , for oppressing ; nor in company , for troubling ; nor in choler , for vexing ; nor in brauery , for vaunting ; nor alwayes , for discouraging ; nor when thy self art worse for scorning : but grounding thy arguments on the person , or on the fault , or on the time , so seasoning and spiring thy talke with sweetenesse , that it slip downe ●pace without chewing ; and touch him at the quick , without molesling ; thou shalt profite him pleasure his friends , not hurt thy selfe , reforme vice , aduaunce vertue , and giue a good push , to the profession of a young Diuine .

Beleeue me , sayd Philotimo , if it be the propertie of a cunning Painter , to giue life to a huge beast , in a narrow paper ; of a towarde Souldier , to turne a great horse , in a little compasse ; and of a good scholer , to couch many things , in a fewe woordes : for declaring of matters so rough , aptly ; so confused , orderly ; so redicus , breefely ; I maye well call thee a new Protagenes , a seconde Alexander , and the very hatchet of Demosthenes . And though I cannot commend thee sufficiently in thine owne presence , without suspition of flatterie : yet dare I not withholde the Garland from thee , which thou deseruest , for doing thee iniurie .

Very wel , answered Phialo , because you are a Philosopher , and a Courtier , in the one , you attribute that vnto mee , that is due to your selfe , which is Socrates floute : in the other , I finde you very franke of good woords , which is proper to the place wherein you liue . Epist● ad Tho. Archiep. Ebor. Therfore giue me leaue to say that too you , which Erasmus wrote of Henrie the eight , a victorious King of Englande . I am very glad , sayth he , and haue woonderfull cause to reioyce in hearte , that I am so highly commended of so famous a Prince , but much more shoulde I bee bounde to his maiestie , if aduauncing my estate , his highnesse vouchsafed to confirme that which he auoucheth . I speake not this to compare you to King Henrie , or my selfe to Erasmus , for there is oddes . Yet sith it hath pleased you to tickle mine eares with so high prayses , I shoulde euer account my self your debtour , if you would aswell further my studyes with your helping hand , as you haue lifted them vp , with a glosing toling . For many thought Eras . not to be so learned , because he was bare : And euery man will iudge me to be but a Duns , when he sees me a begger . Yet that worthy Prince which neuer suffred vertue to depart emptie handed , stayed vp the fame of Erasmus with his liberality : and I trust , when soeuer you commend me againe , you wil open your lippes and your purse togither .

With this Philotimo began to smile , and taking poore Phialo by the hand , led him to the Table , where they bothe placed them selues to supper : which no doubt was passed ouer with little talke , because they had tyered them selues before , both beeing desirous to busie their teeth and their tounges otherwise . The Supper once ended , Phialo beganne to take his leaue for that night , and withdrawe himselfe to his owne lodging , for withholding Philotimo from his rest , who could not chuse but be weary after such a iournie . But the noble Gentleman taking so great pleasure in the conference of Phialo , that hee had altogither forgotten his former trauel , suffered not his friende to departe from his side , requesting him earnestly to keepe him company , till hee returned towarde the Courte . Phialo easie enough to bee intreated of so greate a friend , stayed , and spent the greatest parte of the night with him in talke .

The seconde Booke , A Canuazado too Courtiers .

THe nexte day Philotimo was very desirous too vsite leraldi , and stirring somewhat the earlier , that he might both thank him for his curtesie towards Phialo , and spend the time in some argument till dinner approached , he set forwarde with Phialo to this Magnificoes house , where they sound the graue father very harde at his Booke . They had no sooner embraced him , and hee giuen courteous intertainment to them , but Philotimo tolde him hee was sorie , that it was his chaunce to come to his house at such a time , as might rather hinder his studyes then pleasure him any way .

No Sir , saide Ieraldi , excepte you iudge me to be a Cato , whose eyes were continually fixed on his Booke , his mind asmuche busied in Ciuill gouernmente . That which I reade , is onely to shunne Idlenesse , when I lacke such good company . My learning is small , my iudgement as slender in matters of weight : therefore haue I chosen such a booke to peruse , as rather delighteth mee with pleasant conceites , than troubleth my wittes with construing of things beyond my reache . Beholde Philotimo it is only a discourse which liuely discribeth the image of a Courtier , fitter for you to professe , then for me to reade . Heere is a sweet stile , pure phrase , little affected and many good preceptes to be learned . But you knowe howe easie a thinge it is to cutt a garment , by an other mans patterne , too builde when the foundation is layde to our hands ; or to add more of our selues to those things , which are already inuented by other . Though the writer of this discourse haue doone well , yet in my opinion hee sawe farre , and perceiued not all ; hee wrote much , and let somewhat slippe that better deserued to be touched . Wee see in this body of ours , that one foote steppeth beyonde the other ; with the hande we reache farther than we stride ; with the toung , we sounde farther than wee strike ; with the eare , wee doe heare beyonde our voyce ; the sight of our eye , peerceth beyond our hearing ; and the caste of the minde , outstrips them all . So shall you finde in the body of euery common wealth , not euery thing so absolute in one particular member , but something may bee wished for , which it wanteth ; Euerye man in one poynte , or other , passing his fellowe , and himselfe as much inferiour to them , as they are to him , whom he exceedeth . Tullie was eloquent , but fearefull too speake ; Crassus bolde , but verye broade mouthed ; Menestheus in courage geueth place to Stenhelus , Stenhelus to Diomed , Diomed too Aiax , and hee too Achilles . Agamemnon was saide too bee a wise Prince , yet gladde many times to bee counselled by Nestor . Eurition shot best for Aeneas games , Virgil. but Acesta caried away the Prize , because hee deliuered his arrowe with so cunning a loose , that it caught fier as it flew , & consumed to cinders . Andromacha & Penelope were bothe chaste , and both loyall too theyr Husbandes , yet Penelope deserued the greater prayse .

The feete of Thetis were as brighte as siluer , but the ankles of Hebe , cleerer than Cristall ; The armes of Aurora , as ruddy as the Rose , but the bres●es of Iuno , as whyte as snowe ; Minerua was wise , but Iuno was welthie , & Venus in beautie stayned them both . Iewelles are all precious , but not all of one price , nor all of one vertue , nor of like perfection . The Adamant of nature draweth Iron , but the stone Hematites dooth stoppe blood . The Carbuncle in darknesse shineth like fire , but the Topase is holp with the light of the Sunne . Thus may you perceiue , that all Riuers haue not their course into one Sea , all fruite , doth not grow vpon one tree , all fishe , is not taken in one streame , all fashions , are not cut out of one cloth , all lawes , are not made by one Solon , al Countryes , are not gouerned by one Prince , al knowledge , is not found in one head , nor all Images hewed out of one block . But one enioyeth that which another wants , & the same lacketh that , which another hath . The Moone and the Starres doo gouerne the night , but the Sunne receiueth the day to his charge ; Neptune rules the seas , but Aeolus the wyndes ; Cupid shootes arrowes , but Iupiter thunderbolts ; Tibullus writes wanton sonets of loue , but Homer the bloodie destruction of Troy ; And the Autor of this Booke which you tooke mee perusing teacheth a Courtier too tel a fine tale , but I hope you woulde haue profite his Countrie .

For my part , aunsweared Philotimo , I dare not meddle in this case , for marring of that which I cannot amend , and sith my lucke serues me so yll , I am contented , with the losse of a single stake , to poste ouer my game to the hands of Phialo , who hath reade more than I , and Playes with aduauntage vppon sure cardes .

You know , answeared Phialo , that it is not for me , to teache gesture in the presence of Roscius , to touch the stringes in Apolloes hearing , nor to describe a courtier before Philotimo . Yet if I mighte drawe you downe the patterne of a Courtier , I woulde haue him too bee in spirite a Cyrus , 〈◊〉 Courtier . in temperaunce , an Ageselaus , ● witte a Themistocles , in experience a Philip , in boldenesse a Brasidas , in tongue a Pericles , in friendeshippe a Ionathas , in Wisedome a Solomon ; excercised in armes , skilfull in Bookes , liberall in giftes , lowlie in Pompe , valiaunt in fighte , in Victorye mercifull ; and too saie all at once , in his whole life a true Christian , that rather seeketh a Kingdome in Heauen , than a Scepter on earth , an immortall Crowne , than a vanishing wreath ; the glorie of GOD , than his owne prayse . Yet sith my Courtier is as harde too bee founde in Italie , as Tullies Oratour , which neuer spoke ; Aristotles blisse , which was neuer tasted ; the Phoenix of Arabia , that was neuer seene ; or the Castles which Mathematicians buylde in the Ayre without tooles ; I will onely geue you three or foure Notes , which I thinke verie requisite in a Courtier , because I se them but slenderly handled by other .

Let a young Gentleman resorte too Ferara , you shall haue more readie too profer him Paris Harpe , then Achilles launce , nyce Doctrine , then manly Discipline , Too subdue these affections , and too make choyce of euery thing that lieth before you ; too consider the ende why you are called too that place , and too discharge your duetie when you are there , you ought , Philotimo , to be learned , to be liberall , to abhorre flatterers , and chiefly of all to further Religion , whiche is the Sacrifice that God looketh for at your hands . Alexander was a Captaine to the Greekes , a Lord to the Barbarians , and a Philosopher too both , hee taught the Hircans too marry , the Arachosians to plough , the Sogdians too succour theyr parentes , the Persians to refrayne theyr mothers bedde , the Scithians to burye their dead bodies , and the Indians too honour the Grecians gods . Hee was in birth a Prince , in life a Philosopher , in troubles a souldier , in peace a Scholer . Thou art not sent to the Courte , Philotimo , to lay the floure of thy youth , in Ladies laps , but to learne the state of thine owne Countrey , and the conditions of forraigne Realmes , that thou mayest the better be able to serue thy Prince .

When Embassadours came out of Persia to Philip of Macedon , Alexander his sonne , being then but a childe , asked them nothing of theyr maisters high Orchardes , or golden groaues , or what musicke hee loued , or what dauncers hee liked , but how many men at armes hee was able to make , if need required , what kinde of place he chosed to fight in , after what order he planted his battayle , what iustice he ministred to his subiectes , and by what kinde of lawes be gouerned his Countrey . Learning in Court. Learning hath beene thought so necessarie in the Courte , that Darius had alwayes rather see one Zopyrus at his Elbowe , then a hundred Babylonians . And when he was presented with a fayre Pomegranate , he wished to haue as many learned men continually about him as there were little graines within that apple . When Dionysius embrased the doctrine of Plato , the Nobles and Gentlemen so gaue their minde to knowledge , that euery corner in the Courte was full of triangles . It is necessary that they which looke vnto many , should see much , and sith the whole weight of the common wealth lieth in the necke of good Courtiers it were too bee desired , that none shoulde come there , but suche as are wise .

O Philotimo , how many young Gentlemen are there now in Tuscanie , which neuer dreame of these matters ? but hauing stabled their horse for amoneth in Sienna , though they neuer tasted the sweetnesse of knowledge , by lothing the trauel , yet trudge they to Ferara , to liue in the Courte . Wherein I may say they are a great deale more fruiteful than Hares , A quicke child-bed . for they are reported to conceiue , to goe prowde , and to litter their liuerets at one instaunt . But these wexe great with learning , before they conceiue it ; and deliuer their burden fourtie weekes at the leaste before it is begotten . If they take the Court ouer their heades as a hoode for the raine , or a cloude for their ignorance , thinking that a little sparke there , should shine like a flame , and euery flye swell as bigge as an Eagle , they perceiue not that vnskilfull woorkemen setting a puppet vpon high pillers , too make it seeme huger ; shewe euery faulte of it the playner . That they which wold not be seene , must not hide them selues on the toppe of an hill , and that suche as are placed in Princes Courtes , are subiect to the eare and eye of euery man : where they cannot once stumble in behauiour , without shame , nor trippe in their speeche without rebuke . Where the foundation is weake the frame tottereth , where the roote is not deepe the tree falleth , where the knot is loose the string slippes , where the water is lowe no bessell rides : and vpon litle learning the life of a Courtier cannot bee builded , because the foote is not able to beare vp the head .

Thou arte vtterly deceiued , Philotimo , if thou think it should fare with thee , as it dooth with the Sunne , the neerer he mounteth vp to the Pole , the slower he mooues : and the higher thou settest thy selfe in the Courte , the lesser thou iudgest thou oughtest too studie .

Thou arte not called to this life too sleepe out thy dayes in a Trunke with Clearchus , or to ioyne with Domitian too catch Flyes . In emptie Vessels it passeth our cunning too finde where they leake , till wee poure in Liquour ; I foole bewraieth himselfe if you geue him a Swoorde ; the Oule is blinde , when she comes too light ; the loyterer which hath effeebled his minde with pleasure and slouth , and nouseled himselfe in the fogge of ignorance , holdeth no water in princes Courts , playes like a foole with the shadow of authoritie , like a Bastarde Birde shutteth his eyes at the blase of Nobilitie , brightnesse of honour , and knowledge of many matters . Homer in setting out the picture of Agamemnon , likeneth his eyes and his head to Iupiter : By which I gather that a Courtier ought too see so farre , that his sight may reache from the East too the West , and that his wisdome may shape out a new a Minerua . Minerua bredde in Iupiters brane . From the Court in all ages hath learning been mainteined , and men of excellent knowledge receiued too the seruice of princes . So was Solon aduaunced by Craesus , Demaratus by Philip , Calisthenes by Alexander , Plato by Dionysius , and Seneca by Nero : But if Courtiers begyn too despise knowledge , and thrust theyr Philosophers out of the gates , all wisedome , al nurture , all good maners , al gouernment , all honour and honestie goes too wracke . Plato had not been one houre out of Dionysius fauour , but euery one of his lessons was turned too a daunsing trick , euery Gentlemans Pen set a work with the prayse of his Mistresse ; and euery Geometrical figure drawen in the botome of a Boule of Wine . When suche things happen , not onely the court is defaced , by want of discipline ; the countrey deformed , by foule disorder ; the learned discouraged , for lacke of countenance ; good letters banished , by discontinuance ; but the Courtier , himself though his haire glister like the locks of Smerdia , A Courtier without learnning . though his eyes peerce the Marble wall , though his tongue be as soft as silke , or as sweet as hony , though his personage haue stolen away all that nature is able too bestowe , yet hee is no better then a deepe streame , bright in the toppe , and blacke in the botome ; A kings Idole , sound with out , and finely gilded , hollow within , and filled with Lead ; a great Canon , that geueth amonstrous cracke and shootes but paper ; a faire ship fraught with Balist , and the shape of a man stuft with straw .

Isocrates thought it as necessary for Gentlemen , Oratio ad Demo●●cum . to practise the good qualities of their parentes , as too inherite their landes ; for Nobilitie , riches , quarteryng of Coates , and suche like ornaments , are lanternes vnto our posteritie , which neither suffer theyr vertues , nor their vices to be hid .

The auncient house of Sylla , the noble Romaine was almost decayed , and vtterly forgotten by the slouth of his progeny , till himselfe renued it by learning and vertue . Salust . Curious knottes shew wel , when they repounced , but a great deale better , embrodered in silkes ; and both are best on a Ladies backe . Costly stones shine brauely , when they are cut , but brauer when they are set in Golde , and both are most beautifull on a Princes finger . Learning hath some grace in a meane person , greater prayse in a Noble mind , and both are most glorious in the court . Therefore geue mee leaue , Philotimo , too entreate thee as a seruant , too admonishe thee as a friende , too commaund thee as Philosopher , that seruing the Duke of Ferara in his court , thy skil be as cleere , as thy honor is bright , thy maners as comely , as thy personage , thy vertues as noble as thy parentage , thy lyfe , as vnspotted as thy blood . Oh howe many great men haue I read of in histories , and seene in Italy , which hauing no knowledge in the course of the heauens , or the power of GOD ; in the weakenes of man , or slipper holde of prosperitie , at the least smile of fortune , haue swelled in pride , and forgot themselues , as thogh shee were neuer able too frowne , or their floorishing dayes coulde neuer chaunge ? Clitus , because hee tooke three or foure shippes at the Sea , called himselfe Neptune . Demetrius , for one good successe in all his affaires , termed him selfe Iupiter , sufferyng no forraigne Peeres too come to him of Embassage , but holy interpreters to demaunde Oracles . Lysimachus , because be inuaded the borders of Thracia , and conquered a Moulehil , sayde hee touche Heauen with the poinct of his Launce , if hee had stepped but one Inche further , I beleeue hee would haue vaunted that he had let Iupiter blood in the heele . Clearchus of Heraclia did beare a Thunderbolts , and called one of his children by the name of Thunder : Dionysius forgetting the doctrine of Plato , affirmed himself to be the sonne of Apollo ; & Iulius Caesar disfiguring himself to passe secretly into Affrick , when the winde was against him , & the maister 〈◊〉 too returne back , hid him goe forwardes , for hee carried Caesar , as though the name of an Emperour , the title of a King , or the shadow of a Courtier , mauger the Seas , were sufficient to passe . But that Courtier that considereth , the Sunne too arise in the East with a firy garlande , and fall in the West with Eclipse of his light , that learneth by the Oracle of Apollo , Dion . to knowe himself , and acknowledge his maker in the same ; shal easily find that his state is vncertain , and stay himself better by the fruite of knowledge .

And it behooueth a Courtier too bee learned , Liberalitie in Court. because hee liueth in the place that thirsteth for skill : so shoulde hee bee liberall , because his God hath blest hym with plentie : For moysture is not geuen vnto Springes , that it shoulde remaine still in the place where they breede ; but be conueied by Conduites too sundry corners , to the watering of euery dryer soile , and the comfort of al that inhabite where . Plato thinketh that nature at the first was deliuered of two daughters , Natures two daughters . Plentie , and Pouerty , to this end , that the one needing might craue that she lacked , the other abounding , supply all that wanted . Aristotles appetitus ad bonum is nothing but this , 〈◊〉 . 1. that God hath geuen a Paradise to all thinges in their kinde , and naturally ingraffed in them a desire , too seeke it out . The Courte is the treasure-house of preferment . And I perswade me that all power , all prefermentes , all offices , all the riches of euery countrey is locked vp in the court as the fittest Treasurie , that euery man by seruice should fetch his desert , and beg the thing there , that hee hath neede of . This ought the Courtiers of Ferara to consider , that they haue the keies of the Cheste to distribute , and wee are borne poore too flye vnto them ; that they are sweete Springes , wee barren soyles , vnable too yeelde anye fruite without theyr deaw ; they , the heires apparant to Plentie , we , the ofspring of Pouertie ; that we by the will of GOD , and the lawes of Nature , hauing recourse vnto them for succoure , mighte with submission acknowledge them our Lords , & our selues their vassailes : them our good Patrons , and our selues their beademen : whereby they louing vs , wee honouring them , they delighted in giuing , we conforced in taking , bothe in one might euer agree .

I speake not this to maintaine idle beggers or lazie Philosophers , but too teach euery man firste to digge his owne grounde till he come to the Clay , Plato . then if he finde not sufficient liquour , to request some friendship at his neighbours well . After this sorte when my selfe was puld from Sienna , through want of abilitie , hauing nothing after the death of my father to shore vp my studies , I wrote certaine Rapsodia to a Courtier in Ferara , hoping to finde some fauour with him , because it was tolde me , that he was learned , but I lost my labour , and at his own request and my charges , daunsed attendaunce certaine daies at the Court , without thankes . At the laste remembring with my self , what Antigonus saide to a good scholer , with presented him a Pāphlee in praise of iustice : Thou art vnwise to giue me a boke of iustice , when thou seest me delight in sacking of Cities , I began to surmise , that the sauce which I made , was too sharp for his dyet , and the hearbes which I brought , too strong for his nose . Therfore as closly as I coulo , I came to Venice , not once resorting , Philotimo , vnto thee , nor any man else which I know in Ferara , my hap was so bad , & my heart so big . Courtiers were wont in olde time to reioyce in these Epithites . And were called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , men bountiful , valiant , mercifull , Plu. and mightie . In so much that me seeing Archestratus in great pouertie , write much , and get nothing , told him that if he had liued in Alexanders time , for euery line in his booke he would haue giuen him a kingdom . Among all the notable praises of Sylla , Salust . I find it set downe , that he was so liberall , that he alwayes rather desired to giue , then to take , and if he had receiued a present of a friend , as a pledge of goodwil , he thought it due de●● , til the value were returned with aduantage .

Peraduenture the Courtiers of Ferara haue learned of Tully , Courtiers apt scholers to Tullies precepts that to giue any thing of their owne , pulleth somwhat away from the mayne stake , and draweth the spring of liberalitie drye ; by which meanes bounty stoppes the passage of liberalitie , like the Pellican , which is sayd , in succouring her young to wound herselfe ; and the Adder that giueth life to her broode , by her owne death . For the more they let out and distribute abrode , the lesse they haue in their Coafers at home . Therefore practizing with Tullie , to giue that continually , which they giue willingly , they put their handes in their purses , and pul out nothing . Yet the same Cicero in the name of Theophrastus , commendes Hospitalitie , Orat. pro Mar. Marcello . thinking it very plausible in great men , to set their doores open to gay guestes , to entertaine forraine Princes very sumptuously , and reward them richely , by which they confirme their own safetie , increace the number of their friends , and fil their Chestes higher with a priuy gaine . Following the countriemans custome in this , which doungeth his grounde , franckly casteth his seed in the furrowes , to haue it restored in haruest with Vsurie . This is it , which Cicero sayth , wee should giue of our owne to them that are fit . And what are they , but such as are able to make vs amendes ? wherein he neither regardeth the nature of bountie , nor knowes what belongeth to a benefite . For he is not liberall that giueth to take , Aristotle . because liberalitie consisteth in giuing much , and receiuing little : neither may that rightly bee tearmed a benefite , Lactantius . which at any time is returned again . Thus Cicero measuring a Courteris liberalitie by priuate commodity , like a blind Philosopher gropes at high noone , A strang inchauntment . and treads awry . I haue reade of an herbe which is called Eryngium , and some writers affirme , that if any Goate chaunce to take vp a leafe of the same in her mouth , presently her selfe and all the whole heard , as they were inchaunted , doth stand stil , not mouing one foote either forwarde or backwarde , till the Heardman himselfe come and pull it away . And I thinke that some doating Philosopher which ledde the Daunce , hath caught this Eryngium betwene his teeth and bewitched the whole rabble of them that followed ; with whom Tullie himselfe standes in a traunce , not knowing which way to turn him in moral vertues . For sometime hee exhorteth vs too haue greater regarde to our gayne than our honour , to a glosing bountie , then a true liberalitie . And sometime agayne he teacheth vs all too bee single hearted , which is for our honour , not to pretende one thing and performe an other , which is hypocriste . Therefore let vs bring out the trueth as a skilfull heardman to teare this enchaunted Hearbe from his mouth .

Lactantius deuideth the office of iustice into two parts , Lib. 6. de vero 〈◊〉 . cap. 10. the one ioyned with God which is religion ; the other linked to man , and that is curtesie . The firste I will handle when I shall see occasion ; the last falleth so full into my handes , and so sitte for my purpose , that it may not be rashely ouerskipped . For GOD which hath geuen to brute beasts both strength and weapons too defende themselues , bard them of reason ; Man borne to doe good . but sending man naked and weake into the worlde , he lightened his minde with the Lampe of knowledge , planting suche inwarde remorse in his hearte , that seeing the image of himselfe in another , acknowledging presently his owne weakenesse , and deepely considering that wee haue all one maker , GOD ; one Father Adam ; one Nurse , the earth ; he shoulde loue him vnfaignedly , embrace him with curtesie , frankely streatch out his hande to succeour him , and sette foote by foote vnto death to defende him . Hee that performeth not this which Nature exacteth , and duetie challengeth , is rather too bee helde for a beaste , then a man ; because he sheweth not the loue of the hearte , the affect of the minde , the touche of conscience , the force of pietie , the fruite of that curtesie which GOD hath engrassed onely in man . Therefore Tullie flatlie reprooueth himselfe , when hee sayeth that Man obeying but Nature , canne neuer bee hurtefull vnto man . But too see another oppressed , and not too succour him , is too hurte him ; too perceyue him in neede , and not too geeue him releefe , is too denie it him ; to finde him in danger , and not to saue him , is to kill him .

Aristotle and all Philosophers euer dreamed , Mans societie according to Philosophers . that men at the first , raunging the woodes for their foode , as beastes for a pray , hauing neither speeche nor conference , nor company togither , but cloathing their bodies with the leaues of Trees ; couching their heades in Caues of the Earth ; perceiuing their neighbours torne many tymes and deuoured with beastes ; they whiche escaped the daunger ranne vnto other , crauing succour by signes . Thus gathered togither , they profered to speake , inuented names for euery thinge , and so grewe to societie . Yet seeing themselues , although they were many , vnable to withstande the assaulte of deuouring beastes , because they were naked , they consulted togither too builde them vppe walles , to inuiron themselues with greater suretie ; and to reste in the night , with more securitie . Othersome are perswaded that it was not the crueltie of beastes , nor the perill of their liues , nor the death of their fellowes , nor the feare of themselues , that drew them togither : but the hate of that solitarie life , and desire of companie ; the lyking , that eche one conceiued of the other , the loue and friendship , that passed betwixt them , the want of abilitie & the will to profite : the likenes of Sexe , and the care to multiply : ioyned handes and heartes in perpetuall amitie . Definition of Curtesie . If we bee borne to loue , to like , and to helpe one an other , L●net . 6. de cu●tu . cap. 11. it is our duetie too knowe one an other , and imbrace with curtesie : For Curtesie is the friendly affection which we beare to a man , because he is that which we are . In that this affection is friendely , it must not be grounded on hope of game , lest it proue rather a liefcope of commoditie , then a knotte of amitie . True Loue . So , many times we loue brute beastes , making much of the Oxe , for his hide ; the Weather , for his fell , bothe for the profite of their carcase : But true loue is painted naked , because it should haue nothing to giue , nor so much as a pocket to receiue . In that this affection is borne to another , because he is that which wee are , that is , a man ; how bye so euer wee looke , in the Courte , or howe much soeuer wee haue in wealth , wee ought too confesse that we may be that which an other is , that is , poore .

Therefore it behoueth vs too doe that to other in neede , which we wishe too be done to our selues in necessitie . Who is it which sticking in the myre woulde not call for helpe ? liuing in pouertie , would not seeke reliefe ? in the pawes of the Lion , would not crie for deliuerie ? By this you may see , that he which denies succor to other , refuseth hereafter to be comforted ; which helpes not his brother in miserie , thinkes hee shal neuer haue neede himselfe . If the Courtiers of Ferara were not of this minde , they woulde not shew themselues Faulkeners in holding so fast . The olde Nosce teipsum is good for them , Let them learn in time to know themselues . Many greate Princes haue flourished a while , and withered away as they had not been ; many high personages haue in the end left their seate & lepte at the cushion , lost their bagges , and looked for the stringes . Priamus for all his happinesse in his youth , saw his Cositrie sackt with graie heares , and his children murdered before his face . All the riches of Craesus were the Persians pray . Antigonus the great king of the Iewes was deposed by Antony , made Captiue at Rome , and scourged with roddes . Cyrus the Conquedor was once in his daies glad of a cuppe of water . Annibal that ran like a woolfe ouer all Italy , was hunted to death in his owne Countrie . Dion . Crassus which was so rich , that hee thoughte him a begger that was not able with his owne reuenues yearely too mainteine a whole armie of fighting men , was ouerthrown by the Parthians at the last , who to satisfie his greedy desire of welth , powred plentie of moulten golde downe his throte . Marius a meane man by vertue became a Consull in Rome , and after his pompe was driuen by Sylla too hide his beade in a Marishe among flagges . I could tel thee , Philotimo , how Decebal ꝰ turned the greate riuer Sargesia an other way , and digging a deep hole in the gulf , caste in his treasure , couered it strangelie with huge Stones , returned the Streame too his course agayne , and killed the workmen , to keepe it secret , yet his owne friende Bicilis bewrayed it to the Romans , who ouercame him in fight , spoyled him of al , and fisht out his monie by the same policie that himself had buried it . But it is not my drifte to ouercharge thy memory with many histories . Consider with thy selfe that beeing a noble gentleman and a Courtier , thou arte as much subiecte too a foyle , as greater than thy selfe haue beene before thee . When the Kings fisher laieth her egges , the seaes are calme till they bee hatcht , when gallants breede in Princes courts , Fortune smiles til they be hartened ; but as soone as the weather begins to bluster , the highest mast , is first rent , the largest sayles are quickliest torne ; the greatest marke is soonest hit ; and the Fishers nest is borne away . Remember , Philotimo , thou art a man hauing with vs the same maker , same Father , same Nurse , and receiuing of Nature , a softe hearte to be taynted with pitie ; of Fortune , a full Purse , to distribute too suche as stande in neede ; if thou perfourme it not , thou shewest thy selfe as vnwoorthy too bee cured when thou art hurt , as thou are vnwilling to bind vp thy brothers woundes . Therefore shake of that Iewishe liberalitie of Cicero , which is plaine Vsury , tread the Precept of Plautus vnder thy feete , which would not haue thee releeue the miserable , because thy benefite is lost , and prolongeth theyr life , to a farther wretchednesse ; thinke with thy selfe that thou mayest fall , & succour them that are downe already ; Do not for get that thou mayest be captiue , and help to redeeme the thrall from bondage ; if thou iudge that thou mayest bee slaine in fielde , bury the carcasses of thy fooes ; though thou see thy benefites perish here , thou shalt finde them againe in an other worlde . The hande of the poore is the almes boxe of Christ . Looke whatsoeuer thou geuest to them , shal be registred for thee in the booke of Life , and deepely ingraued in the gates of heauen .

I know , Philotimo , that where much blood is drawen , the body is pale ; where many leape ouer , the hedge is broken ; where diuers doe suck , the Nurse is dry ; where euery man drawes , the water is troubled ; where sundrye Flyes bite , the gaule is great ; where euery hand fleceth , the sheepe go naked ; & where al men that list to beg are rewarded , the treasure of a Monarch is soneconsumed . Many drones grating on Courtiers purses , eate vp the hony from such as deserue it . But if their honors woulde followe the examples of Cyrus and Archelaus , such as gape stil for Gudgeons would soone bee choked . Cyrus liuing in the Courte of Cyarexes , ●●●phon . and hauing a great banquet prouided for him , distributed it too those that had taught him somewhat , either to ride or to darte , or some such like qualitie , but Sacas the Cuphearers share was leaste , because the nice gentleman was good for nothing , but to fill Wine with twoo fingers into the Kinges Bowle . Archelaus perceiuing an olde soker iogge him on the elbowe , and pul him by the fleeue as he sat at Supper , requesting to haue a cup of Golde ; caused it straight to bee giuen too Euripides : and turning his face to the bolde begger , tolde him , that he was woorthy to craue it , but Euripides to haue it . Oh that our Courtiers of Ferara wholde remember this , and when such vnprofitable Leaches sucke at their flesh , bestowe the thinge which they begge vppon the learned . Otherwyse for my parte ( though I be an ynche and a halfe , behind the best , yet an ace , at the least , before the worst , ) I shall shortly be dryuen too stop bottelles with my bookes , and buye me a wallet .

The Romans bicause they had receiued some hurt by fyre , thought it good to holde a candle before the Deuil , and giue vnto Vulcan the honor of a god , but shut him out of the Citie . And trust mee if I thriue no better by my simple trauel than I haue doone yet , I will reuerence the Muses as longe as I liue , but banish then my studie for feare of after-claps .

Cleanthes liued in suche a miserable time , Poore Philosophers . that he was glad to turne his Philosophers Gowne too a Millers coate , and grinde for his lyuing ; Mycillus as little regarded as hee , learned of his wyfe too beate Wooll ; Diogenes as beggerly as eyther of bothe , A strange kinde of begging . iumpte at a Cruste , and fedde vppon Rotes ; And seeing himself obteine so little when he requested , accustomed too craue suche thinges as he needed , of deafe Images , that knowing them , not to vnderstand his necessitie , through want of hearing ; nor to be moued to pitie , for lacke of humanity , the repulse that hee tooke , might greeue him the lesse . Hard bones steeped a time in Ashes and Vineger may be easily cut with a Weauers woofe ; Iuory is softened with barly Growte ; somekinde of water eates into steele , but it was neuer my fortune with any confection to perce the hart of a stony Courtier . Thucidides thinketh it no shame for any man to confesse his neede , but they ( I meane those of Ferara , whom I haue tryed , & speake it too thee , Philotimo , whom I trust , ) if Philosophers catch them by the Elbow , say , they presume ; if they shew them their pouertie , iudge them impudent ; and turne them of with some prety delayes , from morning to euening , from early to late , from childhood to manhood , from manhood , to middle age , from middle age to dotage , from dotage too death , sending them poste , from Ferara too Florence , from Velona to Venice , from Caraia to China , from the middle of the earth , too the man in the Moone . Let Gentlemen come to seke recompence , whose ancestors haue wasted theyr landes , and lost theyr liues in the Princes quarrell ; they saye with Antigonus that it is theyr fashion to reward men for that which they do them selues : Let a scholler approach & demaund a peny , they answeare , that a courtier disdaineth to giue so little ; if he aske a pound , Philosophers ought not to take somuch : thus neither giuing much to the learned , for hindering their study ; nor litle , for shaming of themselues ; nor rewarding their Souldiers , when they are dead ; nor regarding their children , in whome they liue ; Tully hath taught them to locke vp theyr Chest , vt id semper dent , quod libenter dant ; whiche is indeede , neither one thing nor other . Wherein I might say that the very Heathens haue gone beyonde them , which guided onely by morall verrue , thought it their dueties to spend all their time in doing good .

In the court of Persia they had a crier euery morning to cal them vp , and warne them to looke very diligently vnto that which with Mesoromasdes gaue them in charge ; And what was that , but to honour theyr God , to gouern their countrey with good Iawes , to keepe of the enimie from inuasion , & to reward euery man for his vertue ? The three Graces . The Court ought to be the pallace of the three graces : the first is called Aglaia , of her brightnesse , or beautie , and that is Honour : The second Euphrosyne , of her modestie or wisdome , and that is Learning ; the Thirde Thalia , of gentle entreatie , which is the very Goddnesse of courteous entertainement . And Seneca bringeth them in daunsing a round , Lib. de benefitiis . 1. hande in hande , with smiling faces , that they might euer be geuing with a chearfull countenance . Wherby you may gather how beautiful a thing it is in Courtiers , to be liberall , which is one of the pillers of theyr glory . For theyr nobility comes of theyr progenie , their wealth is the haruest of Fortunes flattery , theyr victories are the fruits of their Souldiers valiancie : The first , may quickly be blotted with vice , the next , may wither as fast with aduersitie ; the last , is attributed too more then themselues ; and all are subiect to sodayne chaunge . But the prayse of a benefite , the report of curtesie , the glorie that shineth in the woorkes of mercie , is all their owne , not lefte them by their ancestors , nor lent them by fortune , nor common to other , stil sounding their renowne with a golden Trumpet , building them vp such Trophees , such Triumphes , such Idols , such Monuments , as neither wind shal shake , nor wether beat , nor water rot , nor fire consume , nor Foes deface , nor force diminish , nor clowds darken , nor time it self shal be able to deuour .

I haue sette you downe twoo of those points , Philotimo , which I euer wished to be in a Courtier , Lerning & Liberalitie : Flatterers too be driuen from Courte . The next is , to beware of Flatterers . For they with Polypus , with Proteus , with Chamelions alter themselues into many shapes , many shadowes , many colours . Sometime they make themselues glasses of your conditions . Alcibiades at Athens did hunt & hawk , & behaue himself pleasantly in company : At Lacedaemon he shaued his head , put on the robs of a scholer , & liued solitary : In Thracia hee bore vp his sword like a souldier , in Tisapherne hee liued like a wanton Louer , euer cutting his cloth too the fashion of them with whome hee was conuersaunte .

But Plato was the same man in the Court , that he was in the Vniuersitie ; al one with Dion & Dionysius . The flatterers of Alexander caried their heades in their bosome , because he went stouping ; of Dionysius , made them selues blind , when his sight was gone ; of Plato , spred out their shoulders , because his were brode ; of Aristotle , tript in their tonges , because he stammered . The cunning fouler , is clothed in fethers ; the crafty raunger , in Deares skinnes ; the Angler , shadoweth himselfe with a Rocke ; the flatterer ducks in a Friers Weede , for his owne aduantage . If thy nose be flat , they say thou art louely ; if it be hooked , them art thou kingly ; if thou be black , they affirm thou art manly ; if thou be faire , then art thou heauenly ; if thou bee deformed , they make thee beautiful ; if crooked , straight ; if feeble , strong ; if litle , great ; if dwarfish , monstrons ; if thou be but a hoppe on my Chumbe , as high as three hersloues , or stand on a Moulehill to looke into a mustarde pot , they call thee a giant . When thou runnest , thou art Pegasus ; when thou wrestlest , thou arte Hercules ; when thou fightest , thou art Mars ; when thou speakest , thou art Mercurie ; when thou singest , thou art Apollo ; when thou frownest , thou art Saturne ; when thou chidest , Iupiter himselfe beginnes to thunder . The Sicilians ouerturned their owne state , when the● soothed vp Dionysius crueltie , by the name of iustice ; the Aegiptians corrupted their common wealth when they called Ptolomees faint heart the feare of gods . The Romans gelded the good gouernement of their countrey , when they flattered Antonius , turning his quaffing to myrthe , and his lust to frendship . When Caesar triumphed in other mens blood , his Parasites sayde , he was half a god . When Caligula spoke like a foole in the Senate , Domitius gaue him the prize of eloquence , and Vitellius affirmed that he had laien with the Moone . Anaxarchus perceiuing that Alexander for murdering of Clitus , began to be troubled in his conscience , told him streight , that he had done well , because a king is the image of God , and whatsoeuer God doth , proceedes of Iustice . When Tiberius the Emperour came to the Senate , a sycophant presently started vp & accused him there , for hauing a care vnto his duetie ; O Caesar , said he , though heretofore none durst tel you your fault , I am forced at this time to shewe it my selfe ; you regarde not your selfe , you wearie your minde with many cares , and weare your bodie with infinite labours , neuer resting by day , nor sleeping by night for our sakes . These kinde of people in short time , are able to make great men forget them selues . Therefore it shal be good for Courtiers to sif●e them thorowly , to distinguishe them cunningly , and last of all willingly , to shake them off .

Maximus Tyrius , blaseth their Properties in three points : In Vse , in End , in Affect of the mynde : In Vse , they are altogether vnprofitable , & like the Ape , which beeing vnable to keepe the house as a dogge ; to drawe , as the Oxe ; to carie , as the Horse ; is driuen by gesture to mooue delight : As by fetching a friske or twoo ouer the chaine , or imitating that which they see in vs , to procure laughter . Such a fellowe was Antiphon , whom Dionysius slewe ; and Timagines , whome Caesar banished the Court ; For neither of them both , applied their mynde to giue counsell , but behaued them selues like common Iesters , seeking onely to make those Princes merie . Vnskilfull Painters , when they cannot expresse the beautie of things , botche it out with wrinckles & wartes , and store of freckles : And flatterers , when they cannot perfourme the office of a freende , huddle it vp with ridiculous gesture . The Ende of their studie is to profite them selues : No vermine breede , where they finde no warmth ; no Vultures stoope , where they smell no pray ; no flies swarme , where they see no flesh ; no Pilgrime creepes , where there is no crosse ; no Parasite lurkes , where hee findes no gaine . In Affect of the mynde , they are wonderfull hypocrites , hauing a continual combat , & a pitcht feeld betwixt their wordes and their thoughtes , their tongues & their hearts , many times exercising the wrastlers , craft , who boweth his bodie to catch other on the hip ; or the Fencers qualitie , which counterfeites a kinde of lying open , to take his aduersarie at more aduauntage . Such , affirme all those vices which they see in other , to be in them selues , & like vnto them that tame wilde beastes , frame their behauiour to euery thing , that they perceiue them do , til by little and little they bring them close to their owne bente . Mardonius the Captaine , flattered Xerxes so long , that hee caused all Asia to take armour , couered the seas with aboundance of shippes , by which the king tooke a very great ouerthrowe , was driuen by flight to saue him selfe , and the Sycophant was one of the first that was slayne , they which giue so much credit to flatterers , They which ●●edite flatterers are compared to brasen pottes . make them selues no better than brasen pottes , bee they neuer so large of moulde , or weightie of metal , they are easily borne about by the eares . It were better for thee , Philotimo , in thy courting , to ryde a rough Colte without a bridle , than sweete lippes with a soft saddle : the one , if thou sitte not fast , will not spare to caste thee , but teache thee the better to looke to thy self : the other , whatsoeuer thou doest will neuer molest thee , but bloster thee vp in thine owne follie . Alexander was angrie with Crisson , for giuing him leaue to outrunne him in course . One told Menedemus , that he was highly commended by Alexinus ; But Menedemus answered , that he did euer dispraise Alexinus . Antist●●●us Hercules , charged his sonnes , not to beleeue such , as they saw● too busie in lifting them vp . I will not denie , that Vertue by prayse is deeper rooted , but flatterers come as little at vertue as they can . The minde is deuided into two partes ; the one is partaker of reason , which enclineth to vertue , and leanes to wisedome , the other is ●ue fellowe vnto Sense , which cleaues vnto vice , and loues to be rickled . This parte is euermore scratcht by flatterers , who stand with their handes full of fuell , to encrease our fier , & are ready with their mouth to blowe the coles : they creepe so farre into your bosome by priuie en●●●●hing , that I may compare them to queasie meates ; if you keepe them in your stomake , they make you surfeite ; if you cast them vp , they streine euery string of the heart at departure . Therefore resist them Philotimo , at the first , & if you perceiue them to beginne with commendation of your qualities to currie fauour , tel them with Pindarus , that thou hast already rewarded their trauell , because thy life doth not make them lyars .

The last and chiefest thing , Religion in Court. which I iudge to bee necessarie in Courtiers , is religion , which I shewed thee by Lactantius , to be the first thing that is required in the office of Iustice : And Iustice is the piller of Princes Courtes . Com. in Eth. li. 3. cap. 13. But Foxius agreeing with Aristotle , affirmeth Religion to bee the mother of Iustice , and all other vertues : So that neither true iustice may stande without religion , nor religion without iustice . The name which the Greekes haue giuen to religion , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 sheweth it to be the right worship of God : If this bee corrupted , Iustice perisheth ; And if Iustice shrinke , this goes to the wall . Therefore , al Philosophers going about too decipher a good common wealth , beginne with religion , acknowledging a diuine nature chiefly to bee worshipped . Alexander made no warres against straungers for the riches of India , the dainties of Media , the wyne of Chalidon , or the fishes of Hyrcanie ; but to bring al nations to the obedience of his lawes , and worship of his Gods. Ptolomaeus Philadelphus , a learned Prince , thought Religion so necessarie in his Court and countrey , that hee entertained the seuentie Interpreters with great curtesie , which were sent vnto him from Eleazar the high priest , and after they had instructed him seuentie dayes , hee returned them backe with riche rewardes . But bicause these were Heathens , which neuer came nere the marke , though they desired to cleaue the pinne . I will goe more roundly to worke , and bring God himself to pleade his owne cause .

Princes are the Images of God , & are called gods in sundrie places of the scriptures , that they might execute his wil vpon the earth . Al honour , all power , al pessession , all authoritie , is the gift of God , it is his worke that Princes rule , and their courtes flourish . Therefore Dauid willeth them al to kisse the begotten sonne of God , 〈…〉 . which is , to embrace religion and throwe them selues down at the feete of Christ . It is impossible , for the henne to forsake her chicken , or the mother , the childe of her owne wombe : yet if the one or the other bee so vnnaturall too leaue their owne , Esay . 49. God will neuer forget his . In token whereof hee hath promised by the mouth of his prophet , to make princes the fathers of his Churche , and their courtes , the verie nurceries of religion . Paule exhorting Timothe to pray for kings and great men , 1. Tim. 2. that we may liue quietly and godly vnder them , seemes by those wordes to attribute the patronage of the Gospell to the Court . If God doe shine brightest in his ministers , Ministers . whose tongues are the trumpettes of his will ; to treade downe them , dishonoreth him ; to stoppe their mouthes , eclipseth his glorie ; to shoulder them out , displaceth him ; to pinche them , nippeth him ; to strike them , woundeth him ; to rayle at them , reuileth him : All which inconueniences quickly growe , where the Courtier like a good Aiax , doth not holde out his buckler , Iud. vlt. to couer Vlisses . Iosua calling the rulers of Israel together before his death , chargeth them , bicause the Lord hath giuen them landes , which they neuer purchased ; Cities , which they neuer built , Vineyardes , which they neuer planted ; to serue him in holines and truth , which is religion . And when they had confessed the Lorde to be their God , vowing obedience vnto him , he presently registred their promise in the booke of God , and erected a dumbe stone for a witnes of their beleefe , to crie vengeance against them , if they slipt the coller . Doutles the bringing vp of Iosua with Moyses , Iosu. 1. was a good meane to make him a captaine to Gods people , whose word was appointed to be his direction . If courtiers borowe this clue , of a godly Theseus , to match with Chimaera and beare vp their swordes with Iosua in the Lordes quarell , Iordan shall drie for their armies to passe , their spies shall be harbored in the middest of Iericho , the Sunne shall stoppe to giue them victorie , and all shall prosper that they take in hande . Bicause the weapons of ministers are prayers and teares , and the Church hath no authoritie to compell , it is the duetie of Princes by good lawes and statutes to establish religion , & force euery man to liue in order . Where this is foreslewed , the wrath of God is kindled against the Court , & his plague lighteth on the whole countries . Solomon had no sooner forgotten God , and fallen to Idolatrie , but God swore that he would teare the crowne from his head , disherite his sonne , and deliuer his kingdome to a stranger . Runne through the scriptures , you shall finde them very sharpely scourged , which went about to supresse Religion . Ieroboam stretcheth out his hand against the Prophet , and it withereth . Ahab robbed God of his honour , empriprisoned his messengers , and was slaine with an arrowe ; Azahia , for flying to straunge gods is threatened death , & his souldiers consumed with fier from heauen ; Herod , forgetting religion and dishonouring God , is eaten with wormes . I haue often wondered with my selfe , Philotimo , knowing Princes to be placed in their chaire by God , howe they dare suffer any wickednes , in the Court , which representeth the throne of his heauenly Maiestie : howe they can possibly blaspheme with that tongue which is giuen them to honour him , how they presume with that hand to murder his shepheards , which they haue receiued to fight for religion ? In that wee haue abundance of worldly blessings , we are earthly ; in that we frame our selues to the worshippe of God , we are made heauenly . The eies of brute beastes are turned downe to the earth , to seeke nothing but meat for their bellies : The countenance of man is lifted to heauen , to behold the glorie of God in his works , which hath made al things for vs ; vs , for him selfe , that we might acknowledge his goodnes in the same , and honour him for it all the daies of our life . If we do not this , wee spend our time in beholding the earth , wee seeke nothing els but to garnish our bodies , or pamper our flesh , which maketh vs like vnto sauage beastes . Then what is the glory of a Courtier without religion ? What is his gouernement without godlines ?

If thou wilt prooue a good Courtier , Philotimo , depart from Ferara , the pit of Ignorance : the storehouse of greedines ; the palace of Flatterers ; the slewes of Idolatrie , and trauell to Englande , where thou shalt finde a countrie , so gouerned with good lawes ; a people , so instructed in the feare of God ; a church , so reformed in religion ; a Court , so learned , so liberall , so vertuous , so godlie , a Debora , so victorious ouer Sisara , so thankfull to God , so dreadfull to the wicked , so beloued of the good , so iust in iudgement , so many yeeres quiet , that thou wilt dout whether thou shouldest thinke her Maiestie fortunate , in obedient subiectes , or pronounce the whole land to be blessed , for so good a prince . By this little shadowe of a courtier , which , as time will serue , I haue roughly drawne , cunning workemen may gather the breadth of his bodie . You may see by this , that he ought to be learned , bicause it is necessarie for them to knowe many things , which gouerne many , and to bridle them selues when they sitte so high , the one confirmed , by the examples of Alexander , of Darius , of Agamemnons eyes and head , of Craesus , of Philip , of Dionysius , and all those which receiued Philosophers into the court to be instructed by them : The other layde open in Clitus , Lysimachus , Clearchus , and Caesar , which trauelled to fight for renowne in other countries , but neuer sayled into them selues , to boult out the power that God hath ouer them , and to confesse their owne weakenes which stand at his checke . To be liberal : by the comparison of a spring , the end of wealth , the daughters of nature , the doctrine of Plato , the societie of man , the neede that themselues may haue ere they die , as Craesus , Cyrus , Antigonus , Crassus , the maner of Cyrus & Archelaus , the day peale of the Persians , the propertie of the Graces , and the glorie of bountie passing nobilitie of birth , honour in Court , riches of Fortune , or conquest in fielde . To banishe all Flatterers for their apishe imitation , their vnprofitable frendship , their studie of gaine , and their hypocrisie . Last of all to seeke the aduauncement of religion , by the dutie of a prince , by the examples of Alexander & Ptolome , by the image of God , the footesteps of Iosua , the authoritie of scriptures , and the happines of England , which enforteth me heere through want of skil in describing the beautie of that Court , to shut vp my lippes : as the banquished painter , who finding him selfe vnable liuely to set out the sorowes of Niobe , was driuen to wrappe vp her head in a cloude .

Truely saide Ieraldy , In my simple iudgement , you haue shewed your selfe a verie good workeman . Alexanders counterfeite . For Alexander desired to haue his picture cut in brasse , and wrought in such metall by none but Lysippus , bicause none but he , did labour to expresse his Lions lookes ; others spoyling him quite of the shape of a souldier , blased the rolling of his eyes , and his amorous gesture . Diuers haue paynted the Courtier in smoothe speeche , wittie replies , comely behauiour , excellent daunsing , which are like to the wanton gloses of Alexander , but thou hast cast his Idol with perfecter metall , in a good mould , and carued him out the face of a man . And Man of an old Poet is called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Man , according to olde Poetes and Philosophers . which signifieth brightnes , according to your Etymologie of one of the Graces : Some Philosophers thought the substance of the mynde to be a light , bicause it is fearefull in the night , it is troubled with darknes , it shunnes it as a foe , and is comforted agayne when the daye peepes . Learning is often compared to light ; Ignorance contrarie , likened to darkenes ; In so much that when our Readers haue opened to vs , the thing that wee doubted , we saye that they haue giuen vs a great light ; when any thing passeth our capacitie , we say , it is intricate , darke , and obscure . Thus if a Man be light , his mynde light , learning light , and if it bee necessarie , that Simile semper appetat simile , like reioyce euermore in his like , what can be more naturall than the brightest myndes , to borrowe most light ? the greatest Courtiers , to prooue best Clerkes ? Thou hast rightly required them to bee liberall , bicause the bountie of the Courts is the Sunneshine of knowledge , without which Philosophers wyther away . Thou desirest them farther to abandon flatterers , which like vnto moothes eate such holes in their garments , as cannot be seene . till the nappe of their cloth bee worne away . Last of all , thou thinkest it necessarie next vnto God , for Courtiers with authoritie in statutes and armour in field to mainteine the libertie of religion , confirming thy purpose by holy scriptures , wherein thou shewest the practice of a good Captain , which furnisheth the rerewarde with his best souldiers , to renue the fight , when the first retire , and knitte vp the skirmishe with a canuazado . What is so common in this worlde , Orat. pro. Roscio Amerino . as breath to the liuing ? graues to the dead ? Sea to the Sayler ? Shore to his wrack ? Then what sharper punishment than this could the Romans deuise for such as had wilfully murdered their parentes , to enclose them quicke in a lethern sacke , and cast them into the Riuer Tiber ? So they liue , while they may , that they draw no confortable spirit from the heauens ; so they die , that the earth disdaineth to couer their carcase ; so they floate , that they touch no water ; so at last they are driuen by tide to the shore , that they are not suffered to rest on the sande , but are robbed of all these benefites at once . And what is so necessary in the Courte , as learning to gouernment ? regarde too friendship ? Wealth too Nobilitie ? Religion too authoritie ? Then tell mee , Philotimo , what greater plague can bee powred on Courtiers , for killing theyr parents , by despising theyr lawes , and loathing theyr Preceptes , then so too rule when they liste , that they borrowe no aduice from the toppe of knowledge ? soo too bury themselues in the depths of Securitie , that neuer a true friende maye come at their Coffin ? so to swimme in abundaunce , that they feele no store ? and in the ende so strangely to strike with the Swoorde , that it neuer bee grounded on the worde of GOD ? but to be spoyled of all these ornamentes at once ? The firste corrupted with ignoraunce , the other with flattery , the next with greedinesse , the last with the want of the true woorshippe of GOD . These reasons inforce me too agree with you , Phialo , but me thinkes Syr Philotimo standeth in a Traunce , as though hee were blasted with chaunge of weather .

Philotimo smyling told hym againe that hee was not blasted , for hee neuer knewe Philaoes breath too bee so stormie , but was rather amazed at his craft , which according to his owne preceptes in the Method of rebuking , coulde touch him so neare and drawe no bloode . ●eery beating Aristotle sayth that the Tyrrhaeni , when theyr seruauntes offended , accustomed to beate them to the sound of Instruments , that the pleasure of the one myght helpe too mitigate the payne of the other .

And Phialo , quoth hee , hath whypped mee so pleasantly , that I am sory my punishmente was no longer . Whereat all three laughed hartily , and perceyuing Dinner brought in too breake of theyr talke , they fell too theyr victualles .

After they had dyned , Ieraldi accompanied the two Gentlemen into the Citie , too shew Philotimo , the Gallies that were then newly rigged , and launched , ready too encounter the Turke . Thus takyng theyr Gundolet , they passed for pleasure too and fro the streetes where with wonderful content Philotimo behelde the brauery of the Citie , so long with his eyes , that Fancy slypt downe in too the Corners of his hearte . For at a glimse hee espied suche a Sunne aloft , as dazeled his eyes with the blaze of her light .

Therefore pulling his hat somewhat ouer his forehead endeuouring closely to steale a looke , hee began too turne his head at one side , and roule vp his eyes too the Windowe againe .

Ieraldi quickly perceiuing the bente of his Bowe , and notying the Leuell , descried his marke , geuyng priuie aduertisement of the same too Phialo . Both of them cunningly dissembled the matter for a while , and were very well pleased too see the Hauke flye ; wherein I marueile , whether was greater , the delight of them that sprong suche a Partridge without Spaniels ; or the daunger of him that soared so high with winges of wexe .

At the last Ieraldi seeing his feathers to scortch so faste , that the smoke arose , cast out the lure to make him stoope . And catching Philotimo by the sleeue , asked him , howe the maner of their building pleased his eye ? So wel , quoth Philotimo , that in my opinion the cunningest workmen in Italie may trusse vp their tooles , and though they thinke well of their painted sheathes , bee glad too come hither for a patterne . Were this Citie the Towne of Ephesus , I woulde iudge yonder Pallace , for the beautie & brightnesse of the same , to bee the chiefe Temple of Diana .

I cannot blame you , saide Phialo , you haue taken the paterne of such a frame , as Art may imitate , but neuer be able to expresse . Therefore I pray you remember the speach your selfe vsed to mee concerning this place , take heede that to proue your woordes true , you make not your selfe an open President . Venus the Goddesse of this Citie was bredde in the Sea , and beates a Froth , close vp your eyes , and gaze no more , you know not what trouble suche Comets threaten .

Oh sir , answered Philotimo , Himeraeus the Poet did write against Helen , but at last he was glad too recant his sayings . Anacreon for one discourtesie to Cleobulus in his childhood , requited him with a thousande good woordes when hee grew too age . How much is Venus fairer then Helen ? comelier then Cleobulus ? whose goddeship if rashly I haue blasphemed , neither the Presents of Oracles , nor the treasure of Ganges , nor the horses of Troy , nor the Virgines of Lesbia , nor the reuenues of my lande , nor the iewelles of my Chest , nor the offering of my blood , but onely the tongue that hath wounded her credite , can appease her anger . Therfore sith I haue not subscribed , I will reuoke , ex nudo pacto non oritur actio , bare woordes are no lawful bargaines .

Dissemble not with your friendes , quoth Ieraldi , Poeticall fictions will not beate out your folly , nor the querkes of the law excuse such Apostasie before god . Signiora Polyphile , whom you behelde , is daughter vnto a deare friende of mine , if her behauiour were answerable to her beautie , or her life to her face ; she might be a Paragon for a greater person . She is properly learned , she hath a smoothe tongue , and shee is very suttle in disputation . I haue often assayed too winne her from loosnesse of liuing , and saue her soule : But I finde her soo fraught with Philosophie , and full of shiftes , that I carry away the woorste ende of the staffe . Therfore let me craue your companyes a-againe too morrowe , I will send for her home to my-house too dinner , & try hom she is able to match with you , Phialo . I like your weapons & order of fight so well , that I haue no doubt you will ouercome .

Certes , saide he , I was neuer Leontinus Gorgias scholer , too dispute any question on the sodaine , yet if I may haue the trueth on my side , little studie shall serue me too wrastle with women . Thus bringing Ieraldi backe to his house with many great thankes for theyr entertainment , they tooke theyr leaue till , the next day .

What eyther Ieraldi did in theyr absence or they when they were returned too theyr lodging , is the leaste parte of my meanyng too touche , because I haue taken this onely vpon me , too shewe the fruite of Phialoes conference among his friendes .

¶ The third booke , the defence of the Curtezan , and her ouerthrowe .

WHEN the daye was come , according too their promise , Philotimo & Phialo want to the house of Ieraldi at dinner time , where they found the gentlewoman , & him in sober talke , Ieraldi entertained them friendly , and requested Signiora Polyphile to do the like , who behaued her selfe so demurely in presence , that they could not iudge her counterfatte , by stampe , or by sounde . Therefore Philotimo , boldly stepte somewhat nigher and like a young Courtier , ministred talke on so smal acquaintance , as farre as he might , with honor and modestie .

But Phialo keeping himselfe aloofe , as one that had taken a Crowe too pull , stoode at one side , tyll Ieraldi had placed them all at the Table . Duryng the time of the Dinner , Philotimo dypt not his finger so ofte● in the dishe as hee fastened his eyes vppon Polyphile . Ieraldi perceiuing the gentleman come to his bias , told her , that Philotimo was deeply bound vnto her , whose countenance seemed too feede him better than any of those dishes that were brought too the table . To whom the Gentlewoman with blushing cheekes and a softe speech replyed thus . Nutriens simile nutrito . You know , Sir Ieraldi , that Philosophers are alwayes of this opinion , that the thing which nourisheth , must euer be like vnto that which is nourished ; and the nourished thing , to the nourisher . Therefore the Chameleon which liueth by ayre , hath nothing within but lightes and loungs . Then if this Gentlemans stomack agree better with my face , then with your cheere , my sauce than your ●reate , there must needes bee a Sympathy , betweene his lyking and my lookes . And what are the lookes of a woman , but shadowes ? on which if this Gentleman feede so fast , I shall take him hencefoorth for a shape without substance .

It were strange , said Philotimo , too heare shadowes speake , or to see shapes without substance moue of them selues . But sith you haue shewed your self a philosopher , giue me leaue by Philosophie to make you an answere . Strabo & Pli. Some writers holde this opinion , that there lieth a kind of people at the riuer Ganges , which are called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , men without mouthes ; These are nourished with the sauour of flowers . Lacrtius . Democritus for sorrowe of his sisters mishap , going aboute too famish himselfe , was releeued three daies with the smel of new breade . Oribasius protesteth that he knew a Philosopher in his time , which liued a while by the sente of honie , Cureus . And Melancthon is said to affirme that a Lecher in Germanie , condemned too pine vnto death for his offence , was susteined a longe time in prison , with the smoke of broiled meates , to prolong his daies in greater misery . Sundry Philosophers take peper in the nose & fall out with Aristotle , for standing so stifely in his owne conceite , that he wil not haue men to be nourishe with odoures . For Hippocrates and Galen boldly pronounce , Aphoris . that the patient consumed is soonest restored againe by sauours . What force there is in shadowes , you may perceiue by those that gaze vpon excellent pictures so long that they haue no minde to their vitailes , but are filled with delight : : by reading fine bookes we forget our selues and let goe our commons . When we are busied in pleasant pastimes , the night ouertakes vs , we know not how ; then iudge mee no more to be but a shew , because I haue dived so wel with your shadow , which is beter to me then the sauour of flowers , the smel of new bread , the sent of sweete honie , the smoke of rost meat , the view of faire pictures , the bookes of my study , or the pleasure of sportes . Hippocrates deuiding the body men three partes , the first grose and earthly , our bones and fleshe ; the seconde liquide and watrie , our blood and humors ; the third , subtile & ayrie , which is our spirits ; affirmeth the laste too bee maintained by sauours . And it shall bee sufficient for me to say , that these dishes before vs , doe nourish my bodie , but too looke vpon you , quickeneth my spirites , and 〈◊〉 my minde . If this will not serue to perswade you that I am somewhat more than a shape ; try when you please , you shall finde me a substance .

At this Polyphile began to smile , Ieraldi & Phialo laughed in their sleeues till their heartes tickled . At last euery thing being taken away . Philotimo renewed his talke again , and tolde them , that if they iudged him to bee rebuked for his amorous gloating , they were al to blame , which , quoth he , I will shew you as well as I can .

The skilfull that beholde the Image of Minerua , commende not the picture but the Paynter ; we extoll not so muche the tast of our meate , as the Cookes cunning that seasoned it well ; no man esteemeth his coyne for the stamp , but for the right metal when it comes to the touch . And I wonder not so greatly at the beautie of this gentlewoman , as at his workmanship that made the moulde , neither doe I like her sweete face ; that glistereth without , but loue her good qualitties , that shine within . The Sunne doth not onely comforte oure heartes with his light , Beautiful faces are vertues buddes . but foster our grai●e in the Earth with his warmth . Riuers are cleere and fayre to beholde , but they water the soyle & make it fruitefull ; Tree● are bethwackt with blossoms in springe , but those are the tokens of fruit to come . Thus when I do gaze on a comely body , I beholde with mine eyes the Garden of Vertue . The Mariner no sooner espieth his Marke , but hee knowes that he draweth very neere the lande ; Vlisses reioysed in the smoke of Ithaca , but it was for the loue he bare to his countrie ; The Hunter singleth the fairest Deere , but for the good meate he findes it to yeelde ; And Socrates followed the brightest countenaunce , because he knew it to bee a true signe of Modestie . Mores animi sequuntur temperatura corporis . Philosophers hold that the disposition of the minde agreeth with the constitution of the body : whereby they iudged deformed creatures to haue some spot or other in their conditions ; writing many bookes of Zopirus doctrine , who tooke vppon him by looking in our face to tell vs our faultes . But where the lineaments are all of iust proportion , euery parte of the bodye wroughtout of wax , and the face so beautifull , that Venus her selfe might blushe for shame ; who is so rude , so ignoraunt , so sottishe , so vnleatned , to says , that sweet waters are distilled of weeds , Fine Cambrik made of hemp , English cloth spunne of haire : That straight personages haue crooked manners , faire faces foule vices , good complexions il conditions ? doth not one Doctor tel you , that that which is beautiful is not hurtful , nor slippery , Max. Tyr. nor sinful , nor wretched ? That loue is a vertue , an arte , a iust iudge ? A vertue , in seeking the thing that is good : an arte ; in gathering the substance by the shadowe : and a perfect iudge , in discouering the mine , by the colour of the earth , boulting the truth , when he heares the Plea , discerning the partie , when he sees the person . Cyrus loued Aspasia for beautie , and the vse of her body ; Pericles for learning and the light of her minde , the one her paramour , reioycing in plea sure ; the other her scholer delighting in vertue . Hiperides the orator vsed the companie of many faire women , as Phryne , Myrrhine , Aristagora , Eleusine , And when Phryne was accused for lewdenes in Athens , and almost condemned , hee vsed no other defence in her cause , but speedily tore of her vppermost garment , closed her naked Brest too the Iudges , shewed them the comelines of her body , as though it were impossible , that so proper a piece shoulde haue a faulte : Whervpon the Iudges marking her well , and considering vprightely , that so greene a branche , must bewray good sapp ; so gallant buddes , a glorious tree ; so bright a shadowe , a blasing substance ; so amiable a visage , louely behauiour ; so perfect a creature , absolute manners ; acquited her by sentence , and let her goe . O woorthy beautie , O learned Iudges , O notable vertue , O noble Iustice ! What is he , that woulde not rather loose his robes , his seate , his authoritie , his office , than falsly suspect thee , or cal thee to the barre ; rashly accuse thee , or giue out his verdite against thy maiestie .

Anytus and Melitus the whippes of Socrates , in all that euer they declared against him , neuer cast in his teeth that he was beauties bloodhounde ; Aristophanes flouting him on the stage , though hee called him brabler , carper , & cauiller , neuer laide in his dishe , that hee loued to looke vpon glistering faces . Had either of them thought it to be a deformity , they had rung him that peale as long as their Clappers had beene able too wag . Beware Sir Ieraldi , and you friend Phialo , that you rob not beautie of her honor , nor spoil her of her ornaments , lest the day come , wherin you be inforced to turne your rippetes , to chaunge your copie , to lay your handes vnder her feete to please her , or to looke vpon that , that you shoulde not beholde , or to loue the thing that nature forbiddeth you to desire . Narcissus disdayning the beautie of a Nimph , pined away for his owne shadowe : Augustus that stopped his eares to Cleopatra , suffred the vanities of Bathillus : Alexander that refused to looke on the Ladyes of Persia , whilest they lyued , lamented their losse with teares when they dyed : Xerxes that puld away his eyes from the Virgins of India , the damsels of Media , the women of Caria , the dames of Lydia , the wiues of Ionium , the faces of Helespont : despised grapes , and gathered thistles ; lothed honie , and eate gall ; fled them , and followed Amastris his dauther in lawe .

Thus when you perceiue the blindenesse of those , that knew not the softest threedes to twist silke , the fayrest face to couer vertue ; And when you consider the danger of those that desired not to learne it when they vnderstood it not , blame me no more for beholding this gentlewoman , it is not the lanterne of her beautie , that giueth light , though she be glasse ; but the candle within , that maketh her shine , to the comfort of all that vse her well .

Ieraldi seeing Philotimo in such an heresie , tolde him that he little thought too haue taken vpp his Arrowe so farre from the marke ; he requested their company to exhort Polyphile to a better life , not to giue her a vayle to hide her 〈◊〉 .

Why , sayde the Gentlewoman , is it your fashion , to wink on the Eawe , and wurry the Lamb ; to feast your friends , & beate them with the spit ? Did you draw me so craftely with meate to the stake , to see me baited by these Philosophers ? yet sith it is your pleasure , too try what I can alledge for my selfe , which liue as I liste , and serue my luste ; you shall heare that reason fightes on my side , therfore neither of these gentlemen ought to open his mouth against me , my face hath already musled the one , my tongue shall seale vp the others lippes . Minerua was said to stand with Menelaus in the middest of his peril , and driue euery dart that was throwne at him , to the bulke of his Buckler ; causing a skarlet sweate too to run downe his body like streames of blood , whereby his enemyes were euer deceiued : And I doubt not but Venus her selfe wil strike in this quarel for my defence , rebating the edge of mine enemyes swoordes , blearing their sight with the shadowe of blood , when the vppermost parte of my skin is not rased . This hath caused many too chase vs so farre , thinking vs wounded when we tooke no hurt , that they haue not beene able to recouer them selues . What are all the argumentes of the Stopckes ? haue they not laboured so much against vs , to weed ●ut affections , that they pull vp the cockle and Corne togither ? Haue they not so rashly inueighed against pleasure , that they leue no place for honest delight ? haue they not so studied to drowne vice , that they quench out the sparkes of euery vertue ? haue they not so tyed our life to their owne imagination , that nature in nothing must be followed ? O Ieraldi , oh gentlemen , when I enter into consideration of this little worlde , which is in our selues , when I heare the voyce of Philosophie cry out against them , & the trumpet of nature proclame them traitours , how can I but seek my wonted delights , or gape after pleasure , the foode of this life . Nature hath taught vs , in plentiful orchardes , to taste euery tree , and chose the best : in pleasant fields to slip , off the fayrest of euery stalke : and are not wee think you , placed in this world to try euery gallant , & take what we like . This is the race we ought to runne , this is the mark we ought to shoot at , this is the end which Nature sendeth vs out too seeke . Little children are no sooner borne , but they sprawle to this , crowing pertely when they obtaine it , crying & bellowing when they finde the contrary . In riper age euery man toyleth for some profit , & profite is pleasant when it is gotten . Doth not any man thinke you rather desire to treade the smoth ground , than the rugged stones ; to saile in a calme , then in a storme ; to liue in quietnes then in trouble ? and what is this to be counted but pleasure ? you wil say peraduenture that it is so , but the happines that we are bound to seeke , must be won by vertue , & desired for it self . What if I shew you that pleasure is such ? All that we doe , all that we go about in this life , is to purchase pleasure , which I thinke somtime to be felte in torment : as Caius Marius , that suffered the knottie flesh to bee cut from his legge with intollerable paine , not changing his countenance , because hee hoped for ease to come . Thus the paine that we suffer to shun a worse griefe , is very high pleasure . Let vs suppose some one or other to be greeuously oppressed with anguish of body and mind , neither remembring any pleasure past , nor hoping for any to come heereafter , can there be any greater miserie ? Contrary , to him in whom all pleasures of body and minde abound , which delighteth in that he hath tasted already , reioyceth in that which is before him , & hopes for the like or greater to come , can there be any thing more to be wished ? can there bee any sweeter felicitie ? Louers disdayned and dasht out of countenaunce , when they neither taste of releefe , nor see any hope of grace at all , say that they feele in them selues a hel , but he that obtayneth the ioyes he desired , affirmeth himself to swim in Heauen : whereby I gather , that hell is a sorrowe , sorowe misery , heauen a pleasure , and pleasure happines . Vices are to bee fled because of torment ; & is not vertue to be sought for pleasures sake ? we like of Phisicke , not for the art , but for the ende ; the end is health , which easeth our paine and bringeth pleasure : we delight in sea-faring , not for the cunning of guiding shippes , but for the commoditie which it breeds : and commoditie is handmaide to lady Pleasure . What thinke you of euery vertue in general ? is not wisedom a knowledge of things to be folowed , when they are good ; to be eschewed , when they are naught ? If they bee good , they are pleasant , if naught them are they yrksome . Wisdome reformeth our maners , ordereth our life , ruleth our countrie , resisteth our enemie , taketh vp discord , planteth agreement , turneth out malice , bringeth in friendship , and knitteth vs together in loue and amitie . O what a delight , what a pleasure is this ? Temperance is a vertue which teacheth vs by reason howe to bridle affections & too gouerne our selues in the middest of our pleasures . Fortitud consisteth in yeelding our neckes too dangers yok● , bearing our burden without grudge , and gaging our heades too the Hatchet without grone : which is doone , eyther that our selues by this might liue in quiet , and reckon vp too our friendes with infinite ioye , what pykes wee haue passed , what perilles we haue valiantly ouercome : So Aeneas comforteth his Souldiers with this , Hac olim meminisse tuuabit : We shall delight to thinke on these troubles an other day : or to deliuer our country & purchase fame which tickeleth our heartes in sharpest anguishe when we conceiue what pleasures shal grow to our friendes by our deathe , and what honour we shal haue among succeding ages . Thus Scaeuola presented his body to the fire . Curtius hurled himself into the gulf , and Iphigenia was contented to be sacrificed . Iustice regarding the common weale , geueth to euery man his own , whose duety is to minister lawe for the maintenaunce of right , & suppressing of wrong . By taking no wrong , we escape the iawes of sorow & misery , by enioying our owne , we liue in pleasure .

These foure are the springes whence euery vertue begins too flowe ; Pleasure the Sea , too which they runne , & where all of them ioyntly doe ende their course . Rhethorike , Logike , Philosophie , Musicke , all Artes , all Sciences , are referred too this , that they might profite , and bring vs pleasure . Howe triumpheth the Oratour , when he seeth the Client deliuered by his tongue ? how laughes the Logitian , when he perceiues his enimy driuen to a blank ? how smiles the Philosopher to himself , when he hath sifted the secrets of hidden causes ? Howe leapes the musition , when he beholdeth men rauished with his melodie ? The beasts of the earth , the fishes of the Sea , the foules of the ayre , the Sonne , the Moone , the course of the Starres , the foure Elementes , the whole worlde was made for our vse , & this vse is the roote of al our pleasure ; Our speach is giuen vs too increace acquaintance : acquaintance maketh vs delight in company , which banisheth sorowe , heauines , disqu●etnesse , solitarines : all which if we shun , we liue in plesure . Our eyes present euery delectable shadowe to the minde , but when they view any ougly shape , any monster , any enemie , that may hurte vs any way , or diminishe our pleasure , our haire stands , our hart throbs , our body shakes , our sense fayles , our limmes stiffen , out wits faint , nature her selfe starts vp affrighted , and swelleth against it , til she find it remoued out of our way . The like may be said of hearing , smelling , taste , and touch . Doe not our eares drawe vs too mirth , driue vs from mourning ? Do not our nosthrils teach vs to walke in sweet gardens , shun the foule streetes ; to smel to the Rose & burne the Hemlock ? hath not our taste sufficiently instructed vs to like of sweete meates , to loth bitter potions ; to take the pomegranat , & leaue the crab ? are we not warned by outwarde feeling ( which is natures theefe scout against our enimies ) to clap handswith pleasure as a perfect friend ; to shun the contrary as a fooe ? Too this ende haue wee receiued handes , too thrust away euery thyng that would hurt vs , & to pull to vs all that wee see might pleasure vs . To this ende hath nature made vs feete , to flye from the thing that might displease vs , and to followe whatsoeuer shall most delight vs . Therefore were the kinges of Persia iudged happy , because they spent the Winter in Babylon , the somer in Media , the Spring in Susa : seeking continually too liue in those places , that were most pleasant . This perswadeth me fully & not without ground , that no man which hath any wit , any learning , any manners , any curtesis , any feeling of nature , or pricke of conscience , any feare of the Gods , or sparke of grace ; seeing all vertues , al arts , al actions of this lyfe amed at pleasure , as theyr end , the world made to maintene it , euery part of the body to desire it , and nature her selfe too abhorre the contrary , can deny a life so led , to enioy perfect happinesse . Then what misliketh Ieraldi in Polyphile ? what can these Gentlemen rebuke in me ? I lyue agreeable to nature , that is , in pleasure . Where I looke I like , where I like I loue , what then ?

When loue commaundes , we must receiue the check , He rules and euery God obayes his be●ke .

Polyphile thus ending her Apologie , eache geuing place to the other to reply , they were euery one tonguetied , Philotimo looking vpon Phialo , Phialo on Ieraldi , he vpon both , and she on them al. But Ieraldi perceiuing Phialo dumbe , broke silence , asking him whether he had taken in the flagge of defiance againe , or as vtterly vanquished , yeelded himselfe this Gentlewomans prisoner , because he withheld his speache so long , seeming rather to geue grounde then to resist .

Syr answered Phialo , these argumentes are couched together briefly ; but they were neuer so quickly gathered as they haue beene vttered : Therefore I thinke it my duetie too consider the longer of them before I reply : for questions are sooner propounded then they can hee answeared , demaunded in fewe wordes , scant absolued in many . When one asked Zeuxis , why he was so long in drawing a counterfaite : hee said indeede that he was long , but because he woulde haue it continue long . I haue all this time withdrawne my selfe , too beethinke me the better what to speake , & to woorke my colours in perfecte Oyle . Where the enimie comes in a coate of Steele , it is good for a Souldier to whet his swoorde . The wrastler many times chaungeth his place , but hee dooth it too seeke out footing . Horatius fighting alone too three , turned his backe to seuer his foes , and afterwardes slewe them one by one , If you see me go back , it is but too choose a place too fight in : perswade not your selfe that I meane to flye , for the Ramme retyreth , that hee might geue the greater shocke . I am not so affraide of theyr reasons , as astonished with theyr folly , whiche builde vp theyr Fortresses on bryttle ground seekinge too washe the face of a blacke Moore white , whose coulour no sope will take away , or too make a silke purse of a Sowes eare that when it shoulde close , will not come togeather .

Syr Philotimo is so bewitched with this Gentlewomans lookes , and doteth so muche in Socrates loue , that he thinks it impossible to find dustie corners in gallaunt houses , counterfait stuffe , in a faire stampe , Wooden Swoordes in Iuory sheathes ; apishe deformities in cloth of Golde . They whiche haue trauailed Germany , finde that theyr best Wines grow on the hardest rockes , I haue seene black earth beare a white flower , the vnprofitable Thorne carrieth as trim a blosome as the Apple . Thus ought wee not to iudge our Gold by the colour ; nor the qualities of women , by theyr faces . When any one of you seeth mee weare a faire shoe , no man knowes where it wringes me , but my selfe ; none feele the hardenesse of the flinte , but he that strikes it : none are able to iudge of womens qualities , but such as trie them . If you beholde the vertue of this Gentlewoman by her countenance , why do you not the like in goodly pictures , for they are beautiful ? Haue you not learned that the substance of the minde , cannot bee discerned by outwarde sense ? Solus animus de animo iudicas . or that nothing but a minde , can at any time bee arbiter of the minde ? then howe is it possible , sir , for you , with the sight of your eye , whiche reacheth no farther then her face , to take an Anatomie of her conceite● ? When vertue woorketh , I graunt you then she is knowne by her deedes as the tree by the fruite : for when we perceiue the Magistrate too geue vnto euery man his owne , wee say hee is iuste ; and when you haue seene this Gentlewoman gouerne her steppes by the lyne of vertue , say shee is modest . Geue not the praise of a iudge to his Scarlet gowne , nor the commendation of women , to the colour of their cheekes . The Bay is euer greene , but without fruit , onely presenting a sweete sauoure to our nosthrills ; the gaye Platan tree spreedes a broade leafe , and yeeldes nothing else but a shadow for Epicures . Argeus hearing some commend the beautie of other mens wiues , tolde them that they ought not so rashly to shoote their boltes : for such shoulde be knowen too none , but their husbandes . Crates beholding the golden Idol of a strumpet set vp in Delphos , said it was done to nourish the wantonnes of the Greeks . Therfore I beseech you , Philotimo , to leaue the praise of this Gentlewomans face too such as are best acquainted with her conditions . And if you perceiue that Nature hath bestowed some cunning vpon her moulde , thinke it is done , but to flatter the Venetians with her image .

Mustering togeather the examples of Pericles and Aspasia , Hyperides & his barlottes ; and I wote not whom ; you are like vnto him that wauing and tottering in a greate preace , leanes vnto them too staye himselfe , which are borne too the ground as fast as he . The Sonne sheweth greatest , when we beholde him through a clowde : he that looketh through a peece of redde glasse , iudgeth euery thing that be viewes to be redde : And Phisitions to the likenes of this affirme , that corrupte vapors mounting from the body vp too the heade , and distilling agayne , from thence to the eyes , when they haue there mingled themselues with the watrye crystall , which receiueth the shadowes of thinges to be seene , make all thinges appeare of the some colour , which remains in the humor that ouerspreads our sight , as if it be melancholik , euery thing seemeth black ; if it be flegmatike , white ; &c. Philotimo troubled with a suffusion . Then thinke not , Philotimo , but you shal be deceaued , if you beholde the manners of women throughe the clowde of their beawtie , the glasse of their brauery , or the grosse humors of fancie that bleare your eyes . If you doe but imagine that euery fatre face hath faire conditions ; because that Gratior est pulchro veniens è corpore virtus ,

Vertue shines brightest in a gallant face , Somnium Vigilantis . you bewraye that Eclipse in your wayning iudgement , Cureus de Sens . lib. 1. cap. 36. whiche Philosophers haue called The waking mans dreame ; for that , many times doeth happen thus : Men thinking verye earnestly of their friendes , or any thing else that they haue seene , or read , when they are drowned in the bottome of this conceyte , the minde plodding continually on the same , this vehement combate of imagination seareth the spirites , which geue suche a pushe vntoo common sense , Louers dreames . that it flowes too the eie , and planteth the Idol of the thing imagined before our sight . Thus are Melancholicke louers in the middest of theyr dumps deceiued with the shadow of their Ladies , perswading them selues for the time , that they viewe the partie , whom fancy enforced them but too dreame on . Thus Geometers deeply considering of theyr proportions , beleeue sometimes that they see them liuely drawne out in the aire . And thus you coining to your self a Phaenix of Arabia , that is , vertue at no time separate from beautie , sodenly iudge that you see it in Polyphile . You aledge for your purpose , that the qualities of the minde , agree with the constitution of the body , which beeing thus construed that where choler aboundeth , we are testie ; where melancholy , madde and furious ; or that tender complexions , are very melch harted ; I will not deny it : but too saye that where ther is neuer a wemme in the cloath , there can bee no deformitie in the wearer ; where the body hath no spot , the minde is vtterly voyde of blurre , I may t not alowe it . Therefore throwe downe the loue of Socrates , whose heastes are no lawes , whose wordes are no Oracles , whose authoritie is no priuiledge for your folly . Too beleeue whatsoeuer Philosophers hold , or snatch it vp for a Square too fashion our lyfe , is too credite euerye thing , to examin nothing , nor at any time to iudge vprightly ; but as bruite beasts . too follow the heard , not whither our dutie wils vs to go , but whither soeuer the formost leades .

Phialo then turnyng himselfe too Polyphile , desired her to geue him leaue as freely too aunsweare her , as hee had already replyed too Philotimo : For ( said he ) I am not of Herodotus minde , that thinketh women to lay aside honesty , when they put of theyr Garmentes , and though you may seeme in the eies of chast beholders , both too caste away the attire of a sober matrone , and too put on the shape , of a monstrous Epicure ; yet I hope too touche you soo neare before I leaue you , that you shall bee enforced to strike Saile to the trueth . All your defence consisteth in the inclination of our nature , which you say hath framed euerye thing for our delighte , and taughte vs her selfe like a cunning Schoolemaistresse , to fetch our full swindge , in wanton desires . You iudge vs condemned by her , too taste euery dish & feede vpon that that likes vs best . But doe not you know that a great Riuer cutte into manye Creekes , is made shallowe ? that loue dispersed into many Streames , runnes low ? thinke not that little Infants assoon as they are shotte into the worlde , seeke after pleasure , when they crie for a teate ; but crane foode , as instructed by nature too nourishe themselues .

You abuse the woorde Pleasure very muche , when taking it sometime in one Sense , sometime in an other . Nowe fleeting aboue , then diuing to the bottome , and with the Hedgehogge , neuer abiding that quarter , where the wind blowes , you are able too drawe the simple awrye , and make them angle for butterflies in a drie ditch . Wee muste not fight loosely as the wild Scythians , which saile out on the suddayne with terrible showtes ; brandishe their Dartes , with inuincible courage ; and daring not tary the cheefest brunt , presently squatte themselues in their boggs . It shal be my practice in this quarrell too define the same pleasure which you mainteine , that finding by this , where the fielde is pitchte , I may bring my force to your maine battell . Definition of Pleasure . Pleasure is a sweete tickeling of Sense , with a present ioy . Being a tickling of the sense , you may see that to haue no disquitnesse , cannot bee pleasure : For stocks & stones feele no trouble at all , yet I thinke you wil not say that they liue in pleasure . To be cured of anguishe cannot bee this , because it is no other wise then a deliuerie from payne . In that it is bredd of a presentioy , it neither consisteth in remembrance of pleasures past , because they are fled ; & cannot be felt : nor in hope of any such like to come , because we taste them not yet , & they may bee preuented . What plesure can you find , if being in Russia in the middle of winter with a needle in your hand neuer a threed about you , you remember strait you had clothes on your backe , and were warme inough in Venice , in the middle of Sommer ? What auayleth it , yf thirsting now , you call to your minde that you drunke yesterday ? or presently ready too famishe for hunger , you perswade your selfe there will bee corne in Haruest ? Againe if pleasure bee the tickling of sense with a present ioy , what delight had Marius in the Surgeons knife ? Sceuola in tormentes of the fire ? Curtius in the botome of the Gulfe ? or Iphigenia in the Butchers Axe ? Forsooth sir , say you , I ment , that for their friends sakes , they conceiued a pleasure in theyr mindes ; alas then , say I , you muste not dreame of Chaulke when you speake of Cheese . That which other enioy belongs not toe vs , and when wee are dead , the praise that is geuen vs , neuer comes too our eares , except you assure your selfe . that with Seleus our soules shall forsake vs a while in a Traunce , and after they haue compassed heauen , too learne some newes , bee blowne intoo our bodies againe through a Squirte . But you trifle in this , let vs shake vp , our kenell a little better .

Wisedome , Iustice , al vertues , all Artes , all that we doe in this life , leuels , say you , at nothing but pleasure . Can you make suche a hotchpotche of vice and vertue , that eache with the other shall both agree ? that contraries shall nestle togeather in one body , one part , at one instant ? The pleasure that is got by vertue is an honest delight of the minde , reioycing in nothing but that whiche is good : Vertue ameth not at pleasure . yet is it not that which vertue see . keeth , for the countryeman soweth his Grayne too reape the fruite , though he gather the flower , that growes vp with it : And we exercise vertue not for pleasures sake , but to do good ; refusing not the pleasures that spring vp with it , as flowers with corne , and follow it continually as a shadow the body : neyther do they please vs because they delighte , but delighte because they please . Your louers whensoeuer you frowne , descend into hell ; when you smile , are carried with winges in too heauen ; yet neither of them both are out of Venice , Poets sain Iupiter to haue two barrels in heauen , the one of weale , the other of woe : which he disperseth abroade at his pleasure : If your beautie haue drawen Iupiter from heauen in a shewre of raine , compelling him by loue too resigne his office vnto you , that opening the barrelles of blisse and bale , you mighte gouerne the liues of men as you list , torment and relecue , scourge and release , set vp and throwe downe whomsoeuer you will , O Goddesse worthy of a God , & Iuno of thy Ioue .

These are the frantike inuentions of Heathen writers , with if they bee wrought , will not holde the hammering . You must not thinke your sweete face to make you perfect , nor beleeue whatsoeuer your suters speake . Because that they say , they burne , will you thinke their bodies are set on fire ? if they dreame of your hew , that it is heauenly , is there no hoe , but you will shine in youre brightnes among the stars ? These are Hyperbolees to flatter you , with they commonly speake in the midst of their passion , when their wittes are a woolgathering . All our actions by your opinion are directed to pleasure . Tel me gentlewoman what you think of other nations . The Parthians are taught from their youth to shoote & too darte , the Heluetians too follow the march of the drumme , the Germans to ride & tosse a great steed , the Lacedaemonians to receiue their skin ful of stripes : is this for pleasure ? I doe not remember that euer I delighted to bee horst , ouer the forme when my self was a boy ; if you finde any suche pleasure in stripes , I wold you were married to some man of Thracia where by the custom of the country they beat their wiues too this day . What can be so fond as to seeke that in this life with wee ought to shun ? To bee ouerruled by that which becōes vs to maister ? to be seruants to pleasure that shoulde be our slaue ? too make that our blisse , which Cooks , which Phisitions , which women may geue , and which fortune at witch may take away ? Aristippus was iump of your opinion , seeking onely sweete meat for his belly , & a Saint for his bed : wherein if we followe the print of his feete , No differeuce betweene man and beast . I finde that we differ not from sauage beastes . They knowe eche other as well as we , they vnderstand themselues likewise as well as wee , they seeme too talke , they seeme too laughe , when pricking vp their eares , lowing , neying and fawning they expresse their ioy ; they seeke to their sexe for some encrease , which is a token of mutuall loue , they followe that which they knowe will profite them , they flie from the thing that they finde to hurt them ; whereby they do shewe some sparks of reason , making a difference betweene good and euill . So suttle are they , that wee finde them many times too craftie for vs ; so wise that they gather in Sommer , too serue them in Winter ; so cunning , that the Spider in her webbe , the birde in her nest , may seeme too geue vs instruction of building ; so ciuill , so obedient , that we are no more diligent to serue one prince , then euery hearde is readie too followe one leader , euery swarme of bees , to honour one king . Elephantes are reported to be so curteous , that they bring strayed passengers into theyr way ; so witty , that they vnderstand the speach of those people with whom they liue ; so skillful , in the moouing of the heauenly bodies , that by bathing them selues in running waters , they bewray the approch of the new Moone ; so mercifull , that one of them in Rome catching a boy that had pricked his nose with abodkin , tooke him vp presently with his snowee , shoke him aloft to put him feare & laide him downe softly againe with out hurt ; Dion . last of al , they seeme so attached with knowledge of God , that eighteene of them beeing ●●ine at a triumph in the Theater of Rome , the rest , by running aboute the place with a pittifull rore , mournfully tossed their snoutes vpp too Heauen , as though they accused the crueltie of man , or cryed for reuenge of their fellowes blood .

By what Cognisance then shall wee be knowen from beastes ? 〈…〉 est , quisque . Plato did not think a man to be a reasonable creature , consisting of a soule and a body , but a reasonable soule , vsing the body as his bondslaue . Aske Aristippus why we are borne ? he will say for pleasure ; Demand Anaxagoras , his answer shal be , that we might looke vppon heauen ; the one followes that , which is common to vs with bruite beastes ; the other robbeth blinde-men of their commodity , because they are not able to see the starres . The difference betweene man and beast . Therefore taking the opinion of Plato , That euery mans selfe is but his soule , let vs acknowledge from whence we came , that is , from God , the giuer of life ; And sath we haue receiued this benefit at his hands , it is our duetie to shew our selues thankefull by seruing him . He hath made vs , hee hath redeemed vs , hee , hath sanctified vs to his owne selfe , whatsoeuer we are , wee are the woorke of his hands , the image of himselfe , wee are altogeather his , and not our own . This is the marke we must beare in our forheades , to be knowne from blockishe and brute creatures : they seeke for nothing but that with is earthly , wee must desire the thing that is heauenly ; they are sensible bodies , we reasonable soules ; they serue their bellies ; we our God . O Poliphile , Womens pride . where is the life which you require ? what is become of Sabina , which neuer dreaming of this , but drowned in wantonnesse vsually bathed her selfe in the milke of fiue hundred shee Asses , to preserue her beautie ? How is Galeriaes sight daseled with the pompe of this worlde , which scorned the golden palace of Nero , as not curious enoughe , too shrowde her carkase ? Beware you seeke not so much to pranke vp your selfe , that you forget God . Cleopatra was thought of some writers not to bee slayne with venemous snakes , but with the same bodkin that curled her heare Bridle the wantonnesse of your speech , Xiphilinus . Womens behaniour . & the ouerlashing of youthfull dayes . Posthumia was accused of lewdenesse , because she was seene but to be merrie in companie , and although she had very wel cleared her selfe , Minutius returned her home with this clause , that her tongue shoulde neuer be woorse then her thought , her gesture no wantonner then her life . The women of Calcedon neuer shewed vnto strangers any more then one cheeke ; the wife of Hieron was acquaynted with no bodies breath , but her husbandes ; the women of Egypt did weare no shoes , because they shoulde neuer bee gadders abroade ; the Damselles of Beotia that day they were married , had the Axeltree of their coaches burnte at their doores , that wanting the meane to carrye them out , they might learne by the same too abide at home . Lysander refused the riche Garmentes that were sente out of Sicilie to his daughters , because hee feared suche a present wold be a greater spott to their minds , than an ornament to their bodyes , disfigure them sooner than become them .

Beholde the sweete cuppes that haue made you drunke , are kepte from their lippes that intend to be modest . You vse your Glasse to turne vp your locks , that you mighte please the gazers eye ; other stand tooting in them to this ende , that if they be faire , they blemish no iotte of the same with vice ; if they bee foule , they amend it with vertue . You , like the moone , shine brightest of all , when the Sunne is away ; they glister most in their husbands presence ; you are a glasse for euery Gallant , smiling with them , mourning with them , frowning with them , and what cheere soeuer you perceiue in their face , representing the same in your hollowe lookes ; they only reioyce and weepe with them , with whome they are growne into one fle she , you are a shadowe to euery louer , mouing with them , from place too place , and cleauing to no particular body ; they like true geometricall lynes , are neuer pulde from their bodyes but by death , neuer seene abrode without their stay , neuer founde in the streetes without their husbandes . You , make your belly , your God ; your luste , your heauen ; your pleasure , your blisse ; and hunt greedilie for suche delightes , as though they bee drawn with a twine threed , cannot be kept with a Cable rope , for they houer like fethers in the wind , & are blown away like chaff with euery blast . So dangerous a sea is our delight , that in euery calme we feare a storme , in euery storme , wee are swallowed quick ; in euery case , wee looke for paine , in euery paine , we pine to death , in euery peace , we dout a broyle , in euery broyle we goe to the potte . Philip winning the garland at the games of Olimpia , when tyding was brought him too encrease his ioy , that the same day Parmenio his Captaine had foyled his enemies , & his Queene was deliuered of a young prince , cast vp his hands vnto heauen , desiring God to dash those pleasures but with some little mishappe . Howe vaine was the blisse of Scabius Apicius , which after his longe and delicate fare , casting an account of his substance , to see how much he had spent on his bellie , sinding , no more then two hundred and fifty thousand groates left , flew himslfe that he might not die for hunger ? What plesure had Vitellius in all his banquettes , when casting vp his gorge assoone as hee had eaten ; he was saide too bee sustained with the passage of his meates ? You esteeme this life for a wonderfull pleasure & a great felicity , yet Caracalla shauing his bearde , glutted at his boorde with the dainties of Antioche , cried out that hee tooke very great paynes , suffered the assault of many perilles , & rebuked the Senators for their idlenes .

Is it not against nature too lay suche weight on her necke , that she sinke vnder the burden ? to alter her course , contrary to kinde ? to wishe for roses in Winter ? snowwater in Summer ? artificiall gardens on the toppe of our houses ? To seeke a newe hunger when we are satisfied ? to prouoke thirst again when we haue drsik ? to deuise such cookery of our selues as shal make vs to feede at al seasons ? to quaffe euery moment ? too snort at highe Noone ? to banquet at Mydnight ? Nature in euerye Treature else sheweth her selfe too be her owne bulwark : & because that neere is our Coate , neerer our skin , we loue our freendes well , but our selues better ; euery thing is committed too the custody of it selfe . Marke howe the seede doeth tender it selfe , when it creepeth first out of the grounde in a soft blade , how it afterwardes stiffeneth to a stalke , how it hardeneth the eare ; how it locketh vp euery grayne in his huske , and sendeth out prickles to keep of smal byrdes from deuouring the same . When the foale is cast , it neuer leaues sprawling till it arise to shift for it selfe . Children are no sooner on tiptoe , but they reach to the wal to stay themselues vp for breaking their face , if they trust to their feete before their time . Shall we seeke our own safetie when we are greene , and surfeite with pleasures when wee are gray ? can wee creepe too a stay too lift our selues vpp , and not leane to the same when we are alofte ? Doe we cherishe our selues when wee are grasse , and yeelde too our enmies when we are corn ? When nature is serued wee sucke no longer , whilest wee are young ; and shall we chocke our selues with variety of dishes when we are olde ? Leaue the Epicure at his table , let it be furnished with all maner of Cates , Let Ganimedes fill him the Cup , let Beautie send out her daughters to beare him company , let Apollo tickle his eares with the Lute , let the Muses be charged to sound in the seruice , and the Graces themselues to wayte on his trencher , let him heare nothing , but too delight him ; touch nothing , but too please him ; see nothing , but to rauish him ; Is this the happines that you commend ? are none but the Birdes of this fether in blisse ? how wretched are wee then , that neuer came neere it ? They pamper them selues with a little ease , wee accustome our bodyes to labour and toyle ; they cannot abide the sting of a flea , we beare of the stripes of our enemyes clubbe ; they , like to fatte Oxen , are soonest felde , wee graze without hurt on the bleakest cliffs ; To bee shorte , Polyphile , Harpies shall sweepe the meate from their trenchers , Heauen shal thunder out plagues against them , death shall finishe their ioyes in anguish , when nothing shall happen too vs vnlooked for . If you place not your pleasure in your dishes , nor in your Musick , nor in your wayters , nor in the beholding of your guestes , for What booteth it to gaze , Ouid. and not inioy ?

But to haue the vse of that that your eye likes & your heart loues , I graunt you may ioye in the company of men , but I iudge they haue litle delight in you . In som countries the bride is crowned by the Macrons with a garland of prickles , & so deliuered vnto her husband , that hee might know he hath tied himself to a thorny plesure . Vlisses wept for the death of his dog , but shed neuer a teare for his wiues sorrow . Women better lost then founde . Domitius buryed three wiues with a dry handkercher . Sophocles beeing asked what stomack he had to a faire woman , said , none at all , for he was deliuered out of such prisons , and had shaken those fetters of from his heeles . Had there beene any great felicity in your acquaintance , I doubt not , but you shoulde haue ●in more esteemed . Think not , signiora , that I speake this too impaire the loue that euery man ought too beare too his wife , but too giue you too vnderstande , that the way to Heauen is not strewde with rushes , nor the ende of toyle in louers ioyes , nor the cradle of ease in Ladies laps . My selfe haue alwayes beene so affected to pleasure , that I haue iudged the daunces of Venus schoole , to be as dangerous as the Mermaides songs , which draw vs from the coast we are bound to seeke , which make vs forgette from whence wee came ; that forsaking our countrie , our Parentes , our freends , our acquaintance , haling into a wrong road , casting our Ankees before wee sounde , selling our commodities , our shippes , our selues for a drop of honie , which at the first taste , is chaunged to poyson , wee might cleaue to the rocks and be turned to stones ; Listen to vanitie , and be loden with vice ; stick fast in sinne and be swallowed in death , the fittest rewarde of such a life .

It is not my meaning too shriue you gentlewoman , but as a Philosopher to exhorte you if you haue not falne , to stand fast ; if you be downe , to recouer your footing as soone as you may , & looke to your steppes that you fall no more . The Mariner alwayes so guides the helme that he keepeth the sayle in the windes nose ; the Player so beateth his parte too him selfe at home , that hee giues it right gesture when he comes to the scaffolde ; the painter so tempers his colours to shadow his worke , & behaueth him self with such regarde , that keeping a quick eye to his paterne , a steady hand to his frame , hee might finish his taske with greater praise . Our life is a ship , saued at sea and lost at shore ; a common play , brought to the stage as a gasing stocke , euery man sees our smallest faults ; A curious picture hard to draw , and quickly spoylde with quiuering ioynts . Wherfore it is necessary for vs to marke wel where the wind blowes , that we be not sunck ; to haue a care too discharge our parts , that we not shamed ; to be so wary & circumspect in our doings , that wee marre not all that wee take in hande . Weake braines are not too bee charged with made Wines ; nor feeble mindes , with inchaunted delights ; they ouerthrowe vs too our discredite , these bewitch vs to our destruction .

We ought not to stand vpon slippery bankes , when our steppes are vncertaine in dry ground . So tickle is al the stay we haue heere , that wee cannot mooue without reelinge , nor gather vp our feet without falling . Take heed , signoria , how you stande , Two pathes . and whether you walke . There are but twoo pathes layde open before vs , the one smooth and broade , ouerspred with the beautie of many flowres , watred with the deawe of sundry springes ; sounding delight with varietie of byrds glimmering with the bright beames of the sunne ; and this is pleasure , which we ought not too followe for ambling to the Diuel : the other , narrowe and craggie , harde and lothsome , darke and terrible , and this is trouble , whom we should not feare , bicause he driues vs too heauen on a trotting horse .

Demetrius contrary to your opinion , thought none in the world so miserable as those , that had neuer fasted of any 〈◊〉 A good father neuer suffereth his sonne to bee idle , but exercyseth his body in labour , his mind in 〈…〉 layeth the greatest waight , vpon those wits , that hee lyketh best , because hee is sure they are able too beare it . God is a father and a Schoolemaister vnto vs , if hee haue not traueled your bodie , too make you sweate ; nor reade you long Lectures , to busie your wittes ; It is a playne case , and a stronge argumente , that hee neither loues you as a Father , nor lykes you as a Mayster ; nor accountes you his childe , nor makes you his Scholer . Non est molle virtutis documentum : Seneca . Vertue can sleepe without a pillowe . Scaeuola soughte for his ioy by fire , Fabritius by pouertie , Rutilius by exile , Regulus by torments , Socrates by poyson , Cato by death . They whiche inhabite the colde Countryes , finde delight in the frozen Snowe , pursue the wilde beastes for foode in the Mountaynes , and chalke vppe their lodging in that place , where nighte compels them . They regarde no pouertie : for they liue no barer then they were borne ; they force no sorrowe , for if it bee longe , custome in them hath made it lighte ; if it he shorte , they soone forget it ; they flye no death , for either in that they end their toyle , or enter into a better life ; they despise Fortune , for she cannot robbe them that haue naught too loose , and no weapon she hath , can wounde the mind . If you thinke these people in misery , because they rowse not their bodyes in Beddes of Downe ; they surfeite not with our daintyes of Italy , but with Hippolytus followe Dianas chase , you are out of your wittes .

Ouid in the person of Phoebus to Phaeton appointeth away for vs to trace before we can bring our selues to rest , in which I reade of no pleasure at all .

The first is steepe , which scarse with freshest 〈◊〉 My steedes doe climbe : the middle standes aloft , From whence when I both seats and land beholde , I shake and tremble in my troubled brest . The last doth fal , and needes a straighter bit , And such as in my wa●rie couch beneath Lost bedlong downe I come , dame Thetis dreedes .

Such is the path that we are willed to treade , so bolte vpright , that the hottest youth findeth his hands full inough too scale it , the top so high when we are vp , that we shiuer to see what danger we haue past , and our heads are gyddie with looking downe . The laste so deepe , that if we slip , we breake our neckes , and neuer leaue rolling till we drop in to the graue . In youth we had neede of props , because we mount ; in middle age , when we are aloft our pleasure is dasht with a great feare ▪ perceiuing so many dangers behinde vs , which we haue escaped ; so many before vs , which are to come ; In gray heares , we beginne to drop , and euery foote wee stirre is a steepe too death . Beside the steepe rise , tickle hight , perillous downfall of our passage , there are many monsters in our way .

Thy feete shall treade vpon the horned Bul. The Tropikes and the ghostly Lyons head .

Thus finde wee not in any parte of our life , one spare place too wring in a little pleasure . Howe happy is the life of them that ouercome ? The beste Sayler , is knowne in sorest stormes ; the brauest Souldier , in greatest perill ; the purest Golde , in hottest fire ; the blessedst people , in deepest trouble . The house is not builte , til the Timber be hewed , nor happynesse woonne , till we be hackt .

Flatter not your selfe in the ioyes of this worlde , which are Fancyes hookes , to catche fooles . Vlisses bounde himselfe too the mast , that he might sayle beyonde them , you muste girde vp your loynes , or wrastle til you sweate , before you can carry the prize away . Rich Coblers , haue blacke Thumbes ; good Carpenters , harde handes ; Thriftie Playsterers , dirtie clothes ; profounde Studentes , pale faces ; fatte Schollers , thinne cheekes . Difficilia quae pulchra , wee obtayne no true pleasures without paine . They that will haue the Nut , must breake the shell ; that will eate the Apple , must climb the tree ; that wil come too the Myne , must dig the Earth ; that will trauell the Sea , muste passe the sand ; that wil conquer their foes , must fight the fielde ; that will gett the goale , muste runne the race ; that will weare a Crowne , muste wynne the same . The seede of the Lorde and the Corne of his Haruest , suffereth all weathers in open fielde , and when it is growne too perfect rypenesse , it is cut with the Syth , beaten with the Flayle , tostt with the Fanne , brused with the Stone , parcht with the heate of a Fiery Ouen . Thousandes are the pikes that must be passed , before wee can enter the gates of rest . Isaack was dearely beloued of GOD yet many tymes vexed , driuen out of Chanaan with hunger , troubled with his neighbours , barde of his water , greeued with the discorde of his sonnes , and the violence offered vnto his wife .

The children of GOD hung vp theyr Harpes on the Willow trees , sate downe and wepte at the waters of Babylon . Many are the examples that I might alleadge out of the Scripture , too shewe you that GOD bryngeth none vntoo hym by pleasure , but whips them with sorrowe tyll theyr heartes grone , that when they haue rensed their couche with teares , the smoke of theyr sighes might arise vppe lyke Frankensence into his nostthriles .

Consider , Signiora , that you were not made sodaynly by the running attil● of little Moates in the ayre , but fashioned out with the handes of God . By which you may knowe as I haue tolde you already , that you are not your owne , but his that framed you ; yf you be not your owne , deny your selfe ; yf you be Gods , flie vnto him ; cast of the wanton desires of this life , seeke for no pleasure in these dayes , if you wish to auoid torment in the worlde too come . Lasie people pine to death ; rewarde is theirs that labour harde : Yf you striue with this body and maister sinne ; encounter the Deuill and win the fielde ; charge your foe stoutly , and holde vp your swoorde to the later gaspe ; you shall finde suche grace , suche mercy , such pleasure , such ioy , as neither eye hath seene , nor eare hath hearde , nor fleshe hathe felte , nor thought conceiued , nor Phialoes tongue is able too rehearse .

When Phialo had thus ended his talke , and beheld Polyphile to see howe his Medicine beganne too woorke , Philotimo tolde him that Aesope maketh the Lion too chase the Harte , but the Harte beeing swifter of foote quicly got out of the Lions sight , and lodged him selfe in the thickest brakes : the Lion following still mette with a sheepehearde ; of whome hee demaunded whether hee had seene the Harte or not ; the poore sheaphearde saide no , and pointed too the thicket where the Hart lay . Euen soo did hee like a timerous swaine , for feare of Ieraldi whome hee knewe too bee pleasures deadly foe , deny the delight he hath seene , with his tongue and glaunsing deceitfully too Polyphile , looke vpon Venus with his heart . Wherin hee shewed him selfe a cunning sculler that rowes his Bote forwarde , thoughe hee haue turned his face too the sterne ; And though hee spoke his pleasure againste pleasure , withdrawing his heade from Gentlewomans lappes , yet hee followed them backwards , as the Bargemen in England , that rowe vppe too London , with theyr faces to Grauesende .

Trust me , saide Ieraldi , I haue seene children which beholding meate at the Table , and durste not craue it for feare of the Rodde , haue told theyr fathers , they woulde eate none of that ; whiche was but a craftie kinde of begging And it may be , that Phialo cryeth out against women , because hee loues them , but I doo nor beleeue it . There is no cause why hee shoulde double before mee , though I bee seuere , I am no Lyon ; neyther deo I pursue wylde wantons too death , but too amendment ; Notwithstanding where the roote is rotten , the Stocke can neuer bee newe graffed ; It is a harde matter too make an olde Dogge receiue the Coller , or too bryue that corruption out of the fleshe , which is bredde in the bone : Polyphile hath runne so long vntyed , that I feare libertie hath eaten a hole in her heart , and her stomacke will not suffer her now too bende . Those qualities are seldome lost , which are got by long practise , and growne to a habite .

You are too preiudiciall sir , sayde Polyphile , where the husbandman seeeth many weedes , hee taketh the Soyle too bee fruitefull , if it bee tylled : wheresoeuer you see any vices growe , there is grounde for vertue , if it bee laboured . Forspeake me not I pray you , I am not so bad as you report , though I be woorse than I woulde I were , if after this tyllage , you finde mee barren , or returne too my vomite , then say , that the roote of grace is cleane decayed , and vertue in mee will neuer budde . God hath appointed Mary a tyme too repent , and Polyphile to forsake her wicked wayes . Had I beene sooner dyeted , I had beene sooner reclaimed ; sooner called , I had sooner come . I feele such a combate in my selfe , such a terrour of the iust iudgement of GOD , and suche a comforte agayne if I runne to him , that I am constrayned heare too staye my selfe , and resorte no more too the Epicures Table , least surfe●ting sooner than I 〈…〉 I cast vp my meate the way that it came and licke vp my gall with a loathing stomacke . Therefore I thanke you signior Ieraldi for your cost , which prouided all this cheare for my sake ; you sit Philotimo for your company , whose lookes were the fountaine of all this talke ; and you good Phialo whose Philosophie hath pulled me out of the iawes of death . As long as I liue I acknowledge my selfe to bee your scholler , and holde me your dettour , which if you remaine any time in Venice you shall perceiue : No more Polyphile , that name I abhorre , Theophile nowe newly christened by thee .

Ieraldi reioyced too heare these wordes , and wished a Gospel on that mouth , wherewith they arose : and Ieraldi taking Philotimo aside , requested him earnestly to procure some friendship for Phialo in the Courte , that he might bee restored to Sienna againe . Philotimo ready enough to doe that without entreatie , desired Ieraldi to harbour Phialo , till be hearde farther newes : for the next day he entended to returne towards Ferara , & promised that it shoulde not be long ere he wrot ehym an answeare . Ieraldi soone graunted soosmall a Boone : & whilest he discouered to Phialo theyr intent , Philotimo stepped too Theophile too take his leaue , in whose eyes hee perceiued the matter stande too seee good company breake so soone .

Stephan Gosson . Coelotegitur , qui non habet vrnam .

¶ An Apologie of the Schoole of Abuse , against Poets , Pipers , Players , and their Excusers . Seneca . Vitia nostra , quia amamus , defendimus ; & malumus excusare , quàm excutere .

A Captaine that serued Cyrus , being one day desirous to shewe his Prince sport in trayning his men , deuided them al into twoo equall partes , giuing bucklers and wasters to the one , appointing nothing but cloddes of harde earth to the other ; When they were separated farre a sunder , and a signe giuen to them both to fight , the dirty Champions that stoode a loofe , paulted the buckler bearers on the shinnes , and the head , receiuing no bur● againe for the time , bicause they kept them out of the others reache : But when the battayle began to ioyne , their turfes were too brittle towarde a blowe , the sorest strypes lighted on their own shoulders . Such is the skitmishe of our players , who perceiuing the truthe to stand on my side as an armour of proofe ; and finding them selues vnappointed for the fielde , keepe a farre off , biting me in corners , casting out libels , which are but clay , and rattle on mine armour , or tippe me on the shinnes , without farther hurt . But if they take vp my gloue , and enter the Lyste ; set downe their opinion , and subscribe their names ; I will gather in to them as faste as I can , and teach them to know the weyght of my clubbe . I vnderstand they are all in a fustian fume , they runne to & fro , with a nettle in their noses , and lashe out their heeles as they had caught the brimse , which is a plaine token , that the gawle is rubbed , the canker toucht . They haue eaten bulbief , and threatned highly , too put water in my woortes , whensoeuer they catche me ; I hope it is but a coppy of their countenance , Ad di●m fortasse minitantur , Shrewde kyne shall haue shorte hornes : If they be chafte , they may be walke , if they be rough , they may bee calmde ; if they be hotte , they may be coolde ; I am not so childishe to take euery bushe for a monster ; euery shadow for a bugge ; euery man for a deuill , that daunceth in his coate . The wynde blustereth about the hilles , yet can not remoue them from their place ; The Sea beates vpon the rockes , yet euery billowe tugges in vayne ; With thicke shotte the ayre is darkened , yet neuer a bullet stickes in the Sunne . They may wrastle with me and rore , and rayle , yet truth is steady & cannot be stirde , harde , and cannot bee brooke with washe ; highe , and cleere , and cannot be hurt . If I giue them a Pil to purge their humor , they neuer leaue belking till it bee vp , wherein you may perceiue what vnruly patientes I deale withall , howe vnwilling they are to receiue remedy , when their disease hath gotten the vpper hande , howe ill good cookerie agrees with their queasie stomackes , and how they had rather suffer destruction to ouertake them , then seeke any meane to saue their soules . It is the propertie of hony though it be sweete , to torment those partes of the bodie that are infected , & such as are troubled with the Kings euil , neuer taste it , but they iudge it to be gall . Therefore I wishe them al that feele me sharpe , to consider whether it be to those that are sound , or to such as I finde do norish filthe . My Schoole of Abuse , hath met with some enemies , bicause it correcteth vnthristy Schollers ; Demosthenes orations smelt of sampe oyle , because his candle burnt brightest , when theeues were busiest . They that are greeued , are Poets , Pipers , and Players : the first thinke that I banishe Poetrie , wherein they dreame ; the second iudge , that I condemne Musique , wherein they dote ; the last proclaime , that I forbid recreation to man , wherein you may see , they are starke blinde . He that readeth with aduise the booke which I wrote , shal perceiue that I touche but the abuses of all these . When we accuse the Phisition for killing his patient , we finde no faulte with the Arte it selfe , but with him that hath abused the same . Therefore let me holde the same proposition still , which I sette downe before , & drewe out of Tully , that ancient Poetes are the fathers of lies , Pipes of vanitie , and Schooles of Abuses . Iupiter which was but a mortall man and almost a paticide , that for greedinesse of the crowne , droue his owne father Saturne , out of his kingdome , though hee were a cruell tyrant , an vnnaturall childe , an vsurping Prince , an abhominable leacher , as wicked a wretche as euer liued , by Poets is made the king of gods . Venus a notorious strumpet , that lay with Mars , with Mercurie , with Iupiter , with Anchises , with Butes , with Adones , that taught the women in Cyprus to set vp a Stewes , too hyre out them selues as hackne●es , for gaine , and that made her self as common as a Barbars chayre by Poets is placed for a goddesse in heauen . Al these whome the Poetes haue called gods and goddesses , for the most part , were bastardes begotten in adulterie , or very lewde liuers , which had no soner defiled their beddes , but they were snatchte vp to the skyes and made starres , in so much that Iuno crieth out in Seneca , Tellus colenda est , pellices coelum tenent ; Let s dwel in earth , for heauen is full of whores . what stuffe is this ? wantons in heauen ? & a double diuinitie of he gods , & she gods ? If it be so , I hope they will graunt me , that in that place nothing ought to bee vayne ; if nothing be vaine , they must liue together by couples like man and wife , or holde the publique weale of Plato , and make euery thing common . If they liue together in lawfull marriage , giue them houses to them selues for lawfull encrease , that all which they do be not seene in the market ; if they haue houses , let them haue landes , it is no reason they should be poorer then wee , & if they haue lande , either lette it bee fruitfull of it selfe , or giue them whippes in their handes , and sende them like swaynes to plough and ●arte . Bicause they are gods , they neuer die ; bicause they are married , they dayly multiplte , for none can be so fruitfull as they , thus neuer dying , and euer encreasing , some of them in time shall be driuen to dwell in the ayre , some in the water , some in the earth , some in hell when house rome is scant , for heauen will not hold so great a company . If they bee fruitfull , what is the reason that Iupiter getteth no more children ▪ doeth ●ee waxe olde , or is Iuno barraine 〈…〉 afeard to gleane any longer of other 〈◊〉 corne , least he be robbed of his own haruest ? Considereth he now 〈◊〉 good turne requireth another ? that hee which strikes with the sworde , shal be beaten with the scabbarde ? If they make all common , what are they better then brute beastes ? So grosse are the errours , so great the abuses , so horrible the blasphemies we finde in Poetes , that wee may rather iudge them monsters of nature , then men of learning . Whilest they make Cupide trumphe in heauen , and all the gods to matche bounde like ●●●serable captiues , before his charriot , they belie God , and be witch the reader with bawdie charmes .

Whilest they enclose the power of their Gods in what compasse they please , giuing Heauen to Iupiter , Hel too 〈◊〉 , the Sea too Neptune , they forgett●● earth , and leaue it too the rule of none 〈◊〉 al. Whilest they make many gods , they ouerthrow euery God . For if their gods bee of equal power , no one of them can doo any thing without his fellow , and so none of them al may be called a god , because God is perfect and almighty . Being perfect , he can neither be encreased nor diminished ; being almightie , he hath no neede of the helpe of other . What a confusion haue Poets brought , when thinking little , that whatsoeuer is deuided may be destroyed , they set all the gods togither by the eares , some fighting for Troy , some for the Greeks , some for Aenaeas , & som for Turnus ? Saturne whom they affirmed to be god of time , was a varlet that gelded his own Father , afterwarde thrust out of his seate by his sonne Iupiter , he was constrained to saue himselfe by flighte , and a greate whyle liued obseurely in Italy . Apollo was a buggerer , and Schoolemaister of periurie ; Mars a murderer , Mercury a theefe , Castor & Pollux , whome they reporte to be twinnes growen in one body , when they were rauishers of other mens wiues , neuer mette within one payre of sheets . Flora a curtezan that got infinite summes of money by sinne , and gaue all to the Romans when she died , by Poets is honoured for a goddesse of flowers . Thus making gods of them that were brute beastes , in the likenes of men , diuine goddesses of common harlots ; they robbe God of his honour , diminishe his authoritie , weaken his might , & turne his seate to a stewes . By writing of vntruthes they are open liers , but if they do faine these frantike cenceates to resemble some what els that they imagine , by speaking of one thing and thinking another , they are dissemblers : It is not enough for their freendes to say , Lascina est nobis pagina , vrta proba , Our verse is wanton , but our life is good : Or , Iuraui lingua , mentem iniuratam gero . My tonge hath sworne , my hart is free . For players action , doeth answere to their partes ; and Poets discourses to their maners : yet are many of their Schollers so enchaunted , that like the superstitious and foolishe Aegyptians , they had rather lose their lyues , then the Idols of their byrdes , their beastes , their Ibes , their Adders , their Dogges , their Cattes , their Serpents , their Crocodiles .

Pypers are very sore displeased bicause I allow not their new 〈◊〉 , and shew them how farre their instrumentes differ from those that were vsed in olde times ; they say , their musique is perfecter nowe than it was before , but who shal be iudge ? Let Ismenias the graund fidler that was taken prisoner by the Scythians in a battayle , vtter all his cunning when Antaeas the king is at supper , he will laugh him to scorne , and sweare that his Horse hath brayed sweeter . When Philippe of Macedon tooke vpon him to realon with a newe Msition of his new chordes , and was not able to go thorowe stitche , bicause they haue euer a crotchet aboue commons , & adde where they liste , when they see their time , God forbidde , quoth the piper , that your maiestie should be so miserable , as to knowe these fantasticall toyes any better , their effeminate stops are not worth a straw . Dionysius made such accompt of their cunning , when they iudged it to be at the beste that hearing the notablest Harper which was in those dayes , hee promised him a talent for his labour , next day when he came to craue his rewarde ; Dionysius tolde him that he had it already : For , said hee , thou diddest but tickle mine eares with an emptie sounde , and I did the like againe to thee , promising that which I meane not to giue , delighting thee as much with hope of my coyne , as my selfe was pleased with the sounde of thy instrument . Bicause I would ha●e Dionysius folowed , let them not think 〈◊〉 hor●e Musique : if they put on their spectacles , or take their eyes in their hands , & looke better in the Schoole of abuse , they shal finde that with Plutarch I accuse them for briging their running into Theaters : that I say , they haue wilfully left or with ignorance loste , those warlike ●unes which were vsed in auncient times , to stire vp in vs a manly motion , and founde out new descant with the dauncers of Sybaris , to rocke vs a ●eepe in all vngodlinesse . If they had any witte , any learning , or experience , they might knowe that Excellens sensibtle laedit sensum , their daintie censortes will make vs wantens . Aristonicus the Musition , for his memorie with all posterities , had a brasen I doll erected to him by Alexander , and was wonderfully honoured for his arte . This was not done for ●●unding Les guanto spagntola , or inuenting sweete measures , or coyning newe daunces , but for kindling his souldiers courage , and hartening them all to take armour . Such a Musition was Antigenides , whome Alexander had no soner hearde , but hee startled , as though hee had beene then in battaile , & bent his siste at all them that were in presence : whiche of oure Musitions that are so perfect , is able with his instrument to make a freshe water souldier runne to his weapons , or enforce the Dolphin in the Sea to saue his life , if he suffer wracke ? Which of all their instrumentes that are so absolute , can performe that which other haue doone before ? If ancient Musitions haue gone beyonde vs , where is our cunning ? If their instrumentes haue passed ours , where is the perfectnesse that our Pipers imagine ? why , say they , you play with antiquities , wee builde vpon scripture : Iubal was father of their harpe , but how many stringes hee put to it , or what songes he played they can not tell me . Dauid did playe on the Lute , and the Harpe , and vsed instrumentes of many stringes , but to prooue these instrumentes were better , then such as had been practised many hundred yeeres before he was borne , Hic labor hoc opvs est , there goeth the Hare away . And though I be of Plutarches opinion , that when we haue done or sayde all that wee can , the oldest fashion is euer best ; that newe cuttes are the paternes of running heads ; strange blockes , the very badges of fonde conceites ; yet do I not forbidde our new founde instrumentes , so that we handle them as Dauid did , to prayse God ; nor bring them any more into publique Theaters , to please wantons . London is so full of vnprofitable Pipers and Fidlers , that a man can no sener enter a tauerne , but two or three caste of them hang at his heeles , to giue him a daunce before he departe ; therefore let men of grauitie examine the case , & iudge vprightly , whether the sufferance of such idle beggers be not a greeuous abuse in a common wealth .

For my parte though I haue sayde more then they will like off ; yet set down lesse , then they deserue ) I meane not too trouble my wittes about them : it shal be enough for me which haue no authoritie to giue them a plaister , to launce the sore frendly & let it runne , that in processe of time , it may heale of it selfe .

Playes are so tolerable , that Lactantius condemneth them flatly , without any maner of exception , thinking them , the better they are penned , or cunninglier handled , the more to be fled ; bicause that by their pleasant action of body , & sweete numbers flowing in verse , we are moste inchanted . And Tully a Heathen , crying out against Poetrie , for placing baudy Cupide among the gods , vttreth these wordes in the ende : De comoedia loquor , quae si haec flagitia non probaremus , nulla esset omninò ; I speake of playes , which if our selues did not loue this filthinesse , should neuer be suffered . If plaiers take a little more counsell of their pillowe , they shall finde them selues to be the worste , and the daungerousest people in the world , A theefe is a shrewde member in a common wealth , he empties our bagges by force , these ransacke our purses by permission ; he spoileth vs secretly , these rifle vs openly ; hee gettes the vpperhand by blowes , these by merry iestes ; he suckes our bloud , these our manners ; he woundes our bodie , these our soule ; O God , O men , O heauen , O earth , O tymes , O manners , O miserable dayes ! he suffreth for his offence , these stroute without punishment vnder our noses ; & lyke vnto a consuming fier , are nourished stil with our decay . Lacon thought it impossible for him to be good , that was not bitter to the wicked , then how shal we be perswaded of Players , which are most pleasant to abhominable liuers ? Diogenes said , that it was better to be a man of Maegaraes Ramme , then his sunne , because he prouideth a sheepherde to looke to his folde ; but seeketh no instructer to teach his chylde ; hee hath a care that his sheepe be wel tended and washt , but neuer regardeth his sonnes discipline ; hee forbiddeth the one too runne in daunger of the wolfe , but keepes not the other from the Diuels clawes ; and if Diogenes were nowe aliue , to see the abuses that growe by playes , I beleeue hee would wyshe rather to bee a Londoners bounde then his apprentice , bicause hee rateth his dogge , for wallowing in carrion ; but rebukes not his seruaunt for resorting to playes , that are ranke poyson . So corrupt is our iudgement in these matters , that wee accompt him a murderer , whome we see delight in sheading of bloode ; and make him a iester , that woundeth our conscience ; we cal that a slaughter house where brute beastes are killed ; and holde that a pastime , which is the very buchery of Christian soules . We perceiue not that trouble and toyle draw vs to life , ease & idelnesses bring destruction ; that sorrowe and anguishe are vertuous bookes , pleasure , and sporte the deuils baites ; that honest recreation quickneth the spirites , & playes are venemous arrowes to the minde ; that hunters deceiue most , when seeming to walke for their delight , they craftely fetche the deare about ; that players counterfaiting a shewe to make vs merry , shoote their nettes to worke our misery ; that when Comedie comes vpon the stage , Cupide sets vpp a Springe for Woodcockes , which are entangled ere they discrie the line , and caught before they mistruste the snare .

They muste not thinke that I banishe recreation , because I barre them ; the Souldier hath aswel a time to sleepe , as to keepe Sentinel ; to rest his bones , as to labour his body . Iron with muche occupiying , is worne too naught , with little handeling gathereth rust . Moderate sleepe refresheth man , too much killeth him in time . Therefore we must neither be laboured too muche , for ouerloading ; nor loyter too long , for making our selues vnapt to any thing . Socrates left his study too play with children , but not continually ; Cato layde awaye his Booke and drunke wine , but not immoderately ; Scipio put of his armour and daunced to the Instrument , but not wantonly ; Pollio Asinius the great Orator , neuer carried in his Studie after tenne of the clocke , nor redd any letters that were sent hym after that houre , what haste soeuer they required , but hee did not this too geue himselfe leaue too goe to Playes , There are other good pastimes to bee founde , if we be wylling too seeke them out .

When Seneca hath shewed Serenus all that he can to keepe the minde quiet , and too restore it by exercise if it be idle , or by recreation if it bee weary ; hee giueth him this Caueat in the ende for a parting blowe , that all which hee hath set downe already , or is able too write if neede require , is not of forte & strength enough , too keepe so slender and weake a Houlde , except wee enuiron the same our selues , with a diligent forecast , a dayly care . Hee that thinkes wanton playes a meete recreation for the minde of man , is as farre from the trueth as the foolishe Gentiles , which beleeue that theyr gods delight in toyes ; and wee whiche carrie our money too Players too feede theyr pride , may be wel compared to the Bath keepers Asse which bringeth him woode too make his fire , and contenteth himself with the smell of the smoke .

It is a great folly in vs too seeke too liue in those places that are healthie too the body , not flie from those that are hurtfull too the soule ; and as harde a matter for him too be cured , that knoweth not the griefe wherwith he is troubled . Senecaes wife had a she foole called Harpastes , which though she was sodenly stricken blinde , coulde not bee perswaded that shee had lost her sight , but iudged the house too bee some what darke . In my opinion our Players are as bad as shee , though they do not perceiue their owne abuses , yet will they not say they haue lost theyr eyes , but that theyr lippes hang in theyr light , or else they are ouerspread with a Cloude ; And worse then those that confesse themselues blinde , for they , wyl yeelde themselues too bee led ; these , had rather lye in the Chanell , then leane too a guide .

I neuer yet read of that abuse which founde not some too excuse the same , so wicked and euill disposed are wee , that wee defende our vices because wee loue them , and had rather excuse them , than shake them of . Ocrina caught a priuy clap , & was deliuered of Seruius Tullius , yet some of her friendes dyd cloke the faulte , saying that the childe was got with a sparke of fier ; which peraduenture bredde such winges in time , that it flewe out of the Bastardes heade in a flame .

Our players since I set out the Schole of abuse , haue trauailed to some of mine acquaintance of both Vniuersities , with fayre profers , and greater promises of rewardes , yf they woulde take so much paine as too write agaynst mee ; at laste like to Penelopees suters , which seeing themselues disdained of her , were glad to encroche with some of her maides , when neither of both Vniuersities , would heare their plea , they were driuen too flie to a weake bedge , and fight for themselues with a rooten stake . Beggars , you know , muste bee no chosers , hunger sau●eth euery meate , when fishers lay theyr hookes in haste , Frogges will make a sauory dishe . It is tolde mee that they haue got one in London to write certaine Honest excuses , for so they tearme it , to their dishonest abuses which I reuealed . It is good for him that will falsifie psctures , not to let them see the liuely creatures , that are desirous to view his worke , neither is it conuenient for him too present his excuse to any of those that haue read my schoole , and behelde those abuses in playing places , least their eyes reprooue him for a lyar .

How he frames his excuses , I know not yet , because it is doone in hudder mudder . Trueth can neuer be Falsehods Vtsarde , whith maketh him maske without a torch , & keepe his papers very secret . I will not deny but something may bee probably disputed in their cause by sharper wittes , whiche is such foode as slaketh your hunger , for a season , yet will it not breede good bloode , nor fleshe , nor liuely spirites , but bloweth you vp , and makes you swell , and turnes to corruption in the ende . Patroclus may iette in Achilles armour , but hee dares not meddle with Peleus Dart. What cloke soeuer this Excuser weares , maugre his teeth , he must leaue the trueth , and strike with a Strawe , when hee comes to the fielde . Let him speake what hee liste in Players cause , he shall find them shaken with a woondrous Feuer , throwe fetherbeds on them , they are neuer the warmer , and all his excuses shall stande for perfumes , which faintly set them vpon their feete , that grouell in the dust with the falling sicknesse , but cannot deliuer them of their disease . If the Excuser be the man that is named to me , hee is as famous a Clarke as Clauitius Sabinus , which was so troubled with a grosse conce●te , and as short a memory , that euery minute he forgote the names of Vlisses , Achilles , Priamus , and such as he knew as well as the Begger his dishe , beeing very familiar with them , and dayly conuersant in their company , yet many times he saluted the one by the others name : And because his mashippe would seeme learned , he heyred him seruauntes with great stipendes , of which , one had Homer without Booke , another Hesiod , and nine Fidlers heads to make him an Index , of euery one of them taking some seuerall names of his acquaintance , too bee remembred . When this Gentleman had got so profounde a Familie , hee began very friendly to feaste his acquaintaunce : in the middest of theyr dishes , out slewe his Poetrie , for his Pypers were ready too rounde him in the eare , what hee should speake ; but his luck was so ill , or his hearing so thicke , that he stuck fast continually in the midst of his verse , and could goe no farther .

Crassus had such a roring throte , that he was constrained when soeuer he declaimed to haue a piper at his elbow to giue him his tune , and keepe him in compasse . If it bee my fortune too meete with the learned woorkes of this London Sabinus , that can not playe the Poet without a Prompter ; nor vtter a wise worde , without a Piper ; you shall see we will make him to blush like a blacke Dogge when he is graueled ; or to dance you a Galia●de when he takes his keye . In the meane time my aduantage is the greater , that Players haue chosen such a Champion , as when I giue the Allarm , winnowes his weapon ; when I run with a staffe , chargeth a Bulrushe ; when I spare not to greete them with poulder & shot , answeares mee againe with a false fire . I was determined to send you greater matters , touching the saleable toung of Curio , but I stay my hande till I see his booke , when I haue perusd it I will tel you more . Meane while , I beseech them to looke to their footing , that run ouershooes in al these vanities , lest they be swallowed without recouery : and wishing to my Schoole , some thriftyer scholers ; to Players , an honester occupation , and to their Excuser a better minde , I take my leaue .

FINIS . Stephan Gosson . Coelo tegitur , qui non habet vrnam .

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Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the Vinetree , by Thomas Dawson . 1579.