Mr. Wolfe , Good Newes was euer a welcome guest vnto me : and you do well in the current of your businesse , to remember the Italian Prouerbe ; Good Tidings would be dispatched to ride post , as Ill Tidings may haue good leaue to be a footeman . The nimblest Bee is a slowworme in expeditions of importance , or congratulation : & the dullest Snaile the meetest Ambassadour to be employed in messages of damage , or condolement . You haue lately , ( as appeareth by your Indices of the sicknesse , and so many other Nouels ) very tidely playde the Bees part : and so continue , as you loue me , or your selfe : vnto whom I wish a rich hiue , and many hony-moones . Since I receaued Parthenophil , Shores wife , and the Articles of accorde , or truce in France , ( for which I render you as many thankes , as there be Articles ) : I haue now also this instant of September , perused your queint , and cunning Discourse of Remonstrances to the Duke de Maine : with that other new-new Pamflet of the late Turkish assiege of Sysseck in Croatia , the old Liburnia , famous for seruiceable Shippes . And take no lesse pleasure in the sounde Declaration of the plaine Germane , a credible Historicgrapher , then delight in the sly Information of the fine French , a glicking Remembrancer . It is not the externall , but the internall forme , ( call it the Pith , or the marrow , or the life-bloud , or what you list ) that edifieth : and vndoubtedly the Christian world hath pregnant cause to prostrate the feruentest Zeale of their deuotions to his almighty maiesty , that hath brought France , and Croatia to those termes of Truce , and Triumph . A happy Truce , if a happy truce : and an honorable Triumph , if durable . I say , If , and If , bicause I haue knowne many a Truce , like Scammony , that weakeneth the liuer ; or Cassia , that enfeebleth the raines ; or Agarick , that ouerthroweth the stomacke ; the stomacke , that must worke the feate . And who hath not either by Experience , or by heare-say , or by reading , knowne many a Triumph , like Sena , that breedeth winde ; or Rubarbe ; that dryeth ouer-much ; or Euforbium , that inflameth the whole body ; the body , that must strike the stroake ? Take-away that ouerthrowing , or weakening property from Truce : and Truce may be a diuine Scammony , Cassia , or Agaricke , to purge noysome , and rebellious humours . Oh that it might be such a Purge in Fraunce . Correct that ventositie , or inflammation , that accompanieth Triumph : and Lo the gallantest Phisique , that nature hath affourded , witt deuised , or magnanimity practised , to abate the pride of the enemy , and to redouble the courage of the frende . No Tobacco , or Panacea so mightily vertuous , as that Physique . Oh that it might be such a Physique in Croatia , in Hungary , in Almany , in the whole Christian world . Immensum calcar Gloria : the golden spurre of the braue Grecian , & the worthy Romane . Pollicy is Politique : & will not easely be coosened with the muske of the Perfumer , though muske be a sweet Curtesan ; or allured with the sugar , & hony of the Cooke , though sugar , & hony be dainty hypocrites ; or enueigled with the gold-leaues of the Goldsmith , though gold-leaues be eloquent & bewitching Oratours ; or deluded , that is , betrayed with any coolerable counterfesance , howsoeuer smoothly enticing , or gloriously pretending . Priuate medicines are often adulterate : but publique medicines will admit no sophistication : and Pollicy must be well-aduised , before it swallow-downe the gilded pilles of flattering pretext . Fraunce hath bene taught to be cautelous in Truce ; which hath eftsoones sucked the sweetnesse of a Iudas kisse : and Croatia may learne to be prouident in Triumph ; which hath often fealt the ioyfulnesse of a Sampsons post . Neither Fraunce can be too ielous ; nor Croatia too prest ; nor Hungary too fierce ; nor Almany too hardy ; nor any nation too circumspect , that is beleaguered with such puissant , and obstinate foes . The house of Guise hath long hawked and practised for a great Crowne : the Duke de Maine hath chopped vpon a main-chance : Opportunity is a maruelous warriour : The king of Spaine a mighty enemy : the Pope , an vnreconcilable aduersary to a Protestant Prince : the Turke a horrible foe to Christian states ; and not to be daunted , or dismayed with two , or three petty foiles . Petty foiles incense choler , & enrage fury ; not allay courage , or disarme power . Were not man a man in himselfe , and God aboue all ; alas , what security in a fallible Truce : or what repose in a momentany Triumph ? Yet euery Truce is respectiuely wellcome : and euery Triumph a Pageant of manfull valour , & a Iubile of diuine fauour . For my poore part , ( a single Interest in so great affaires ) I am as affectionatly glad to find Victory on the better side , as I haue often bene compassionatly sory , ( or shall I say ? stomachously angry ) , to read how pitteously the Christian hoast hath bene beaten by the Turkish Army , a braue Army , but Turkish . Whose puissance hath long bene , and still is the dishonour of Christendome ; and whose Empire cannot waxe , according to their aspiring deseigne , but Christes kingdome must wane , according to some lamentable Examples . Surely the Onely-wise ( for whosoeuer is comparatiuely wise , He is absolutely wise ) ordaineth all for the best : and they perish for , or thorough their owne Folly , that perish . Homer in humanity hath affirmed it : and the Bible in diuinity hath confirmed it . Howbeit true Wisedome is valiant in aduersity : and right Valiancy wise in prosperity : both euer like themselues , and vnlike the puffes , or bubbles of the world ; that know how to disguise , or afflict , but not how to redresse , or solace themselues . Hope neuer dispaireth : and no such resolution , as the resolution of Faith : a vertue of more wonderfull emproouement by thousandes , then the most miraculous graine of mustard-seede ; or whatsoeuer Nature ingendreth , Art frameth , or Exercise atcheiueth most powerable . Zeale hath bene , & may be a maruellous Conquerour , euen beyond the brauest Confidence , or fiercest Fury : and Faith was euer the wonder of wonders , where it was . Christ fauoureth a stout , and inuincible Constancy in any good cause : and in his owne cause , ( maugre the mainest forces , or suttlelest Pollicies of Mahomet , or the Diuell , ) he will finally make them victorious , with Triumphes of ioy , and Trophyes of honour , that fight his battailes with the hart of Zeale , and the hand of Courage . Who honoureth not the glorious memory , and the very name of the renowned Lepanto : the monument of Don Iohn of Austria , the security of the Venetian state , the Halleluia of Christendome , & the Welaway of Turky ? Christ blesse his standard-bearers , with many Lepantos , and Syssecks : and make his militant Church , an hoast triumphant . It hath often bene the meditation of One , that with a politique , and diuine Analysis , hath looked into the successiue proceedings , and fatall ouerthrowes of Tyrannyes : if Mahomet , and his Alcoran cannot stand , but Christ , & his Euangely must fall : when the Great Turke , continually encroaching , ( according to his graund intendiments , and ambitious deseigne , ) is busiest in his hoatest haruest of engrosing and coheaping kingdomes , and with a most greedy appetite runneth-headlong to deuoure the Christian world at a bit ; Lord haue mercy vpon thee , ô little-little Turke . Pride may exalt his hawty presumptions , and Prowesse aduaunce his terrible brauery : but there is a God in heauen : and they cannot laugh long , that make the Diuell laugh , and Christ weepe . Meane-while it were pitty , Sysseck should want the glory of such an immortall Memoriall , as some noble , and royall witts haue bestowed vpon the euer-renowned Lepanto . Excellent Vertue , for a due reward , deserueth excellent Honour : and braue Valour , for worthy imitation , would be brauely extolled : as Orpheus glorified lason ; Homer , Achilles ; Virgill , Aeneas ; Ariosto , Charlemaine ; Tasso , Godfry of Bollen ; and so forth . Especially at such an encountring , and surprising Time , as must either floorish , like the Palme of the mountaine ; or fade , like the Lilly of the valley .

You know , I am not very prodigall of my discourse with euery one : but I know , vnto whom I write : & he that hath read , and heard so many gallant Florentine Discourses , as you haue done , may the better discerne , what is what : and he that publisheth so many books to the world , as you do , may frame vnto himselfe a priuate , & publique vse of such conference . Few they are , that are qualified to surpasse , or equall those singular Presidents : but they few would be reteined with a golden fee , or interteined with siluer Curtesie . Some I know in Cambridge ; some in Oxford ; some in London ; some elsewhere , died in the purest graine of Art , & Exercise : but a few in either , and not many in all : that vndoubtedly can do excellently well , exceedingly well . And were they thorowghly employed according to the possibility of their Learning , & Industry , who can tell , what comparison this tongue might wage with the most-floorishing Languages of Europe : or what an inestimable crop of most-noble and soueraine fruite , the hand of Art , and the spirite of Emulation might reape in a rich , and honorable field ? Is not the Prose of Sir Philip Sidney in his sweet Arcadia , the embrodery of finest Art , and daintiest Witt ? Or is not the Verse of M. Spencer in his braue Faery Queene , the Virginall of the diuinest Muses , and gentlest Graces ? Both delicate Writers : alwayes gallant , often braue , continually delectable , somtimes admirable . What sweeter tast of Suada , then the Prose of the One : or what pleasanter relish of the Muses , then the Verse of the Other ? Sir Iohn Cheekes stile was the hony-bee of Plato : and M. Aschams Period the Syren of Isocrates . His , and his breath , the balme and spicknard of the delightfullest Tempe . You may gesse , whose meter I would intitle the harpe of Orpheus , or the dulcimers of Sappho . And which of the Golden Riuers floweth more currently , then the siluer streame of the English Ariosto ? Oh that we had such an English Tasso : and oh that the worthy du Bartas were so endenisoned . The sky-coloured Muse best commendeth her owne heauenly harmony : and who hath sufficiently praysed the hyacinthine & azure die , but itselfe ? What colours of astonishing Rhetorique , or rauishing Poetry , more deeply engrained , than some of his amazing deuises ; the fine dittyes of an other Petrarch , or the sweet charmes of pure enchantment ? What Did-margariton , or Dia-ambre , so comfortatiue , or cordiall , as Her Electuary of Gemmes , ( for though the furious Tragedy Antonius , be a bloudy chaire of estate , yet the diuine Discourse of life , and Death , is a restoratiue Electuary of Gemmes ) whom I do not expresly name , not because I do not honour Her with my hart , but because I would not dishonour Her with my pen , whom I admire , and cannot blason enough . Some other Paragons of bewtifullest Eloquence , and Mirrours of brightest witt , not so much for breuities sake , as for like Honours sake I ouerskip : whose onely imperfection is , that they are touched with no imperfection . Yet Hope is a Transcendent , & will not easely be imprisoned , or impounded in any Predicament of auncient , or moderne Perfection : which it may honour with due reuerence , but will not serue with base homage . Excellency hath in all ages affected singularity : & Ambition how impetuously buckled for the mastery ? And albeit witt haue a quicke sent , that wil not be coosened , and Iudgement a sharpe eye , that cannot be bleared : ( the Morning Starre of Discretion , and the Euening Starre of Experience haue a deepe insight in the merites of euery cause ) : yet still Hope hath reason to continue Hope , and is a white Angell sent from heauen , aswell to enkindle Vigorous Zeale , as to awaken lasie Slougth . A wan , or windy Hope , is a notable breake-necke vnto itselfe : but the grounded , and winged Hope , which I someway perceiue in a few other , no way conceiue in miselfe , is the ascending scale , and Milk-way to heauenly excellency . When I bethinke me of any singular , or important effect , I am presently drawne into a consideration of the Cause ; and deeme it a childish vanity , to dreame of the End , without Meanes . The prompt and pliant Nature , is the dawning of the Crimsen morning : the right Art as fine a workeman , as Daedalus , & as nimble a Planet , as Mercury inspiring Imitation may climbe high : how oft hath fiery E●●●tion won the golden spurres , and runne his Victorious race , like the shining Sun in his resplendishing Chariot ? Pregnant and incestant Exercise hatcheth miracles . Practise was euer a curious platformer of rare and queint Theorickes : and is it not stil possible for Practise , to deuise as exquisite patternes , as euer were inuented , and euen to contriue new Idees of singularity ? The encounter of Vertue , is honorable : & what more commendable , then the Conflict of Art ? It is onely that diuine Hope , embellished with those Ornaments of skill , and inspired with those blessings of heauen , that must excell itselfe ; & aduaunce the worthiest Valour , that euer atcheiued Heroicall Exploits , or leuyed Argonauticall Prizes , by land , or sea . Peerelesse wittes may hourd-vp the precious treasure of their Inuention , and store-vp the gorgeous furniture of their Eloquence , till Prowesse hath accomplished mightier wonders vpon Earth . At this present what can Admiration finde , either more resolute for courage , or more puissant for valour , or more honorable for successe , or more wonderfull for imitation , than the smal bandes of the braue Rupertus against the Turke ; or the little troupes of the brauer French King against his domesticall , and forrein enemyes ?

I might say more , were the place fit : but what written Token shall I returne for so many Printed Tokens ? One hand washeth an other : and it apperteineth vnto him , that taketh something , to giue something . I am reasonably furnished with choice of other stoare at this instant : but I will not accloy you attonce : and my least ; but Newest Trifle ( for that is the meetest name ) shall serue in supply of a small requitall for your greater Newes . I terme it a Trifle for the manner : though the matter be in my conceit , superexcellent ; in the opinion of the world , most admirable ; for priuate consideration , very notable ; for publique vse , passing memorable ; for a point , or two , exceeping monstrous . And that is the very disgrace of the Sonnet , that the Stile nothing counteruaileth the Subiect , but debaseth a straunge body with vulgar attire , and disguiseth a superlatiue Text with a positiue Glosse . As it is , it is your owne to dispose , or cancell at pleasure : and albeit the writer promise nothing , ( for promise he accounteth an Obligation ) , yet if he fortune to surprise you with a sorry amendes , let it not be vnwellcome , that commeth in the name of good-will ; and such a good-will , as is lesse affraide of the Plague , then of Vnthankefulnesse . He that is desirous with the first , to be continually made acquainted with your publique Intelligences , from , or of whatsoeuer kingdomes , or States ; will haue a mutuall regard of frendly correspondence , by some returne of priuate Nouels , or other recompense ; as any his vacation yeeldeth leysure , or any his opportunity presenteth occasion .

Touching his present Exercises , or other actions , you know enough , that know why the Asse sleepeth , & the Fox winketh . Or recall to minde our sweet Table-philosophy of the for dead Libbard , a very gentle , and silent creature ; and you neede no other inckling . Peraduenture some-body may finde , that the roughest , & awkest things are not so cumbersome to other , as they may prooue irkesome to themselues . There is a learned kinde of Feare , that preuenteth many mischiefes : and they are iudiciously wise , ( howsoeuer valiant , rich , or powerable , ) that dare not vse other otherwise , then themselues would be vsed . Men may stand vpon brauing termes , and puffe-vp their owne swelling veynes : but when wilfulnesse is in the tide , Discretion is in the ebbe . Some haue repented them no lesse , then fower and twenty houers in a day , and a night , for one froward word . Suerly a man were better shift his footing , then stand stifly in his owne light : and who would not rather say to his Tongue , Tongue thou art a lyer ; or to his penne , Penne thou art a foole ; then vndooe himselfe vtterly , and shame himselfe euerlastingly ? You might heare of the new Treaty , or motiue : and it is not the first time that I haue discouered a broode of witts , like the famous well in Idumea ; whose water one quarter of the yeare , was as muddy , as the muddiest kennell : an other quarter , as bloudy , as the bloudiest slaughterhouse ; the third , as greene , as the greenest grasse : the fourth , as cleere , as the cleerest conduict . Euery exchaunge for the better , doth well : and it is a good signe , when pudled waters grow cleere , if they grow cleere ; and disordered wittes become tractable , if they become tractable . Haue they not cause to doubt , that know the variable nature of that Syrian well : and haue seen so many dogged things returne to their vomit ? A good bargaine , and a gentle Offer would not be refused : but he that considereth the fittes of Aprill , and the panges of September , hath reason for a demurrer : and he that hath seene as lunatique creatures , as the Moone , must be pardoned , though he suffer not himselfe to be coosened with the legierdemaine of a iugling Conuert . Did I neuer tell you of a grauer man , that wore a priuy coate of interchaungeable colours ; and for the Art of Reuolting , or recanting , might read a Lecture to any retrograde Planet in Heauen , or Earth ? Is it not possible for a wilde Asse of a fugitiue and renegate disposition , in such a point to resemble the tamest Foxe ? Or are not Bookes with vnstayed readers , and running heads , like vnto those wondrous waters , that being dronke of birdes , as Theophrastus reporteth , or of sheepe , as Seneca writeth , chaunged them from white to blacke , and from blacke to white ? After a sterne and ruthfull Tragedy , solemnely acted , who deeplyer plunged in sober , and melancholy dumpes , then some good fellowes ; that from a pleasant , and wanton Comedy , finely played , returne as merry as a criket , and as light as a feather ? When the sweet Youth haunted Aretine , and Rabelays , the two monstrous wittes of their languages , who so shaken , with the furious feauers of the One : or so attainted with the French Pockes of the other ? Now he hath a little mused vpon the Funerall Teares of Mary Magdalen ; and is egged-on to try the supplenesse of his Patheticall veine , in weeping the compassionatest and diuinest Teares , that euer heauenly Eye rained vpon Earth ; Iesu , what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Supererogation haue they atchieued ? Riot● 〈◊〉 was wont to roote so deeply , that it could hardly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : and where reckelesse Impudency taketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not very hastily to be dispossessed . I was say●●● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to a Spring of rankest Villany in February 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Diuinity in May ? May they not sur●●● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that wonder how Machiauell can teach a Pri●●● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be religious ? An other question , or two 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , were at my tounges end . But what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 talke any-more of Paradoxes , or impossibilities , when He , that penned the most desperate and abominable Pamflet of Straunge Newes , and disgorged his stomack of as poisonous rancour , as euer was vomited in Print within few moneths is won , or charmed , or inchaunted , ( or what Metamorphosis should I terme it ? ) to astonish carnall mindes with spirituall meditations , vpon one of the most sacred and godfull arguments , that the holyest deuotion could admire , in the profoundest traunce of rapt and Seraphicall Zeale ? I will not stay to maruell at the miracles of predominant Causes : the Holy-ghost is an omnipotent Spirite , that can mollifie the flyntyest minde , and breath a soule of Heauen into a hart of Hell . If vnfaynedly he hath stripped-of the snakes skinne , and put-on the new man , as he deuoutly pretendeth ; let him be constant , and not blaspheme his most-reuerend Sauiour with counterfait Teares : if he playeth at fast , and loose , ( as is vehemently suspected , by strong presumptions ) whom shall he cunnycatch , or crosbite , but his Cast-away selfe , as holly , as a holly-hock ? But I thanke God , I haue some-thing else to dispute : and if young Apuleius be not still the sonne of old Apuleius , and Pierce still as diuine , as a wilde Vine , I haue said nothing : but commend the sweet art of relenting Humanity , and embrace the good nature of a good Nature , that sheddeth the pure Teares of Repentance . The more notorious the offence , and the more vnsatisfiable the Iniurie was ; the more fauorable , and liberall he is , that with honest termes , and reasonable conditions may easely be entreated to pardon thesame ; that is , to bestow a great benefit insteade of a great reuenge , and to loose the exercise of many weekes , to gaine the recouery of one lost sonne . The best is , I am not yet a Fly in the cobweb of the Spider : and in a mating age , none are free from the check , bu●kinges . Or if kinges peraduenture finde themselues somewhat shrewdly mated , alas we poore subiectes must be content to be checked : & may dayly learne of our betters , to smoother with patience , that we cannot quench with order , and will not extinguish with disorder . Socrates professed nothing : and I professe lesse then Socrates : yet this I professe . He that neither cockereth himselfe , nor loueth to be lulled , or smoothed-vp of freindes , can lightly put-vp the heauiest loade of an enemy : and he can hardly be daunted with nipping wordes , that is not easely dismayed with pinching deedes . An vnguiltie minae knoweth not what the trembling of the Hart meaneth : and a sounde Conscience is a brasen wall against the mainest battry of Spite , or Feude . Were there no other Philosophie , but Experience , and a settled resolution to proceede according to Reason in generall , and Occasion in speciall : euery guiltlesse eye that seeith any thing , seeith his owne Confirmation in the Confutation of his guiltie aduersary : whose Vaine railinges are sibbe to other Vanities , that cannot endure , but either Vanish like smoke in the Ayer ; or mealt-away like snow in the Sunne ; or grow stale like disguised fashions ; or dissolue themselues into their materiam primam , that is , into Vanitie , & shame . Had I founde any one materiall article , or substantiall point against me , I must haue imputed some part of the blame to miselfe : but finding nothing in all those pestilent & Virulent sheetes of wast-paper , but meere-meere forgeryes , and the Diuell in the horologe ; might I not iustly say ? I haue cause to vse , as I am vsed : or haue I not reason to stand vpon termes of consideration ? Did I not intende to deale a bountifull almes of Curtesie , who in my case would giue eare to the Law of Obliuion , that hath the Law of Talion in his handes ; or accept of a silly recantation , as it were a sory plaister to a broken shinne , that could knocke Malice on the head , and cut the windpipe of the railing throate ? Pierces Supererogation , ( that was an arrow in my hand , a clogg in your , ) is lest beholding to the penknife : Nashes S. Fame hath somewhat more of the launcelet : the Reply of the excellent Gentlewoman is the fine rasour , that must shaue-away euery ranke haire of his great courage , and little wit . I was long-since aweary with beating the Aier ; and take small pleasure in washing the Asses head : or what should I terme that bootelesse , and irksome businesse ? But it is that heauenly Creature ( for so she will approue herselfe ) that can coniure-downe the mouth of Villany into hell-mouth ; & will do it as resolutely , as she can do it peremptorily , Vnlesse a competent satisfaction be speedily tendered to my contentment . It were pitty , that diuine handy-worke should be employed but to a diuine peece of seruice , either to gaine a relenting soule , or to cast-away an obstinate body . If she be preuented by a voluntary submission of the offendour ; to do a thing done , were a superfluous labour ; and to vndo a man vndone , an vnmercifull cruelty . A thing as contrary to the shining louelinesse of her milde disposition , as the bitterest bitter seemeth repugnant to the sweetest sweet . The brauest man is such a personage , as I haue elsewhere described : A Lion in the field , A Lamme in the towne : A Ioues Eagle in feude , an Apollos Swanne in society : A Serpent in wit , A Doue in life : A Fury in execution , an Angell in conuersation . What hath the brauest man , that she hath not : excepting the Lion in the field of Mars , which she hath in the field of Minerua : whose warre she wageth with a couragious minde , an inuincible hand , and the cunning aray of the worthy Old-man in Homer . His talke was sweet ; his Order fine ; and his whole menage braue : and so is hers : but for a dainty wit , and a diuine humanitie , she is such a Paragon , as may compare with the excellentest of Homers women , and pledge the honorablest of his Goddesses . She is a right birde of Mercuries winged chariot : and teacheth the liuelyest cockes of the game , to besturre them early , to crow gallantly , to march comely , to fight valiantly , to consort kindly , and to liue in any estate honorably . No flower more floorishing , then her witt : no fruite more mature then her iudgement . All her conceits are illuminate with the light of Reason : all her speaches bewtified with the grace of Affabilitie : all her writinges seasoned with the salt of Discretion : all her sentences spiced with wittines , persumed with delight , tempered with proffit : no leauen of Experience more sauory , than all her platformes , & actions : nothing more mellow , than the whole course of her life . In her minde there appeareth a certaine heauenly Logique : in her tongue , & pen , a diuine Rhetorique : in her behauiour , a refined Morall Philosophie : in her gouernement , a souerain Pollicy : in euery part of her proceeding a singular dexteritie : & what patterne of skill , or Practise , more admirable then the whole ? Let it not seeme incredible , that shall enact & accomplish more , than is signified . The maner of her wrath , or disdaine , ( yet I beleeue , she was neuer froward with any , nor euer angry but with One ; whom onely she scorneth , & before whom she neuer contemned any , ) is somwhat like the counter-tenour of an offended Syren ; or not much vnlike the progresse of the resplendent Sunne in the Scorpion . Her fauour is liker triacle for the hart , them ypocrase for the mouth : her disfauour like the Moone withdrawing the cheerely beames of her bounteous light in a cloud : her hatred ( if she can hate , for I verily thinke she neuer hated , but One ) like the flashing weapon of the fiery Aier . She is not lightly moued : but what she resembleth , or representeth , when she is moued , could I as visibly declare , as she can vigorously vtter , I would deeme miself a peece of an Oratour . And I were more then Tullyes perfect Oratour , if I could display her excellent perfections , whose minde is as full of ritch giftes , and precious Iewells , as Newyeares-day . Yet her goodliest ornament , and greatest wonder , is the sweet humilitie of that braue courage . But in remembring her , I forget miself : & what a tedious Letter is here for him that maintaineth a chargeable family by following his busines : Had I not found you desirous of some particularities touching Nashes S. Fame , & the Gentlewomans Reply , when you deliuered vnto me Pierces Supererogation in Print : I had dispatched ere now . But now you must lend me patience , vntill I haue disbalased my minde . Concerning her endighting , whereof I haue already giuen you a tast , or smacke in Pierces Supererogation : as in the harmony of her mind , so in the melody of her Verse , I seldome or neuer descry any note out-off tune : and it is not the first time I haue termed her Prose , the tinsell of finest Art , and sweetest nature . What notes I finde aboue Ela in the One : & what counterpoints of exquisite workemanship I admire in the other : it shall elsewhere appeare , in a Dialogue , intituled Pandora , or the Mirrour of singularitie . Might I see the finest Art , and the sweetest nature in person , I would report me to the Censure of their owne souerain mouthes ; the best Iudges in their owne peerlesse faculty . There falleth not a sentence from her quill , without sappe , and pith : and euery Periode of her stile carrieth marmalad and sucket in the mouth : and euery argument of her inuention , sauoreth of most sauory reason . No chaine so linked , as her Conclusions : nor any Cristall so conspicuous , as her Method . Her whole discourse , is the creame of the milke ; the combe of the hony ; the iuice of the grape : & the marrow of the bone . The bestowing of her perfections at occasion , a dainty choice , & fine , marshalling of euery excellency , curiously sorted in their proper places : like the gorgeous wardrobe of Helena , or the precious Iewellhouse of Cleopatra , or the cunning stillhouse of Maedea , or the comely distributing of the neatest and gallantest furniture in the ritchest Oeconomy . What needeth more ? Her beginning , like the purest Oile in the crowne of the middest of the rondelet : her proceeding , like the souerainest wine in the butt : her ending , like the sweetest hoony in the bottome of the hoony-pot . Her intention was defensiue , not offensiue : and had any thing bene tolerable in that scurrilous and villanous declamation , assuredly she would a thousand times rather haue excused the matter , then accused the maker . Humanity , is euer willinger to loue , then to hate , & so is she : Curtesie , much forwarder to commend , then to disprayse ; and so is she : Clemencie , infinitly proner to absolue , then to condemne , and so is she . For she is a personall Humanity , a meere Curtesie , and a Clemencie incorporate . But when she sawe the fowle mouth so shamefully runne-ouer , without all respect of manners , or regard of honestie , or pretence of Truth , or colour of Reason : Gentlemen , quoth She , though I lacke that you haue , the Art of Confuting ; yet I haue some suddes of my mother witt , to sowse such a Dish clowte in : and if sowsing will not serue the turne , I may hap finde a payre of Pinsons , as sharply conceited , as S. Dunstons tonges , that led the Diuell by the nose Autem , vp and downe the house , till the roaring beast bellowedout like a bull-beggar . And as for his terrible crackes of Gunpowder termes , neuer lend credit to the word of A Gentlewoman , if I make not old mother-Gunpowder of the newest of those ratling babyes . And if steeping in Aqua fortis , will infuse courage into his goose-quill ; why man , I will dowse thee ouer head , and eares in such a dowty Collyrium , as will inspire the Picture of Snuffe , and Fury , into the Image of S. Patience . I haue not bene squattering at my papers for nothing : and albeit I cannot paint with my pen , like fine Sappho , yet I can dawbe with my incke , like none of the Muses : and am prettily prouided to interteine S. Fame with a homely gallimaufry of little Art , to requite her dainty slaumpaump of little wit . A poore kitchin may be as good an Artist for the stomacke , as a poore dairy : ( alas , that euer S. Fame should be so whitled ) : and it shall go hard in my Cookery , but the sillibub of his stale Inuention shal be wellcommed with a supping of a new fashion , & some straunge sirrupe in commendam of his meritorious workes . Though a railer hath more learning , than a shrew : yet Experience hath a fillip for a Scholler : Discretion a tuck for a foole : Honesty a bobb for a K : & my morter , a pestle for Assa fetida . Let him be the Falanta downe-didle of Rymes ; the Hayhohalliday of Prose ; the Walladay of new writers ; the kutthroate of his aduersaries ; the gallowes of his companions ; the onely broker of Pamflets ; or what he can for his sweltring hart : my battring instrument is resolute , and hath vowed to bray the braying creature to powder . We must haue at least three Peccautes of Pierce Penniles ; and three Misereres of the Confuting Tospot : or Lord haue mercy vpon thee , three thousand times-wofull wight . I am loth to struggle for the Moone-shine in the pudled water : but if we must needes buckle for nifles , & grapple for naughtes ; though I cannot tell , whither I can bounse him , like a barne doore , or thumpe him , like a drumme of Flushing : yet I may chaunce rattle him , like a baby of parchment , or kneade him like a cake of dowe , or chearne him like a dish of butter , or girke him like a hobling gig , or tatter him like a thing forspoken , or someway haue my Penny-worthes of his Penniles witt . Nay , if the Princock must be playing vpon them , that can play vpon his warped sconce , as vpon a tabor , or a fiddle : let himselfe thanke himselfe , if he be kindly thummed . Sirrha , I will stampe an vnknowne grape , that shall put the mighty Burdeaux grape to bed : & may peraduenture broach a new Tun of such nippitaty , as with the very steame of the nappy liquour will lullaby thy fiue wittes , like the sences of the drunkenest sot , when his braynes are sweetliest perfumed . I fit thee with a Similitude for thy capacity : or belch a new Confutation against the long tongues of the Stilliarde , and some twenty Tauernes in London . I could be content , a drunken Prose , and a mad Ryme , were thy deadlyest sinnes . But they are sweet youthes , that tipple their wittes with quaffing of knauery , and carowsing of Atheisme . If there be no other iollityes at home , or braueries abroad ; it is happy for them , that were borne with those prizes in their throats .

And wellfare a srolicke Courage , that will needes be the Tower of Babylonian Conceit , and with a mightie Bullwarke of Supererogation gloriously confounde itselfe .

The rest of her speaches , and writings ; are to be recorded , or suppressed , as it pleaseth the Horne of these pelting sturres : who may haply finde the Trompet of Peace , as suer a Souldiour in case of necessary defence , as the Drumme of Warre , or the Swash of Feude . Some that haue perused eloquent bookes and researched most curious writinges , haue not seene goodliest variety of vernished phrases , and burnished sentences , then in her stile : which was not so gorgeously decked , and so fairely limned for nought . Howbeit as in some publique causes , better a mischief , then an inconuenience : so in many priuate cases better an inconuenience , then a mischief . Though an Orient Gemme be precious , and worthy to be gazed-vpon with the eye of Admiration , yet better an Orient Gemme sleepe , then a Penitent man perish : and better a delicate peece of Art should be layd-aside , or vnwouen like Penelopes web , then an immortal peece of Nature be cast-away . She loueth not to confute , that confuteth itselfe : & I hate to confound , that confoundeth himselfe . She in the Court of Ciuility hath learned , to embrace amendement with the armes of Curtesie : and I in the schoole of Diuinity am taught , to kisse repentaunce with the lippes of Charitie . I affect not any colourable insinuation , in glosing or smoothing termes of formall accord : but misery accompany my actions , and the mercy of heauen be my vnmercifull enemy , if I desire not with a longing hart , to wreake my teene vpon wilde vndiscretion by requiting good for bad , & conuerting the wormewood of iust offence into the angelica of pure attonement . The onely reason of my demurrer , is my assurance : which consisteth rather in diffidence , then in credulitie , and cannot warrantise itselfe what will be done , vntill it is done . He were very simple , that hauing so heauy causes of diffidence , and so light causes of credulity , would runne hastily into the trapp , or suffer himselfe to be presently intangled in the snare . Parly is a suttle Sophister : Flattery a tickling sollicitour : and Persuasion an inchaunting witch . I cannot but listen vnto them with an itching eare , and conceiue as it were a tang of pleasure in mine owne displeasure : but without Legempone , wordes are winde , and without actuall performance , all nothing . Had I not more Premisses of distrust , then promises of trust ; or were he not euer to be presumed a bad fellow , that hath once played the bad fellow with a witnesse , ( nothing but contrary proofe can reuerse that iudgement ) : yet Lawyers loue reall cautions : and they that would be loth to be enticed by white , and defeated by blacke , are curious of their security . Truce was euer a redoubtable freind : & Suspicion hath cause to looke vpon Reconciliation with a ielous eye . Reconciliation is a sweet word : but entire Reconciliation a rare thing , & a straunge restoratiue : whose sweetnesse lyeth not in the tip of the tongue , or in the neb of the pen , but in the bottome of the hart , & in the bowells of the minde ; the minde that daily emproueth itselfe , the onely deepe Polititian , & inscrutable hypocrite . Whose inwardest secrets notwithstanding , are not so profound , or close , especially in the shallow brest of inconsiderate youth , but they may in sort be sounded , & discouered by a cunning obseruation of Circumstances . Some essentiall points I reserue to miselfe : bur M. Wolfe knoweth , & who knoweth not ? great Penmen , and Pamflet-marchants play much vpon the aduantage of the time , and care not who be their enemy , so the Terme be their frend . Which of vs can tell , but there may lye the drift , & great Pollicy of the new motion ? I haue earnestly , and instantly craued personall conference : but that should seeme to make little for his purpose ; or might haue bene graunted with lesse suite . All must be done by the mediation of a third , and a fourth ; and such an intercourse , as I may probably haue in some ielousie , though I conceiue well of the interposed persons . There hath already bene a large expence of time : & charges continually runne : & matters of more importance lye dead in the neast : & the burned finger hath reason to startle from the fire : and he that hath bene once abused , would not willingly be abused twice : and Security cannot be too precise , or scrupulous : and I would there were no Cunny catchers in London . Till a publique iniurie be publiquely confessed , and Print confuted in Print , I am one of S. Thomas disciples : not ouer-prest to beleeue , but as cause causeth : and very ready to forgiue , as effect effecteth . They that know the daunger of Truces , and the couen of Treatyes , vt supra , must begge leaue to ground their repose vpon more cautels , then one ; and to proceede in termes of suspence , or Pause , till they may be resolued with infallible assurance . For mine owne determination , I see no credible hope of Peace , but in Warre : and could I not commaunde , that I desire ; I am persuaded , I should hardly obteine , that I wish . I loue Osculum Pacis ; but hate Osculum Iudae : and reuerence the Teares of Christ ; but feare the Teares of the Crocodile . Shall I be alittle plaine ? Methinkes the raunging Eyes vnder that long haire , ( which some would call ruffianly haire ) should scarsely yet be bathed in the heauenly Teares of Christ , or washed in the diuine Teares of Penitence . Irish haire , and weeping Irish are no white Crowes in these countryes : and although there be no Wolfes in England , yet there be Foxes in the hole . I would be loth to aggrauate the least , or greatest particular against a Penitentiall soule : but still to haunt infamous , or suspected houses , tauernes , lewd company , and riotous fashions , as before , ( for to this day his behauiour is no turnecoate , though his stile be a changeling ) is a greater liberty in my small diuinity , then accordeth with that deuoute , and most holy-holy profession . Lord , how curious was the wiser sort euen of the heathen Philosophers , in the neat , & exquisite choice of their pure diet , vndefiled society , Virgin manners , Vnstained discourses , and vnspotted actions ? What so clarified , as their witt : so purified , as their minde : so sweetened , as their conference : so vertuous , as their instruction : so powrefull , as their experiments : so exemplary , as their life : so vnblemished , as their fame ? I know not , who weeped the Funerall Teares of Mary Magdalene : I would he that sheddeth the Patheticall Teares of Christ , & trickleth the liquid Teares of Repentance , were no worse affected in pure deuotion , then those Philosophers in morall Conuersation . Were I not content , in some little hope of his finall recouery either in deede , or in shewe ; to do him a meritotious sauour by concealing his vtter discredit : I could easily , and would notoriously , make him ashamed of some his late Sayings , and Doinges : ô Lord , how Vnbeseeming the Teares of Christ : & Alas , how likely to forerunne a miserable destiny ? Let him reforme his publique , & redresse his priuate enormities , & with a sincere vowe I sweare him frendship : or let him rest quiet , & I am quiet . Otherwise I may possibly be induced , to pay him home with an immortall reuenge , that hath plagued his own tonge with desperate blasphemies in iest : ô Christ , of how horrible consequence , without Teares in earnest ? There is a great distance betwixt Hell , and Heauen : the Diuell , and God : Rakehells , and Sainctes : the Supplication to the Diuell , and the Teares of Christ : the Straunge Newes of Villany , and the miraculous Newes of Repentance : the Herald of Warre , and the Ambassadour of Peace : the publique Notary of Lyes , and the Register of Truth : the Diuels Oratour , and Christes Chauncellour . Though Greene were a Iulian , and Marlow a Lucian : yet I would be loth , He should be an Aretin : that Paraphrased the inestimable bookes of Moses , and discoursed the Capricious Dialogues of rankest Bawdry : that penned one Apology of the diuinity of Christ , and another of Pederastice , a kinde of harlatry , not to be recited : that published the Life of the blessed Virgin , and the Legende of the Errant Putana : that recorded the history of S. Thomas of Aquin , and forged the most detestable Blacke-booke , de tribus Impostoribus mundi . O monster of extremityes ; and ô abomination of outragious witt . It was his glory , to be a hellhounde incarnate , and to spoile Origen of his egregious praise : Vbi benè , nemo meliùs : vbi malè , nemo peiùs . Some surmounting spirites loue to arreare a huge opinion of their excessiue validity pro , or contra . Hyperbolicall Vertues ( it is Aristotles Epithite ) are heauenly miracles : and hideous Excellency an heroicall wonder , like the Labours of Hercules , and the Bountyes of Errant Knightes : but superlatiue knauery is a ranke Villain ; and Vgly Blasphemy , a foule Diuell , tormented with his own damnable mouth . It is not puffing , or blustring in bombasted termes , or Babilonian Phrases : but the fine and sweet course of Vertue , of industry , of Beaudesert , of Valour , of true brauery , that performeth worthy actions , and purchaseth the honour of the world . If Humanity will needes grow miraculous , it must flye with the wing of Diuinity , not flutter with the plume of Atheisme , or hoise the sayle of Presumption . Whosoeuer despiseth the Maiestie of heauen , or playeth the Democritus in Goddes cause ; be his witt neuer so capon-crammed in Vanity , or his hart neuer so toade-swolne in surquidry : is the abiectest vermin , and Vilest padd , that creepeth on the Earth . If there be no such matter in the world , all the better : if there be , wo be to the Autours of their own Confusion : and blessed they , that take-forth a good lesson from other mens miscarriage . Happy , and ten thousand times happy that inspired Heraclitus , that powreth-out the most-tender affectionate Teares of Christ , with the flowing eyes of Zeale , and the melting eloquence of his bowells . Other Oratory would be feeid , as it perswadeth ; or thanked , as it edifieth ; or honored , as it rauisheth harts with a powrfull impression ; or admired , as it stealeth soules with a diuine sacriledge . He is the perfect Oratour , that figureth and representeth euery thing in Art , as it is in Nature : that dispatcheth light points roundly ; handeleth weightier matters more substantially ; in the grauest subiect proceedeth with due reuerence ; and of faith discourseth faithfully , of heauen heauenvly , of diuinity diuinely , of Christ like Christ . Dalliance in the sagest , and highest causes , is an absurdity , and like a ridiculous Vice in a Tragedy , or a poisonous Serpent in Paradise . Non est bonum , ludere cum Sanctis : cum Christo ludere , execrabile . Aretin was a reprobate ruffian : but euen Castilio , and Macchiauel , that were not greatly religious in conscience , yet were religious in pollicy : & there is no kingdome , or Commonwealth vpon Earth , so prophane , or barbarous , but either in conscience is , or in Pollicy seemeth religious , or cannot possibly maintaine any durable state . I would euery Autour , that hath done no better , had done no worse : and it were to be wished , that some desperate wittes were not so forward , to disbowell the intrails of their owne impious mindes . Plinyes , and Lucians religion may ruffle , and scoffe awhile : but extreme Vanitie is the best beginning of that brauery , and extreme Miserie the best end of that felicity . Greene , and Marlow might admonish other to aduise themselues : and I pray God , the promised Teares of Repentance , proue not the Teares of the Onion vpon the Theater . If I knew no more , then I vtter ; I would hope no lesse , then I wish : but hearing what I heare , & conceiuing what I conceiue , I would be vnfainedly glad , he should exceede my expectation : and when he hath resolued my incredulity with a little actuall performance , I will not faile to render him right , with extensiue fauour . For my particular , let his professed Paenitet appeare , by any reasonable , or tolerable satisfaction , without fraude , or collusion : and I am no way rigorous in reuenge , or obstinate in displeasure . Meane-while it is haply not amisse , to consider by the way , that Truth begetteth hatred ; Vertue Enuy ; Familiaritie cotempt ; Fauour pride ; Pardon recklesnesse ; and Credulitie damage , or daunger . A straunge case , that so good Moothers should bring-forth so bad daughters : but Improbitie , or Iniquitie , ( or what should I terme that naughty humour ? ) is the fift Element of the world : and Consultation were better to sit safely betweene Yea , and No , then to fall suddainly with a hasty No , or to stand weakely with a simple Yea. My Affection is ready to subscribe to any indifferent articles of accorde : ( for bona fide I affect agreement ) but my Reason hath reason to pawse awhile ; and a scruple , or two of some dependence , may seeme to say No. But euen those two Negatiues , ( vpon a firme , & Vndefeasible security , sine dolo malo , ) would be conformable enough , to conclude an Affirmatiue ; and will not sticke at any Transaction , or Composition , that is not Vnreasonable . To make short , ( for no Iett , or Loadstone so attractiue , as Lines , that draw vnto them so many selfe-offering sentences : and I haue already vnmeasurably exceeded my stint ) he that longeth to enioy the fruite of priuate amitie , and publique fauour , hasteth not to embrace the blossome , or to dote vpon the shaddow . His onely finall request , and affectionate prayer is , that howsoeuer poore men be vsed , the deare Teares of Christ , and the cheape Teares of Repentance , be not abused . All is well , that endeth effectually well : & so in some hast he endeth , that wisheth you entirely well : and for your instruction can assure you , he needeth not send to Athens for hony , or to Spaine for sugar , or to Italy for Anniseedes , or to the Orient for saunders , or pearles ; that may finde as fine , and dainty choice , neerer hand . I can say nothing for miselfe , whose date is expired : but I dare ascertaine you , three drops of the Oyle of roses , or three drops of the Mercury of Buglosse , will enstrengthen the braine , or comfort the hart more , then six , and six ounces of their common sirrups . A greater difference betwixt artificiall , and rude stiles ; refined , and drossy wittes ; skilfull , and ignorant iudgements ; auailable , and vnprofitable workes ; I commende to the consideration of the Presse , with a right h●●●ty Farewell . This 16. of September . 1593. Your assur●●● wherein he may pleasure you , Gabriell Haruey .