A goodly day if men were as good : The Sunne I sée riseth vpon many , but not to their amendment . Good God what a Citie Athens is ? Here are faire houses , but false hearts : Many tenements fit to make Temples for the Gods , but fewe owners in them that tempt not the Gods : I sée here goodly Pallaces , & rich , that spue out their Maisters for Riot ; A faire market place to encertain much mischiefe . I wonder when our great Maisters rise , how many sinnes shal rise with them ? Damocles lately acquainted with Philautia in speaking hir faire spendeth hir much , and hauing a bolde face hath gotten bountifull fortune , Aristippus though old yet liues he by the flatterie of Alexander , and whether is it better ( my Genius ) to be flea-bitten , or flout-bitten ? There are so manie faces now in maske , that the World runnes all a masking : and so manie bad men thriue by countenance , that necessitie is the best mans cognisaunce . Athens hath manie men that will spend a treasure for a title , yet hauing gained the worldly title of happines , ( alas ) how is it tickle ? Is it not a gay world ? I sawe Lais iest with Alcibiades last night , and he endured it : But when Phocion the last day tolde him he was proud ( Iupiter helpe me ) how was he peeuish ? Our Signiors are seuere , our Ladies austeare . It fareth in Athens as among the Sybarites , who chace away Cocks from their Cities , because they are too watchfull : and our Athenians counsaile from them , for feare they should become honest . What should Diogenes then doo but be singular , to sée the better sort so sensuall ? I thinke it rather better to weare patches on my cloake , than to beare the patch on my head : & rather to féede on rootes , than to be defiled with royot : to serue Nature in want , than Fortune in wickednes . But why speake I of want ? Breathe I not aire with the King ? Is not sufficiencie a sumptuous banquet , warmth a worthie raiment , and a good thought a true kingdome ? Tut , Diogenes is rich : who loytereth not on downe , whilest others lack deuotion : who sléepeth ( with Aristotle ) to wake , and studieth ( with Cleanthes ) to watch . But soft , Cosmosophos doore is opened , and Philoplutos is stirring : shrowde thée Diogenes , the one hath a stinking breath that corrupteth manie complections : the other a far reach which ( excéeding the compasse of the Moone ) maketh some men sicke for want of the Sunne . Soe , sée , how they prease foorth : O Mercurie , what God so euer hath a Temple , I am assured thou hast a plentifull Altare . In former ages Deuotion was thy father , now Dooblenesse is thy furtherer : thou haddest wings in thy hat , but they are moulten , and from their dust wickednes is sprung in thy followers hearts . Blessing on him , how grauely looketh Philoplutos , nodding on his Mule as Silenus on his Asse , pretending much grauitie , but not a graine of honestie . Now shall our Notaries get some coyne : but note this , there is some roosenage : the still streame is déepest , & the stearne looke doublest . Ah Foxe , are ye walking ? But sée , they are in conference : the rot consume them , for they consume the world . Hide thée Cinick : it is better to be Lord in thy tub , than a lackey in their triumphes . They approach me , I would my curses could driue them from me . They cleaue like burres to woollie garments , and draw fléeces of wit from Philosophers : applying it as craftie Phisitians doo their corosiues , smothering much paine vnder pleasant perswasion , and making the world beléeue that Venus is all wanton , in that ( the report runneth ) shee was bred of the fome of the water . Husht Diogenes , the vultures are at hande : silence in these dayes is a trim safeconduit .

God giue you a good morrow , Signior Philoplutos .

Thanks good Cosmosophos : whether away so early ? I feare mee you be sick of Chrisippus counsaile , thinking no time good that is not gainfull .

Trulie sir , to gaine experience I am watchfull , accompting the time verie well spent , wherein a man anie wayes learneth to be expert : what we lose in sléepe is but losse in life , neither can we purchase more in liuing , than not to be dead to liue .

You say well Cosmosophos : but some studie so much on time , that all their indeuours are out of time . I speake not this of you Sir , whose experience in worldly affaires , hath graced you among the better sort : but of those , who nodum in cirpo quaerunt , tempring their studies in such manner as Musitions doo their strings , who wrest them to so hie a reach , that they stretch them beyond time tune , or reason . But to let them passe , Cosmosophos , if your businesse be not of great consequence , shall I be bold to craue your companie .

You may commaund me : but whether , may it please you ?

To Diogenes tub , who ( as I vnderstand ) by his long plodding in reprehensions , is become passing skilful in experience : and séeing manie faults , can more iudiciallie speake of follie . Now , since I am called to high estate , and he is continually conuersant in déepe studies , I meane to question with him , following the qualitie of the Bée , who sucketh his honie from hemlocke , and the prescruatiues of health from poysonable hearbes .

You doo verie well : but might I whisper in your eare . I could aduertise you of a matter of much consequence .

Say on ( good Cosmosophos ) mee thinkes these grey haires should include much experience : thou canst not but deserue well of the Commen-weale , when thou entendest my commoditie , who dare boldly say with Tully ( who euer saith otherwise ) that I am Pater patriae .

Your rare vertues ( worthie Philoplutos ) are in effect like Archidas Doue , whom each Artist beheld flying , but could not make flie : you beare the feather of a Phoenix in your bosome against all wethers & thunders , lawrell to escape lightning , and countenaunce to auoyd contempt : which maketh your felicitie more admirable , and your foes more milde . But to our purpose : since you are singled from your traine , may it please you in this manner to be certified ; There are manie in our Common-weale of Athens , who haue ripe wits & readie toungs , who if they catch an inch , will claime an ell ; if they put in the finger , will thrust in the head . Of these you must take héede : for it is an olde reason of Charondas , ( and not so olde as true ) that yong fruitfull plants grafted on an olde stock , will soone suck out the substance ; and that Aesops husbandman that warmed the subtil serpent in his bosome , was brought by him vnto his burial : such yong nouices must be checked like wanton whelps , their tungs must be wormed least they wound , and their fethers clipped least they conspire . If they talke wel , tel them they trip ; it is better smother them in the egge , than smooth with them in the bird : for the meanest sparrow hath his neb , the lions whelpe his clawe , the weake thorne his prickle , and the poorest man his policie ; which you may dreine from them , as the Uintners do the wine from the lées , if the wine bee too rich , giue it a dash with water , if the wit be too ripe , suppresse it with seuerenes : who meanes to sit solie on Olympus , must suffer no climers . By this ( Sir , I doubt not ) you conceipt my intent .

I thinke thou art Oedipus ( my Cosmosophos ) thou art so priuie to my conceipts : But hark thée , I vse our Athenian young men , as curst mothers doo their vnhappie children , I cal them to me with a fig , and whip them from me with a twig , with few crownes buy I their gleanings , and imploy all this to mine own glorie : I know the heauens admits but one Sunne , & high places but one commaunder : which estate since my good fortune hath called me vnto , I will haue none sée through my spectacles but my self , nor carie an oare in my boate , least hee turne mee ouer boord . But sée where Diogenes sitteth gazing vpon the morning Sunne , who ( desirous to sée the Summers beautie ) hastely rouseth himselfe from the Ocean . God spéede thée Diogenes .

Euill may they spéede , if they spéede not thée Philoplutos : what , art thou risen this morning as a Wolfe to thy pray ? or hath some fat foole falne into thy laps ? sure it is , thou waightest for some profit , thou hast so soone for saken thy pillowe .

No Diogenes , I am risen thus early to entertaine thy counsaile , thou knowest I am called to high charge in this Citie .

I , and what of that ?

My desire ( for this cause ) is , to be aduised by thée ( good Cinick ) how to behaue my self in this waightie estate , considering the indisposed mindes of the common people , the daungers that waight on high degrées ; the policies that are required to entertaine all Estates , the disciplines that are to be vsed in reformation of abuses , and the rewards that are to be employed on such as deserue well .

Sirha , who appointed thée to gouern in this state ?

How ignorant was hee to admit thée to that place the which thou art not able to supplie . Is not hée an Asse that putteth his affaires in the hand of the ignorant ? his ship to the conduct of a witlesse Pilot ? his stock to the disposing of an ignorant banquer ? or his citizens to his charge that hath not long conuerst with counsail ? Heare me Philoplutos , I feare me thou art quicke of sent with Demades , thou wilt smell more than thine owne , and thy high countenance in this citie will be an occasion for thee to coulor thy wickednes ? Thou Iouest wealth too much to entertaine wisedome , and the desire of the one killeth the hope of the other : yet since thou art Cocke on horsebacke , I le fit thy stirrop , and tel thée what becommeth thée , though I am assured thou wilt not entertaine it . Plato , with all the law-makers of antiquitie , as Charondas , Solon , Sesistus , before them Boetis the Babilonian , Anacharsis the Scythian , with others , haue first ( in the institutions of their Common-weales ) induced a feare of the Gods : which being naturally ingrafted in the hearts of men , maketh them entertaine the written lawes with more reuerence . Numa ( to colour his policies ) said , he had his instructions from Egeria , Romulus ( before him ) from Iupiter : in briefe , the whole aime of vertuous men in times past , hath béen to deriue their lawes from the Gods , and to confirme their Citizens in souereigne awe of their heauenly Protector . First therefore , ( Philoplutos , since thou art made a Maiestrate ) sée thou diligently intend the seruice of the Gods , drawe thy decrées from their diuine motions : so shall thy people more voluntarily accept them , & thou with better conscience publish them . And ( as a special rule ) learne this second lesson , Medice , cura teipsum : pull the beame out of thine owne eye , then helpe thy brother : reforme thy faultes , then punish others folly . For men in authoritie are eyes of estate , according to whose life , euerie priuate man applieth his manner of life : so that the Poet said truly , Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis . Such béefe such broth , such lips such lettice , such Lords such lay-men . In Traians time all men studied iustice , in that hee was iust : in Octauius dayes each one would bee a Poet , because he delighted in Poesie . Order thou therefore thy life in such sort , as it may bee said of Athens , as Plutarch speaketh of Sparta , The yong men carrie olde mens mediocritie , the olde men are youthfull in magnanimitie . In thy lawes respect the nature of thy people : looke into Athens , a proud assemblie of fine toungd fellowes , daintie in attire , studious of nouelties , fond of fashion , too much addicted to couetousnesse , inclinde to deceiue their neighbours : now examine these by the strict lawes of morall vertue , and since they degenerate , deuise how to daunt them . What so is not of vertue , is against it : it is an vlcer & must be launced , an ill humor , and should be purged . Let me haue informers for sinne , not for breach of custome : a Censor to correct sinne , not an incenser to continue sinne . Let vs haue more hospitalls for the poore , and fewer pallaces for the rich : let souldiers haue more pay , and vsurers lesse profite ; let Catelines bee cut short , and Ciceroes calde home : then shalt thou rule well in Athens , and the Citizens be better ruled .

O how well speaketh Diogenes ?

Oh , how fondly flattereth Cosmosophos ? Sirha , shall I counsaile thée ?

Doo , good Diogenes .

These kinde words require a curteous requital : harke thée Cosmosophos , thou knowest Timons fig trée .

And what of that ?

Why goe hang thée thereon , the world hath too manie loue-worlds , but too few hate-worlds : shall I sute thée Cosmosophos ?

Why bestow a funerall bountie vpon you in conceit , and tell you how in conscience it ought to bee liked .

Say on .

O ripe word , a kin to euerie lack-penie , who haue learned the say on their backs , but wil neuer sée the discharge of their bonds . Harke Cosmosophos , I wil haue thée apparailed according to discipline and order : Thou shalt weare a bare hat , because thou art too great a niggard to buy a new ; and carrie wolues skinnes for thy facing , because thou art a wolfe in thy fashions . With the finger and the thombe thou shalt poynt at sinnes so long , till thou catch them in thy bosome : and garter thy selfe vpon a straight stocke , till thou hast prooued thy selfe to haue a large conscience . I appoynt thée no more continencie , than to eate while thy bellie is full , nor constancie , but to brawle rather than burne : a filbert is better than a faggot , except it be an Athenian she handfull : you know that Cosmosophos , euer since your last mariage , how doth the father of your sonne in law ?

Dost thou mocke me ?

No , I meane to moue thée , and transforme thy thoughts into actuall seruants to waite vpon thée : Thy kinde thoughts ( which may bee duely called actuall Aequiuocations ) shal be translated into fleshly seruitours , and they of this sort shal be called by the name of flatterers : these shall carrie Ostridge plumes in their partie colored hats to waue with euerie winde , & aspen leaues in their mouthes in stead of roses , by reason of their incertaintie in wordes : For their liuerie , if they borrowe it of Iris , it is all one : partie colours serue them best that are neuer one : For their other thoughtes , they shall like the trim Asse in Aesop haue trapping of golde , and a great choller of that whereof one linke will buy them an hundreth halters . They shall be called Mercanti , Mercadanti , Impostini , Cacodemones , Daimones , Somnisophoi , Calopluti , Crusoponeroi , Nay if they were worthy of Christendome they should not want names : Being thus attended I know if Philoplutos be they friend , Diogenes with the Wolues may barke against thée as the Moone , but neuer bite thée whilst thou art a man .

Thou abusest my friend , Diogenes .

Nay dost not thou abuse him ? Trust him not Cosmosophos : here in Athens the father hath suffred his sonne to bée hanged for forty sickles , and hée worth 400. talents : The brother hath beggerd his brother in his ouerfaithfull credulitie , beléeue not these sort of men , who so are married to their money are farre from mercie : I haue knowne ten men of his name and neuer a man honest . A man néede not Aristotles instance if he can but point at them , there is no word so common in Athens , as My friend : the vsurer pretending Cosenage , will say , you are welcome My friend : My friend , ( saith the retailer ) by my soule it cost me thus much , yet sels this man his soule for two pence , and bobs thée out of thy Coine with My friend : Nay I will canuasse a friend out of breath : Philoplutos , because you are so néere mée , It is an olde prouerbe and not so olde as true , Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur , A true friend is knowne in a doubtfull matter : and what is more doubtfull , than when in borrowing money a man findes no friends ? So Mosse his mare leaping ouer my Lords ditch , saide my Maister féedes me in Lanes , and is this friendship ? Yet a fling at friendes , you are my Friend quoth the Cobler , if I haue but a peny for my clout : My Friend ( sayth the shoomaker ) your shooe is good on the Last , but who so puts it on shall find small peniworth in the lasting : All now a daies vse this word Friend most commonly , yet liueth there not any one who abuseth it not most contemptuously . Trust not this friendly flattering Philoplutos , Cosmosophos ; for if thou trie him , thou shalt finde but a weake staffe to stay vppon : for among all the vncertainties of this world friendship is least certaine , apparailed ( in these dayes ) onely in good words , and fawning onely on prosperitie : At simul intonuit , fugiunt , nec noscitur vlli Agminibus comitum qui modo cinctus erat .

Well Diogenes , these words were better kept in , you are too plaine with Philoplutos , who is a man of worship and must be honoured .

A worshipfull man , a good word , he must be honored ; what for a saint ? Beshrow Diogenes if he déeme so , and fond art thou if thou imagine so : Honour is due to our Gods , not to men rich in goods , I haue séen Phillips statue erected here in Athens for reléeuing Greece : yet neuer knew I ante merit honour for deceiuing his Citizens .

Diogenes , you are too peremptorie , we came not hether to heare reprehensions , but to entertain counsailes : neither should Philosophers ( as you are ) bee so forgetful of their duties ; it is an olde saying and a true , A controller is not without contempt : cease therefore ( good Cinicke ) to complaine of my faults , least thou bee conuicted of thine owne folly , and prosecute that which thou hast enterprised , and aduise me in the administration of this our Common-weale of Athens . Thou hast in thy induction laid a good ground , inducing the seruice of the Gods , and continued thy policies with iudgement , as touching the loose behauiour of the Athenians : since therefore thou art so good an Oedipus , I pray thée runne through all estates in our Citie , that finding the imperfection of euerie member , we may the better establish and bring in frame the whole bodie .

Thou speakest wel Philoplutos , I wil play the worldling a little to please thée , and leaue to rub thée on the gall , since thou art loath thy imperfections should bée : discouered . What estate shall we deale with first ?

Then vse Noli altum sapere , and féede on my rootes : who haue long handes can catch a farre , such as haue cléere eyes will quickly sée , yet Argus non videt omnia . It was a custome among our Athenian Painters to decypher the back parts , not the fore parts of Venus , imagining least in painting the moale on her face , they should displease , or in drawing her pale colour to a right sanguine , she should condemne them of flatterie : Quae supra nos , nihil ad nos , Grosse Cinickes dare not talke of great Signiors : I had rather my Crow should say , Aue Caesar , than he should answere me with Knaue Diogenes . Tut , though I be singular , semper excipio Platonem .

What think you then of inferior Magistrates ?

If they be good , it is the better for them , if they be not good , Iupiter mend them . Thou knowest Philoplutos , that the prouerbe is olde , euerie thing is worse for the wearing .

I , and what of that ?

I wonder then , why some Athenians haue bin worne so long time , and haue so much wooll : I speak not of shéepe , but of Wolues and Foxes .

Why , doo Foxes & Wolues weare wooll ?

I , in winter Cosmosophos , it is a iolly medicine against a colde disease to be well lined .

Your comparisons may be excepted against .

Why , dare men be touched with the shadow of beasts ? a wise man regards it not , for a foole it matters not . The sea ( according to the Egyptian Philosophers ) is the well of all showers , and the lodging place of all flouds . All flouds ( saith one , I would either of vs were so honest ) enter the sea , and hee yeeldeth them out againe , and the flouds returne to their place they came from , that they should flow againe . I will for this neither alleadge lines nor leaues ; but so the Scripture saith , by the head of Diogenes .

And what meane you by this , Diogenes ?

That which I sweare neuer to tell thée , vnles thou wilt be vnhonest .

How meane you that ?

I meane thus , I sweare neuer to tell it vntill thou hearest it , neither can I tell it so soone as thou wilt be dishonest : This caueat is for such as you Philoplutos , or ( if you please ) for all sorts . Such as are to gouerne in Cities , ought to admit Counsailers like the sea bankes to containe them , and such as are Counsailers , are to behaue themselues like the sea bankes , to resist the sinfull if they excéede , as the banke withstandeth the billowes if they mount : yet is there an honest Church man satth , As the sea euer rebelleth , and repugneth against the bankes , by which it is restrained and kept in : in like sort some persons repugne aduice , which prooueth they are worthie of punishment . Such as counsaile , must haue Clarkes which like good shepheards néed not dread the malicious threatning's of the bad : yet such as counsell the diuell , cannot mend him of his euill . But to the purpose : The sea banke I told you of , should resemble you , if you dissemble not . Oh how I mistake ? You should resemble the sea bankes , which as they resist al stormes whatsoeuer : so should you ( in such manner as waking shepheards are wont to doo ) kéepe your shéepe from cruell beasts , least Leodore come in with this Item , Euill shepheards take no heede of their sheepe , & hired men if they see the Wolfe charging the flocke , they sodainly flie . O you sea bankes , let me speake vnto you before one of your Masters , when flie you away ? Certainly , when you are still and dare not speake before the mightie , and when you are timorous and fearfull to withstand such as are tyrannous and froward . Shall I comfort you with an olde father ? I marrie sir , and will I : Entend you to please the Gods , as for the threatning of man you néede not care . Philip of Macedon ( Philoplutos ) was a wise felow as thou art , lame on his legs as I wish thée not : This Philip besieging Athens , in stéede of raunsome of the Estate required ten Orators of his choyce : but harke what Demosthenes said , I tell you , or your worship , or your manship ( for that should bée the best style ) I marrie will I , thus said he to the people , and thus say I to Philoplutos : Wolues on a time spake to the shepheards , and said , Your Dogs are al the cause of the discord which is risen twixt you and vs : if you wil be at one with vs , deliuer vs your Dogges , and we shal be friends for euer . When the shepheards had so done , the Wolues at their owne pleasure deuoured the shéepe . Take therefore good handfast Philoplutos on such as are worthie to resist Wolues , and let not Athens be of them vnfurnished : and as those be to be estéemed , so set not by thy quick-sented houndes , who if they faile thée ( as they begin to fawne on others , ) I beléeue in loosing thy dogges thou wilt prooue but a shéepe , and they in scorne barke out ; A murren on those rotten Rammes which will be so couetous .

Why , thou art altogether preposterous in this discourse Diogenes , vsing such equiuocations , and quiddities , that I am beyond my selfe to thinke on them : now alludest thou the bankes to great men , now the sea to no man ; now the bankes to their followers , now the strength of those banks to the seas misfortune : truly , truly , I know not where to finde thée .

Then am I like Philoplutos flatterers , full of all religions , yet following none : whatsoeuer I say , I will not stand too , if anie man say I speake ill , I will desire him to teach me better : if I hit by hap like a blind woodman in the dark , let men not blame my frowardnes but their owne fortune . Haue we talkt of Magistrates all this while ?

Yes Diogenes , hethertoo we haue discoursed onely of such as haue the administration of iustice in this Common-weale of Athens committed vnto them from the higher powers .

Then mattereth it not how ambiguouslie I speake , for wee ought not to bee too playne with such as they : yet will I prosecute my purpose to please thée Philoplutos . Such men are like owches in golde , they are eyes of a Common-weale , if not blinded with golde : they buy more faire words and caps in a yeare with fauour , than they can well disgest with wisedome : euerie one pretendeth them seruice in hope to ende their sutes , the flatterer studieth by night how to deceiue them by day , there is no fashion lost that fitteth not their fancie , yet some haue falne in fancying fashions : they haue manie Phisitions for the bodie , but few true Phisitions for the soule : they often light on good seruants , but seldome kéepe them : in briefe , if they be not at enmitie one with another , they are happie : for I haue heard among beasts that corrupt intention to defraude , and vngodly purposes to deuoure , hath cost the deceiuer his head , and swalowed him in his owne snare .

How among beastes Diogenes ?

Thus among beastes Cosmosophos : The Wolfe on a time sawed with the Asse , but the Asse laboured truely aboue , the Wolfe deceitfully beneath : the Wolfe was malicious and drewe the sawe vnderneath , séeking an occasion to deuoure the Asse , and to induce his quarrel , he thus doggedly attempted him : Why doest thou throwe the dust into mine eyen ? The Asse being a beast of much patience , aunswered and said : I wrong thée not but gouerne the sawe according to my science : if thou wilt sawe aboue I am pleased , and I labour beneath painfully . To whome the Wolfe said , I cannot , But if thou throwe any dust in mine eyes , I will pul out thine . Notwithstanding these wordes , they continually sawed , and amidst their labour the Wolfe blewe with all his power , being verie willing to fill his fellowes eyes with the dust , but the timber stopped it , and caused the dust to fall into the Wolues eyes , by reason whereof he was grieuouslie pained , and swore , that he would ouerthrowe the porters and bearers , which he practising to doo , the timber fell sodainly in the midst of his sawing , and the Asse lightly lept away , and was deliuered : but the Wolfe in his enuious imaginations was suppressed .

And what of this ?

Nothing by the faith of a Cinick as touching good men , but if there be an enuious man in Athens that néede rubbing , let him scratch : the more he striues , the more scald wil it proue . I wish no one to seeke the suppression of his equall , no not his neighbour , least in drawing the sworde , they dye by the smiter . Who laye nettes to betray fat foules or fooles , or what you list : may they not at last fall in the springe with the Woodcocke ? He that ordaineth a pit for his neighbour , shall fall into it him selfe . If you remember Aesops Mouse Philoplutos , he teacheth a good lesson , but I am verie wearie .

Why Diogenes .

In that wée talke of the starres which are fatall in their workings : and when they are disposed to be retrograde or opposite , they worke wracke . Striue not with a mightie man ( saith Seneca ) nor contend not with thy better . I will not iudge with Midas to get long eares with pulling , I had rather scape a pinch , than imploy a reprehension , vnlesse the worlde were in Athens as in olde time it was wont to be , when men thought no wordes bitter that sauoured any wit . To be bréefe : if in the common weale the feare of our Gods be well planted , the Prince well counselled , the Nobles better learned than bolde of beléefe , the highwaie is alreadie found out to good gouernement , wée shall not néede any long disputation . But say there be a good Solon in a citie , Alcibiades may royot , Timon may curse , Diogenes may bite , Aristippus may flatter : yet shall all these be but flea bytings , & may bréede a spot in estates , but not the spoyle of state .

What thinke you of Diuines & Lawyers Diogenes ?

As of Diuines and Lawyers . If good , the citie hath too fewe of them : If bad , the gallowes is sicke for them . I cannot admit in these sorts any mediocritie : for lukewarme professors in these things are lost professors : heare my tale Cosmosophos , The Hare went to Athens to schoole , and in processe of time became a good Lawyer , furnished therefore with Artes , & fully stuffed with argumentes , he repaired to the Lyon the soueraigne of beasts , and the sole patterne of bountie , and after a Schollers curtesie , with his round cap in his right hand , his pen and iuke at his girdle , and his hood on his shoulders , he began thus : My good Lord , I haue spent my goods in following goodnes , and my liuelihoods to attaine literature : since therefore I haue attained the fulnes of the one through the default of the other , I beséech your Maiestie that I may be maintained , that hauing deserued worthely , I may liue worshipfully , vnder your Maiesticall protection , and the shadow of your bountie . The Lyon séeing his graue lookes , his vnkembed lockes ( like Senecaes Philosopher ) replied thus : Friend , I will first make a proofe of thy wisedome and cunning , and afterward puruey thee of wealth and content : goe therefore with me to sée diuers things , that I may prooue thy learning and relieue thy lacke . And as they went both by a wood side , there passed by a hunter with his bow and arrowes , who setled himself to shoote at a Beare and a Foxe : but the Foxe was wylie , and when she espied the bow and arrow , shee lept aside , and escaped from the stroke : the Beare ( contrariwise ) was proud , and trusted to his owne strength , and ranne so hastely against the man who intended to wound him , that the Hunter loosed his arrowe , and smote the Beare and killed him . The Lyon beholding this , said vnto the Hare , Make me a prouerb of this , that I may know thy science , whereby I may with more will admit thée to thy sallarie . The Hare ( after a draft of merrie goe downe ) wrote this , Against death it preuaileth much the life to prolong , To haue ripe wit rather than ribbes strong . The Lyon hearing this conceipt , commended the Prouerbe , and led the Hare with him to a Citie , where they found a Lord rebuking his seruants , of which the one patiently endured the seuere reprehensions of his Master , the other was impatient , and full of froward aunsweres : for which cause , the Lord in his yre all to beate him , and spoyled him , and expulsed him out of his seruice , and kept still the patient seruant , & promoted him to honour . Uppon which occasion the Hare wrote this : Farre better it is manie times to be still , Than to speake bitterly , and to haue ill will . The Lyon was no lesse delighted with this second Prouerbe than he was with the first : for which cause he lead the Hare into another towne , in which they found a Labourer yoking his Oxen , assigning them to their iournie to eare twelue acres of land , deliuering vnto each of them for their féeding a bottle of hay . One of these beasts went foorth , and bare his hay without grutching : but the other began to speake boldly and proudly , & said , What should it suffice vs to beare hay with vs , he shall not féed vs so : and vsing these contumelious words , he would not carie hay to féede himselfe . But when they came to their labour , and had eared whilst the euening , hee that had the bottle of hay refreshed himselfe : the other was wearie , & hauing nothing whereby he might be comforted , he dyed for great hunger ▪ Wherevpon the Hare wrote to the Lyon , saying in this wise : Better is it in need a small thing to haue , Than vtterly nothing the life for to saue . The Lyon considering all this , said vnto the Hare , Truly ( my sonne ) thou hast studied well , & canst decide wise questions . This said , the Lyon promoted him , to what I knowe not , but somewhat hee had , and well he deserued it .

And what of this ?

Oh worldly wiseman , you are still entring into the marrow of matters : but I will fit you or I le fail my selfe . All students of whatsoeuer profession in Common weales , séeking for honours from their Prince , must preuent their Countries preiudice : you must studie if religious , to reprehend without flatterie , if Lawyers , to iudge without partialitie : so shall their good Prouerbes get them pence , and they deserue it , for the Labourer is worthie of his hyre . But , oh you Hares , take héed of the Foxe in the long gowne , that goes in sheepes cloathing , but is inwardly a rauening Wolfe , who is singular with Diogenes to single out his praye , and sets light by his superiours : follow not his counsaile , take maintenaunce when you deserue it , least with the proud Oxe you die for hunger . To be prouident is your daylie lessons , let not therefore curiousnes licke the fat from your fingers , by Iupiter I hope you will not , for there is no doubt but age will bring on discretion .

Which wayes should the Lawyer applye himselfe best :

In silence , till his vainglorie bee ouercome with iudgement , in abstinence when hee is tempted with bribes , in sufferance when he is baighted with iniuries , in vprightnes when he decideth controuersies .