Euphues. The anatomy of vvyt Very pleasant for all gentlemen to reade, and most necessary to remember: wherin are contained the delights that wyt followeth in his youth, by the pleasauntnesse of loue, and the happynesse he reapeth in age, by the perfectnesse of wisedome. By Iohn Lylly Master of Arte. Oxon.

¶ EVPHVES .

THE ANATOMY OF WYT .

Very pleasant for all Gentlemen to reade , and most necessary to remember : wherin are contained the delights that Wyt followeth in his youth by the pleasauntnesse of Loue , and the happynesse he reapeth in age , by the perfectnesse of Wisedome .

¶ By Iohn Lylly Master of Arte. Oxon.

¶ Imprinted at London for Gabriell Cawood , dwelling in Paules Churchyarde .

¶ To the right honorable my very good ●ord and M●ster Sir William West Knight , Lord Delawa●e : Iohn Lyly wissheth long lyfe with encrease of honour .

PARATIVS drawing the counterfaite of Helen ( right honorable ) made the attier of hi● head loose , who being demaunded why he dyd so , he aunswered , she was loose . Vulcan was painted curiously , yet with a polt foote . Venus cunningly , yet with hir Mole . Alexander hauing a Skar in his cheeke helde his finger vpon it that Appelles might not paint it , Appelles painted him with his singer cleauing to his face , why quod Alexander I layde my finger on my Skarre bicause I would not haue t●●● see it , ( yea sayd Appelles ) and I drew it there b●cause none els should perceiue it , ●or if thy singer had bene away , either thy Skarre would haue ben seene , or my a●te mislyked : whereby I gather , that in all perfect wo●kes aswell the fault as the face is to be s●owen . The fairest Leopard is sette downe with his spots , the swetest Rose with his prickles , the finest Veluet with his bracke . Seing then that in euery counterfaite as well the blemish as the bewtie is coloured : I hope I shal not incur the displeasure of the wise , in that in the discourse of Euphues I haue aswel touched the vanities of his loue , as the vertues of his lyfe . The Persians who aboue all their Kings most honored Cyrus , caused him to be engrauen aswel with his hoked nose , as his high forehead . He that loued Homer best concealed not his ●lattering , & he that praised Alexander most bewrayed his quaffing . Demonydes must haue a crooked shooe for his wry foote . Damocles a smoth gloue for his streight hand , For as euery Paynter that shadoweth a man in all parts giueth euery peece his iust proporcion , so he that disciphereth the qualities of the mynde , ought aswell to shew euery humor in his kinde , as the other doth euery part in his colour . The Surgion that maketh the Anatomy sheweth aswel the muscles in the heele , as the vaines of the hart . If then the fi●st sight of Euphues , shal seeme to light to be read of the wise , or to foolish to be regarded of the learned , they ought not to impute it to the iniquitie of the author , but to the necessitie of the history . Euphues beginneth with loue as allured by wyt , but endeth not with lust as bereft of wisedome . He wooeth women prouoked by youth , but weddeth not himselfe to wantonnesse as pricked by pleasure . I haue set down the follies of his wit without breach of modestie , & the sparks of his wisedome without suspicion of dishonestie . And certes I thinke ther be mo speaches which for grauitie wil mislyke the foolish , then vnsemely termes which for vanitie may offend the wise . Which discourse ( right Honorable ) I hope you wil the rather pardon for the rudenes in that it is the first , & protect it the more willingly if it offend in that it shal be the laste . It may be that fine wits wil descant vpon him , that hauing no wit goeth about to make the Anatomy of wit : And certeinly their iesting in my mynd is tollerable . For if the butcher should take vpon him to cut the Anatomy of a man , bicause he hath skil in opening an Oxe , he would proue himself a Calfe : or if the Horselech would aduenture to minister a Potion to a sick patient , in that he hath knowledge to giue a drench to a diseased Horse , he would make himselfe an Asse . The Shomaker must not go aboue his latchet , nor the hedger meddle with anye thing but his bill . It is vnsemely for the Paynter to feather a shaft , or the Fletcher to handle the pensill . All which thinges make most against me , in that a foole hath intruded himselfe to discourse of wit. But as I was willing to commit the fault , so am I content to make amendes . Howsoeuer the case standeth I looke for no prayse for my labour , but pardon for my good will : it is the greatest rewarde that I dare aske , and the least that they can offer . I desire no more , I deserue no lesse . Though the stile nothing delight the dayntie eare of the curious sifter , yet wil the matter recreate the minde of the courteous Reader . The varietie of the one wil abate the harshnes of the other . Thinges of greatest profit , are sette foorth with least price . When the Wyne is neete there needeth no Iuie-bush . The right Coral needeth no colouring . Where the matter it selfe bringeth credit , the man with his glose winneth smal commendation . It it therfore me thinketh a greater show of a pregnant wit , then perfect wisedome in a thing of sufficient excellencie , to vse superfluous eloquence . We commonly see that a black ground doth best beseme a white counterfeit . And Venus according to the iudgement of Mars , was then most amyable , when she sate close by Vulcanus . If these thinges be true which experience tryeth , that a naked tale doth most truely set foorth the naked truth , that where the countenaunce is faire , ther neede no colours , that paynting is meter for ragged walls than fine Marble , that veritie then shineth most b●ight when she is in least brauery : I shal satisfie myne own mynde , though I cannot feede their humors , which greatly ●eke after those that sift the finest meale , & beare the whitest mouthes . It is a world to see how English men desire to heare finer speach then the language will allow , to eate finer bread then is made of Wheat , to weare finer cloth then is wrought of Woll . But I let passe their finenesse , which can no way excuse my folly . If your Lordship shal accept my good wil which I alwaies desired , I will patiently beare the il wil of the malicious , which I neuer deserued .

Thus committing this simple Pamphlet to your Lordships patronage , & your Honour to the Almighties protection : ●or the preseruation of the which a● most bounden , I will praye continually , I ende .

Your Lordships seruaunt to commaund : I. Lyly .

To the Gentlemen Readers .

I Was driuen into a quanda●ie Gentlemen , whether I might send this my Pamphlet to the Printer or to the pedler . I thought it to bad for the presse , & to good for the packe . But seing my folly in writing to be as great as others , I was willing my fortune should be as ill as any mans . We commonly see the booke that at Christmas lyeth bound on the Stacioners stall , at Easter to be broken in the Haberdasshers shop , which sith it is the order of proceding , I am content this winter to haue my doings read for a toye , that in sommer they may be ready for trash . It is not straunge when as the greatest wonder lasteth but nyne dayes : That a newe worke should not endure but three monethes . Gentlemen vse bookes , as gentlewomen handle theyr slowres , who in the morning sticke them in their heads , and at night strawe them at their heeles . Cheries be fulsome when they be through rype , bicause they be plenty , & bookes be stale when they be printed , in that they be common . In my mynde Printers and Taylors are bound chiefely to pray for Gentlemen , the one hath so many fantasies to print , the other such diuers fashions to make , that the pressing yron of the one is neuer out of the syre , nor the printing presse of the other any tyme lyeth still . But a fashion is but a dayes wearing , and a booke but an howres reading , which seeing it is so , I am of a shomakers mynde , who careth not so the shooe hold the plucking on , and I , so my labours last the running ouer . He that commeth in print bicause he would be knowen , is lyke the foole that commeth into the market bicause he would be seene . I am not he that seeketh prayse for his labour , but pardon for his offence , neither doe I set this foorth for any deuotion in print , but for dutie whith I owe to my Patrone . If one write neuer so well , he cannot please all , and write he neuer so ill hee shall please some . Fine heads will pick a quarrell with me if all be not curious , and flatterers a thanke , if any thing be currant . But this is my mynde , let him that fyndeth fault amende it , and him that liketh it , vse it . Enuie braggeth but draweth no bloud , the malicious haue more mynde to quippe , then might to cut . I submit my selfe to the iudgement of the wise , and I little esteme the censure of fooles . The one will be satisfyed with reason , the other are to be aunswered with silence . I know gentlemen wil fynde no fault without cause , and beare with those that deserue blame , as for others I care not for their iestes , for I neuer ment to make them my Iudges .

Farewell .

EVPHVES .

THere dwelt in Athens a young gentleman of great patrimonie , & of so comely a personage , that it was doubted whether he were more bound to Nature for the liniaments of his person , or to fortune for the encrease of his possessions . But Nature impatient of comparisons , and as it were disdaining a companion , or copartner in hir working , added to this comlinesse of his body suche a sharpe capacitie of minde , that not onely shée proued● Fortune counterfaite , but was halfe of that opinion that she hir selfe was onely currant . This younge gallant , of more wit then wealth , and yet of more wealth then wisdome , séeing himselfe inferiour to none in pleasa●t concei●●s , thought himselfe superiour to al in honest conditions , insomuch that he déemed himselfe so apt to all things , that he gaue himselfe almost to nothing , but practising of those things commonly which are incident to these sharp wits , fine phrases , smoth quipping , merry taunting , vsing iesting without meane , & abusing mirth without measure . As therefore the swéetest Rose hath his prickel the finest veluet his brack , the fairest ●lowre his ●●an so the sharpest witte hath his wanton will , and the holiest heade his wicked waye . And true it is that some men write and most men beléeue , that in all perfecte shapes , a blemmish bringeth rather a liking euery way to the eyes , then a loathing any waye to the minde . Venus had hir Mole in hir chéeke which made hir more amiable , Helen hir scarre on hir chinne which Paris called Cos amoris , the Whetstone of loue . Aristippus his wart , Lycurgus his wenne : So likewise in the disposition of the minde , eitheir vertue is ouershaddowed with some vice● or vice ouercast with some vertue . Alexander valiaunt in warre , yet gyuen to wine . Tulli● eloquent in his gloses , yet vayneglorious : Salomon wyse , yet to too wanton : Dauid holye , but yet an homicide : none more wittie then Euphues , yet at the first none more wicked . The freshest colour● soonest fade , the téenes● Rasor soonest tourneth his edge , the finest cloathe is soonest eaten wyth Moathes , and the Cambricke sooner stained then the course Canuas : whiche appeared well in this Euphues , whose witte béeinge lyke waxe apte to receiue any impression , and hauinge the bridle in hys owne handes either to vse the raine or the spurre , disdayning counsayle , leauinge his countrey , loathinge his olde acquaintance , thought either by wytte to obteyne some conquest , or by shame to abyde some conflicte , and leauing the rule of reason , rashly ranne vnto destruction .

It hath bene an olde sayed sawe , and not of lesse truth then antiquitie , that witte is the better if it bée the déerer bought : as in the sequele of thys historie shall moste manifestlye appeare . It happened thys young Impe to ariue at Naples ( a place of more pleasure then profite , and yet of more profite then pietie ) the very walles and windowes whereof shewed it rather to bée the Tabernacle of Venus , then the Temple of Vesta .

There was all things necessary and in redinesse that myght eyther allure the minde to luste , or entice the hearte to follye , a courte more méete for an Atheyst , then for one of Athens , for Ouid then for Aristotle , for a gracelesse louer then for a godly lyuer : more fitter for Paris then Hector , and méeter for Flora then Diana .

Héere my youthe ( whether for wéerinesse hée coulde not , or for wantonnesse woulde not goe anye further ) determined to make hys abode : whereby it is euidently séene that the fleetest fishe swalloweth the delicatest bayte , that the highest soaring Hawke trayneth to the lure , and that the wittiest skonce is inuegled wyth the soddeyne viewe of alluringe vanities .

Héere hée wanted no companions whiche courted hym continuallye wyth sundrye kindes of deuises , whereby they myght eyther soake hys purse to reape commoditie , or sooth hys person to wynne credite , for hée had guestes and companions of all sortes .

There frequented to his lodging and mancion house as well the Spider to sucke poyson , of his fine wyt , as the Bée to gather hunny , as well the Drone , as the Doue , the Foxe as the Lambe , as well Damocles to betraye hym , as Damon to bée true to hym : Yet hée behaued hymselfe so warilye , that hée coulde single out hys game wiselye , insomuche that an olde Gentleman in Naples séeinge hys pregnaunt wytte , his Eloquent tongue somewhat tauntinge , yet wyth delight , his myrthe wythout measure , yet not wythout wytte , hys sayinges vai●eglorious , yet pythie , beganne to bewayle hys nurture : and to muse at hys Nature , béeinge incensed agaynste the one as most pernicious , and enflamed wyth the other as moste precious : for hée well knewe that so rare a wytte woulde in tyme eyther bréede an intollerable trouble , or bringe an incomperable Treasure to the common weale : at the one hée greatly pittied , at the other he reioysed .

Hauinge therefore gotten opportunitie to communicate with him hys minde , wyth watrye eyes , as one lamentinge his w●ntonnesse , and smilinge face , as one louinge his wittinesse , encountred him on thys manner .

Young gentleman , although my acquaintaunce bée small to intreate you , and my authoritie lesse to commaund you , yet my good-will in giuing you good counsaile should induce you to beléeue mée , and my hoarie haires ( ambassadors of experience ) enforce you to follow mée , for by howe much the more I am a straunger to you , by so much the more you are beholdinge to mée , hauing therefore opportunitie to vtter my minde , I meane to bée importunate wyth you to followe my meaninge . As thy birth doth shewe the expresse and liuely Image of gentle bloude , so thy bringing vp séemeth to mée to bée a greate blotte to the linage of so noble a brute , so that I am enforced to thincke that either thou dyddest want one to giue thée good instructions , or that thy parentes made thée a wanton wyth to much cockeringe , either they were too foolishe in vsinge no discipline , or thou too frowarde in reiecting their doctrine , eyther they willinge to haue thée idle , or thou wylfull to bée ill employed . Dyd they not remember that whiche no man ought to forgette , that the tender youth of a childe is lyke the temperinge of newe waxe apte to receiue any forme ? Hée that wyll carry a Bull wyth Milo , must vse to carrye him a Calfe also , hée that coueteth to haue a straight trée , muste not boowe hym béeinge a twigge . The Potter fashioneth his claye when it is softe , and the Sparrowe is taught to come when hée is younge : As therefore the yron béeinge hotte receyueth any forme with the stroake of the Hammer , and kéepeth it béeinge colde for euer , so the tender witte of a childe if with diligence it bée instructed in youth , wyll with industrye vse those qualities in hy● age .

They might also haue taken example of the wise husbandmen , who in their fattest and most fertill grounde sowe Hempe before Wheate , a grayne that dryeth vp the superfluous moysture , and maketh the soyle more apte for corne : Or of good Gardeiners who in their curious knottes mixe Hisoppe wyth Time as ayders the one to the growth of the other , the one béeinge drye , the other moyste : or of cunning Painters who for the white●t woorke caste the blackest grounde , to make the Picture more amiable . If therefore thy Father had bene as wise an husbandman , as hée was a fortunate husbande , or thy Mother as good a huswyfe as shée was a happye wyfe , if they had bene bothe as good Gardners to kéepe their knotte , as they were grafters to brynge foorth such fruite , or as cunninge Painters , as they were happie parentes , no doubte they had sowed Hempe before Wheate , that is discipline before affaction , they had set Hisoppe wyth Time , that is manners wyth witte , the one to ayde the other , and to ma●e thy dexteritie more , they had caste a blacke grounde for their white woorke , that is , they had mixed threates wyth faire lookes .

But thinges past are paste callinge agayne , it is to late to shutte the stable doore when the stéede is stolen : The Troyans repented to late when their towne was spoiled : Yet the remembraunce of thy former follies might bréede in thée a remorse of conscience , and bée a remedy against further concupiscence . But nowe to thy present tyme : The Lacedemonians were wont to shewe their children dronken men and other wicked men , that by séeinge theire filth they might shunne the lyke faulte , and auoyde suche vices when they were at the lyke state . The Persians to make theire youth abhorre gluttonie woulde paint an Epicure sléeping with meate in his mouthe , & most horribly ouerladen with wine , that by the view of such monsterous sightes , they might eschewe the me●nes of the like excesse .

The Parthians to cause their youthe to loath the alluringe traines of womens wyles and deciptfull entisementes , had most curiously carued in their houses a younge man blinde , besides whome was adioyned a woman so exquisite , that in some mennes iudgement Pigmalions Image was not halfe so excellent , hauing one hande in hys pocket as notinge their thefte , and holdinge a knyfe in the other hande to cutte hys throate : If the sight of such vglye shapes caused a loathinge of the like sinnes , then my good Euphues consider their plight , and beware of thyne owne perill . Thou art héere in Naples a younge soiourner , I an olde senior , thou a straunger , I a Citizen , thou secure doubtinge no mishappe , I sorrowfull dreadinge thy misfortune . Héere mayste thou sée that which I sighe to sée , dronken sottes wallowinge in euery house , in euery chamber , yea , in euery channell , héere maiste thou beholde that whiche I cannot wythout blushinge beholde , nor wythoute blubbering vtter , those whose bellies bée their Gods , who offer their goodes as sacrifice to theyre guttes : who sléepe wyth meate in their mouthes , wyth sinne in their heartes , and wyth shame in their houses .

Héere , yea , héere Euphues , maiste thou sée not the carued vi●arde of a lewde woman , but the incarna●● visage of a lasciuious wanton , not the shaddowe of loue , but the substaunce of luste : My hearte melteth in droppes of bloude , to sée a harlot with the one hande robbe so many cofers , and wyth the other to rippe so many corses .

Thou arte héere amiddest the pykes betwéene Scilla and Caribdis , readye if thou shunne Syrtes , to sincke into Semphlagades . Let the Lacedemonian , the Persian , the Parthian , yea , the Neapolitan , cause thee rather to detest suche villanie , at the sight and viewe of their vanitie .

Is it not farre better to abhorre sinnes by the remembraunce of others faultes , then by repentaunce of thine owne follies ? Is not hée accompted moste wise , whome other mens harmes dooe make moste warie ? But thou wylte happely saye , that although there bée many thinges in Naples to bée iustlye condemned , yet there are some thinges of necessitie to bée commended , and as thy wyll doeth leane vnto the one , so thy wytte woulde also embrace the other .

Alas Euphues by how much the more I loue the highe climbinge of thy capacitie , by so muche the more I feare thy fall . The fine christall is sooner crazed then the harde marble , the gréenest Béeche burneth faster then the dryest Oke , the fairest silke is soonest soyled , and the swéetest wine tourneth to the sharpest vineger , the pestilence doth most ryfest infect the cléerest complection , and the Caterpiller cleaueth vnto the ripest fruite , the most delicate wyt is allured with small enticement vnto vice , and moste subiecte to yeld● vnto vanitie , if therefore thou doe but harken to the Syrens , thou wilte bée enamoured , if thou haunte their houses and places , thou shalt be enchaunted :

One droppe of poyson infecteth the whole tunne of Wine , one leafe of Colliquintida marreth and spoyleth the whole potte of porredge , one yron Mole defaceth the whole péece of lawne : Descende into thine owne conscience , and consider wyth thy selfe the greate difference betwéene staringe and starke blinde , wit and wisdome , loue and lust . Bée merrye but with modestie , be sober but not to sulloume , bee valiaunt but not too venterous . Let thy attyre bée comely but not costly , thy dyet wholesome but not excessiue , vse pastime as the woorde importeth , to passe the tyme in honest recreation : mistrust no man wythout cause , neither bée thou credulous without proofe , bée not light to followe euery mans opinion , nor obstinate to stande in thine owne conceipte . Serue God , loue God , feare God , and God wyll so blesse thée as eyther hearte can wishe or thy friendes desire . And so I ende my counsaile , beseechinge thée to beginne to followe it . Thys olde Gentleman hauinge finished his dyscourse , Euphues beganne to shape hym an aunswere in this sort .

FAther and friende ( your age sheweth the one , your honestie the other ) I am neither so suspitious to mistrust your good will , nor so sottishe to mislike your good counsaile , as I am therefore to thancke you for the first , so it standes mée vppon to thincke better on the latter : I meane not to cauill wyth you as one louinge sophistrye , neyther to controwle you as one hauing superioritie , the one woulde bring my talke into the suspition of fraude , the other conuince me of folly . Whereas you argue I knowe not vppon what probabilyties , but sure I am vppon no proofe , that my bringing vp shoulde bée a blemish to my birth . I aunswere , and sweare to that you were not therein a lyttle ouershot , eyther you gaue too muche credite to the report of others , or to much lybertie to your owne iudgement , you conuince my parents of péeuishnesse , in making me a wanton , and me of leaudnesse in reiectinge correction . But so many men so many mindes , that may séeme in your eye odious , which in an others eye may be gratious . Aristippus , a Philosopher , yet who more courtely ? Diogenes , a Philosopher , yet who more carterly ? Who more popular then Plato , retayning alwayes good company ? Who more enuious then Tymon , denouncing all humaine s●cietie ? Who so seuere as the Stoyckes , which lyke stockes were moued with no melody ? Who so secure as the Epicures which wallowed in all kinde of licentiousnesse ? Though all men bee made of one mettall , yet they bée not cast all in one moulde , there is framed of the selfe same clay aswell the tile to kéepe out water as the potte to containe lycour , the Sunne doth harden the durte & melt the waxe , fire maketh the gold to shine and the straw to smother , perfumes doth refresh the Doue & kill the Betil , & the nature of the man disposeth the consent of the manners . Now wheras you séeme to loue my nature & loath my nurture , you bewray your own weaknes , in thinking the nature may any waies be altered by education , & as you haue ensamples to confirme your pretence , so I haue most euident and infallyble argumentes to serue for my purpose : It is naturall for the vyne to spread , the more you seeke by arte to alter it , the more in the ende you shall augment it . It is proper for the Palme trée to mounte , the heauyer you loade it the higher it sprowteth . Though yron be made softe with fire it returneth to his hardnes , though the Fawlcon be reclaimed to the fist she retyreth to hir haggardnes , the whelpe of a Masti●e will neuer be taught to retriue the Partridge , education can haue no shew , where the excellencie of nature doth beare sway . The silly Mouse will by no manner of meanes be tamed , the subtill . Foxe may well be beaten , but neuer broken from stealing his pray , if you pownde spices they smell the swéeter , season the woode neuer so well the wine will taste of the caske , p●au●e and translate the crabbe trée , where , and whensoeuer it please you and it will neuer beare sweete apple .

Infinite and innumerable were the examples I coulde alleadge and declare to confirme the force of Nature , and confute these your vayne and false forgeries , were not the repetition of them néedelesse hauing shewed sufficient , or bootelesse séeinge those alleadged will not perswade you . And can you bée so vnnaturall , whome dame Nature hath nourished and brought vpp so many yeares , to repine as it were agaynst Nature ?

The similytude you rehearse of the waxe , argueth your waxinge and melting brayne , and your example of the ho●te and harde yron , sheweth in you but colde and weake disposition . Doe you not knowe that which all men doe affirme and knowe , that blacke will take no other coulour ? That the stone Abeston being once made hotte will neuer be made colde ? That fire cannot be forced downewarde ? That Nature will haue course after kinde ? That euery thing will dispose it selfe according to Nature ? Can the Aethiope chaunge or alter his skinne ? or the Leoparde his hewe ? Is it possible to gather grapes of thornes , or ●●gges of thi●telles ? or to cause any thinge to striue against nature ?

But why go I about to prayse Nature , the whiche as yet was neuer any Impe so wicked & barbarous , any Turke so vile and brutish , any beast so dull and sencelesse , that coulde , or would , or durst disprayse or contemne ? Doth not Cicero conclude and allowe , that if wée followe and obey Nature we shall neuer erre ? Doth not Aristotle alleadge and confirme , that Nature frameth or maketh nothing in any poynte rude , vayne , and vnperfect ?

Nature was had in such estimation and admiration among the Heathen people , that she was reputed sor the onely Goddesse in Heauen : If Nature then haue largely and bountefully endewed mée with hir giftes , why déeme you me so vntoward and gracelesse ? If she haue dealte hardely with me , why extoll you so muche my birth ? If Nature beare no sway , why vse you this adulation ? If Nature worke the effecte , what booteth any education ? If Nature be of strength or force , what auaileth discipline or nurture ? If of none what helpeth Nature ? But lette these sayings passe , as knowne euidently and graunted to be true , which none can or may deny vnlesse he be false , or that he bée an enemye to humanitie .

As touchinge my residence and abidinge héere in Naples , my youthly and lusty affections , my sportes and pleasures , my pastimes , my common dalyaunce , my delyghtes , my resorte and company , and companions , which dayly vse to visite mée , althoughe to you they bréede more sorrowe and care , then solace and comforte , bicause of your crabbed age : yet to mée they bring more comforte and ioy , then care & griese , more blisse then bale , more happines then heauines : bicause of my youthfull gentlenes . Eyther you would haue all men olde as you are , or els you haue quite forgotten that you your selfe were young● or euer knew young dayes : eyther in your youth you were a very vicious and vngodly man , or now being aged very supersticious & deuoute aboue measure .

Put you no difference betwéene the younge flourishinge Baye trée , and the olde withered Béeche ? No kinde of distinction betwéene the waxinge and the wayninge of the Moone ? And betwéene the risinge and the settinge of the Sunne ? Doe you measure the hotte assaultes of youth , by the colde skirmishes of age ? whose yeares are subiect to more infirmities then our youth , we merry● you melancholy , wée zealous in affection , you ielous in all your dooinges , you testie without cause , wee hastie for no quarrell . You carefull , we carelesse , wee volde , you fearefull , we in all pointes contrary vnto you and ye in all pointes vnlike vnto vs .

S●eing therefore we bée repugnaunt eache to the other in nature , woulde you haue vs alyke in qualyties ? Woulde you haue one potion ministred to the burni●g Feuer , and to the colde ●alseye ? one playster to an olde ●ssue and a fresh wounde ? one salue for all sor●s ? one sauce for all meates ? No no Eubulus , but I will yeelde to more , then eyther I am bounde to graunte , eyther thou able to proue : Suppose that which I neuer will beléeue , that Naples is a canckred storehouse of all strife , a common stewes for all strumpettes , the sinke of shame , and the very nurse of all sin : shall it therfore follow of necessitie that all that are woed of loue , should be wedded to lust , will you conclude as it were ex consequenti , that whosoeuer aryueth héere shall be enticed to follye , and béeinge enticed , of force shall be entangled ? No , no , it is the disposition of the thought that altereth the nature of the thing . The Sun shineth vppon the dungehill , and is not corrupted , the Diamond lyeth in the fire , and is not consumed , the Christall toucheth the Toade , and is not poysoned , the birde Fiochilus lyueth by the mouth of the Crocodile and is not spoyled , a perfecte wit is neuer bewitched with leaud●nesse , neyther entised with lasciuiosnesse .

Is it not common that the Holme trée springeth amidst the Beach ? That the Iuie spreadeth vppon the hard stones ? That the softe fetherbed breketh the hard blade ? If experience haue not taughte you this , you haue lyued long & learned ly●tle , or if your moyst braine haue forgot it , you haue learned much and profited nothing . But it may be , that you measure my affections , by your owne fancies , and knowing your selfe either too simple to rayse the siege of pollycie , or too weake to resist the assault by prowesse , you déeme me of as lyttle wit as your selfe , or of lesse force , eyther of small capacitie , or of no courage . In my iudgement Eubulus , you shal assone catch a Hare with a Taber , as you shal perswade youth , with your aged & ouerworn eloquence , to such seueritie of lyfe , which as yet ther was neuer Stoy●ke so strict , nor Iesuite so supersticious , neyther Votarie so deuout , but would rather allow it in words than follow it in workes , rather talke of it then try it . Neither were you such a Saint in your youth , that abandoning all pleasures , all pastimes , and delyghts , you would chuse rather to sacrifice the first fruites of your lyfe to vayne holynesse , then to youthly affections . But as to the stomacke quatted with daynties , all delycates séeme quesie , and as he that surfetteth with wine vseth afterward to allay with water : So these olde huddles hauing ouercharged their gorges with fancie , accompte all honest recreation méere follly , and hauinge taken a surfet of delyght , séeme now to sauor it with despight . Séeing therefore it is labour lost for mée to perswade you , and winde vaynely wasted for you to exhort me , héere I founde you and héere I leaue you , hauing neither bought nor solde with you , but chaunged ware for ware , if you haue taken lyttle pleasure in my reply , sure I am that by your counsaile I haue reaped lesse profit . They that vse to steale honny , burne hemlocke to smoke the Bées from their hiues , and it may bée , that to get some aduauntage of mée , you haue vsed these smokie argumentes , thincking thereby to smother mée with the conceipt of strong imagination : But as the Camelion thoughe hée haue most guttes , draweth least breath , or as the Elder trée thoughe hée bée fullest of pith , is farthest from strength , so though your reasons seeme inwardly to your selfe somewhat substantial , and your perswasions pithie in your owne conceipte , yet beyng well wayed without , they be shadowes without substaunce , and weake without force . The Birde Fa●ras , hath a great voyce but a small body , the thunder a greate clappe , yet but a lyttle stone , the emptie vessell giueth a greater sownd , then the full barrell . I meane not to apply it , but looke into your selfe and you shall certeinely finde it , and thus I leaue you séekinge it , but were it not that my company stay my comming , I would surely helpe you to looke it , but I am called hence by my acquaintance .

Euphues hauing thus ended his talke departed leauing this olde gentleman in a great quandarie : who perceiuing that he was more enclined to wantonnesse , then to wisedome , with a déepe sigh the teares trickling downe his chéekes , sayde : Séeing thou wilt not buye counsell at the firste hande good cheape , thou shalt buye repentaunce at the seconde hande , at suche an vnresonable rate , that thou wilt curse thy hard penyworth , and banne thy hard hearte . And immediately he wente to his owne house , heauily bewayling the young mans vnhappinesse .

Héere ye may beholde gentlemen , how lewdly wit standeth in his owne lyght , howe he déemeth no pennye good siluer but his owne , preferring the blossome before the fruite , the budde before the flower , the gréene blade before the ripe eare of corne , his owne witte before all mens wisedomes . Neyther is that geason , séeing for the most parte it is proper to all those of sharpe capacitie to estéeme of themselues , as most proper : if one bée harde in conceiuing , they pronounce him a dowlte , if giuen to study , they proclayme him a duns , if merrye a iester , if sadde a Sainct , if full of wordes , a sotte , if without speach , a Cypher , if one argue with them boldly , then is he impudent , if coldely an innocent , if there be reasoning of diuinitie , they cry , Quae supra nos nihil ad nos , if of humanitie , Sententias loquitur carnifex , héereoff commeth suche greate familyaritie betweene the rypest wittes , when they shall sée the dysposition the one of the other , the Sympathia of affections and as it were but a payre of shéeres to goe betwéene theire natures , one flattereth an other in hys owne folly , and layeth cushions vnder the elbowe of his fellowe , when hée seeth him take a nappe with fancie , and as theire witte wresteth them to vice , so it forgeth them some feate excuse to cloake theire vanitie .

Too much studie doth intoxicate their braynes , for ( saye they ) althoughe yron the more it is vsed the brighter it is , yet siluer with much wearing doth wast to nothing , though the Cammocke the more it is bowed the better it serueth , yet the bow the more it is bent & occupied , the weaker it waxeth , though the Camomill , the more it is trodden and pressed downe , the more it spreadeth , yet the violet the oftner it his handled and touched , the sooner it withereth and decayeth . Besides thys , a fine wytte , a sharpe sence , a quicke vnderstanding , is able to atteine to more in a moment or a very little space , then a dull and blockish heade in a month , the sithe cutteth farre better and smoother then the sawe , the waxe yéeldeth better and sooner to the seale , then the stéele to the stampe or hammer , the smooth & playne Béeche is easier to be carued and occupyed then the knottie Boxe . For neyther is ther any thing , but that hath his contraries : Such is the Nature of these nouises that thincke to haue learning without labour , and treasure without trauayle , eyther not vnderstanding or els not remembring , that the finest edge is made with the blunt whetstone , and the fairest Iewell fashioned with the harde hammer . I go not about ( gentlemen ) to inueigh against wit , for then I wer witlesse , but frankely to confesse mine owne lyttle wit. I haue euer thought so supersticiously of wit , that I feare I haue committed Idolatry agaynst wisedome , and if Nature had dealte so beneficially with mée to haue giuen me any wit , I should haue bene readyer in the defence of it to haue made an Apologie , then any way to tourne to Apostacie : But this I note , that for the most part they stande so on their pantuffles , that they be secure of perills , obstinate in their owne opinions , impatient of labour , apte to conceiue wrong , credulous to beleeue the worst , ready to shake off their olde acquaintaunce without cause , and to condempne them without colour : All which humors are by somuch the more easier to bée purged , by howe much the lesse they haue festred the sinnewes : But retourne we agayne to Euphues .

Euphues hauing soiourned by the space of two moneths in Naples , whether he were moued by the courtesie of a young gentleman named Philautus , or inforced by destenie : whether his pregnant wit , or his pleasaunt conceits wrought the greater liking in the minde of Euphues I know not for certeyntie : But Euphues shewed such entyre loue towards him , that he séemed to make small accompt of any others , determining to enter into such an inuiolable league of friendship with him , as neyther time by peecemeale should empaire , neither fancie vtterly dissolue , nor any suspition infringe . I haue red ( saith he ) and well I beléeue it , that a friend is in prosperitie a pleasure , a solace in aduersitie , in griefe a comfort , in ioy a merrye companion at all times an other I , in all places the expresse Imag● o● mine owne person : insomuch that I cannot tell , whether the imm●rtall Gods haue bestowed any gift vpon mortall men , either more noble , or more necessary , then friendship . Is ther any thing in the world to be reputed ( I will not say compared ) to friendship ? Can any treasure in this transitorie pilgrimage , be of more vale we then a friend ? in whose bosome thou maist sleepe secure without feare , whom thou maist make partner of all thy secrets without suspition of fraude , and pertaker of all thy misfortune without mistrust of fléeting , who will accompt thy bale his bane , thy mishap his misery , the pricking of thy finger , the percing of his heart . But whether am I carried ? Haue I not also learned that one shoulde eate a bushell of salt with him , whom he meaneth to make his friend ? that tryall m●keth trust ? that there is falshood in fellowship ? and what then ? Doth not the sympathy of manners , make the coniunction of mindes ? Is it not a by woord , like will to like ? Not so common as commendable it is , to see young gentlemen choose them such friends with whom they may séeme béeing absent to be present , being a sunder to be conuersant , beeing dead to be aliue . I will therefore haue Philautus for my pheere , and by so much the more I make my selfe sure to haue Philautus , by how much the more I view in him the liuely Image of Euphues .

Although there bée none so ignoraunt that doth not know , neither any so impudent that will not confesse , friendship to bée the iewell of humaine ioye : yet whosoeuer shall sée this amitie grounded vpon a little affection , will soone coniecture that it shall be dissolued vpon a light occasion : as in the sequele of Euphues & Philautus you shall see , whose hot loue waxed soone colde . For as the best wine doth make the sharpest vinaig●r , so the déepest loue tourneth to the deadliest hate . Who deserued the most blame in mine opinion , it is doubtful , & so difficult , that I dare not presume to giue verdit . For loue being the cause for which so many mischiefes haue ben attempted , I am not yet perswaded , whether of them was most to be blamed , but certeinly neither of them was blamelesse . I appeale to your iudgement gentlemen , not that I thincke any of you of the like disposition , able to decide the question but béeing of déeper discretion then I am , are more fit to debate the quarrell . Though the discourse of their friendship and falling out be somewhat long , yet being somewhat straunge , I hope the delightfulnes of the one , will attenuate the tediousnesse of the other .

Euphues had continuall accesse to the place of Philautus and no little familiaritie with him , and finding him at conuenient leasure , in these short termes vnfolded his minde vnto him .

Gentleman and friend , the triall I haue had of thy manners , cutteth off diuers termes which to an other I would haue vsed in the like matter . And sithens a long discourse argueth folly , and delicate words incurre the suspition of flattery , I am determined to vse neither of them , knowing either of them to bréede offence . Waying with my selfe the force of friendship by the effects , I studied euer since my first comming to Naples to enter league with such a one , as might direct my steps being a straunger , & resemble my manners being a scholler , the which two qualities as I finde in you able to satisfie my desire , so I hope I shall finde a hearte in you willing to accomplish my request . Which if I may obtein , assure your selfe the Damon to his Pythias , Pylades to his Orestes , Titus to his Gysippus , Theseus to his Pyrothus , Scipio to his Laelius , was neuer ●ound more faithfull then Euphues will be to his Philautus .

Philautus by how much the lesse hée looked for thys discourse , by so much the more he liked it , for he saw all qualities both of body & minde in Euphues , vnto whom he replyed as followeth .

Friend Euphues ( for so your talke warranteth me to terme you ) I dare neither vse a long processe , neither louing speach , least vnwittingly I should cause you to conuince me of those thinges , which you haue alredy condemned . And verily I am bolde to presume vpon your curtesie , since you your self haue vsed so little curiositie , perswading my selfe , that my short answere wil worke as great an effect in you , as your few words did in me . And seeing we resemble ( as you say ) each other in qualities , it cannot be that the one should differ from the other in curtesie , séeing the sincere affection of the minde , cannot be expressed by the mouth , & that no arte can vnfolde the entire loue of the heart , I am earnestly to beséech you not to measure the firmenesse of my faith , by the fewnes of my wordes , but rather thincke that the ouerflowing waues of good will leaue no passage for many woords . Tryall shall proue trust , héere is my hand , my heart , my lands and my lyfe at thy commaundement : Thou maist well perceiue that I did beleeue thée , that so soone I dyd loue thée , and I hope thou wilt the rather loue me , in that I did beléeue thée .

After many embracings & protestations one to an other , they walked to dinner , where they wanted neither meate , neither Musicke , neither any other pastime , & hauing banqueted , to digest their swéet confections , they daunced all the afternoone , they vsed not onely one boord , but one bedde , one booke ( if so be it they thought not one to many . ) Their friendship augmented euery day , insomuch that the one could not refraine the company of the other one minute , all things went in common betwéene them , which all men accompted commendable . Philautus being a towne borne childe , both for his owne continuance , & the great countenaunce whiche his Father had whyle he liued , crepte into credite with Don Ferardo one of the chiefe gouernours of the citie , who although he had a courtly crewe of gentlewomen soiourning in his pallace , yet his daughter heire to his whole reuenews , stained the beautie of them all , whose modest bashfulnesse caused the other to looke wanne for enuie , whose lillye cheekes dyed with a Uermillion redde made the rest to blushe at hir beautie . For as the finest Rubie , stayneth the coulour of the rest that bée in place , or as the Sunne dimmeth the Moone , that she cannot bee discerned , so this gallant gyrle more faire then fortunate , and yet more fortunate then faithfull , eclipsed the beautie of them all , and chaunged their coulours . Unto hir had Philautus accesse , who wanne hir by right of loue , and shoulde haue worne hir by right of lawe , had not Euphues by strau●ge destenie broken the bondes of marriage , and forbidden the banes of Matrimonie .

It happened that Don Ferardo had occasion to go to Venice about certein his own affaires , leauing his daughter the onely steward of his houshoulde , who spared not to feast Philautus hir friend , with al kindes of delights & delicates , reseruing onely hir honestie as the chiefe stay of hir honour . Hir father being gon she sent for hir friend to supper , who came not as he was accustomed solitarily alone , but accompanied with his friende Euphues . The Gentlewoman whether it were for nycenesse or for niggardnesse of curtesie , gaue hym suche a colde welcome that he repented that he was come .

Euphues thoughe hée knewe himselfe worthy euery way to haue a good countenaunce , yet coulde hée not perceiue hir willinge any way to lende hym a friendly looke . At the last supper béeing readye to come in , Philautus sayde vnto hir : Gentlewoman I was the bolder to bringe my shadowe with mée , ( meaning Euphues ) knowing that he should be the better welcome for my sake , vnto whome the gentilwoman replyed : Syr as I neuer when I sawe you thought that you came without your shadow , so now I cannot a lyttle meruaile to sée you so ouershot in bringing a new shadow with you . Euphues though he perceiued hir coy nippe , séemed not to care for it , but taking hir by the hand sayd .

Fayre Lady seing the shade doth often shilde your beautie from the parching Sunne , I hope you will the better estéeme of the shadowe , and by so much the lesse it ought to be offenciue , by how much the lesse it is able to offende you , and by so much the more you ought to lyke it , by how much the more you vse to lye in it .

Well gentleman aunswered Lucilla in arguing of the shadowe , we forgoe the substance : pleaseth it you therefore to sit downe to supper . And so they all sate downe , but Euphues fed of one dish which euer stoode before him , the beautie of Lucilla .

Héere Euphues at the firste sight was so kyndled with desyre , that almost he was lyke to burn to coales . Supper being ended , the order was in Naples that the gentlewomen would desire to heare some discourse , either concerning loue or learning : And although Philautus was requested , yet he posted it ouer to Euphues , whome he knew most fit for that purpose : Euphues being thus tyed to the stake by their importunate intreatie , began as followeth .

He that worst may is alwaye enforced to holde the candell , the weakest must still to the wall , where none will , the Diuell himselfe must beare the crosse : But were it not gentlewomen that your lyste standes for lawe , I would borrow so muche leaue as to resigne myne office to one of you , whose experience in loue hath made you learned , and whose learning hath made you so louely : for me to entreate of the one being a nouise , or to discourse of the other being a trewant , I may wel make you weary but neuer the wyser , and giue you occasion rather to laugh at my rashnesse , then to lyke my reasons . Yet I care the lesse to excuse my boldnesse to you , who were the cause of my blyndenesse . And since I am at myne owne choyce eyther to talke of loue or of learning , I had rather for this tyme be déemed an vnthrift in reiecting profit , then a Stoicke in renouncing pleasure .

It hath bene a question often disputed , but neuer determined , whether the qualities of the mynde , or the composition of the man , cause women most to lyke , or whether beautie or witte moue men most to loue . Certes by how much the more the mynde is to be preferred before the body , by so much the more the graces of the one are to be preferred before the gifts of the other , which if it be so , that the contemplation of the inwarde qualitie ought to be respected more , then the view of the outward beautie , then doubtlesse women eyther doe or should loue those best whose vertue is best , not measuring the deformed man with the reformed mynde . The foule Toade hathe a fayre stoane in his head , the fine goulde is founde in the filthy earth , the swéete kernell lyeth in the hard shell . Uertue is harbored in the heart of him that most men estéeme misshapen , contrarywise if we respect more the outward shape , then the inwarde habit , good God into how many mischiefes doe we fall ? into what blyndenesse are we ledde ? Doe we not commonly sée that in paynted pottes is hidden the deadlyest poyson ? that in the gréenest grasse is the greatest Serpent ? in the cléerest water the vglyest Toade ? Doth not experience teach vs that in the most curious Sepu●chre are enclosed rotten bones ? That the Cypresse trée beareth a fayre leafe but no fruite ? That the Estridge carryeth fayre fethers , but rancke flesh ? How franticke are those louers which are carryed away with the gaye glistering of the fine face ? the beautie wherof is parched with the Sommers blase , & chipped with the winters blast , which is of so short continuance that it fadeth before one perceiue it florishe , of so small profit that it poysoneth those that possesse it , of so little value with the wyse , that they accompt it a delicate bayte with a deadly hooke , a sweete Panther with a deuouring paunch , a sower poyson in a siluer potte . Here I colde enter into discourse of such fyne dames as being in loue with theyr owne lookes , make suche course accompt of theyr passionate louers : for commonly if they be adorned with beautie , they be so straight laced , and made so high in the insteppe , that they disdaine them most that most desyre them . It is a worlde to sée the doating of theyr louers , and theyr dealing with them , the reuealing of whose subtil traines would cause me to shead teares , & you gentlewomen to shut your modest eares . Pardon me gentlewomen if I vnfold euery wyle , & shew euery wrinckle of womens disposition . Two thinges do they cause their seruants to vow vnto them , secrecie , & soueraigntie , the one to conceale their entising sleights , by the other to assure themselues of their onely seruice . Again , but ho there , if I shold haue waded any further & sownded the depth of their deceipt , I should either haue procured your displeasure , or incurred the suspition of frawd , eyther armed you to practise the like subteltie , or accused my self of periury . But I mean not to offend your chast mynds , with the rehersal of their vnchast manners , whose eares I perceiue to glowe , and heartes to be gréeued at that which I haue already vttered , not that amongest you there be any such , but that in your sexe ther should be any such . Let not gentlewomen therfore make to much of their paynted sheathe , lette them not be so curyous in theyr owne conceite , or so currishe to theyr loyall louers . When the blacke crowes foote shall appeare in theyr eye , or the blacke Oxe treade on their foote , when their beautie shall be lyke the blasted Rose , theyr wealth wasted , their bodies worne , theyr faces wrinckled , their fyngers crooked , who will lyke of them in their age , who loued none in their youth ? If you will be cherished when you be olde , be curteous while you be young , if you looke for comfort in your hoary haires , be not coye when you haue your golden lockes , if you would be embraced in the wayning of your brauery , be not squeymish in the waxing of your beautie , if you desyre to be kept lyke the Roses when they haue loste theyr coulour , smell swéete as the Rose doth in the bud , if you would be tasted for olde wyne , be in the mouth a pleasant Grape , so shall you be cherished for your curtesie , comforted for your honestie , embraced for your amitie , so shall you be preserued with the swéete Rose , and droncke with the pleasant wyne . Thus farre I am bolde gentlewomen , to counsell those that be coye that they weaue not the webbe of theyr owne woe , nor spin the thréed of their owne thraldome by their owne ouerthwartnesse . And seing we are euen in the bowells of loue , it shall not be amisse to examine whether man or woman be sonest allured , whether be most constant the male or the female . And in this poynt I meane not to be myne owne caruer , least I should séeme eyther to picke a thanke with men or a quarrel with women . If therfore it might stande with your pleasure ( Mistres Lucilla ) to giue your censure I would take the contrary , for sure I am though your iudgement be sounde , yet affection will shadow it .

Lucilla seing his pretence thought to take aduauntage of his large profer , vnto whome she sayde . Gentleman in myne opinion Women are to be wonne with euery wynde , in whose sex ther is neither force to withstande the assaults of loue , neither constancie to remaine faythfull . And bicause your discourse hathe hetherto bredde delight , I am loth to hinder you in the sequele of your deuises . Euphues perceiuing himselfe to be taken napping , answered as followeth .

¶ Mistres Lucilla , if you speake as you thincke , these gentlewomen present haue lyttle cause to thanke you , if you cause me to commend women , my tale wil be accompted a méere tri●le , & your words the plain truth : Yet knowing promise to be debt , I wyll paye it with performance . And I would the gentlemen here present wer as ready to credit my proofe , as the gentlewomen are willing to heare their own prayses , or I as able to ouercome , as Mistres Lucilla would be content to be ouerthrown , how so euer the matter shall fall out , I am of the surer syde , for if my reasons be weake , then is our sexe stronge , if forcyble , then your iudgement féeble , if I fynde truth on my syde , I hope I shall for my wages win the good will of women , if I want proofe , then gentlewomen of necessitie you must yelde to men . But to the matter .

Touching the yelding to loue , albeit theyr hartes séeme tender , yet they harden them lyke the stone of Sicilia , the which the more it is beaten , the harder it is , for being framed as it were of the perfection of men , they be frée from all such cogitations as may any way prouoke them to vncleanenesse , insomuch as they abhorre the light loue of youth which is grounded vpon lust , & dissolued vpon euery light occasion . When they sée the folly of men turne to fury , their delight to doting , theyr affection to frensie , when they sée them as it were pyne in pleasure , and to waxe pale through theyr owne péeuishnesse , their sutes , their seruice , theyr letters , theyr labors , their loues , theyr lyues , seeme to them so odious , that they harden theyr hartes against such concupiscence , to the ende they might conuert them from rashnesse to reason , from such lewde disposition , to honest discretion : hereoff it commeth that men accuse women of crueltie , b●cause they themselues want ciuilitie , they accompt them full of wyles in not yelding to their wickednesse , faythlesse for resisting their fylthinesse . But I had almost forgot my selfe , you shall pardon mée Mistresse Lucilla for this time , if this abruptly , I finish my discourse , it is neyther for want of good wil , or lacke of proofe , but that I feele in my selfe such alteration , that I can scarcely vtter one word , ah Eupheus , Euphues .

The gentlewomen were strooke into such a quandarie with this sodayne chaunge , that they all chaunged coulour . But Euphues taking Philautus by the hande and giuing the gentlewomen thanckes for their patience and his repast , badde them all fare-well , and went immediatly to his chamber . But Lucilla who now began to frie in the flames of loue , all the company béeing departed to their lodgings , entred into these termes and contrarieties .

Ah wretched wench Lucilla how art thou perplexed ? what a doubtfull fight dost thou féele betwixt faith and fancie ? hope & feare ? conscience and concupiscence ? O my Euphues , lyttle dost thou know the sodayne sorrow that I sustayne for thy swéete sake . Whose witte hath bewitched me , whose rare qualyties haue depriued me of mine olde qualytie , whose courteous behauiour without curiositie , whose comely feature without fault , whose fyled speach without fraude , hath wrapped me in this misfortune . And canst thou Lucilla be so light of loue in forsaking Phil●utus to flye to Euphues ? canst thou prefer a straunger before thy countryman ? A starter before thy companion ? Why Euphues doth perhappes desyre my loue , but Philautus hath deserued it . Why Euphues feature is worthy as good as I , But Philautus his fayth is worthy a better . I but the latter loue is moste feruent . I but the firste ought to be most faythfull . I but Euphues hath greater perfection . I but Philautus hath déeper affection .

Ah fonde wench , doste thou thincke Euphues will déeme thee constant to him , when thou hast bene vnconstant to his friende ? Wéenest thou that he will haue no mistrust of thy faithfulnesse , when he hath had tryall of thy fycklenesse ? Will he haue no doubt of thyne honour , when thou thy selfe callest thyne honestie in question ? Yes , yes , Lucilla , well dothe he know that the glasse once crased will with the leaste clappe be cracked , that the cloath which staineth with Mylke , will soone loose his coulour with vineger , that the Eagles wynge will wast the fether as well of the Phoenix , as of the Pheasant , that she that hath bene faythlesse to one , will neuer be faythfull to any . But can Euphues ● conuince me of fléetinge , séeing for his sake I breake my fideli●i●● Can he condemne me of disloyaltie , when he is the onely cause of my dislyking ? Maye he iustly condemne me of trecherye , who hath this testimony as tryall of my good will ? Doth not he remember that the broken boane once sette together , is stronger then euer it was ? That the greatest blotte is taken off with the Pommice ? That though the Spyder poyson the Flye , she cannot infect the Bée ? That although I haue bene light to Philautus , yet I may be louely to Euphues ? It is not my desire , but his desertes that moueth my mynde to this choyse , neyther the want of the lyke good will in Philautus , but the lacke of the lyke good qualities that remoueth my fancie from the one to the other .

For as the Bée that gathereth Honny out of the wéede , when she espyeth the faire flower flyeth to the sweetest : or as the kynde spanyell though he hunt after Byrdes , yet forsakes them to retryue the Partridge : or as we commonly feede on béefe hungerly at the first , yet seing the Quayle more dayntie , chaunge our dyet : So I , although I loued Philautus for his good properties , yet seing Euphues to excell him , I ought by Nature to lyke him better : By so muche the more therefore my change is to be excused , by how much the more my choyce is excellent : and by so much the lesse I am to be condemned , by how much the more Euphues is to be commended . Is not the Dyamonde of more valewe then the Rubie , bicause he is of more vertue ? Is not the Emeraulde preferred before the Saphyre for his wonderfull propertie ? Is not Euphues more prayse worthy then Philautus being more wittie ? But fye Lucilla , why doste thou flatter thy selfe in thyne owne follye ? canst thou fayne Euphues thy friend , whome by thyne owne wordes thou hast made thy foe ? Dyddest not thou accuse women of inconstancie ? dyddest not thou accompt them easy to be wonne● dyddest not thou condemne them of weakenesse ? what sounder argument can he haue against thée , then thine owne answer ? what better proofe , then thine owne speach ? what greater tryall , then thyne owne talke ? If thou haste belyed women , he will iudge thée vnkynde , if thou haue reuealed the troth , he must néedes thincke thée vnconstant , if he perceiue thée to be wonne with a Nut , be will imagine that thou wilt be lost with an Apple : If he fynde thée wanton before thou be woed , he wil gesse thou wilt be wauering when thou art wedded .

But suppose that Euphues loue thée , that Philautus leaue thée , will thy father thinckest thou giue thée libertie to lyue after thyne owne lust ? will he esteeme him worthy to enherite his possessions , whom he accompteth vnworthy to enioye thy person ? Is it lyke that he wyll match thee in marryage with a stranger , with a Grecian , with a meane man ? I but what knoweth my father whether he be wealthy , whether his reuenewes be able to counteruaile my fathers lands , whether his birth be noble , yea , or no ? can any one make doubte of his gentle bloude , that séeth his gentle condicions ? Can his honoure be called into question , whose honestie is so greate ? is he to be thought thriftelesse , who in all qualyties of the minde is peerelesse ? No , no , the tree is knowen by his fruite , the golde by his touch , the sonne by the fire . And as the softe waxe receiueth what soeuer print be in the seale , and sheweth no other impression , so the tender babe being sealed with his fathers giftes representeth his Image most lyuely . But were I once certaine of Euphues good w●ll , I woulde not so supersticiously accompt of my fathers ill will . Albeit I can no way quench the coal●s of desire with forgetfulnesse , yet will I rake them vp in the ashes of modestie , séeing I dare not discouer my loue for maidēly shamefastnes . I wil dissemble it til time I haue opportunitie . And I hope so to behaue my selfe as Euphues shall thinke me his owne , and ●hilautus perswade himselfe I am none but his . But I would to God Euphues would repaire hether , that the sight of him might mittigate some part of my martirdome .

She hauing thus discoursed with hir selfe hir owne miseryes , cast hir selfe on the bedde : and there l●tte hir lye , and retourne wee to Euphues , who was so ca●ght in the ginne of folly , that he neyther coulde comforte himselfe nor durst aske counsel of his friend , suspecting that which in deede was t●ue , that Philautus was cor●iuall with him , and coo●●emate with Lucilla . Amiddest therefore these his extremityes betweene hope and feare , hée vttered these or the lyke speaches .

What is hée Euphues that knowing thy witte , and séeing thy folly : but will rather punish thy lewdenesse , then pittie thy heauiuesse ? Was there euer any so fickle so soone to be allured ? any euer so faithlesse to deceiue his friend ? euer any so foolish to bathe himselfe in his owne misfortune ? To true it is that as the Sea Crabbe swimmeth alwayes agaynst the streame , so wit alwayes striueth agaynst wisedome : And as the Bee is oftentimes hurte with hir owne honny , so is wit not seldome plagued with his owne conceipte .

O ye gods haue ye ordayned for euerye maladye a medicine , for euery sore a salue , for euery payne a plaister , leuing only loue remedilesse ? Did ye déeme no man so madde to be entangled with desire , or thoughte yée them worthye to be tormented that were so misledde ? haue ye dealte more fauourable with brute beasts then with reasonable creatures .

The filthy Sow when she is sicke , eateth the Sea Crabbe and is immediately recured : the Torteyse hauing tasted the Uiper , sucketh Origanum and is quickly reuiued : the Beare readye to pine , lycketh vpp the Ants and is recouered : the Dogge hauing surfetted to procure his vomitte eateth grasse , and findeth remedy : the Harte béeing pearced with the darte , runneth out of hande to the hearbe Dictanum , and is healed . And can men by no hearb , by no art , by no way procure a remedye for the impatient disease of loue ? Ah well I perceiue that loue is not vnlyke the Figge trée , whose fruite is swéete , whose roote is more bitter then the claw of a Bitter , or lyke the apple in Persia , whose blossome sauoreth lyke Honny , whose budde is more sower then gall .

But O impietie . O broade blasphemy agaynst the heauens . Wilt thou be so impudent Euphues , to accuse the gods of iniquitie ? No fonde foole , no. Neyther is it forbidden vs by the gods to loue , by whose diuine prouidence we are permitted to lyue , neyther doe wée want remedyes to recure our maladyes , but reason to vse the meanes . But why goe I about to hinder the course of loue , with the discourse of law ? hast thou not redde Eupheus , that he that loppeth the Uine causeth it to spreade fairer ? that hee that stoppeth the streame forceth it to swell higher ? that he that casteth water on the fire in the Smithes forge , maketh it to flame fiercer ? Euen so he that seeketh by counsayle to moderate his ouerlashinge affections , encreaseth his owne misfortune . Ah my Lucilla , wold thou wert either lesse faire or I more fortunate , eyther I wiser or thou milder , either woulde I were out of this madde moode , eyther I would we were both of one minde . But how should she be perswaded of my loyaltie , that yet had neuer one simple proofe of my loue ? will shée not rather imagine me to be intangled with hir beautie , then with hir vertue . That my fancie being so lewdly chayned at the first , will be as lyghtly changed at the last , that ther is nothing which is permanent that is violent ? yes , yes , she must néeds coniecture so , although it be nothing so , for by how much the more my affection commeth on the suddaine , by so much the lesse will she thinke it certeyne . The ratling thunderbolte hath but his clappe , the lyghteninge but his flash , and as they both come in a moment , so doe they both ende in a minute .

I but Euphues , hath shée not hearde also that the drye touche woode is kindled with lyme , that the greatest mushrompe groweth in one night ? that the fire quickly burneth the flaxe ? that loue easilye entreth into the sharpe witte without resistaunce , & is harboured there without repentaunce ?

If therefore the Gods haue endewed hir with as much bountie as beautie . If she haue no lesse wit then she hath comelynesse , certes she will neyther conceiue sinisterly of my sodayne sute , neyther be coye to receiue me into hir seruice , neyther suspecte mée of lyghtnesse , in yeelding so lyghtly , neyther reiect me disdaynefully , for louing so hastely . Shall I not then hazarde my lyfe to obtaine my loue ? and deceiue Philautus to receiue Lucilla ? Yes Euphues , where loue beareth sway , friendshippe can haue no shew : As Philautus brought me for his shadowe the last supper , so will I vse him for my shadow til I haue gayned his Saint . And canst thou wretch be false to him that is faithfull to thee ? Shall hys curtesie be cause of thy crueltie ? Wilt thou violate the league of fayth , to enherite the land of folly ? Shal affection be of more force then friendshippe , loue then law , lust then loyaltie ? Knowest thou not that he that looseth his honestie hath nothing els to loose ?

Tush the case is lyght where reason taketh place , to loue and to lyue well , is not graunted to Iupiter . Who so is blinded with the caule of beautie , decerneth no coulour of honestie . Did not G●ges cut Candaules a coate by his owne measure ? Did not Paris though he were a welcome guest to Menelaus serue his hoste a slippery prancke ? If Philautus had loued ●ucilla , he woulde neuer haue suffered Euphues to haue séene hir . Is it not the praye that entiseth the theefe to ryfle ? Is it not the pleasaunt bayte , that causeth the fléetest fish to bite ? Is it not a bye word amongst vs , that golde maketh an honest man an ill man ? Did Philautus accompt Euphues to simple to decypher beautie , or supersticious not to desire it ? Did he deeme him a saint in reiecting fancie , or a sotte in not discerning ?

Thoughte hée him a Stoycke that he would not bée moued , or a stocke that he coulde not ?

Well , well , seeing the wound that bléedeth inwarde is most daungerous , that the fire kepte close burneth most furious , that the Oouen dammed vp baketh soonest , that sores hauing no vent fester inwardly , it is high time to vnfolde my secret loue , to my secrete friende . Let Philautus behaue himselfe neuer so craftely , hée shal know that it must be a wily Mouse that shal bréed in the Cats eare , and bicause I resemble him in wit , I meane a little to dissemble with him in wyles . But O my Lucilla , if thy hearte , he made of that stone which may bée mollyfied onely with bloud , woulde I had sipped of that riuer in Caria which tourneth those that drincke of it to stones● If thine eares be anointed with the Oyle of Syria that bereaueth hearing , would mine eyes had bene rubbed with the sirrop of the Ceder trée which taketh away sight .

Euphues hauing thus talked with himselfe , Philautus entered the chamber , and finding him so worne and wasted with continual mourning , neither ioycing in his meate , nor reioycing in his friend , with watry eyes vttered this speach .

FRiende and fellow , as I am not ignoraunt of thy present weaknesse , so I am not priuie of the cause , and although I suspect many things● yet can I assure my selfe of no one thing . Therfore my good Euphues , for these doubtes and dompes of mine , either remoue the cause or reueale it . Thou hast hetherto found me a chéerefull companion in thy mirth , and nowe shalt thou finde me as careful wyth thée in thy moane . If altogether thou maist not be cured , yet maist thou be comforted . If there be any thing that either by my friends may be procured , or by my life attained , that may either heale thée in parte , or helpe thée in all , I protest to thée by the name of a friende , that it shall rather be gotten with the losse of my body , then lost by getting a kingdome . Thou hast tried m● , therfore trust mée , thou hast ●●ul●ed me in many things , therfore trie me in this one thing . I neuer ye● failed , and now I will not fainte . Be bolde to speake & blush not : thy sore is not so angry but I can salue it , thy wound not so déep but I can ●earch it , thy griefe not so great but I can ease it . If it be ripe it s●albe lawn●ed , if it be broken it shal be tainted be it neuer so desperate it shal be cured . Rise therfore Euphues , & take hart at grasse , younger thou shalt neuer be , plucke vp thy stomacke , if lo●e it selfe haue stoung thée it shal not stiffle thée . Though thou be enamoured of some lady thou shalt not be enchaunted . They that begin to pine of a consumption , without delay preserue themselues with cullisses , he that feeleth his stomack en●lamed with heat , cool●th it eft soones with conserues : delayes bréed daungers , nothing so perillous as procrastination . Euphues hearing this confort & friendly counsaile , dissembled his sorrowing hart , with a smiling face , aunswering him foorthwith as followeth .

True it is Philautus that he which toucheth the nettle tenderly , is soonest sloung , that the Fly which plaieth with the fire is singed in the flame , that he that dallieth with women is drawen to his woe . And as the Adamant draweth the heauy yron , the harp that fléet Dolphin , so beauty allureth the chast minde to loue , & the wisest wit to lust : The example whereof I would it were no lesse profitable than the experience to me is like to be perilous . The vine wattered with wine is soone withered , the blossom in the fattest ground is quickly blasted , the Goat that fatter she is the lesse fertil she is : yea , man the more wittie he is the lesse happy he is . So it is Philautus ( for why should I conceale it from thée , of whom I am to take counsaile ) that since my last & first being with thée at the house of Ferardo , I haue felt such a furious battaile in mine own body , as if it be not speadely repressed by pollicie , it wil carry my minde ( the graund captain in this fight ) into endles captiuitie . Ah Liuia , Liuia , thy courtly grace without coynes , thy blazing beauty without blemish , thy curteous demeanour without curiosity , thy swéet speach sauoured with wit , thy comly mirth tempered with modesty , thy chast looks yet louely , thy sharp taunts yet pleasant , haue giuen me such a checke , that sure I am at the next view of thy vertues , I shall take thée mate : And taking it not of a pawn , but of a prince , the losse is to be accompted the lesse . And though they be commonly in a great choler that receiue the mate , yet would I willingly take euery minute x. mates , to enioy Liuia for my louing mate . Doubtlesse if euer she hir self haue ben scorched with the flames of desire , she will be ready to quench the coales with courtesie in an other , if euer shé● haue ben attached of loue , she will rescue him that is drenched in desire , if euer she haue ben taken with the ●e●●●●r of fancie , she wil help his ague , who by a quotidian fit is conuerted into phrensie : Neither can there bée vnder so delicate a hew lodged deceite , neither in so beautifull a mould a malicious minde . True it is that the disposition of the minde , followeth the composition of the body : how then can she be in minde any way imperfect , who in body is perfect euery way ● I know my successe wil be good , but I know not how to haue acce●se to my goddesse , neither do I want courage to discouer my loue to my friend , but some colour to cloak my comming to the house of Ferardo , for if they be in Naples as ieolous as they be in the other parts of Italy , then it behoueth me to walke circumspectly , & to forge some cause for mine often comming . If therfore Philautus , thou canst fet but this fether to mine arrow , thou shalt sée me shoot so néere , that thou wilt accompt me for a cunning Archer● And verily if I had not loued thée wel , I wold haue swalowed mine own sorrow in silence , knowing that in loue nothing is so daungerous , as to perticipate the means therof to an other , & the two may kéep counsel if one be away . I am therfore enforced perforce to challenge that courtesie at thy handes , which earst thou diddest promise with thy heart , the perfourmaunce whereof shall binde mée to Philautus , and proue thée faithfull to Euphues .

Philautus thincking all to bée golde that glistered , and all to bée gospell that Euphues vttered , aunswered his forged gloase with this friendly cloase .

In that thou hast made me priuie to thy pourpose , I will not conceale my practise , in that thou crauest my aide , assure thy selfe I wil be the finger next the thumbe , insomuch as thou shalt neuer repent thée of the one or the other . Concerning Liuia though shée bée faire , yet is shée not so amiable as my Lucilla , whose seruaunt I haue bene the tearme of thrée yeares , but least comparisons shoulde seeme odious , chiefly where both the parties be without comparison , I will omit that , and séeing that wée had both rather be talking wyth them , then tatling of them , wée will immediatly goe to them . And truely Euphues I am not a little gladde , that I shall haue thée , not onely a comfort in my life , but also a companion in my loue : As thou hast bene wise in thy choice , so I hope thou shalt bée fortunate in thy chaunce . Liuia is a wench of more witte then beautie , Lucilla of more beautie then witte , both of more honestye then honoure , and yet both of suche honoure , as in all Naples there is not one in birthe , to bée compared wyth any of them both . Howe much therefore haue wée to reioyce in our choice ? Touchinge our accesse bée thou secure , I will flappe Ferardo in the mouth with some conceyte , and fill his olde heade so full of newe fables that thou shalt rather bée earnestly entreated to repaire to his house , then euyll entreated to leaue it . As olde men are very suspitious to mistruste euerye thinge , so are they verye credulous to beléeue any thinge , the blinde man doth eate many a Fly , yea , but sayd Euphues take héede my Philautus , that thou thy selfe swallow not a gudgen , which woord Philautus did not marke , vntill he had almost digested it . But said Euphues , let vs goe deuoutly to the shrine of our Saincts there to offer our deuotion , to the which Euphues consented willingly , smiling to himselfe to see how he had brought Philautus into a fooles Paradise .

Héere you may sée gentlemen the falshood in felowship , the fraude in friendship , the painted sheth with the leaden dagger , the faire woords that make fooles faine , but I will not trouble you with superfluous addition vnto whom I feare mee I haue bene tedious , with the bare discourse of this rude historie .

Philautus and Euphues repaired to the house of Ferardo , where they found Mistres Lucilla and Liuia accompanied with other gentlewomen neither béeing idle , nor well employed , but playing at cardes . But when Lucilla beheld Euphues she could scarcely containe hir selfe from embracing him , had not womanly shamefastnesse , and Philautus his presence stayed hir wisdome .

Euphues on the other side was fallen into such a trance , that he had not the power either to succour himselfe , or salute the gentlewomen . At the last Lucilla began as one that best might be bolde , on this manner .

Gentlemen although your longe absence gaue mée occasion to thincke that you disliked your late entertainment , yet your comming at the last hath cut off my former suspition : And by so much the more you are welcome by how much the more you were wished for . But you gentleman ( taking Euphues by the hande ) were the rather wished for , for that your discourse being left vnperfect , caused vs all to long ( as women are wont for things that like them ) to haue an ende thereoff . Unto whom Philautus replyed as followeth .

Mistres Lucilla thoughe your courtesie made vs nothing to doubt of our welcome , yet modestye caused vs to pinch courtesie who shoulde first come , as for my friende I thincke hée was neuer wished for héere so earnestly of any as of hymselfe , whether it might bée to renewe his talke or to recant his sayinges , I cannot tell . But whilest hée was yet speakinge Ferardo entered , whome they all duetifully welcomed home , who rounding Philautus in the care , desired hym to accompany him immediatly without farther pausinge , protesting it shoulde bée as well for his preferment as for his owne profite . Philautus consentinge , Ferardo sayd to his daughter .

Lucilla the vrgent affaires I haue in hande , wyll scarce suffer mée to tarrye wyth you one houre , yet my retourne I hope will bée so short , that my absence shall not bréede thy sorrowe : In the meane season I commit all thinges into thy custody wishing thée to vse thy accustomable courtesie . And séeinge I must take Philautus wyth mée , I will bée so bolde to craue you gentleman ( his friende ) to supplye his roome desiring you to take this hastye warninge for a hartye welcome and so to spende this time of mine absence in honest mirth . And thus I leaue you .

Philautus knewe well the cause of this sodayne departure , which was to redéeme certeine landes that were morgaged in his Fathers time to the vse of Ferardo who on that condition had before time promysed him his daughter in marriage . But retourne wée to Euphues .

Euphues was supprised with such increadible ioye at this straunge euent , that hée had almost sounded , for séeing his coryuall to be departed , and Ferardo to gyue him so friendly entertainment , doubted not in time to get the good wyll of Lucilla : Whome findinge in place conuenient without company , with a bolde courage and comely gesture , he began to a●●ay hir in this sort .

Gentlewoman , my acquaintaunce béeing so little , I am afraide my cred●te will bee lesse , for that they commonly are soonest beleeued , that are b●st bel●ued , and they liked best , whome we haue knowne longest , neuerthelesse the noble minde suspecteth no guile wythout cause , neither condemneth any wight wythout proofe , hauing therefore notise of your heroycall heart , I am the better perswaded of my good hap . So it is Lucilla , that comming to Naples but to fetch fire , as the by word is , not to make my place of abode , I haue founde such flames that I can neither quench them wyth the water of free will , neyther coole them wyth wisedome . For as the Hoppe the poale béeing neuer so hye groweth to the ende , or as the drye Béeche kindled at the roote , neuer leaueth vntill it come to the toppe , or as one droppe of poyson disperseth it selfe into euerye vaine , so affection hauinge caught holde of my hearte , and the sparkles of loue kindled my liuer , wyll sodeinely , thoughe secretlye flame vp into my heade , and spreade it selfe into euerye sinewe . It is your beautie ( pardon my abrupte boldenesse ) Ladye that hath taken euery part of mée prisoner , and brought me to this déepe distresse , but séeinge women when one praiseth them for their desertes , deeme that hée flattereth them to obteine his desire , I am héere present to yelde my selfe to such tryall , as your courtesie in this behalfe shall require : Yet will you commonly obiect this to such as serue you & sterue to winne your good wil , that hot loue is soone colde , that the Bauin though it bourne bright , is but a blaze , that scaldinge water if it stande a while tourneth almost to yse , that pepper ●hough it be hot in the mouth is colde in the mawe , that the faith of men though it frye in their woordes , it fréeseth in theire works : Which things ( Lucilla ) albeit they be sufficient to reproue the lightnesse of some one , yet can it not conuince euery one of lewdenes , neither ought the constancie of all , to be brought in question through the subtiltie of a fewe . For although the worme entereth almost into euery woode , yet he eateth not the Ceder trée : Though the stone Cylindrus at euery thunder clappe , rowle from the hill , yet the pure s●éeke stone mounteth at the noyse , though the rust fret the hardest stéele , yet doth it not eate into the Emeraulde , though Polypus chaunge his hew , yet the Salamander kéepeth his coulour , though Proteus transforme himselfe into euery shape , yet Pygmalion retaineth his olde forme , though Aeneas were to fickle to Dido , yet Troylus was to faithfull to Craessida , thoughe others séeme counterfaite in their déedes , yet Lucilla perswade your selfe that Euphues will bée alwayes curraunt in his dealinges . But as the true golde is tryed by the touch , the pure flinte by the stroke of the yron , so the loyall heart of the faithfull louer , is knowen by the tryall of his Lady : of the which tryall ( Lucilla ) if you shall accompte Euphues worthy , assure your selfe , hée wyll bée as readie to offer himselfe a sacrifice for your swéet sake , as your selfe shall bée willinge to employe hym in your seruice . Neyther doth hee desire to bée trusted any way , vntill he shall be tried euery way , neither doth hée craue credite at the first , but a good countenaunce til time his desire shall be made manifest by hys desertes . Thus not blynded by lyght affection , but dazeled with your rare perfection , and boldened by your excéeding courtesie , I haue vnfolded mine entire loue , desiring you hauing so good leasure , to giue so friendly an aunswere , as I may receiue comforte , and you commendacion .

Lucilla although she were contented to heare this desired discourse , yet did shee seeme to bee somewhat displeased : And truely I know not whether it bée peculyar to that sex to dissemble with those , whome they most desire , or whether by craft they haue learned outwardely to loath that , which inwardely they most loue : yet wisely did she cast this in hir head , that if she should yéelde at the first assault he woulde thinke hir a lyght huswife , if she should reiect him s●ornefully a very haggard , minding therefore that h● shoulde neyther take holde of hir promise , neyther vnkindenesse of hir precisenesse , she fedde him indifferently , with hope and dispayre , reason and affection , lyfe and death . Yet in the ende arguing wittilly vpon certeine questions , they fell to suche agréement as poore Philautus woulde not haue agréed vnto if hée had bene present , yet alwayes kéepinge the body vndefiled . And thus shée replyed .

GEntleman as you may suspecte me of Idelnesse in giuing eare to your talke , so may you conuince me of lyghtenesse in answering such toyes , certes as you haue made mine eares glowe at the rehearsall of your loue , so haue you galled my hart with the remembrance of your folly . Though you came to Naples as a straunger , yet were you welcome to my fathers house as a friend . And can you then so much transgresse the bounds of honour ( I will not say of honestie ) as to solicite a sute more sharpe to me then deathe ? I haue hetherto God bethancked , liued wythout suspition of lewdenesse , and shall I nowe incurre the daunger of sensuall lybertie ? What hope can you haue to obtayne my loue , seeing yet I coulde neuer affoord you a good looke ? Doe you therefore thinke me easely entised to the bent of your bow , bicause I was easely entreated to lysten to your late discourse ? Or séeing mée ( as finely you glose ) to excell all other in beautie , did you déeme that I would exceed all other in beastlynesse ? But yet I am not angry ●upheus but in an agony , for who is shée that will not fret or fume with one that loueth hir , if this loue to delude mee bée not dissembled . It is that which causeth me most to feare , not that my beautie is vnknown to my selfe but that commonly we poore wenches are deluded through lyght beliefe , and ye men are naturally enclined craftely to leade your lyfe . When the Foxe preacheth the Géese perishe . The Crocodile shrowdeth greatest treason vnder most pitifull teares : in a kissing mouth there lyeth a gallyng minde . You haue made so large proffer of your seruice , and so fayre promises of fidelytie , that were I not ouer charie of mine honestie , you would inueigle me to shake handes with chastitie . But certes I will eyther leade a Uirgins lyfe in earth ( though I leade Apes in hell ) or els follow thée rather then thy giftes : yet am I neither so precise to refuse thy proffer , neither so péeuish to disdain thy good will : So excellent alwayes are the giftes which are made acceptable by the vertue of the giuer . I did at the firste entraunce discerne thy loue but yet dissemble it . Thy wanton glaunces , thy scalding sighes , thy louing signes , caused me to blush for shame , and to looke wanne for feare , least they should be perceiued of any . These subtill shiftes , these paynted practises ( if I were to be wonne ) woulde soone weane mee from the teate of Vesta , to the toyes of V●nus . Besides this thy comly grace , thy rare quallyties , thy exquisite perfection , were able to moue a minde halfe mortified to transgresse the bondes of maydenly modestie . But God shielde Lucilla , that thou shouldest be so carelesse of thine honour as to commit the state thereoff to a stranger . Learne thou by me Euphues to dispise things that be amiable , to forgoe delightfull practises , beléeue mée it is pietie to abstayne from pleasure .

Thou arte not the first that hath solicited this sute , but the first that goeth about to seduce mée , neyther discernest thou more then other , but darest more then any , neyther hast thou more arte to discouer thy meaninge , but more hearte to open thy minde : But thou preferrest mée before thy landes , thy lyuings , thy lyfe : thou offerest thy selfe a Sacrifice for my securitie , thou proferest mée the whole and onelye soue●●igntie of thy seruice : Truely I were very cruell and harde hearted if I should not loue thée : harde hearted albeit I am not , but truely loue thée I cannot , whome I doubte to be my louer .

Moreouer I haue not bene vsed to the court of Cupide , wherin ther be more slights then there be Hares in Athon , then Bées in Hybla , then stars in Heauen . Besides this , the common people héere in Naples are not onelye both verye suspitious of other mens matters and manners , but also very iealous ouer other mens children and maydens : eyther therefore dissemble thy fancie , or desist from thy folly .

But why shouldest thou desist from the one séeinge thou canst cunningly dissemble the other . My father is nowe gone to Venice , and as I am vncerteine of his retourne , so am I not priuie to the cause of his trauayle : But yet is he so from hence that he séethe me in his absence . Knowest thou not Euphues that kinges haue long armes & rulers large reches ? neither let this comfort thée , that at his departure he deputed thée in Philautus place . Although my face cause him to mistrust my loyaltie , yet my fayth enforceth him to giue mée this lybertie , though he be suspitious of my fayre hew , yet is he s●cure of my ●irme honestie . But alas Euphues , what truth can there be found in a trauayler ? what stay in a stranger ? whose words & bodyes both watch but ●or a winde , whose féete are euer fleeting , whose fayth plighted on the shoare , is tourned to periurie when they hoiste saile . Who more trayterous to Phillis then Demophoon ? yet he a trauailer . Who more periured to Dido then Aeneas ? and he a stranger , both these Quéenes , both they Caytiffes . Who more false to Ar●ad●e then ●heseus ? yet he a sayler . Who more fickle to Medea then Iason ? yet he a starter , both these daughters to great Princes , both they vnfaythfull of promisses . Is it then lykely that ●uphues will be faithfull to Lucilla béeing in Naples but a soiourner ? I haue not yet forgotten the inuectiue ( I can no otherwise terme it ) which thou madest against beautie , saying it was a deceiptfull bayte with a deadly hooke , & a swéete poyson in a paynted potte . Canst thou then be so vnwise to swallow the bayte which will bréede thy bane ? To swill the drinke that will expire thy date ? To desire the wight that will worke thy death ? But it may bée that with the Scorpion thou canst féede on the earth , or with the Quaile and Roebucke , be fatte with poyson , or with beautie lyue in all brauerie . I feare me thou hast the stone Contineus about thee , which is named of the contrarye , that thoughe thou pretende faithe in thy words , thou deuisest fraude in thy heart , that though thou seeme to prefer loue , thou art inflamed with lust . And what for that ? Though thou haue eaten the séed●s of Rockatte , which breede incontinencie , yet haue I chewed the leafe Cresse which mayteineth modestie . Though thou beare in thy bos●me the hearbe Araxa most noisome to virginitie , yet haue I the stone that groweth in the mounte Tmolus , the vpholder of chastitie . You may gentleman accompte me for a colde Prophet thus hastely to deuine of your disposition , pardon mée Euphues if in loue I cast beyonde the Moone , which bringeth vs women to endlesse moane . Although I my selfe were neuer burnt , whereby I should dread the fire , yet the scorching of others in the flames of fancie , warneth me to beware : Though I as yet neuer tryed any faithles , wherby I should be fearefull , yet haue I read of many that haue bene periured , which causeth me to be carefull : though I am able to conuince none by proofe , yet am I enforced to suspect one vppon probabilyties . Alas we silly soules which haue neyther witte to decypher the wyles of men , nor wisedome to dissemble our affection , neyther crafte to trayne in young louers , neither courage to withstande their encounters , neyther discretion to discerne their dubling , neither hard hearts to rei●ct their complaynts , wée I say are soone enticed , béeing by nature simple , and easily entangled , béeinge apte to receiue the impression of loue . But alas it is both common and lamentable , to beholde simplicitie intrapped by subtilytie , and those that haue most might , to be infected with most mallice . The Spider weaueth a fine webbe to hang the Fly , the Wolfe weareth a faire face to deuoure the Lambe , the Merlin striketh at the Partridge , the Eagle often snappeth at the Fly , men are alwayes laying baytes for women , which are the weaker vessells : but as yet I could neuer heare man by such snares to intrappe man : For true it is that men themseleus haue by vse obserued , that it must be a hard winter , when one Wolfe eateth an other . I haue read that the Bull being tyed to the Figge trée loseth his strength , that the whole heard of Deare stande at the gaze , if they smell a swéete apple , that the Dolphin by the sound of Musicke is brought to the shore . And then no meruaile it is that if the fierce Bull be tamed with the Figge tree , if that women beeing as weake as shéepe , be ouercome with a Figge , if the wilde Deare be caughte with an apple , that the tame Damzell is wonne with a blossome , if the fleete Dolphin be allured with harmony , that women be entangled with the melodie of mens speach , fayre promises and solemne protestations . But follye it were for mée to marke their mischiefes , sith I am neyther able , neyther they willynge to amende their manners , it becommeth mée rather to shew what our sexe should doe , then to open what yours doth . And seeing I cannot by reason restrayne your importunate sute , I will by rigour done on my selfe , cause you to refraine the meanes . I would to God Ferardo were in this poynte lyke to Lysander , which would not suffer his daughters to weare gorgeous apparell , saying it would rather make them common then comely . I would it were in Naples a law which was a custome in Aegypt , that woemen should alwayes go barefoote , to the intent they might kéepe themselues alwayes at home , that they shoulde be euer lyke to the Snaile , which hath euer his house on his head . I meane so to mortifie my selfe that in stead of silkes I will weare sackecloth , for Owches and Bracelettes , Léere and Caddys , for the Lute , vse the Distaffe , for the Penne , the Néedle , for louers Sonettes , Dauids Psalmes . But yet I am not so senceles altogether to reiect your seruice : which if I were certeinly assured to procéed of a simple minde , it shold not receiue so simple a reward . And what greater triall can I haue of thy simplicitie & truth , them thine owne requeste which desireth a triall . I , but in the coldest flinte there is hotte fire , the Bée that hath ho●●y in hir mouth , hath a sting in hir tayle , the trée that beareth the swéetest fruite , hath a sower sappe , yea the wordes of men , though they séeme smoothe as oyle , yet their heartes are as crooked as the stalke of Iuie . I woulde not Euphues that thou shouldest condemne me of rigour , in that I séeke to asswage thy follye by reason , but take this by the way that although as yet I am disposed to lyke of none , yet whensoeuer I shall loue any I will not forget thée , in the meane season accompt me thy friend , for thy foe I will neuer be .

Euphues was brought into a greate quandarie and as it were a colde shiuering , to heare this newe kinde of kindenesse , such swéete meate , such sower sauce , such faire wordes , such faint promises , such hotte loue , such colde desire , such certayne hope , such sodaine chaunge , and stoode lyke one that had looked on Medusaes heade , and so had bene tourned into a stone .

Lucilla séeing him in this pitifull plight and fearing he would take stande if the lure were not cast out , toke him by the hand and wringing him softely with a smiling countenaunce began thus to comfort him .

Mée thinkes Euphues chaungeing so your couloure vpon the sodaine , you will soone chaunge your coppie , is your minde on your meat ? a penny for your thought .

Mistresse ( quod he ) if you would buy all my thoughts at that price , I shoulde neuer be wearye of thinking . but séeinge it is too déere , reade it , and take it for nothing .

It séemes to me ( sayd she ) that you are in some browne study , what coulours you mighte best weare for your Ladye .

In déede Lucilla you leuell shrewdly at my thought , by the ayme of your owne imagination , for you haue giuen vnto me a true loues knotte wrought of chaungeable silke , and you déeme mée that I am deuisinge howe I mighte haue my coulours chaungeable also , that they mighte agrée : But lette this with such toyes and deuises passe , if it please you to commaund me any seruice , I am héere ready to attende your leasure . No seruice Euphues , but that you kéepe silence vntill I haue vttered my minde : and secrecie when I haue vnfolded my meaning .

If I should offende in the one I were to bold , if in the other too beastly .

Well then Euphues ( sayd shée ) so it is that for the hope that I conceiue of thy loyaltie and the happy successe that is lyke to ensue of this our loue , I am content to yeelde thée the place in my heart which thou desirest and deseruest aboue all other : which consent in me if it may any wayes bréede thy contentation , sure I am that it will euery way worke my comforte . But as eyther thou tenderest mine honour or thine owne safetie , vse such secrecie in this matter that my father haue no incklyng héereoff , before I haue framed his minde fitte for our purpose . And though women haue small force to ouercome men by reason , yet haue they good Fortune to vndermine them by pollycie . The softe droppes of raine pearce the hard Marble , many strokes ouerthrow the tallest Oke , a silly woman in time may make such a breach into a mans hearte as hir teares may enter without resistaunce , then doubt not but I will so vndermine mine olde father , as quickly I will enioy my new friend . Tush Philautus was liked for fashion sake , but neuer loued for fancie sake , & this I vow by the fayth of a Uirgin and by the loue I beare thée ( for greater bands to confirme my vowe I haue not ) that my father shall sooner martir me in the fire then marry me to Philautus . No no Euphues thou onely hast wonne me by loue , and shalt only weare me by law , I force not Philautus his fury , so I may haue Euphues his friendship , neither will I prefer his possessions before thy person , neyther estéeme better of his lands then of thy loue . Ferardo shall sooner disherite me of my patrimony , then dishonour me in breaking my promise it is not his great mannors , but thy good manners , that shall make my marriage . In token of which my sincere affection , I giue thée my hande in pawne and my heart for euer to be thy Lucilla .

Unto whome Euphues aunswered on this manner .

If my tongue were able to vtter the ioyes that my heart hath conceiued , I feare me though I be wel beloued , yet I shoulde hardlye bée beléeued . Ah my Lucilla howe much am I bounde to thée , whiche preferrest mine vnworthinesse before thy Fathers wrath , my happinesse before thine owne misfortune , my loue before thine owne lyfe ? howe might I excell thée in courtesie , whome no mortall creature can excéede in constancie ? I finde it nowe for a setled truth , which earst I accompted for a vaine talke , that the Purple dye will neuer staine , that the pure Cyuet will neuer loose his sauour , that the greene Laurell will neuer chaunge his coulour , that beautie can neuer bée blotted with discourtesie : As touching secrecie in this behalfe , assure thy selfe , that I wyll not so much as tell it to my selfe . Commaund Euphues to runne , to ride , to vndertake any exploite be it neuer so daungerous , to hazarde himselfe in any enterprise , be it neuer so desperate : As they were thus pleasauntly conferring the one with the other , Liuia ( whom Euphues made his stale ) entered into the parlor , vnto whom Lucilla spake in these termes .

Dost thou not laugh Liuia to sée my ghostly father kéepe me héere so long at shrift ? Truely ( aunswered Liuia ) me thinckes that you smile at some pleasaunt shift , either hée is slow in enquiring of your faultes , or you slack in aunswering of his questions , and thus being supper time they al sat downe , Lucilla wel pleased , no man better content then Euphues , who after hys repast hauing no apportunitie to conferre wyth his louer , had small lust to continue with the gentlewoman any longer , séeinge therefore hée coulde frame no meanes to woorke his delight , hée coyned an excuse to hasten his departure , promisinge the next morninge to trouble them againe as a guest more bolde then welcome , although in deed he thought himselfe to bee the better welcome in saying that hée would come .

But as Ferardo went in poste , so hée retourned in haste , hauinge concluded wyth Philautus , that the marriage shoulde immediatly bée consummated which wrought such a content in Philautus that he was almost in an extasie through the extremitie of hys passions : such is the fulnesse and force of pleasure , that there is nothinge so daungerous as the fruityon , yet knowinge that delayes bringe daungers , althoughe hée nothinge doubted of Lucilla , whome hée loued , yet feared hée the ficklenesse of olde men , which is alwayes to bée mistrusted . He vrged therefore Ferardo to breake wyth his daughter who béeinge willinge to haue the match made , was content incontiuently to procure the meanes : findinge therefore his daughter at leasure , and hauing knowledge of hir former loue , spake to hir as followeth .

Deere daughter , as thou hast longe tyme lyued a mayden , so nowe thou must learne to bée a Mother , and as I haue bene carefull to bringe thée vpp a virgin , so am I nowe desirous to make thée a wyfe . Neyther ought I in this matter to vse any perswasions , for the maydens commonly now a daies are no sooner borne , but they begin to bride it : neither to offer any greate portions for that thou knowest thou shalt inherite all my possessions . Mine onely care hath bene heterto to match thée with such an one , as shoulde be of good wealth able to maynteine thée , of great worship able to compare with thee in birth , of honest conditions to deserue thy loue , and an Italian borne to enioye my landes . At the laste I haue founde one aunswerable to my desire , a gentleman of great reuenewes , of a noble progeuie , of honest behauiour , of comely personage , borne and brought vp in Naples , Philautus ( thy friende as I gesse ) thy husband Lucilla , if thou lyke it , neither canst thou dislike hym , who wanteth nothing that shoulde cause thy liking , neyther hath any thinge that shoulde breede thy loathing . And surely I reioyce the more , that thou shalt be linked to him in marriage , whome thou hast loued as I heare béeinge a mayden , neither can there any iarres kindle betwéene them , where the mindes be so vnited , neyther any ielowsie arise , where loue hathe so longe bene setled . Therefore Lucilla to the ende the desire of either of you may now be accomplished , to the delight of you both , I am here come to finishe the contract by giuinge handes , whiche you haue alredy begun betwéen your selues by ioyning of hearts , that as God doth witnesse the one in your consciences , so the worlde maye testi●ie the other by your conuersations , and therefore Lucilla make such aunswere to my request , as maye like me and satis●ie thy friende .

Lucilla abashed with this sodeine speach of hir father , yet boldened by the loue of hir friend , with a comly bashfulnesse aunswered him in this manner .

Reuerend Sir , the swéetnesse that I haue found in the vndefiled estate of virginitie , causeth me to loath the sower sauce which is mixed with matrimony , and the quiet life which I haue tried being a maiden , maketh me to shun the cares that are alwaies incident to a mother , neither am I so wedded to the worlde that I should be moued wyth greate possessions , neyther so bewitched with wantonnesse , that I should bee entised with any mans proportion , neither if I were so dysposed woulde I bée so proude to desire one of noble progenie , or so precise to choose one onely in myne owne countrey , for that commonlye these thinges happen alwayes to the contrarie . Doe wée not sée the noble to matche wyth the base , the rich with the poore , the Italian oftentimes with the Portingale ? As loue knoweth no lawes , so it regardeth no conditions , as the louer maketh no pawse where hée liketh , so hee maketh no conscience of these idle ceremonies . In that Philautus is the man that threateneth suche kindenesse at my handes , and such courtesie at yours , that hée shoulde accompte mée his wyfe before hée woe mée , certeinely hée is lyke for mée to make hys reckoninge twise , bicause hée reconeth without hys hostesse . And in this Philautus woulde eyther shew himselfe of greate wisdome to perswade , or mée of great lightnesse to be allured : although the loadstone drawe yron , yet it cannot moue golde , thoughe the Iette gather vp the light strawe , yet can it not take vp the pure stéele . Althoughe Philautus thincke himselfe of vertue sufficient to winne his louer , yet shall hée not obtaine Lucilla . I cannot but smile to heare , that a marriage should bée solemnized , where neuer was any mention of assuringe , and that the woeing should bée a day after the weddinge . Certes if when I looked merilye on Philautus , hée déemed it in the waye of marriage , or if séeinge mée dispose to ieste , hée tooke mée in good earnest , then sure hée might gather some presumption of my loue , but no promise : But mée thincks it is good reason , that I ●houlde be at mine owne brydeall , and not gyuen in the Church , before I know the Bridegrome . Therefore déere Father in mine opinion as there can bée no bargaine , where both be not agréede , neither any Indentures sealed , where the one will not consent , so can there be no contract where both be not content , no banes asked lawfully where one of the parties forbiddeth them , no marriage made where no match was ment : But I will hereafter frame my selfe to be coy , séeing I am claimed for a wife bicause I haue bene courteous , and giue my selfe to melancholy , seing I am accompted wonne in that I haue bene merrie : And if euery gentleman be made of the mettall that Philautus is , then I feare I shall be challenged of as many as I haue vsed to company with , and bée a common wife to all those that haue commonly resorted hether .

My duetie therefore euer reserued , I héere on my knées forsweare Philautus for my husband , althoughe I accept him for my friende , and séeing I shall hardly bée induced euer to match with any , I beséeche you if by your Fatherly loue , I shall bée compelled , that I may match wyth such a one , as both I may loue , and you may like .

Ferardo béeing a graue and wise Gentleman , although he were throughly angry , yet he dissembled his fury , to the ende he might by craft discouer hir fancie , and whispering Philautus in the eare ( who stood as though he had a Flea in his eare ) desired him to kéepe silence , vntil he had vndermined hir by subtiltie , which Philautus hauing graunted , Ferardo began to sift his daughter with this deuice .

Lucilla thy coulour sheweth thée to be in a greate choler , and thy hot woords bewray thy heauy wrath , but bée patient , séeinge all my talke was onelye to trye thée , I am neyther so vnnaturall to wreaste thee against thine owne will , neyther so malytious to wedde thée to any , agaynste thine owne likinge : for well I knowe what iarres , what ielousie , what s●riefe , what stormes ensue , where the matche is made rather by the compulsion of the parents , then by consent of the parties , neyther doe I like thée the lesse , in that thou lykest Philautus so little , neyther can Philautus loue thée the worse , in that thou louest thy selfe so well , wishinge rather to stande to thy chaunce , then to the choyse of any other . But this gryueth mée most , that thou art almost vowed to the vayne order of the vestall virgins , despisinge , or at the least not desiring the sacred bandes of Iuno hir bedde . If thy Mother had bene of that minde when shée was a mayden , thou haddest not nowe bene borne to bée of this minde to bée a virginne : Waye wyth thy selfe what slender profile they bring to the common wealth , what sleight pleasure to themselues , what greate griefe to theire parentes which ioye most in their ofspringe and desire , moste to enioye the noble and blessed name of a graundfather .

Thou knowest that the tallest Ashe is cut downe for fuell , bycause it beareth no good fruite , that the Cowe that gyues no mylke is brought to the slaughter , that the Drone that gathereth no honny is contemned , that the woman that maketh hyr selfe barren by not marryinge , is accompted amonge the Grecian Ladyes worse then a carryon , as Homere reporteth . Therefore Lucilla if thou haue any care to bee a comforte to mye hoarye haires , or a commodity● to thy common weale , frame thy selfe to that honourable estate of matrimonye , whiche was sanctified in Paradise , allowed of the Patriarches , hallowed of the olde Prophetes , and commended of all persons . If thou lyke any , bée not ashamed to tell it mée , whiche onely am to exhorte thée , yea , and as much as in mee lyeth to commaunde thée , to loue one : If hée bée base thy bloude wyll make hym noble , if beggerlye thy goodes shall make hym wealthy , if a straunger thy fréedome may enfraunchise hym : if hée bée younge he is the more fitter to be thy pheare , if he be olde the lyker to thine aged Father . For I had rather thou shouldest leade a lyfe to thine owne lykeinge in earthe , then to thy greate tormentes leade Apes in Hell. Be bolde therefore to make me partner of thy desire , whiche will be partaker of thy dysease , yea , and a furtherer of thy delights , as farre as either my friendes , or my landes , or my life will stretch .

Lucilla perceiuinge the drifte of the olde Foxe hir Father , wayed with hir selfe what was beste to be done , at the laste not wayinge hir Fathers yll wyll , but encouraged by loue , shaped hym an aunswere whiche pleased Ferardo but ● little , and pinched Philautus on the parsons side on thys manner .

¶ Déere Father Ferardo , althoughe I sée the bayte you laye to catche me , yet I am content to swallowe the hooke , neyther are you more desirous to take me nappinge , then I willinge to confesse my meaninge . So it is that loue hath as well inueigled me as others , which make it as straunge as I. Neyther doe I loue hym so meanely that I should be ashamed of his name , neyther is hys personage so meane that I shoulde loue hym shamefullye : It is Euphues that lately arryued heere at Naples , that hath battered the bulwarke of my breste , and shall shortly enter as conquerour into my bosome : What his wealth is I neither know it nor waye it● what his wit is all Naples doth knowe it , and wonder at it , neyther haue I bene curious to enquire of his progenitors , for that I knowe so noble a minde could take no Originall but from a noble man , for as no birde can looke againe the Sunne , but those that bée bredde of the Eagle , neyther any Hawke soare so hie as the broode of the Hobbie , so no wight can haue suche excellent qualities excepte hée descend of a noble race , neyther be of so highe capacitie , vnlesse hée issue of a high progenie . And I hope Philautus wyll not bée my foe , séeinge I haue chosen his déere friende , neither you Father bée displeased in that Philautus is displaced . You néede not muse that I shoulde so sodeinely bée intangled , loue giues no reason of choice , neither will it suffer anye repulse . Mirha was enamoured of hir naturall Father , Biblis of hir brother , Phaedra of hir sonne in lawe : If nature can no way resist the fury of affection , howe should it be stayed by wisdome ?

Ferardo interrupting hir in the middle of hyr discourse , although he were moued with inward grudge , yet he wisely repressed his anger , knowing that sharpe wordes would but sharpen hir froward wil , and thus answered hir briefly .

Lucilla , as I am not presently to graunt my good will , so meane I not to reprehende thy choyce , yet wisdome wylleth mee to pawse , vntill I haue called what maye happen to my remembraunce , and warneth thee to bée circumspecte , leaste thy rashe conceyte bringe a sharpe repentaunce . As for you Philautus I woulde not haue you dispaire séeinge a woman dothe oftentimes chaunge hir desire . Unto whome Philautus in fewe woordes made aunswere .

Certeinely Ferardo I take the lesse griefe in that I sée hir so greedy after Euphues , and by so much the more I am content to leaue my sute , by how much the more she séemeth to disdayne my seruice , but as for hope bicause I woulde not by any meanes tast one dramme thereoff , I will abiure all places of hir abode and loath hir company , whose countenaunce I haue so much loued , as for Euphues , and there staying his speache , hée flange out of the dores and repairing to his lodginge vttered these words .

Ah most dissembling wretch Euphues , O counterfayte companion , couldest thou vnder the shewe of a stedfast friende cloake the mallice of a mortall foe ? vnder the coulour of simplicitie , shrowd the Image of deceit ? Is thy Liuia tourned to my Lucilla , thy loue to my louer , thy deuotion to my Sainct ? Is this the curtesie of Athens , the cauillyng of schollers , the craft of Grecians ? Couldest thou not remember Philautus that Greece is neuer without some wily Vlisses , neuer void of some Synon , neuer to séeke of some deceitfull shifter ? Is it not commonly saide of Grecians that crafte commeth to them by kinde , that they learne to deceiue in their cradell ? Why then did his pretended curtesie bewitch thée with such credulytie ? shall my good will bée the cause of his ill wil ? bicause I was content to be his friende , thought he mée méete to be made his foole ? I sée now that as the fish Scolopidus in the floud Araris at the waxinge of the Moone is as white as the driuen snow , and at the wayning as blacke as the burnt coale , so Euphues , which at the first encreasing of our familyaritie , was very zealous , is nowe at the last cast become most faythlesse . But why rather exclaime I not agaynst Lucilla , whose wanton lookes caused Euphues to vyolate his plyghted fayth ? Ah wretched wenche canst thou b● so lyght of loue , as to chaunge with euery winde ? so vnconstant as to preserre a new louer before thine olde friende ? Ah well I wotte that a newe broome sweepeth cleane , and a new garment maketh thée leaue off the olde thoughe it be fitter , and newe wine causeth thée to forsake the olde though it be better , much lyke to the men in the Ilande Scyrum , which pull vpp the olde tree when they se the young beginne to spring , and not vnlike vnto the widow of Lesbos , which changed all hir olde golde for new glasse , haue I serued thée thrée yeares faithfully , and am I serued so vnkindely ? shall the fruite of my desire be tourned to disdayne ? But vnlesse Euphues had inueigled thée thou haddest yet bene constant , yea but if Euphues had not séene thée willyng to be wonne , he would neuer haue woed thée , but had not Euphues enticed thée with faire wordes , thou wouldest neuer haue loued him , but haddest thou not giuen him faire lookes , he would neuer haue lyked thée : I , but Euphues gaue the onset , I , but Lucilla gaue the occasion , I , but Euphues first brake his minde , I , but Lncilla first bewrayed hir meaning . Tush why go I about to excuse any of them , séeing I haue iuste cause to accuse them both ? Neyther ought I to dispute which of them hath proffered me the greatest villanye , sith that eyther of them hath committed periurie . Yet although they haue founde me dull in perceiuing theire falshood , they shall not finde me slacke in reuenging their folly . As for Lucilla séeing I meane altogether to forgette hir , I meane also to forgiue hir , least in séeking meanes to be reuenged , mine olde desire be renewed . Philautus hauing thus discoursed with himselfe , began to write to Euphues as followeth .

ALthoughe hetherto Euphues I haue shrined thée in my heart for a trustie friende , I will shunne thée héeraf●er as a trothles foe , and although I cannot sée in thee lesse witte then I was w●nt , y●t doe I finde lesse honestie , I perceiue at the last ( although béeing deceiued it be to late ) that Muske although it be swéet in the smell , is sower in the smacke , that the leafe of the Cedar trée though it be faire to be séene , yet the siroppe depriueth sight , that friendshippe though it be plighted by shaking the hande , yet it is shaken off by fraude of the hearte . But thou hast not much to boaste off , ●or as thou hast wonne a fickle Lady , so hast thou lost a faythfull friende . How canst thou be secure of hir constancie when thou hast had such tryall of hir lyghtenesse ?

Howe canst thou assure thy selfe that she will be faithfull to thée , which hath bene faithlesse to mee ? Ah Euphues , let not my credulytie be an occasion héereafter for thée to practise the lyke crueltie . Remember this that yet ther hath neuer bene any faithles to his friend , that hath not also bene fruitelesse to his God . But I waye this trechery the lesse , in that it commeth from a Grecian in whome is no trothe . Thoughe I be to weake to wrastle for a reuenge , yet God who permitteth no guyle to be guyltlesse , will shortely requite this iniury , thoughe Philautus haue no pollycie to vndermine thée , yet thine owne practises will be sufficient to ouerthrow thée .

Couldest thou Euphues for the loue of a fruitelesse pleasure , vyolate the league of faythfull friendeshippe ? Diddest thou waye more the entising lookes of a lewd wenche , then the entyre loue of a loyall friende ? If thou diddest determine with thy selfe at the firste to be false , why diddest thou sweare to bée true ? If to bée true , why arte thou false ? If thou wast mynded both falselye and forgedlye to deceiue mée , why diddest thou flatter and dissemble with mée at the firste ? If to loue me , why doest thou flinche at the last ? If the sacred bands of amitie did d●lyght thée , why didd●st thou breake them ? if dislyke thée , why diddest thou prayse them ? Dost thou not know that a perfect fri●nde should be lyke the Glazeworme , which shineth m●st bright in the darke ? or lyke the pure Franck●nc●ns● which smelleth most swéete when it is in the 〈◊〉 ? or at the leaste not vnlyke to the Damaske Rose which is sweeter in the still then on the stalke ? But thou Euphues , dost rather resemble the Swallow which in the Summer créepeth vnder the eues of euery house , and in the Winter leaueth nothing but durte behinde hir , or the humble Bee which hauing sucked honny out of the faire flower doth leaue it & loath it , or the Spider which in the finest webbe doth hang the fairest Fly. Dost thou thinke Euphues that thy crafte in betraying me , shall any whit coole my courage in reuenging thy villany ? or that a Gentleman of Naples will put vpp such an iniury at the hands of a Scholler ? And if I doe , it is not for want of strengthe to maynteyne my iust quarrell , but of will which thinketh scorne to gette so vayne a conquest . I know that Menelaus for his tenne yeares warre endured ten yeares woe , that after all his strife he wan but a Strumpet , that for all his trauails he reduced ( I cannot say reclaymed ) but a straggeler : which was as much in my iudgement , as to striue for a broken glasse which is good for nothing . I wish thée rather Menelaus care , then my selfe his conquest , that thou beeing deluded by Lucilla maist rather know what it is to be deceiued , then I hauinge conquered thée should prooue what it were to bring backe a dissembler . Séeing therefore there can no greater reuenge lyghte vppon thee , then that as thou hast reaped where an other hath sowen , so an other may thresh that which thou hast reaped : I will pray that thou mayst be measured vnto with the lyke measure that thou hast meaten vnto others : that as thou hast thought it no conscience to betray me , so others may déeme it no dishonestie to deceiue thée , that as Lucilla made it a lyght matter to forsweare hir olde friend Philautus , so she may make it a mocke to forsake hir new phéere Euphues . Which if it come to passe as it is lyke by my compasse , then shalt thou see the troubles , & féele the torments which thou hast already thrown into the harts and eyes of others . Thus hoping shortly to sée thée as hopelesse , as my selfe is haplesse , I wish my wish were as effectually ended as it is heartely looked for . And so I leaue thée .

Thine once Philautus .

Philautus dispatching a messenger with this letter spéedely to Euphues , went into the fields to walke ther eyther to digeste his choler or chew vppon his melancholy . But Euphues hauing reade the contents was well content , setting his talke at naughte and aunswering his taunts in these gibing tearmes .

I Remember Philautus how valyauntly Aiax boasted in the feats of armes , yet Vlysses bare away the armour , and it may be that though thou crake of thine own courage , thou mayst easely lose the conquest . Dost thou thinke Euphues such a dastarde that he is not able to withstande thy courage , or such a dullarde that he cannot descry thy crafte . Alas good soule . It fareth with thée as with the Henne , which when the Puttocke hath caught hir Chicken beginneth to cackle : and thou hauing lost thy louer beginnest to prattle . Tush Philautus , I am in this poynt of Euripides his minde , who thinkes it lawfull for the desire of a kingdome to transgresse the bounds of honestie , and for the loue of a Lady to violate and breake the bands of amitie . The friendshippe betweene man and man as it is common so is it of course , betwéene man and woman as it is seldome so is it sincere , the one procéedeth of the similitude of manners , the other of the sinceritio , of the heart : if thou haddest learned the first poynt of hauking thou wouldst haue learned to haue held frst , or the first noat of Deskant thou wouldest haue kept thy sol . fa. to thy selfe .

But thou canst blame me no more of folly in leauing thee to loue Lucilla , then thou mayst reproue him of foolishnesse that hauing a Sparrowe in his hande letteth hir go to catch the Phesaunt , or him of vnskilfulnesse that seeing the Heron , leaueth to leauell his shoot at the Stockedoue , or that woman of coynesse that hauing a deade Rose in hir bosome , throweth it away to gather the fresh Uiolette . Loue knoweth no lawes : Did not Iupiter transforme himselfe into the shape of Amphitrio to imbrace Al●maena ? Into the forme of a Swan to enioye Laeda ? Into a Bull to beguyle ●o ? Into a showre of golde to winne Danae ? Did not Neptune chaunge himselfe into a Heyfer , a Ramme , a Floude , a Dolphin , onelye for the loue of those he lusted after ? Did not Apollo conuerte himselfe into a Shepheard , into a Birde , into a Lyon , for the desire he had to heale hys disease ? If the Gods thoughte no scorne to become beastes , to obtayne their best beloued , shall Euphues be so nyce in chaunging his coppie to gayne his Lady ? No , no , he that cannot dissemble in loue , is not worthy to liue . I am of this minde , that both might and mallice , deceite and treacherie , all periurie , anye impietie may lawfully be committed in loue , which is lawlesse . In that thou arguest Lucilla of lyghtnesse , thy will hangs in the lyghte of thy witte : Dost thou not know that the weake stomacke if it be cloyed with one dyet doth soone surfe● ? That the clownes Garlike cannot ease the cour●iers disease so well as the pure Treacle ? that farre fette and deare bought is good for Ladies ? That Euphues being a more dayntie morsell then Philautus , oughte better to be accepted ? Tush Philautus sette thy heart at rest , for thy happe willeth thée to giue ouer all hope both of my friendship , and hir loue , as ●or reuenge thou arte not so able to lende a blowe as I toward it , neyther more venterous to challenge the combatte , then I valyaunt to aunswer the quarrel . As Lucilla was caught by frawde so shall she be kept by force , and as thou wast too simple to espye my crafte , so I thinke thou wilt be too weake to withstande my c●urage , but if thy reuenge stande onely vppon thy wish , thou shalt neuer lyue to sée my woe , or to haue thy wil , and so farewell .

Euphues

This letter beinge dispatched , Euphues sent it and Philautus read it , who disdayning those proud termes , disdayned also to aunswere them , being ready to ride with Ferardo .

Euphues hauing for a space absented himselfe from the house of Ferardo , bicause he was at home , longed sore to sée Lucilla which now opportunitie offered vnto him , Ferardo being gone agayne to Venice with Philautus , but in his absence one Curio a gentleman of Naples of lyttle wealth and lesse witte haunted Lucilla hir company , & so enchaunted hir , that Euphues was also cast off with Philautus which thing being vnknowne to Euphues , caused him the sooner to make his repaire to the presence of his Lady , whom he finding in hir muses began pleasauntly to salute in this manner .

Mistresse Lucilla , although my long ab●ence might bréede your iust anger , ( for the louers desire nothing so much as of●en méeting ) yet I hope my presence will dissolue y●ur choler ( ●or the louers are soone pleas●d when of their wishes they be fully possessed . ) My absence is the rather to be excused in that your father hath ben alwaies at home , whose frownes séemed to threaten my ill fortune , and my presence at this present the better to bée accepted in that I haue made suche spéedye repayre to your presence .

Unto whom Lucilla aunswered with this glyeke .

Truely Euphues you haue miste the cushion , for I was neyther angrie with your longe absence , neyther am I well pleased at your presence , the one gaue me rather a good hope héereafter neuer to sée you , the other giueth me a greater occasion to abhorre you .

Euphues being nipped on the head , with a pale countenaunce , as though his soule had forsaken his body replyed as followeth .

If this sodayne change Lucilla , procéede of any desert of mine , I am héere not only to aunswere the fact , but also to make amends for my faulte : if of any new motion or minde to forsake your new friend , I am rather to lament your inconstancie then reuenge it , but I hope that such hot loue cannot be so soone colde , neyther such sure faith , be rewarded with so sodeyne forgetfulnesse .

Lucilla not ashamed to confesse hir folly , aunswered him with this f●umpe .

Sir whether your deserts or my desire haue wrought this chaunge , it will boote you lyttle to know , neyther doe I craue amends , neyther feare reuenge , as for feruent loue , you knowe there is no fire so hotte but it is quenched with water , neyther affection so strong but is weakened with reason , let●e this suffice thee that thou know I care not for thée .

In deede ( sayd Euphues ) to know the cause of your alteration would boote me lyttle seeing the effect taketh such force . I haue hearde that women eyther loue entirely or hate deadly , and séeing you haue put me out of doubt of the one , I must needes perswade my selfe of the other . This chaunge will cause Philautus to laugh me to scorne , & double thy lightnesse in ●●●ning so often . Such was the hope that I conceiued of thy constancie , that I spared not i● al places to blaze thy loialtie , but now my rash conceite will proue me a lyer , and thée a light huswife .

Nay ( sayd Lucilla ) nowe shalt not thou laugh Philautus to scorne , séeing you haue both druncke of one cup , in miserie Euphues it is a great comfort to haue a companion . I doubt not , but that you wil both conspire against me to worke some mischiefe , although I nothing feare your mallice , whosoeuer accompteth you a lyar for praising me , may also déeme you a letcher for being enamoured of me , and whosoeuer iudgeth mée light in forsaking of you , may thincke thee as lewde in louing of me , for thou that thoughtest it lawfull to deceiue thy friende , must take no scorne to be deceiued of thy foe .

Then I perceiue Lucilla ( sayd he ) that I was made thy stale , and Philautus thy laughinge stocke , whose friendship ( I must confesse in déede ) I haue refused to obteine thy fauour , and sithens an other hath won that we both haue lost , I am content for my part neyther ought I to be grieued seing thou art fickle .

Certes Euphues ( said Lucilla ) you spend your winde in wast for your welcome is but small , & your chere is like to be lesse , fancie giueth no reason of his chaunge neither wil be controlled for any choice , this is therfore to warne you , that from hencefoorth you neither sollicite this suite neither offer any way your seruice , I haue chosen one ( I must néeds confesse ) neither to be compared to Philautus in wealth , nor to thée in wit , neither in birth to the worst of you both , I thinck God gaue it me for a iust plague , for renouncing Philautus , & choosing thée , and sithens I am an ensample to all women of lightnesse , I am lyke also to be a myrrour to them all of vnhappinesse , which ill lucke I must take by so much the more patiently , by howe much the more I acknowledge my selfe to haue deserued it worthely . Well Lucilla ( aunswered Euphues ) this case bréedeth my sorrowe the more , in that it is so sodeine , and by so much the more I lament it , by howe muche the lesse I looked for it . In that my welcome is so colde and my chéere so simple , it nothing toucheth me , séeinge your furye is so hotte , and my misfortune so greate that I am neither wyllinge to receiue it , nor you to bestowe it , if tract of time , or want of tryall had caused this Metamorphosis my griefe had bene more tollerable , and your fléetinge more excusable , but comming in a moment vndeserued , vnlooked for , vnthoughte off , it encreaseth my sorrowe and thy shame .

Euphues ( quoth shée ) you make a longe haruest for a little corne , and angle for the fishe that is already caught . Curio , yea , Curio , is he that hath my loue at his pleasure , and shall also haue my life at his commaundement , and although you déeme him vnworthy to enioye that which earst you accompted no wight worthy to embrace , yet séeinge I estéeme him more worth then any , he is to be reputed as chiefe . The Wolfe chooseth him for hir make , that hath or doth endure most trauaile for hir sake . Venus was content to take the black Smith with his powlt foot . Cornelia here in Naples disdained not to loue a rude Miller . As for chaunging , did not Helen the pearle of Greece thy countriwoman first take Menelaus , then Theseus , and last of all Paris ? if brute beastes giue vs ensamples that those are most to be lyked , of whome we are best beloued , or if the Princesse of beautye Venus , and hir heyres Helen , and Cornelia , shewe that our affection standeth on our free wyll : then am I rather to bee excused then accused . Therefore good Euphues bée as merrye as you maye bée , for time maye so tourne that once agayne you maye bée .

Nay Lucilla ( sayd he ) my haruest shall cease , séeing others haue reaped my corne , as for anglinge for the fishe that is alreadye caught , that were but méere folly . But in my minde if you bée a fishe you are either an Ele which as soone as one hathe holde of hir taile , will slippe out of his hand , or else a Mynnowe which will be nibbling at euery baite but neuer biting : But what fishe soeuer you bée you haue made both mée and Philautus to swallow a Gudgen . If Curio bée the person , I would neither wishe thée a greater plague , nor him a deadlyer poyson . I for my part thincke him worthy of thée , and thou vnworthy of him , for although hée bée in bodye deformed , in minde foolishe , an innocent borne , a begger by misfortune , yet doth hée deserue a better then thy selfe , whose corrupt manners haue staynde thy heauenly hewe , whose light behauiour hath dimmed the lightes of thy beautie , whose vnconstant mynde hath betrayed the innocencie of so many a Gentleman . And in that you bringe in the example of a beast to confirme your folly , you shewe therein your beastly disposition , which is readie to followe suche beastlinesse . But Venus played false : and what for that ? séeinge hir lightnesse serueth for an example , I woulde wishe thou mightest trye hir punishment for a reward , that béeing openly taken in an yron net al the world might iudge whether thou be fish or flesh , and certes in my minde no angle will holde thee , it must be a net . Cornelia loued a Miller , and thou a miser , can hir folly excuse thy fault ? Helen of Greece my countriewoman borne , but thine by profession , chaunged and rechaunged at hir pleasure I graunte . Shall the lewdenesse of others animate thée in thy lightnesse ? why then dost thou not haunt the stewes bicause Lais frequented them ? why doest thou not loue a Bull séeing Pasiphae loued one ? why art thou not enamoured of thy father knowing that Mirha was so incensed ? these are set down that we viewing their incontinencie , should flye the like impudencie , not follow the like excesse , neither can they excuse thée of any inconstancie . Merrie I will be as I may , but if I may héereafter as thou meanest , I will not , and therefore farewell Lucilla , the most inconstant that euer was nursed in Naples , farewell Naples the most cursed towne in all Italy , and women all farewell .

Euphues hauing thus gyuen hir his last farewell , yet beeing solitary began a fresh to recount his sorrow on this manner .

Ah Euphues into what a quandarie art thou brought ? in what sodeine misfortune art thou wrapped ? it is like to fare with thée as with the Eagle , which dyeth neither for age , nor with sickenesse , but wyth famine , for although thy stomacke hunger yet thy heart will not suffer thée to eate . And why shouldest thou torment thy selfe for one in whome is neyther fayth nor feruencie ? O the counterfaite loue of women . Oh inconstant sex . I haue lost Philautus , I haue lost Lucilla , I haue lost that which I shall hardlye finde againe , a faythfull friende . A foolishe Euphues why diddest thou leaue Athens the nourse of wisdome , to inhabite Naples the nourisher of wantonnesse ? Had it not bene better for thée to haue eaten salt with the Philosophers in Greece , then sugar with the courtiers of Italy ? But behold the course of youth which alwayes inclyneth to pleasure , I forsooke mine olde companions to search for new friends , I reiected the graue and fatherly counsayle of Eubulus , to follow the brainesicke humor of mine owne will . I addicted my selfe wholy to the seruice of women to spende my lyfe in the lappes of Ladyes , my lands in maintenance of brauerie , my witte in the vanities of idle Sonnets . I had thought that women had bene as we men , that is true , faithfull , zealous , constant , but I perceiue they be rather woe vnto men , by their falshood , gelousie , inconstancie . I was halfe perswaded that they were made of the perfection of men , & would be comforters , but now I sée they haue tasted of the infection of the Serpent , and will be corasiues . The Phisition saythe it is daungerous to minister Phisicke vnto the patient that hath a colde stomacke and a hotte lyuer , least in giuing warmth to the one he inflame the other , so verely it is harde to deale with a woman whose wordes séeme feruent , whose heart is congealed into harde yce , least trusting their outwarde talke , he be betraied with their inwarde trechery . I will to Athens ther to tosse my bookes , no more in Naples to lyue with faire lookes . I will so frame my selfe as al youth héereafter shal rather reioice to se mine amendment then be animated to follow my former lyfe . Philosophie , Phisicke , Diuinitie , shal be my studie . O the hidden secrets of Nature , the expresse image of morall vertues , the equall ballaunce of Iustice , the medicines to heale all diseases , how they beginne to delyght me . The Axiomaes of Aristotle , the Maxinis of Iustinian , the Aphorismes of Galen , haue sodaynelye made such a breache into my minde that I séeme onely to desire them which did onely earst detest them . I● , witte be employed in the honest study of learning what thing so pretious as witte ? if in the idle trade of loue what thing more pestilent then witte ? The proofe of late hath bene verefied in me , whome nature hath endued with a lyttle witte , which I haue abused with an obstinate will , most true it is that the thing the better it is the greater is the abuse , and that ther is nothing but through the mallice of man may be abused .

Doth not the fire ( an element so necessarie that without it man cannot lyue ) as well burne the house as burne in the house if it be abused ? Doth not Treacle as wel poyson as helpe if it be taken out of time ? Doth not wine if it be immoderately taken kill the stomacke , enflame the lyuer , murther the droncken ? Doth not Phisicke destroy if it be not well tempred ? Doth not law accuse if it be not ryghtly interpreted ? Doth not diuinitie condemne if it be not faythfully construed ? Is not poyson taken out of the Honnysuckle by the Spider , venime out of the Rose by the Canker , dunge out of the Maple trée by the Scorpion ? Euen so the greatest wickednesse is drawne out of the greatest wit , if it bée abused by will , or entangled with the world , or inueig-with women .

But séeinge I sée mine owne impietie , I wyll endeuoure my selfe to amende all that is paste , and to be a myrrour of godlynes héereafter . The Rose though a lyttle it be eaten with the Canker yet béeing distilled yéeldeth swéete water , the yron thoughe fretted with the ruste yet béeing burnte in the fire shyneth brighter , and witte although it hath bene eaten with the canker of his owne conceite , and fretted with the rust of vaine loue , yet beeinge purified in the still of wisedome , and tryed in the fire of zeale , will shine bright and smell swéete in the nosethrilles of all young nouises .

As therefore I gaue a farewell to Lucilla , a farewell to Naples , a farewell to woemen , so now doe I giue a farewell to the worlde , meaning rather to macerate my selfe with melancholye then pine in follye , rather choosinge to dye in my studye amiddest my bookes , then to courte it in Italy , in the company of Ladyes .

It happened immediatly Ferardo to retourne home , who hearing this straunge euent was not a lyttle amazed , and was nowe more readye to exhorte Lucilla from the loue of Curio , then before to the lykinge of Philautus . Therefore in all haste , with watry● eyes , and a wofull heart , began on this manner to reason with his daughter .

Lucilla ( daughter I am ashamed to call thée , séeing thou hast neyther care of thy fathers tender affection , nor of thine owne credite ) what sprite hath enchaunted thy spirite that euery minute thou alterest thy minde ? I had thought that my hoary haires should haue found comforte by thy golden lockes , and my rotten age greate ease by thy rype yeares . But alas I sée in thée neyther witte to order thy doinges neyther will to frame thy selfe to discretion , neither the nature of a child , neyther the nurture of a mayden , neyther ( I cannot without teares speake it ) any regarde of thine honour , neyther any care of thine honestie .

I am nowe enforced to remember thy mothers deathe , who I thincke was a Prophetesse in hir lyfe , for oftentimes shée woul●e saye that thou haddest more beautie then was conuenient for one that shoulde bée honeste , and more c●ckering then was méete for one that shoulde bée a Matrone .

Woulde I had neuer lyued to bée so olde or thou to bée so obstinate , eyther woulde I had dyed in my youthe in the courte , or thou in thy cradle , I woulde to God that eyther I● had neuer bene borne , or thou neuer bredde . Is this the comfort that the parent reapeth for all his care ? Is obstinacie payed for obedience , stubbernnesse rendred for duetie , mallitious desperatenesse , for filiall feare ? I perceiue now that the wi●e Paynter saw more then the foolish parent can , who paynted loue going downeward , saying it might well descend , but ascende it coulde neuer . Danaus whome they reporte to bée the father of fiftie children , had amonge them all but one that disobeyed him in a thinge most dishonest , but I that am father to one more then I would be although one be all , haue that one most disobedient to me in a request lawfull and reasonable . If Danaus séeing but one of his daughters without awe became himselfe without mercie , what shall Ferardo doe in this case who hath one and all most vnnaturall to him in a most iust cause ? Shall Curio enioy the fruite of my trauailes , possesse the benefite of my labours , enherit the patrimony of mine auncestors , who hath neither wisedome to increase them , nor wit to kéepe them ? wilt thou Lucilla bestow thy self on such an one as hath neither comlines in his body , nor knowledge in his minde , nor credite in his countrey . Oh I would thou haddest eyther bene euer faithfull to Philautus , or neuer faithlesse to Euphues , or would thou wouldest be more fickle to Curio . As thy beautie hath made thée blaze of Italy , so will thy lyghtnes make thée the bye word of the world . O Lucilla , Lucilla , woulde thou wert lesse fayre or more fortunate , eyther of lesse honour or greater honestie ? eyther better minded , or soone buryed . Shall thine olde father lyue to sée thée match with a younge foole ? shall my kinde hearte be rewarded with such vnkinde hate ? Ah Lucilla thou knowest not the care of a father , nor the duetie of a childe , and as farre art thou from pietie , as I from crueltie .

Nature will not permitte me to disherit my daughter , and yet it will suffer thée to dishonour thy father . Affection causeth me to wishe thy life , and shall it entice thée to procure my death ? It is mine onely comfort to sée thée florishe in thy youth , and is it thine , to see me fade in mine age ? to conclude , I desire to liue to sée thee prosper , & thou to sée me perish . But why cast I the effect of this vnnaturalnesse in thy téeth , séeing I my selfe was the cause ? I made thée a wanton and thou hast made mée a foole , I brought thee vpp lyke a cockney , and thou hast handled mee lyke a cockescombe ( I speake it to mine owne shame ) I made more of thée then became a Father , & thou lesse of me then beséemed a childe . And shal my louing care be cause of thy wicked crueltie ? yea , yea , I am not the first that hath bene too carefull , nor the last that shall bée handled so vnkindely , it is common to sée Fathers too fonde , and children to frowarde . Well Lucilla the teares which thou séest trickle downe my ●héekes and the droppes of bloude ( whiche thou canst not see ) that fall from my heart , enforce me to make an ende of my talke , and if thou haue any duetie of a childe , or care of a friende , or courtesie of a straunger , or féelinge of a Christian , or humanitie of a reasonable creature , then release thy Father of gryefe , and acquite thy selfe of vngratefulnesse , otherwyse thou shalte but hasten my deathe , and encrease thine owne defame , which if thou doe the gaine is mine , and the losse thine , and both infinite .

Lucilla eyther so bewitched that shee coulde not relente or so wicked that shée woulde not yelde to hir Fathers request aunswered him on this manner .

Déere Father as you woulde haue mée to shewe the duetie of a childe , so ought you to shewe the care of a parent , and as the one standeth in obedience so the other is grounded vpon reason . You would haue me as I owe duetie to you to leaue Curio , and I desire you as , you owe mée any loue , that you suffer me to enioye him . If you accuse mée of vnnaturalnesse in that I yelde not to your request , I am also to condemne you of vnkindenesse , in that you graunt not my petition . You obiecte I knowe not what to Curio , but it is the eye of the maister that fatteth the horse , and the loue of the woman , that maketh the man . To giue reason for fancie were to weighe the fire , and measure the winde . If therefore my delight bée the ca●se of your death , I thincke my sorrowe would bée an occasion of your solace . And if you be angrye bicause I am pleased , certes I déeme you woulde be content if I were deceased : which if it be so that my pleasure bréede your paine , and mine annoy your ioye , I may well say that you are an vnkinde Father , and I an vnfortunate childe . But good Father either content your selfe wyth my choice , or let me stand to the maine chaunce , otherwise the griefe will be mine , and the fault yours and both vntollerable .

Ferardo séeinge his daughter , to haue neither regarde of hir owne honour nor his request● conceyued such an inwarde gryefe , that in short space hée dyed , leauing Lucilla the onely heire of his landes , and Curio to possesse them , but what ende came of hir , séeing it is nothing incident to the history of Euphues , it were superfluous to insert it , and so incredible that all women would rather wonder at it thou beléeue it , which euent being so straunge , I had rather leaue them in a muse what it should bee , then in a maze in telling what it was .

Philautus hauing intelligence of Euphues his successe , and the falshoode of Lucilla , although he began to reioyce at the miserye of his fellowe , yet séeinge hir ficklenesse coulde not but lamente hir follye , and pittie his friendes misfortune . Thinckinge that the lightnesse of Lucilla enticed Euphues to so great liking .

Euphues and Phila●tus hauing conference betwéene themselues , castinge discourtesie in the téeth each of the other , but chiefly noting disloyaltie in the demeanor of Lucilla , after much talke renewed their olde friendship both abandoning Lucilla as most abhominable . Philautus was earnest to haue Euphues ●arrie in Naples , and Euphues desirous to haue Philautus to Athens , but the one was so addicted to the court , the other so wedded to the vniuersitie , that each refused the offer of the other , yet this they agréed betwéene themselues that though their bodyes were by distaunce of place seuered , yet the coniunction of their mindes shoulde neither bée seperated , by the length of time , nor alienated by chaunge of soyle . I for my parte sayde Euphues to confirme thys league gyue thée my hand and my heart , and so likewise did Philautus , and so shaking handes they bid each other farewell .

Euphues to the intent hée might bridell the ouerlashing affections of Philautus , conuayed into his studye , a certeyne pamphlet which hée termed a coolinge carde for Philautus , yet generallye to be applyed to all louers which I haue inserted as followeth .

¶ A cooling Carde for Philautus and all fond louers .

MUsing with my selfe béeing idle howe I myght be well unployed ( friend Philautus ) I could finde nothing either more fitte to continue our friendshippe , or of greater force to dissolue our follye , then to write a remedy for that which many iudge past cure , for loue ( Philautus ) with that which I haue bene so tormented , that I haue lost my time , thou so troubled that thou hast forgot reason , both so mangled with repulse , inueigled by deceite , and almost murthered by dysdain , that I can neither remember our miseries without griefe , nor redresse our mishaps without groanes . How wantonly , yea , and howe willingly haue wee abused our golden time , and mispent our gotten treasure ? How curious were we to please our Lady , how carelesse to displease our Lord ? How deuoute in seruing our Goddesse , howe desperate , in forgetting our God ? Ah my Philautus if the wasting of our money might not dehort vs , yet the wounding of our mindes should deterre vs , if reason might nothing perswade vs to wisdome , yet shame should prouoke vs to wyt . If Lucilla reade this trifle , she will straight proclaime Euphues for a traytour , and seeing mée tourne my tippet will either shut mee out for a Wrangler , or cast me off for a Wiredrawer : either conuince mee of mallice in bewraying their sleightes , or condemne me of mischiefe in arming younge men against fléetinge minions . And what then ? Though Curio bée as hotte as a toast , yet Euphues is as colde as a clock , though he be a Cocke of the game , yet Euphues is content to bée crauen and crye creeke , though Curio bée olde huddle and twange , ipse , hée , yet Euphues had rather shrinke in the weeting , then wast in the wearing . I knowe Curio to be stéele to the backe , standerd bearer in Venus campe , sworne to the crewe , true to the crowne , knight marshall to Cupid , and heire apparaunt to his kingdome . But by that time that he hath eaten but one bushell of salt wyth Lucilla , he shall taste tenne quarters of sorrow in his loue , then shall he finde for euerye pynte of honnye a gallon of gall , for euerye dramme of pleasure , an ounce of payne , for euery inche of mirth , an ell of moane . And yet Philautus if there be any man in despayre to obtayne his purpose , or so obstinate in his opinion that hauing lost his fredome by folly , would also lose his lyfe for loue , lette him repaire hether , and hée shall reape suche profite , as will eyther quenche his flames or asswage his furye , eyther cause him to renounce his Ladye as most pernicious , or redéeme his lybertie as most pretious . Come therefore to me all ye louers that haue bene deceiued by fancie , the glasse of pestilence , or deluded by woemen the gate to perdition , be as earnest to séeke a medicine , as you wer eager to runne into a mischiefe , the earth bringeth forth as well Endyue to delyght the people , as H●mlocke to endaunger the patient , as well the Rose to distill as the Nettle to sting , as well the Bée to giue honny , as the Spider to yéeld poyson .

If my lewde lyfe Gentlemen haue giuen you offence , lette my good counsayle make amendes , if by my folly any be allu●ed to lust , let them by my repentaunce be drawne to continencie . Achilles speare could as well heale as hurte , the Scorpion though he sting , yet hée stints the paine , though the hearb Nerius poyson the Sheepe , yet is a remedie to man agaynst poyson , though I haue infected some by example , yet I hope I shall comforte many by repentaunce . Whatsoeuer I speake to men , the same also I speke to women , I meane not to runne with the Hare and holde with the Hounde , to carrye fire in the one hande and water in the other , neyther to flatter men as altogether faultlesse , neyther to fall out with woemen as altogether guyltie , for as I am not minded to picke a thancke with the one , so am I not determined to picke a quarrell with the other , if women be not peruerse they shall reape profite , by remedye of pleasure . If Phillis were now to take counsayle , shée would not be so foolish to hang hir selfe , neyther Dido so fonde to dye for Aeneas , neyther Pasiphae so monstrous to loue a Bull , nor Phedra so vnnaturall to be enamoured of hir sonne .

This is therefore to admonish all young Impes and nouises in loue , not to blow the coales of fancie wyth desire , but to quench them with disdayne . When loue tickleth thee decline it lest it sti●fle thée , rather fast then surfette , rather starue then striue to excéede . Though the beginning of loue bring delyght , the ende bringeth destruction . For as the first draught of wine doth comfort the stomacke , the seconde inflame the lyuer , the thirde fume into the heade , so the first sippe of loue is pleasaunt , the seconde perilous , the thirde pestilent . If thou perceiue thy selfe to be entised with their wanton glaunces , or allured with their wicked guyles , eyther enchaunted with their beautie or enamoured with their brauerie , enter with thy selfe into this meditation . What shall I gayne if I obtayne my purpose ? nay rather what shall I loose in winning my pleasure ? If my Lady yeelde to be my louer is it not lykely she will bée an others lemman ? and if she be a modest matrone my labour is lost . This therfore remayneth that eyther I must pine in cares , or perish with curses .

If she be chaste then is she coy , if lyght then is shée impudent , if a graue Matrone , who can woe hir ? if a lewde minion , who woulde wedde hir ? if one of the Uestall Uirgins , they haue vowed virginitie , if one of Venus courte they haue vowed dishonestie . If I loue one that is fayre , it will kindle gelousie , if one that is fowle it will conuerte me into phrensie . If fertile to beare children my care is increased , if barren my curse is augmented . If honest I shall feare hir death , if immodest , I shall be weary of hir lyfe .

To what ende then shall I lyue in loue , séeing alwayes it is a lyfe more to be feared then death ? for all my time wasted in sighes , and worne in sobbes , for all my treasure spente on Iewells , and spilte in iolly●●e , what recompence shall I reape besides repentaunce ? What other rewarde shall I haue then reproch ? What other solace then endles shame ? But happely thou wilt say if I refuse their courtesie I shal be accompted a Mecocke , a Milkesoppe , taunted and retaunted , with check and checkemate , flowted and reflowted with intollerable glée .

Alas fonde foole arte thou so pinned to theire sléeues that thou regardest more their babble then thine owne blisse , more their frumpes then thine own welfare ? Wilt thou resemble the kinde Spaniell , which the more he is beaten the fonder he is , or the foolish Eiesse , which will neuer away ? Dost thou not knowe that woemen déeme none valyaunt , vnlesse he be too venturous ? That they accompte one a bastarde , if he be not desperate , a pinche penny , if he be not prodigall , if silente a sotte , if full of wordes a foole ? Peruersly do they alwayes thinck of their louers , and talke of them scornfully , iudging all to be clownes , which be no courtiers , and all to be pinglers , that be not coursers .

Seing therefore the very blossome of loue is sower , the budde cannot be swéete . In time preuent daunger , least vntimelye thou runne into a thousande perrills . Searche the wounde while it is gréene , to late commeth the salue when the sore fes●ereth , and the medicine bringeth dubble care , when the maladye is past cure .

Beware of delayes . What lesse then the grayne of Mustarde séede , in time almost what thing is greater then the stalke thereoff ? The slender twigge groweth to a stately tree , and that which with the hand might easely haue bene pulled vpp , will hardly with the are be hewen downe . The least sparke , if it bee not quenched will burst into a flame , the least Moth in time rateth the thickest clothe , and I haue reade that in a shorte space , there was a Towne in Spayne vndermi●ed with C●nuyes , in Theslal●● , with Mowles , with Fregges in Fraunce , in Africa with Flyes . If these silly Wormes in tracte of time ouerthrowe so statelye Townes , how much more will loue , which creepeth secretly into the minde , ( as the rust doth into the yron and is not perceiued ) consume the body , yea and consound the soule . Defer not from houre to day , from day to month , from month to yeare , and alwayes remayne in misery .

He that to day is not willyng , will to morrowe bée more wilfull . But alas it is no lesse common then lamentable to beholde the tottering estate of louers , who thinke by delayes to preuente daungers , with oyle to quench fire , with smoke to cleare the eye sight . They slatter themselues with a faynting farewell , deferring euer vntill to morrow , when as their morrow doth alwayes encrese their sorrow . Lette neyther their amyable countenances , neyther their painted protestacions , neyther their deceitfull premises , allure thée to dela●es . Thinke this with thy selfe , that the swéete songes of Calipso , were subtill snares to entice Vlysses , that the Crabbe then catcheth the Oyster , when the Sunne shineth , that Hiena , when she speaketh lyke a man deuiseth most mischiefe , the women when they be most pleasaunt , pretend most trecherie .

Follow Alexander which hearing the commendation and singular comelynesse of the wife of Darius , so couragiously withstood the assaultes of fancie , that hée would not so much as take a viewe of hir beautie : Imitate Cyrus , a king indued with such continencie , that he loathed to looke on the heauenly hewe of Panthea , and when Araspus tolde him that she excelled all mortall wightes in amiable shewe , by so much the more ( sayde Cyrus ) I ought to absteine from hir sight , for if I follow thy counsayle in going to hir , it maye bee , I shall desire to continue with hir , and by my lyght affection , neglect my serious affaires . Learne of Romulus to refraine from wine , be it neuer so delicate , of Agesilaus to despise costly apparell , be it neuer so curious , of Diogenes to detest women bee they neuer so comely . Hée that toucheth pitche shall be defiled , the sore eye infecteth the sounde , the societie with women breedeth securitie in the soule , and maketh all the sences sencelesse . Moreouer take this counsaile , as an article of thy Créede , which I meane to follow as the chiefe argument of my faith , that idlenes is the onely nourse and nourisher of sensual appetite , the sole maintenance of youthfull affection , the first shaft that Cupide shooteth into the hot liuer of a héedlesse louer . I woulde to God I were not able to finde this for a truth , by mine owne tryall , & I would the example of others idlenesse had caused me rather to auoid the fault , then experience of mine owne folly . Howe dissolute haue I bene in striuing against good counsayle , howe resolute in standing in mine owne conceite ? howe forwarde to wickednesse , howe frowarde to wisedome , howe wanton with too much cockeringe , howe waywarde in hearing correction ? Neyther was I much vnlike these Abbate lubbers in my lyfe ( though farre vnlike them in beliefe ) which laboured till they were colde , eat til they sweate , and lay in bed till their boanes aked . Héereof commeth it gentlemen , that loue creepeth into the minde by priuie crafte , and kéepeth his holde by maine courage .

The man béeing idle the minde is apte to all vncleanenesse , the minde being voide of exercise the man is voide of honestie . Doth not the rust fret the hardest yron if it bee not vsed ? Doth not the Moath eate the finest garment , if it bée not worne ? Doth not Mosse growe on the smothest stone if it be not stirred ? Doth not impietie infect the wisest wit , if it be giuen to idlenesse ? Is not the standinge water sooner frosen then the running streame ? Is not he that sitteth more subiect to sleepe then he that walketh ? Doth not common experience make this common vnto vs , that the fattest grounde bringeth foorth nothing but wéedes if it be not well tilled ? That the sharpest wit enclineth onely to wickednesse , if bée not exercised ? Is it not true which Seneca reporteth , that as to much bendinge breaketh the bowe , so to much remission spoyleth the minde ? Besides this immoderate sleepe , immodest play , vnsatiable swilling of wine , doth so weaken the sences , and bewitch the soule , that before we feele the motion of loue , wée are resolued into lust . Eschewe idlenesse my Philautus , so shalt thou easily vnbende the bowe and quenche the brandes of Cupide . Loue giues place to laboure , laboure and thou shalt neuer loue . Cupide is a cr●ftie childe following those a●●an ynche that studye pleasure , and flyinge those swyftlye that take paines . Bende thy minde to the lawe whereby thou mayst haue vnderstanding of olde and auncient customes , defende thy clientes , enriche thy cofers , and carry credite in thy Countrey . If lawe séeme loathsome vnto thée , searche the secretes of phisicke , whereby thou maist know the hidden natures of hearbes , whereby thou maiste gather profite to thy purse , and pleasure to thy minde . What can be more exquisite in humaine affaires then for euery feuer bée it neuer so hot , for euery palsey be it neuer so colde , for euery infection be it neuer so straunge , to giue a remedy ? The olde verse standeth as yet in his olde vertue : That Galen gyueth goods , Iustinian honors . If thou bee so nice that thou canst no waye brooke the practise of Phisicke , or so vnwise that thou wilt not beate thy braynes about the institutes of the lawe , conferre all thy study all thy time , all thy treasure to the attayning of the sacred and sincere knowledge of diuinitie , by this maist thou bridle thine incontinencie , raine thine affections , res●rayne thy lust . Héere shalt thou beholde as it were in a glasse , that all the glorye of man is as the grasse , that all thinges vnder heauen are but vaine , that our lyfe is but a shadowe , a warfare , a pilgrimage , a vapor , a bubble , a blast , of such shortnesse that Dauid sayth it is but a spanne longe , of such sharpenesse , that Iob noteth it replenished with all miseries , of suche vncerteintie , that we are no sooner borne , but wée are subiecte to death , the one foote no sooner on the grounde , but the other ready to slippe into the graue . Heere shalt thou finde ease for thy burden of sinne , comforte for the conscience pined wyth vanitie , mercy for thine offences by the martirdome of thy swéete Sauiour . By this thou shalt be able to instruct those that be weake , to confute those that bée obstinate , to confounde those that be erronious , to confirme the faythfull , to comfort the desperate , to cutte off the presumptious , to saue thine owne soule by thy sure faith , and edifie the hearts of many by thy sound doctrine . If this séeme to straight a dyet for thy straininge disease , or to holy a profession , for so hollow a person , then employ thy selfe to martial feats , to iusts , to turnayes , yea , to al torments rather then to loiter in loue , & spend thy life in the laps of Ladyes : what more monstrous can there be , then to sée a younge man abuse those giftes to his owne shame which God hath giuen him for his owne preferment . What greater in●amye , then to conferre the sharpe wit to the making of lewde Sonnets , to the idolatrous worshipping of their Ladies , to the vaine delights of fancie , to all kinde of vice as it were against kinde & course of nature . Is it not folly to shewe wit to women which are neither able nor willinge to receyue fruite thereoff . Doest thou not knowe that the tree Siluacenda beareth no fruite in Pharo ? That the Persian trees in Rhodes doe onely waxe greene , but neuer bringe foorth apple .

That Amonius , and Nardus will onely growe in India . Balsamum onely in Syria , that in Rhodes no Eagle will builde hir neast , no Owle liue in Crete , no wit springe in the will of women ? Mortif●e therefore thy affections , and force not Nature against Nature to striue in vaine . Goe into the countrey looke to thy grounds , yoke thine Oxen , follow thy Plough , graft thy trees , beholde thy Cattel , and deuise with thy selfe how the encrease of them may encrease thy profite . In Autumne pull thine apples , in Sommer ply thy haruest , in the Springe trimme thy gardens , in the Winter , thy woodes , and thus beginninge to delight to be a good husband● thou shalt begin to detest to be in loue with an idle huswife , when profite shall begin to fill thy purse with golde , then pleasure shall haue no force to defile thy minde wyth loue . For honest recreation after thy toyle , vse hunting or haukeing , either rowse the Deere , or vnperch the Phesaunt , so shalt thou roote out the remembraunce of thy former loue , and repent thée of thy foolishe lust . And although thy sweete heart binde thee by othe alwaye to holde a candle at hir shrine , & to offer thy deuotyon to thine owne destruction , yet goe , runne , flye , into the countrey , neither water thou thy plantes , in that thou departest from thy Pigges nye , neyther stand in a mammering whether it be best to departe or not , but by how much the more thou arte vnwillyng to go , by so much the more hasten thy steppes , neyther fayne for thy selfe any sleeuelesse excuse whereby thou mayste tarry . Neyther lette rayne nor thunder , neyther lyghtening nor tempest , stay thy iourney and recken not with thy selfe how many myles thou hast gone , that sheweth wearinesse● but how many thou hast to go , that proueth manlynesse . But foolysh & franticke louers , wyll déeme my precepts hard , and estéeme my perswasions haggarde : I must of force confes , that it is a corasiue to the stomacke of a louer , but a comforte to a godly lyuer , to runne through a thousande pykes , to escape ten thousand perills . Sowre potions bringe sounde health , sharpe purgations make shorte diseases , and the medicine the more bitter it is , the more better it is in working . To heale the body we trye Phisicke , search cunninge , proue sorcery● venture through fire and water , leauing nothing vnsought , that may be gotten ●or money , bée it neuer so much , or procured by any meanes , bée they neuer so vnlawfull . Howe much more ought wée to hazarde all thinges , for the sauegarde of minde , and quiet of conscience ? And certes easier will the remedy bée when the reason is espyed , doe you not know the Nature of women which is grounded onely vpon extremities ?

Do they thinke any man to delyght in them , vnles he doate on them ? Any to be zealous , excepte they bee gelous ? Any to be feruente in case he be not furious ? If he be cleanly , then terme they him proude , if meane in apparel , a slouen , if talle , a long is , if shorte a dwarfe , if bolde , blunte , if shamefaste , a cowarde . Insomuch , as they haue neyther meane in theire frumpes , nor measure in theire follye . But at the firste the Oxe weildeth not the yoke nor the Colte the snaffle , nor the louer good counsell , yet time causeth the one to bende his necke , the other to open his mouth , and shoulde enforce the thir●e to yeelde his ryght to reason . Laye before thine eyes the slights and deceits of thy Lady , hir snatching in iest , and kéeping in earnest , hir periurie , hir impietie , the countenaunce she sheweth to thee of course , the loue she beareth to others of zeale , hir open mallice , hir dissembled mischiefe .

O I woulde in repeating their vices thou couldest be as eloquent , as in remembring them thou oughtest to be penitent : be she neuer so comely call hir counterfaite , be she neuer so strayght thinke hir crooked . And wreste all partes of hir bodye to the worste be she neuer so worthye . If she be well sette , then call hir a Bosse , if slender , a Hasill twigge , if Nutbrowne , as blacke as a coale , if well couloured , a paynted wall , if she be pleasaunt , then is she a wanton , if sullemne , a clowne , if honeste , then is she coye , if impudent , a harlotte .

Searche euery vayne and sinew of their disposition , if she haue no sighte in deskante , desire hir to chaunte it , if no cunning to daunce request hir to trippe it , if no skill in Musicke , profer hir the Lute , if an ill gate , then walke with hir , if rude in speach , talke with hir , if she be gagge toothed , tell hir some merry ieste to make hir laughe , if pinke eyed , some dolefull Historye , to cause hir weepe , in the one hir grinning will shewe hir deformed , in the other hir whininge , lyke a Pigge halfe rosted .

It is a worlde to see how commonly we are blynded , with the collusions of woemen and more entised by their ornaments being artificiall , then their proportion beeing naturall . I loathe almoste to thincke on their oyntments , and Apoticarie drugges , the sléeking of theire faces , and all their slibbersawces , which bring quasinesss to the stomacke , and disquyet , to the minde .

Take from them , their periwiggs , their payntings , their Iewells , their rowles , their boulsterings , and thou shalt soone perceiue that a woman is the least parte of hir selfe . When they be once robbed of their robes , then will they appeare so odious , so vgly , so monstrous , that thou wilt rather thinke than Serpents then Saynts , & so lyke Hags , that thou wilt feare rather to be enchanted then enamoured . Looke in their closets , and there shalt thou finde an Apoticaries shoppe of swéet confections , a Surgions boxe os sundrye salues , a Pedlars packe of new fangles . Besides all this their shadows , their spottes , their lawnes , their leesekyes , their ruffes , their rings : Shew them rather Cardinals curtisans , then modest Matrones , and more carnally affected , then moued in conscience . If euery one of these things seuerally be not of force to moue thée , yet all of them ioyntly should mortefie thée .

Moreouer to make thée the more stronger , to striue agaynst these Syrenes , and more subtill to deceiue these tame Serpents , my counsayle is that thou haue more strings to thy bow then one , it is safe riding at two ancres , a fire deuided in twayne burneth slower , a fountayne running into many riuers , is of lesse force , the minde enamoured on two women , is lesse affected with desire , and lesse infected with despaire , one loue expelleth an other , and the remembraunce of the latter quencheth the concupiscence of the first .

Yet if thou bee so weake being bewitched with their wiles that thou hast neyther will to eschue , nor wit to auoyde their company , if thou be eyther so wicked that thou wilt not , or so wedded that thou canst not abstaine from their glaunces , yet at the leaste dissemble thy griefe : If thou be as hot as the mount Aetna , faine thy self as col●e as the hil Caucasus , carry two faces in one hood , couer thy ●laming fancie with fained ashes , shew thy selfe sounde when thou art rotten , lette thy hew be merrye , when thy heart is melancholy , beare a pleasaunt countenaunce , with a pyned conscience , a paynted sheathe wi●h a leaden dagger : Thus dissembling thy griefe , thou maist recure t●y disease . Loue crepeth in by stealth and by stealth ●lydeth away .

If she breake promise with thée in the nighte , or absent hir selfe in the daye , seeme thou carelesse and then will she be carefull , if thou languish , then will she bée lauish of hir honour , yea & of the other straunge beast hir honestie . Stande thou on thy pan●ussles , and shée will vayle bonnet ? lye thou aloofe , and she will ceaze on the lure , if thou passe by hir dore and be called backe , either seeme deafe and not to heare , or desperate , and not to care . Fly the places , the parl●urs , the portalles , wherein thou hast bene conuersaunt with thy Lady , yea Philautus shunne the streete where Lucilla doth dwell ? least the sighte of hir window , renew the summe of thy sorrow .

Yet although I woulde haue thée precise , in kéeping these precepts , yet woulde I haue thee to auoyde sollytarinesse , that bréedes melancholy , melancholy , madnesse , madnesse mischiefe and vtter desolation : haue euer some faithfull pheere , with whome thou mayst communicate thy councells , s●me Pilades to encourage Orestes , some Damon to release Pithias , some Scipio to recure Laelius . Phillis in wandringe the woodes hanged hir selfe : A●●archus forsakinge companye , spoyled himselfe with his own bookin : Biarus a Romaine , more wise than fortunate , béeing alone destroyed himselfe with a potsherd . Beware solitarines . But although I would haue thée vse companye for thy recreation , yet woulde I haue thée alwaies to leaue the company of those that accompany thy Lady , yea , if she haue any iewel of thine in hir custody , rather loofe it , then go for it , least in s●●king to recouer a trifle , thou renewe thine olde trouble . Be not curious to curlle thy haire , nor carefull to be neate in thine apparell bée not prodigal of thy golde , nor precise in thy goinge , bée not like the Englishman whiche preferreth euery straunge fashion , before the vse of his countrey , bée thou dissolute , least thy Lady thincke thée foolish in framing thy selfe to euery fashion for hir sake . Beléeue not their othes & solemne protestations , their exorcismes & coniurations , their tears which they haue at commaundement , their alluring lookes , their treading on the toe , their vnsauerie toyes .

Let euery one loath his Ladye , and bée ashamed to bée hir seruaunt . It is riches and ease that nourisheth affection , it is play , wine , and wantonnesse , that féedeth a louer as fat as a foole , refraine from all such meates as shall prouoke thine appetite to lust , and all such meanes , as may allure thy minde to folly . Take cleere water for stronge wine , browne bread for fine manchet , béefe and brewys , for Quailes & Partridge , for ease , labour , for pleasure , paine , for sur●etting , hunger , for sleepe , watching , for the fellowshippe of Ladyes , the companie of Philosophers . If thou saye to mée , Phisition heale thy selfe , I aunswere , that I am méetly well purged of that disease , and yet was I neuer more willing to cure my selfe then to comfort my friend . And séeing the cause that made in mée so colde a deuotion , shoulde make in thée also as frosen a desire , I hope thou wilt be as ready to prouide a salue as thou wast hastie in séeking a sore . And yet Philautus I woulde not that all women shoulde take pepper in the nose , in that I haue disclosed the legerdemaines of a fewe , for well I knowe none will winch excepte she bée gawlded , neither any bée offended vnlesse shee be guiltie . Therefore I earnestly desire thée , that thou shewe this cooling carde to none , except thou shew also this my defence to them all . For although I waye nothing the ill will of light huswiues , yet woulde I bée loath to loose the good will of honest matrones . Thus beeing ready to goe to Athens and readie there to entertaine thée , whensouer thou shalte repayre thether . I bidde thée farewell , and flye women .

¶ Thine euer Euphues .

¶ To the graue Matrones and honest Maydens of Italy .

GEntlewomen bicause I would neither bée mistaken of purpose , neyther misconstrued of mallice , least either the simple should suspect me of folly , or the subtill condemne me of blasphemye against the noble sexe of women , I thought good that this my faythe shoulde be set downe to finde fauour with the one , and confute the cauils of the other . Beléeue me gentlewomen , although I haue ben bolde to inuay agayne many , yet am I not so brutish to enuy them all , though I seeme not so gamesome as Aristippus to play with Lais , yet am I not so dogged as Diogenes to abhorre all Ladyes , neither would I you should thincke me so foolish ( although of late I haue bene very fantasticall ) that for the light behauiour of a fewe , I shoulde call in question the demeanour of all . I know that as ther hath bene an vnchast Helen in Greece , so there hath bene also a chast Penelope , as there hath bene a prodigious Pasiphae , so there hath bene a godly Theocrita , though many haue desired to be beloued as Iupiter loued Al●maena , yet some haue wished to be embraced as Phrigius embraced Pieria , as ther hath raigned a wicked , Iesabel , so hath there ruled a deuoute Debora , though many haue bene as fickle as Lucilla , yet hath there many bene as faithful as Lucretia . Whatsoeuer therfore I haue spoken of the spléene against the slights and subtilties of women , I hope ther is none wil mislike it if she be honest , neither care I if any doe if shée be an harlot . The sowre crab hath the shewe of an apple as well as the swéet pyppin , the black Rauen the shape of a birde as well as the white Swanne , the lewde wight the name of a woman as wel as the honest Matrone . There is great difference betwéene the standing puddle , and the running streame , yet both water , great ods betwéene the Adamant and the Pommice , yet both stones , a great-distinction to be put betwéene Vitrem and the Christall , yet both glasse , greate contrarietie betwéene Lais and Lucretia , yet both women . Séeing therfore one maye loue the cléere Conduit water , though he loath the muddie ditch , and weare the precious Diamonde , though he dispise the ragged bricke , I thincke one may also with safe conscience reuerence the modest sex of honest maydens , though he forsweare the lewde sort of vnchast minions . Vlysses though he detested Calipso with hir sugered voice , yet he imbraced Penelope with hir rude distaffe . Though Euphues abhorre the beautie of Lucilla , yet wil he not absteine from the company of a graue maiden . Though the teares of the Hart be salt , yet the tears of the Bore be swéet , though the teares of some women be counterfaite to deceiue , yet the tears of many be currant to try their loue . I for my part wil honour those alwaies that be honest , & worship them in my life whom I shall know to be worthy in their liuing , neither can I promise such precisenes that I shall neuer be caught againe with the bayte of beautie , for although the falshood of Lucilla haue caused me to forfake my wonted dotage , yet the faith of some Ladye may cause me once againe ●o fall into mine olde disease . For as the fire stone in Liguria though it bée quenched with milke , yet againe it is kindled with water , or as the rootes of Anchusa , though it bée hardned with water , yet it is againe made soft with Oyle , so the heart of Euphues enflamed earst with loue , although it bée cooled with the deceit●s of Lucilla , yet will it againe flame with the loyaltie of some honest Ladye , and though it bée hardned with the water of wilynesse , yet will it bée mollified with the Oyle of wisedome . I presume therfore so much vpon the discretion of you gentlewomen that you wil not thinck the worse of me , in that I haue thought so ill of some women , or loue mée the worse in that I loath some so much . For this is my faith that some one Rose will be blasted in the bud , some other neuer fall from the stalke , that the Oke wil soone be eaten with the worme , the Walnut trée neuer , that some women will easily be entised to folly , some other neuer allured to vanitie . You ought therefore no more to bée agrieued with that which I haue sayde , then the mint Maister to sée the coyner hanged , or the true subiect the false traytour araigned , or the honest man the théefe condemned . And so farewell .

You haue ●earde ( Gentlemen ) howe soone the hot desire of Euphues was turned into a cold deuotion , not that fancie caused him to chaunge , but that the ficklenesse of Lucilla enforced him to alter his minde . Hauing therfore determined with himselfe , neuer againe to be entangled with such fonde delightes , accordinge to the appointment made with Philautus , he immediately repaired to Athens , ther to followe his owne priuate study : And callyng to minde his former losenes , & how in his youth , he had mispent his time , he thought to giue a Caueat to all parents , how they might bring their children vp in vertue , and a commaundement to al youth , how they should frame themselues to their fathers instructions : in the which is plainly to be séene , what wit can , & will do , if it be well employed , which discourse following , although it bring lesse pleasure to your youthfull mindes than his first course , yet will it bring more profite , in the one being conteined the race of a louer , in the other● the reasons of a Philosopher .

Euphues and his Ephaebus .

IT is commonly sayd , yet doe I thinke it a common lye , that Experience is the Mistresse of fooles , for in my opinion they be most fooles that want it . Neyther am I one of the least that haue tryed this true , neither he onely that heretofore déemed it to be false . I was héereof a studente of great wealth , of some wit of no smal acquayntance , yet haue I learned that by Experience , that I shoulde hardly haue séene by learning . I haue thorowly sifted the disposition of youth , wherein I haue founde more branne then meale , more dowe then leauen , more rage then reason . He that hath bene burned knoweth the force of the fire , he that hath bene stoung , remembreth the smarte of the Scorpion , he that hath endured the brunts of fancie , knoweth best how to eschew the broyles of affection . Let therefore my counsayle be of such aucthoritie as it may commaund you to be sober , your conuersation of such integritie , as it may encourage mée to go forwarde in that which I haue taken in hande : the whole effect shall be to sette downe a young man so absolute as that nothing may be added to his further perfection . And although Plato hath ben so curious in his common weale , Aristotle so precise in his happy man , Tullie so pure in his orator , that we may well wish to see them , but neuer haue anye hope to enioy them , yet shall my young Impe be such an one as shall be perfect euery way and yet common , if dilygence and industrie be imployed to the attayning of such perfection . But I would not haue young men slowe to followe my precepts , or idle to defer the time lyke Saint George , who is euer on horse backe yet neuer rideth .

If my counsell shall séeme rigorous to fathers to instructe their children , or heauie for youth to follow their parents will : Let them both remember that the Estrich disgesteth harde yron to preserue his healthe , that the souldiour lyeth in his harnesse to atchieue conquest , that the sicke patient swalloweth bitter pilles to be eased of his griefe , that youth shoulde indure sharpe stormes to finde reliefe .

I my selfe had bene happye if I had bene vnfortunate , wealthy if lefte meanely , better learned if I had bene better lyued , we haue an olde ( Prouerb ) youth will haue his course . Ah gentlemen it is a course which we ought to make a course accompte off , replenished with more miseries than olde age , with more sinnes then common cutthroats , with more calamities than the date of Priamus : we are no sooner out of the shell but we resemble the Cocyx which destroyeth it selfe thorowe selfe will , or the Pellican which pearceth a wounde in hir owne breast : we are eyther leade with a vayne glorye of our proper personage , or with selfe loue of our sharpe capacitie , either entangled with beautie , or seduced by idle pastimes , eyther witcht with vicious company of others , or inueigled with our owne conceits , of all these things I may the bolder speake , hauing tryed it true to mine owne trouble .

To the entente therefore that all younge gentlemen might shunne my former losenesse I haue set it downe , and that all might follow my future lyfe , I meane héere to shewe what fathers shoulde doe , what children shoulde followe , desiring them both not reiecte it bicause it procéedeth from one which hath bene lewde , no more then if they woulde neglect the golde bycause it lyeth in the durtye earthe or the pure wyne for that it commeth out of an homely presse , or the precious stone Aetites which is ●ounde in the filthy neastes of the Eagle , or the precious gemme Draconites that is euer taken out of the heade of the poysoned Dragon . But to my purpose .

¶ That the childe shoulde be true borne , no bastarde .

FIrst touching their procreation , it shall séeme necessa●ie to entreate off , who so euer he be that desireth to be the Sire of an happy sonne , or the father of a fortunate childe , lette him abstaine from those women which be eyther base o● birth , or bare of honestie , for if the mother be noted of incontinencie , or the father of vice , the childe will eyther during lyfe , be infected with the like crime , or the trecheries of his parents as ignomye to him will be cast in his téeth : For we commonlye call those ●nhappy children , which haue sprong from vnhonest parents . It is therefore a great treasure to the father and tranquilitie to the minde of the childe , to haue that lybertie , which both nature , law , and reason hath sette downe .

The guyltie conscience of a father that hath troden awry , causeth him to think● and suspect that his father also went not right , wherby his owne behauiour is as it were a witnesse , of his owne basenesse . Euen as those that come of a noble progenie boast of their gentrye . Héerevppon it came that Diophantus , Themistocles his sonne woulde often and that openly saye in a great multitude , that what soeuer he shoulde séeme to request of the Athenians , he should be sure also to obtayne , for ●ayth hée , what soeuer I will that wil my mother , and what my mother sayth my father sootheth , and what my father desireth that the Athenians will graunt most willingly . The bolde courage of the Lacedemonians is to be praysed , which sette a fine on the heade of Archidamius their king , for that he had married a woman of a small personage , saying he minded to begette Quéenes , not Kinges to succeede him . Lette vs not omitte that which our Auncestours were won● precisely to kéepe that men shoulde either bée sober , or drincke little wine , that woulde haue sober and discrete children , for that the fact of the father woulde bée figured in the infant . Diogenes therefore séeing a younge man either ouercome with drincke or bereued of hys wits , cryed with a lowde voice , youth , youth , thou hadst a dronken Father . And thus muche for procreation , nowe howe the life shoulde bée ledde I will shewe briefly .

¶ Howe the life of a younge man should be lead .

THere are thrée thinges whiche cause perfection in man , Nature , Reason , Use. Reason I call discipline , Use exercise , if any one of these braunches want , cert●i●●ly the trée of vertue must néedes wither . For 〈◊〉 without discipline is of small force , and discipline without Nature more féeble , if exercise or study be voide of any of these , it auayleth nothing . For as in tilling of the grounde and husbandry , there is first chosen a fertil soyle , then a cunning sower , then good séede , euen so must wée compare Nature to the fatée earthe , the expert husbandman to the Schoolemaister , the faculties and sciences to the pure séedes . If this order had not bene in our predecessors , Pithagoras , Socrates , Plato , and whosoeuer was renowmed in Greece for the glorie of wisdome : they had neuer bene eternished for wise men , neither cannonished as it were for Saincts amonge those that studye sciences . It is therefore a most euident signe of Gods singuler fauour towardes him that is endued with all these qualities , without the least of the which man is most miserable . But if there be any one that déemeth wit not necessary to the obtayninge of wisedome , after hée hath gotten the waye to vertue by industrye and exercise , hée is an●heriticke , in my opinion touching the true faith of learning , for if Nature playe● not hir parte , in vayne is laboure , and as I sayd before if study bée not imployed , in vayne is Nature● Sloth tourneth the ●edge of wit , Study sharpen●th the minde , a thing be it neuer ●o easie is hard to the ( idle ) a thinge bee it neuer so hard , is easie to the wit wel employed . And most plainely we may see in many thinges the efficacie of industry and laboure .

The little drops of rayne pearceth harde Marble , yron wyth often handlinge is worne to nothinge . Besides this , industry sheweth hir selfe in other thinges , the fertill soyle if it bée neuer tilled doth waxe barren , and that which is most noble by nature is made most vyle by negligence . What trée if it bée not topped beareth any fruite ? What vine if it bée not proyned , bringeth foorth grapes ? is not the strength of the body tourned to weakenesse throughe too muche 〈◊〉 were not Milo his armes brawnefallen , for want of wrastlinge ? moreouer by labour the fierce Unicorne is tamed , the wyldest Fawlcon is reclaymed , the greatest bulwarke is sacked . It was well aunswered of that man of Thessalie , who béeinge demaunded who amonge the Thessalians were reputed moste vyle , those sayd hée that liue at quyet and ease , neuer gyuing themselues to marciall affayres : but what should one vse many woordes in a thinge already proued . It is custome , vse and exercise , that bringe a younge man to vertue , and vertue to his perfection . Lycurgus the lawegiuer of the Sparthans dyd nourish two whelpes , both of one syre and one damme : But after a sundry manner , for the one hée framed to hunte , & the other to lye alwaies in the chymneys end at the porredge pot , afterwarde callinge the Lacedemonians into one assemblye , hée sayde , to the attayninge of vertue yée Lacedemonians , education , industry , and exercise , is the most noblest meanes , the truth of the which I wyll make manifest vnto you by tryall , then brynginge foorth the whelpes and settinge downe there a potte , and a hare , the one ranne at the hare , the other to the porredge potte , the Lacedemonians , scarce vnderstandinge this mistery , hée sayde both these bée of one syre and one damme , but you sée howe education altereth nature .

¶ Of the education of youth .

IT is most necessarie and most naturall in myne opinion , that the mother of the childe bée also the nurse , both for the entire loue shée beareth to the babe , and the great desire she hath to haue it well nourished : for is there any one more meete to bring vp the infant , then she that bore it ? or will any be so carefull for it , as shee that bredde it ? for as the throbbes and throwes in chyldbirth wrought hir payne , so the smilinge countenaunce of the infant increaseth hir pleasure , the hyred nurse is not vnlike to the hyred saruaunt which not for good will but for gayne , not for loue of the man but the desire of the money , accomplisheth hys dayes worke . Moreouer Nature in thys poynte enforceth the mother to nurse hir owne childe , which hath gyuen vnto euerye beast mylke to succour hyr owne , and mée thincketh Nature to be a most prouident foreséer and prouider for the same , which hath giuen vnto a woman two pappes , that if shée shoulde conceiue two , shée might haue wherewith also to nourishe twaine , and that by sucking of the mothers brestes , there might bee a greater loue bothe of the mother towardes the childe , and the childe towardes the mother , which is very likely to come to passe , for we sée commonly those that eate and drincke and liue together , to be more zealous one to the other , then those that méete seldome , is not the name of a mother most swéet ? If it bée , why is halfe that title bestowed on a woman which neuer felte the paines in conceyuing , neyther can conceiue the lyke pleasure in nursinge as the mother doth ? Is the earthe called the mother of all thinges onely bicause it bringeth foorth ? No , but bicause it nourisheth those thinges that springe out of it , whatsoeuer is bredde in the sea , is fed in the sea , no plant , no trée , no hearbe commeth out of the ground that is not moystened and as it were nursed of the moysture and milke of the earth , the Lionesse nurseth hir whelpes , the Rauen , cherisheth hir birdes , the Uiper hir broode , and shall a woman cast away hir babe ?

I accompte it cast awaye whiche in the swathe clowtes is cast aside , and little care can that Mother haue , whiche can suffer suche crueltie : and can it bée tearmed wyth any other tytle then crueltie , the infant yet lookinge redde of the mother , the mother yet breathing through the torments of hir trauaile , the childe crying for helpe which is sayd to mooue wilde beasts , euen in the selfe sayde momente it is borne , or the next minute , to deliuer a straunge nurse , whiche perhappes is neyther holsome in bodye , neyther honest in manners , whiche estéemeth more thy argent although a trifle , then thy tender infant thy greatest treasure ? Is it not necessary and requisite that the babe bée nursed wyth that true accustomed iuyce & cherished with his wonted heat , & not fed with counterfaite diet ? Wheat throwne into a straunge ground tourneth to a contrary grayne , the Uyne translated into an other soyle changeth his kinde . A slippe pulled fro the stalke withereth , the young childe as it were slipped from the pappes of his mother eyther changeth his nature or altereth his disposition . It is pretely sayd of Horace a newe vessell will long time sauour of that lyquor that is first powred into it , and the infant will euer smell of the Nurses manners hauing tasted of hir milke . Therefore lette the mother as often as she shal beholde those two fountaynes of milke , as it were of their owne accorde flowing and swelling with lycour , remember that shée is admonished of nature , yea commaunded of dutie , to cherishe hir owne childe , with hir owne teates , otherwise when the babe shall nowe beginne to tattle and call hir Mamma , with what force canne she heare it of his mouth vnto whome shée hath denyed Mamma ? It is not milke only that encreaseth the strength or augmenteth the body , but the naturall heat & agréement of the mothers body with the childes , it craueth the same accustomed moisture that before it receiued in the bowells , by the which the tender parts were bounde & knit together , by the which it encreased and was succoured in the body .

Certes I am of that minde that the witte and disposition is altered and chaunged by the milke , as the moysture and sappe of the earth , doth change the nature of that trée or plant that it nourisheth . Wherefore the common bye worde of the common people séemeth to be grounded vppon good experience which is : This fellow hath sucked mischiefe euen from the teate of his nursse . The Grecians when they saw any one sluttishly fedde , they woulde say euen as nurses : whereby they noted the greate dislykinge they hadde of theire fulsome féeding . The Etimologie of mother among the Grecians , may aptly bée applyed to those mothers which vnnaturally deale with their children , they cal it meter a meterine , that is mother of not makinge much off , or of not nourishing , héereof it commeth that the sonne doth not with deepe desire loue his mother , neyther wyth duetie obay hir , ●is naturall af●ection being as it were deuided and distraught into twain , a mother & a nurse : heereoff it proceedeth that the mother beareth but a colde kindenesse towardes hir childe , when she shall sée the nature of hir nurse in the nurture of hir childe . The chiefest way to learning is , if there be a mutuall loue and feruent desire betweene the teacher and him that is taught , then verely the greatest furtheraunce to education is if the mother nourish the childe and the childe sucke the mother , that there be as it were a relacion and reciprecall order of affection . Yet if the mother either for the euill habite of the body , or the weakenesse of hir p●ppes , cannot though she woulde nurse hir infant , then lette hir prouide suche a one as shall be of a good complexion , of an honest condition , carefull to tender the childe , louing to see well to it , willyng to take paynes , dillygent in tending and prouiding all thinges necessarye , and as lyke both in the lyniaments of the body and disposition of the minde to the mother as may be . Lette hir forslow no occasion that may bringe the childe to quietnesse and cleanelynesse , for as the parts of a childe as soone as it is borne are framed and fashioned of the midwife , that in all poynts it may be streight and comely , so the manners of the childe at the first are to be looked vnto that nothing discommend the minde , that no crooked behauiour or vndecent demeanour bée founde in the man .

Young and tender age is easily framed to manners , and hardelye are those thinges mollyfied which are harde . For as the steele is imprinted in the softe waxe , 〈◊〉 learning is engrauen in the minde of an young impe . ●●●to that deuine Philosopher admonished all nurses and weaners of youth , that they sh●uld not be to busie to tell them fonde fables or filthie tales , least at their entraunce into the worlde they shoulde be contaminated with vnséemelye behauiour , vnto the which Phocides the Poet doth pithely allude , saying . Whilst that the childe is young lette him bee instructed in vertue , and lyterature .

Moreouer they are to bée trayned vpp in the language of their country , to pronounce aptly and distinctly without stammering euerye worde and sillable of their natiue speache , and to be kepte from barbarous talke as the shippe from rockes : least béeinge affected with their barbarisme they bée infected also with theire vncleane conuersation .

It is an olde Prouerbe that if one dwell the nexte dore to a creple he wil learne to hault , if one be conuersant with an hypocrite , he will soone endeauour to dissemble . When this younge infante shall growe in yeares and bée of that rypenesse that hée can conceiue learninge , insomuch that he is to be committed to the tuition of some tutour , all dillygence is to be had to searche such a one as shall neyther be vnlearned , neyther ill lyued , neyther a lyght person .

A gentleman that hath honest and discréete seruants disposeth them to the encrease of his segnioryes , one he appoynteth stewarde of his courtes , an other ouerseer of his landes , one his factoure in farre countryes for his merchaundize , an other puruayour for his cates at home .

But if among all his seruauntes he shall espye one eyther filthye in his ●alke or foolishe in his behauiour , eyther wythout witte or voyde of honestie eyther an vnthrifte or a witta●l , him hée settes not as a suruayour and ouerseer of his mannors , but a superuisour of his childrens conditions and manners , to him hee committeth the guydinge and tuition of his sonnes , which is by hys proper Nature , a slaue , a knaue by condition , a beast in behauiour . And sooner will they bestow an hundreth crownes to haue a horse well broken , then a childe well taught , wherein I cannot but maruell to see them so carefull to encrease their possessions , when they be so carelesse to haue them wise that should inherite them .

A good and discreete scholemayster should be such an one as Phaenix was , the instructor of Achilles , whome Pelleus ( as Homer reporteth ) appoynted to that ende that he should be vnto Achilles not onely a teacher of learning but an example of good lyuinge . But that is most principally to be looked for , and most dilygently to be foreséene , that such tutours bée sought out for the education of a young childe , whose lyfe hath neuer bene stayned with dishonestie , whose good name hath neuer bene called vnto question , whose manners hath bene irreprehensible before the worlde . As husbandmen hedge in their trées , so shoulde good scholemaysters with good manners hedge in the wit and disposition of the scholler : whereby the blossoms of learning may the sooner encrese to a bud . Many parents are in this to be misliked which hauing neyther tryall of his honestie nor experience of his learning to whome they committe the childe to bée taught , without any déepe or due consideration , put them to one eyther ignoraunt or obstinate , the which if they themselues shall doe of ignoraunce the folly cannot bee e●cused , if of obstinacie their lewdenesse is to bée abhorred .

Some fathers are ou●rc●me with the flatterie of those fooles , which professe outwardly greate knowledge , and shew a certeyne kinde of dissembling sinceritie in their lyfe , others at the entreating of their familyar friendes are content to commit their sonnes to one without ●yther substaunce of honestie or shadowe of learning . By which their vndis●r●te dealing , they are lyke these sicke men whiche reiect the expert and cunning Phisition , and at the request of their ●●iendes admit the héedelesse practiser which dau●gereth the patient , and bringeth the bodye to his bane : Or not vn●yke vnto those whiche at the instaunt and importunate suite of their acquaintaunce refuse a cunninge Pylot , and choose an vns●ilfull Marriner , whiche hazardeth the shippe and themselues in the calmest sea . Good God can there bée any that hath the name of a Father which wyll est●eme more the fancie of his friende then the nurture of his sonne ? It was not in vayne that Crates would often say , that if it were lawfull euen in the market place , hee would crye out : Whether runne you Fathers , which haue all your carke and ca●e to multiplye your wealth , nothing regardinge your chyldren vnto whome you must leaue all . In thys they resemble him which is very curious about the shooe , and hath no care of the foote . Besides this there bée many fathers so inflamed with the loue of wealth , that they bée as it were incensed with hate againste their childre● which Aristippus , séeinge in an olde miser , did partly note it , this olde miser askinge of Aristippus what hée would take to teach and bringe vp hys sonne , hée aunswered a thousand groates , a thousand groates , God sheild aunswered this olde huddle , I haue two seruauntes of that price . Unto whome hée made aunswere , thou shalt haue two seruants and one sonne , and whether wilt thou sell ? Is it not absurde to haue so great a care of the right hande of the childe to cutte his meate , that if he handle his knife in the lea●t hand we rebuke him seuerely and to bée secure of his nurture in discipline and learning ? But what doe happen vnto those parentes , that bringe vp theire children lyke wantons ?

When their sonnes shall growe to mans estate , disdayninge nowe to bée corrected , stoborne to obeye , gyuing themselues to vaine pleasures and vnseemely pastimes , then with the foolishe trowans they beginne to waxe wise and to repent them of theire former follye , when their sonnes shall insumate themselues in the companye of flatterers , ( a kinde of men more perrillous to youthe then any kinde of beastes . ) When they shall haunt harlottes , frequent tauerns , bée curious in their attyre , costly in their dyet , carelesse in their behauiou● , when they shall eyther bée common d●cers wyth gamesters , eyther wanton dallyers with Ladyes , eyther spende all their thrift on wine , or all their wealth on women , then the Father curseth his owne securitie● and lamenteth to late his childes mysfortune , then the one accuseth his Syre , as it were of mallice that hee woulde not bringe him vppe in learninge , and himselfe of mischiefe that hée gaue not his minde to good letters . If these youthes had bene trained vp in the companye of any Philosopher , they would neuer haue bene so disolute in theyr lyfe , or so resolute in their owne conceites .

It is good nurture that leadeth to vertue , and discréete demeanour that playneth the pathe to felicity . If one haue either the gi●tes of Fortune , as greate riches , or of nature , as seemely personage , hée is to bée dispised in respect of learning . To be a noble man it is most excellent , but that is our auncestors , as Vlysses sayde to Aiax , as for our nobilitie , our stocke , our kindred , and whatsoeuer wée our selues haue not done , I ●earcely accompt ours . Richesse are precious , but Fortune ruleth the rost , which oftentimes taketh away all from them that haue much , and gyueth them more that had nothinge , glorye is a thinge worthy to bee followed , but as it is gotten wyth greate trauayle , so is it lost in a small time . Beautie is suche a thing as wée commonly preferre before all thinges , yet it fadeth before we perceyue it to florishe , health is that which all men desire , yet euer subiect to any disease , strength is to bee wyshed for , yet is it eyther abated wyth an ague , or taken away w●th age : whosoeuer therefore boaste●h of force , is to too beastly , se●ing hée is in that qualitie , not to bée compared wyth beastes , as the Lyon , the Bull , the E●ephant . It is ver●ue , yea , vertue , gentlemen , that maketh gentlemen , that maketh the poore rich , the base borne noble , the subiect a soueraigne , the deformed beautifull , the sicke whole , the weake strong , the most myserable most happy . There are two principall and peculier gyftes in the nature of man , knowledge , and reason , the one commaundeth , the other obeyeth : these thinges neyther the whirlinge wheele of Fortune can chaunge , neyther the deceitefull cauillinge of worldlinges seperate , neyther sicknesse abate , neither age abolish . It is onely knowledge which worne with yeares waxeth younge , and when all thinges are cutte awaye wyth the cycle of time , knowledge florisheth so highe that time cannot reach it , warre taketh all things with it euen as the whirlepoole , yet must it leaue learninge behinde it , wherefore it was wiselye aunswered in my opinion of Stilpo the Philosopher , for when Demetrius , wonne the Citie and made it euen to the grounde leauinge nothinge standing , hée demaunded of Stilpo whether hee had lost any thinge of his in this great spoyle : vnto whome he aunswered no verilye , for warre getteth no spoyle of vertue . Unto the like sence may the answere of Socrates be applyed , when Gorgias asked him whether he déemed the Persian kinge happy or not , I knowe not sayd he how much vertue or discipline he hath , for happines doth not consist in the gifts of fortune , but in grace of vertue . But as there is nothing more conuenient than enstruction for youth , so would I haue them nurtered in such a place as is renowmed for learning , voyde of corrupte manners , vndefiled with vice , that séeinge no vayne delightes they maye the more easilye absteyne from lycensious desires , they that studye to please the multitude are sure to displease the wyse , they that seeme to flatter rude people wyth their rude pretences , leuell at great honoure , hauinge no ayme at honestie , when I was heere a student in Athens , it was thought a greate commendation for a younge scholler to make an Oration extempore , but certeinely in my iudgement it is vtterly to bée condemned , for whatsoeuer is done rashlye , is done also rawely , he that taketh vppon him to speake wythout premedytation , knoweth , neyther howe to begynne , nor where to ende , but fallinge into a vayne of bablinge , vttereth those thinges whiche wyth modestye hée shoulde haue concealed , and forgetteth those thinges that before hee had conceyued . An Oration eyther penned , eyther premeditated , kéepeth it selfe with in the bounds of Decorum , I haue read that Pericles béeinge at sundry times called of the people to pleade , woulde alwayes aunswere that hee was not readye : euen after the same manner Demosthenes béeing sent for to declaime amyddest the multitude , staide and sayd I am not yet prouided .

And in his inuectiue agaynst Mydas , he séemeth to prayse the profitablenesse of premeditation , I confesse sayth hee , ye Athenians , that I haue studyed and considered deepely wyth my selfe what to speake , for I were a sot if without due consideration had of those thinges that are to be spoken , I shoulde haue talked vnaduisedly . But I speake this not to this ende to condemne the exercise of the witte , but that I would not haue any younge scholler openly to exercyse it , but when he shall grow both in age and eloquence , in so much as he shall throughe great vse & good memorye be able aptly to conceiue & redely to vtter any thing then this saying extempore bringeth an admiration & delight to the auditorye , and singuler prayse and commendacion to the Orator . For as he that hath long time b●n fettered with chaynes béeing released halteth through the force of his former yrons , so he that hath bene vsed to a stricke kinde of pleading , when hee shall talke extempore wil sauor of his former penning . But if any shal vse it as it wer a precept for youth to tattle extempore , he wil in time bring them to an immoderate kinde of humilitie . A certein painter brought to Appelles the counterfaite of a face in a table saying : loe Appelles I drew this euen now whervnto he replyed . If thou hadst ben silent I would haue iudged this picture to haue ben framed of the sodain I maruel that in this time thou couldst not paynt many more of these . But retourne we again , as I woulde haue tragicall and stately stile shunned , so would I haue that abiect & base phrase eschued , for this swellyng kinde of talke hath lyttle modestie , the other nothing moueth .

Besides this to haue the oration all one in euerye part , neither adorned with fine figures , neither sprinckled with choyse phrases , bringeth teadiousnesse to the hearers , and argueth the speaker of lyttle learning and lesse eloquence . He shoulde more ouer talke of manye matters , not alwayes harpe vpon one string , he that alwayes singeth one note without d●skant breedeth no delyght , he that alwayes playeth one part bringeth lothsomenesse to the eare . It is varietie that moueth the minde of all men , and one thing sayd twice ( as wee say commonly ) deserueth a trudge . Homer woulde say that it loathed him to repeate any thing agayne though it were neuer so pleasaunt or profitable . Though the Rose be swéete yet being tyed with the Uiolet the smel is more fragraunte , though meate nurrish , yet hauing good sauor it prouoketh the appetite . The fayrest nosegay is made of many flowers , the finest picture of sundry colours the wholesomest medicine of diuers hearbs : wherefore it behoueth youth with all industry to serch not onely the harde questions of the Philosophers , but also the fine cases of the Lawiers , not only the quirks and quillyties of the Logicians , but also to haue a sight in the numbers of the Arithmetricians , the Tyrangles and Circles of the Geometricians , the Spheere and Globe of the Astrologians , the notes and crochets of the Musicians , the odde conceits of the Poets , the simples of the Phisicions , and in all thinges , to the ende that when they shal be willed to talke of any of them , they may be ignoraunt in nothing . He that hath a gardein plot doth aswel sow the pothearb as the Margerom , as well the Leeke as the Lyllye , as well the wholesome Isoppe , as the faire Carnation , the which he doth to the entent he may haue wholesome hearbes as well to nurrish his inwarde parts as sweete flowers to please his outwarde desire , aswell fruitefull plantes to refresh his sences , as fayre shewes to please his sighte . Euen so whosoeuer that hath a sharpe and capable witte , let him aswell giue his minde to sacred knowledge of diuinitie , as to the profounde studye of Philosophye , that by his witte he may not onely reape pleasure but profite , not onely contentacion in minde , but quyetnesse in conscience . I will proceede in the Education .

I woulde haue them first of all to follow Philosophie , as most auncient , yea most excellent , for as it is pleasaunt to passe thorow many fayre Cities , but most pleasaunt to dwell in the fayrest , euen so to reade many Historyes and artes pleasaunt but as it were to lodge with Philosophy most profitable .

It was pretely sayd of Bion the Philosopher . Euen as when the woers coulde not haue the companye of Penelope they runne to hir handemaydes : so they that cannot attayne to the knowledge of Philosophie , apply their mindes to things most vyle and contemptible . Wherefore we must prefer Philosophie , as the onely Princesse of all Scyences , and other artes as wayting Maydes . For the curinge and kéepinge in temper of the bodye , man by his industrye hath founde two thinges , Phisicke and Exercise , the one cureth sickenesse , the other preserueth the body in temper , but there is nothing that may heale diseases , or cure the woundes of the minde but onely Philosophy . By this shall wee learne what is honest what dishonest , what is right what is wrong , and that I maye in one worde say what may be sayd , what is to be knowen what is to be auoyded , what to be embraced , how we ought to obay our parents , reuerence our Elders , enterteyne straungers , honour the Magistrates , loue our friendes , lyue with our wyues , vse ●ur seruaunts , how we should worship God , be dutifull to our fathers , stande in awe of our superiours , obay lawes , giue place to officers , how we may chuse friendes , nurture our children , and that which is most noble how we should neyther be too prowde in prosperitie , neyther pensiue in aduersitie , neythr lyke beasts ouercome with anger . And heere I cannot but lament Athens , which hauing ben alwaies the nurse of Philosophers , doth now nurrish only the name of Philosophy . For to speake playnly of the disorder of Athens , who doth not see it , and sorrow at it ? such playing at dice , such quaffing of drinke , such dalyaunce with woemen , such daunsing , that in my opinion ther is no quaffer in Flaunders so giuen to typplynge , no courtier in Italy so giuen to ryotte , no creature in the worlde so misled as a student in Athens . Such a con●usion of degrées , that the Scholler knoweth not his ●uetie to the Bachelor , nor the Bachelor to the Maister , nor the Maister to the Doctor . Such corruption of manners , cont●mpt of Magistrates , such open sinnes , such priuie villanye , such quarrellynge in the st●eetes , such subtile practises in chambers , as maketh my hearte to melt with sorrowe to thinke of it , and shoulde cause your mindes gentlemen to penitent to remember it .

Moreouer who doth know a scholler by his habite ? Is there any hatte of so vnséemely a fashion , any dublette of so long a waste , any hose so short , any attire either so costly , or so courtly , eyther so straunge in making or so monstrous in wearing , th●t is not worne of a scholler ? haue they not nowe in stéede of blacke cloth blacke veluet , in steede of course sackecloth fine silke ? Be they not more like courtiers than schollers , more like stageplayers then studentes , more lyke ruffians of Naples then disputers in Athens ? I woulde to God they did not imitate all other nations in the vice of the minde as they doe in the attire of their body , for certeynelye as there is no nation whose fashion in apparel they do not vse , so is there no wickednesse publyshed in anye place , that they do not practize . I thinke that in Sodom and Gomora , there was neuer more filthinesse , neuer more pryde in Rome , more poysoning in Italy , more lyinge in Crete , more priuie spoyling in Spayne , more Idolatry in Aegypt , then is at this day in Athens , neuer such sectes among the Heathens , such schismes amongst the Turkes , such mis beleefe among the Infidells , as is now among Schollers . Be ther not many in Athens which thincke ther is no God ? no redemption ? no resurrection ?

What shame is this gentlemen that a place so renowmed for good learning , should be so shamed for ill lyuinge ? that where grace doth abounde , sinne shoulde so superabound ? that wher the greatest profession of knowledge is , ther should also be the least practising of honestie . I haue read of many Uniuersities , as of Padua , in Italy , Paris in Fraunce , Wittenberge in Germanie , in England of Oxford & Cambridge , which if they were halfe so ill as Athens they were to to bad , & as I haue heard as they bée , they be starke nought .

But I can speake the lesse against them , for that I was neuer in them , yet can I not chuse but be agrieued , that by report I am enforced rather to accuse them of vanitie then excuse them any way . Ah gentlemen what is to be looked for , nay what is not to be feared , when the temple of Vesta where virgins should liue is lyke the stewes , fraight with strompets when the Alter where nothinge but sanctitie and holynesse shoulde be vsed , is polluted with vncleanenesse , when the Uniuersities , of christendome which should be the eies , the lights , the leauen , the salt , the seasoning of the wo●ld , are dimmed with blinde concupisence , put out with pride and haue lost their sauour with impietie ?

Is it not become a bye word amongst the common people , that they had rather send their children to the carte , then to the Uniuersiti● , being induced so to saye , for the abuse that raigneth in the Uniuersities , who sending their sonnes to attayne knowledge , finde them little better learned , but a great deale worse lyued then when they went , and not onely vnthriftes of their money , but also banckeroutes of good manners : was not this the cause that caused a simple woman in Greece to exclaime against Athens , saying .

The Maister and the Scholler , the ●uter and the Pupill bée bothe agréede , for the one careth not howe lyttle paine hée taketh for his moneye , the other howe little learning . I perceyue that in Athens there bée no chaungelinges : When of olde it was sayde to a Lacedemonian that all the Grecians knew honesty , but not one practised it . When Panathaenea were celebrated at Athens , an olde man going to take a place was mockingly reiected , at the last comming among the Lacedemonians all the youth gaue him place , which the Athenians liked well off , then one of the Sparthans cryed out : Uerily the Athenians know what should be done , but they neuer doe it .

When one of the Lacedemonians had bene for a certeine time in Athens séeing nothinge but dauncing , dicinge , banquetinge , surfeytinge , and licencious behauiour , retourninge home hée was asked howe all things stoode in Athens , to whome hée aunswered , all thinges are honest there , meaning that the Athenians accompted all thinges good , and nothing bad . Howe such abuses should or might be redressed in al Uniuersities , especially in Athens , if I were of authoritie to commaunde , it should be séene , or of credite to perswade those that haue the dealinges wyth them , it should soone be showne .

And vntill I sée better reformation in Athens , my younge Ephaebus , shall not be nurtured in Athens . I haue spoken all this that you gentlemen might sée how the Philo in Athens practise nothing lesse then Philosophy , what scholler is hee that is so zealous at his booke as Chrisippus , who , had not his maide Melissa thrust meate into his mouth hadde perished with famine béeinge , alwaye studying ? Who so watchfull as Aristotle , who going to bedde woulde haue a ball of brasse in his hande , that if hée shoulde bée taken in a slomber , it might fall and awake hym ? No , no , the tymes are chaunged as Ouid sayeth , and wée are chaunged in the times , let vs endeuour euerye one to amende one , and wée shall all soone bée amended , let vs giue no occasion of reproche , and wée shall more easily beare the burden of false reportes , and as wée sée by learninge what wée shoulde doe , so let vs doe as wée learne , then shall Athens florishe , then shall the studentes bée had in greate reputation , then shall learning haue his hyre , and euerye good scholler his hope . But retourne wee once agayne to Philo . There is amongst men a trifolde kinde of lyfe , Actiue which is about ciuill function and administration of the common weale . Speculatiue , which is in continuall meditation and studye . The thirde a lyfe ledde , moste commonlye a lewde lyfe , an idle and vaine lyfe , the lyfe that the Epicures accompte their whole felicitie , a voluptuous lyse replenished wyth all kinde of vanitie , if this Actiue lyfe be wythout Philosophy it is an idle lyfe , or at the least a life euil imployed which is worse : if the contemplatiue life bée seperated from the Actiue it is most vnprofitable . I woulde therefore haue my youth , so to bestowe his studye , as hée may both bée exercised in the common weale , to common profite , and well imployed priuately for hys owne perfection , so as by his studye the rule hée shall beare maye bée directed , and by his gouernment his studye maye bée increased , in this manner dyd Pericles deale in ciuill affayres , after this sort dyd Architas Tarentine , Dion the Syracusian , the Thebane Epiminides gouerne their cities : For the exercise of the bodye it is necessary also somewhat bée added , that is that the childe shoulde be at such times , permitted to recreate himselfe , when his minde is ouercome wyth studie , least dullinge himselfe wyth ouermuche industry hée become vnfit afterwarde to conceiue readyly , besides this it will cause an apte composition and that naturall strength that it before retayned . A good composition of the body laieth a good foundation of olde age , for as in the fayre Sommer we prepare all thinges necessary for the cold Winter , so good manners in youth and lawfull exercises be as it were victuals and nourishmentes for age , yet are their labours and pastimes so to bee tempered that they weaken not their bodyes more by playe , then otherwyse they shoulde haue done by study● , and so to be vsed that they addict not themselues more to the exercise of the limmes then the following of learning , the greatest enemies to discipline as Plato recompteth , are labours & sléepe . It is also requisite that hee bée expert in marciall affayres , in shooting , in darting , that he hawke and hunt , for his honest pastime and recreation , and if after these pastimes hée shall seeme secure , nothinge regardinge his bookes , I would not haue him , scourged with stripes , but threatned with words , not dulled with blowes , like seruaunts the which the more they are beaten the better they beare it , and the lesse they care for it , for children of good disposition are eithe● incited by praise to goe forwarde , or shamed by dispraise to commit the like offence : those of obstinate & blockish behauiour , are neither with words to be perswaded , neither with stripes to be corrected . They must now be taunted with sharp rebukes , straight wayes admonished with faire wordes , nowe threatned a paiment , by and by promised a reward , & dealt withall as nurses doe with the babes , whom after they haue made to cry , they profer the teate , but diligent héede must be taken that he be not praised aboue measure , least standing to much in his owne conceite , he become also obstinate in his owne opinions . I haue knowen many fathers whose great loue towards their sonnes hath bene the cause in time that they loued them not , for when they see a sharpe witte in their sonne to conceiue for the desire they haue that hée shoulde out runne his fellowes , they loaden him with continuall exercise , which is the onely cause that hée sincketh vnder his burden , and giueth ouer in the playne fielde . Plants are nurrished with lyttle rayne , yet drowned with much , euen so the minde with indifferent labour waxeth more perfect , with much studie it is made fruitelesse . We must consider that all our lyfe is deuided into remission and st●dye .

As there is watchinge , so is there sléepe , as there is warre , so is there peace , as there is Winter , so is there Sommer , as there be many working dayes , so is there also many holydayes , & if I may speake all in one worde , ease is the sauce of labour , which is playnely to be seene not onely in lyuing thinges , but also in things without lyfe : We vnbende the bowe that wée maye the better bende him , wee vnloose the harpe that we may the sooner tune him , the body is kept in health aswell with fasting as eating , the minde healed with ease aswell as with labour , those parents are in minde to be mislyked which committe the whole care of their childe to the custody of a hirelyng , neyther askinge neither knowing how their children profite in lerning . For if the father were desirous to examine his sonne in that which he hath learned , the mayster woulde bée more carefull what he did teach . But séeinge the father carelesse what they learne , he is also secure what he teacheth , that notable saying of the Horsekéeper maye heere be applyed which sayde , nothinge did so fatte the horse as the eye of the King. Moreouer I woulde haue the memorye of children continually to be exercised , which is the greatest furtheraunce to learninge that can be .

For this cause they fayned in their olde fables memory to be the mother of perfection . Children are to be chastised if they shal vse any filthy or vnséemly talke , for as Democrates sayth , the worde is the shadowe of the worke : they must be courteous in their behauiour , lowely in their speach , not disdayning their cock mates or refrayning their company : they must not lyue wantonly , neyther speake impudently , neyther angry without cause , neyther quarrellous without choler . A young man beeing peruerse in nature , & proude in words and manners , gaue Socrates a spurne , who béeing moued by his fellowes to giue him an other : If sayd Socrates an ●sse had kicked me , woulde you also haue me to kicke him againe , the greatest wisedome in Socrates in compressing his anger is worthy great commendacion . Architas Tarentine retourning from warre and finding his grounde ouergrowen with wéedes and tourned vp with Mowles , ●ent for his Farmour vnto whome hee sayde : If I were not angrye I woulde make thée repent thy ill husbandry . Plato hauing a seruaunt whose blisse was in fillyng of his belly , seeinge him on a time idle and vnhonest in behauiour , sayd out of my sighte , for I am incensed with anger .

Althoughe these ensamples be harde to imitate , yet shoulde euery man do his endeuour to represse that hot and heady humor which he is by nature subiecte vnto . To be silent and discreete in companye , thoughe manye thinke it a thing of no great wayghte or importaunce , yet is it most requisite for a young man and most necessary for my Ephaebus . It neuer hath bene hurtefull to any to holde his peace , to speake , damage to manye , what so is kept in silence is husht , but whatsoeuer is babbled out cannot agayne be recalled . We maye sée the cunning and curious worke of Nature , which hath barred and hedged nothing in so stronglye , as the tongue , with two rowes of téeth , therewith two lyppes , besides she hath placed it farre from the hearte , that it shoulde not vtter that which the hearte had conceiued , this also shoulde cause vs to be silente , séeinge those that vse much talke though they speake truely are neuer beléeued . Wyne therefore is to be refrayned which is termed to be the glasse of the minde , and it is an olde Pr●uerbe : Whatsoeuer is in the heart of the sober man , is in the mouth of the drunckarde . Bias holding his tongue at a feast , was tearmed there of a tatler to bee a foole , who sayde , is there any wise man that can holde his tongue amidst the wine ? vnto whome Bias aunswered , there is no foole that can .

A certeyne gentleman heere in Athens , inuited the Kings Legates to a costly and sumptuous ●east , where also he assembled many Philosophers , and talking of diuers matters both of the common weale and learning , onely Zeno sayd nothing . Then the ambassadors said , what shall wee shewe of thée O Zeno to the king . Nothing aunswered hee , but that there is an olde man in Athens that amiddest the pottes coulde holde his peace . Anacharsis suppinge with Solon , was founde a sléepe , hauing his right hande before his mouth , his lefte vpon his priuities , wherby was noted that the tongue should be rayned with the strongest bridle . Zeno bicause hée woulde not be enforced to reueale any thinge agaynst his will by torments , bitte of his tongue and spit it in the face of the Tyraunt .

Nowe when children shall by wisedome and vse refrayne from ouer much tatlyng , lette them also be admonished that when they shall speake , they speake nothing but truth , to lye is a vyce most detestable , not to be suffered in a slaue , much lesse in a sonne . But the greatest thinge is yet behinde , whether that those are to bée admitted as cockemates with children which loue them entirely , or whether they bée to bée banished from them .

When as I sée manye fathers more cruell to their children then carefull of them , which thincke it not necessarye to haue those about them , that most tender them , then I am halfe as it were in a doubte to giue counsell . But when I call to my remembraunce Socrate● , Plato , Xenophon , Eschines , Saebetes , and all those that so much commende the loue of men , which haue also brought vpp many to great rule , reason and pietie , then I am encouraged to imitate those whose excellencie doth war●ant my precepts to be perfect . If any shall loue the childe ●or his comely countenaunce , him woulde I haue to be banished as a most daungerous and in●ectious beast , if hee shall loue him for his fathers sake , or for his own good qualyties , him would I haue to be with him alwayes as superuisour of hys manners : such hath it bene in times past the loue of one Athenian to the other , and of one Lacedemonian to the other .

But hauing sayde almost sufficient for the education of a childe , I will speake two words , how he should be trayned when he groweth in yeares . I can not but mislyke the nature of diners parentes which appoynte ouerseers and tutours for their children in their tender age , and suffer them when they come to be young men , to haue the bridle in theire owne hande , knowing not that age requireth rather a harde snaffle then a pleasant bit , and is sooner allured to wickednesse then childehood . Who knoweth not the escapes of children , as they are small so they are soone amended ? eyther with threates they ar to be remedied or with faire promisses to be rewarded . But the sinnes and faults of young men are almost or altogether ●ntollerable , which giue themselues to be delycate in their dyet , prodigall in their expence , vsing dicing , dauncing , dronkennesse , deflowring of virg●ns , abusing wyues , committing adulteries , and accounting all things hon●st that are most detestable . H●ere therefore must be vsed a due regarde that theire lust may be repressed , their ryot abated , their courage cooled , for hard it is to sée a young man to bée mais●er of himselfe which yeldeth himselfe as it were a bonde slaue , to fonde and ouerlashinge affections . Wise parentes ought to take good heede , especially at this time , that they frame their sonnes to modesty , eyther by threats or by rewardes , either by faire promises or seuere practises , eyther shewinge the miseries o● those that haue ben ouercome with wildenesse , or the happinesse of them that haue conteined themselues wythin the bandes of reason : these two are as it were the ensignes of vertue , the hope of honour , the feare of punishment . But chiefly parents must cause their youths to abandon the societie of those which are noted of euill liuing & lewde behauiour , which Pithagoras seemed somewhat obscurely to note in these his sayinges .

First , that one should absteine from the tast of those thinges that haue blacke tayles . That is , we must not vse the companye of those whose corrupt manners doo as it were make their lyfe blacke . Not to goe aboue the ballaunce , that is , to reuerence Iustice , neyther for feare or flattery to leane to any one parcially , not to lye in idlenesse , that is , that sloth shoulde bée abhorred : That wée should not shake euery man by the hande : That is , wée should not contract friendshippe wyth all : Not to weare a straite ringe : That is that we should leade our life so as wée neede not to fetter it wyth ●heynes : Not to bring fire to a slaughter : That is , wée must not prouoke anye that is furious wyth wordes : Not to eate our heartes : That is , that wée shoulde not vexe our selues wyth thoughtes , consume our bodyes with sighes , wyth sobbes , or with care to pine our carcasses : To absteine from beanes , that is , not to meddle in ciuill affayres or businesse of the common weale , for in the olde times the election of magistrates was made by the pullinge of beanes : Not to put our meate in Scapio . That is wée shoulde not speake of manners or vertue , to those whose mindes are infected with vice . Not to retire when wee are come to the ende of our race . That is , when wée are at the poynte of deathe , wee shoulde not be oppressed wyth griefe , but willingly yelde to nature . But I will retourne to my former preceptes , that is , that younge men shoulde bée kept from the company of those that are wicked , especially from the si●ht of the flatterer . For I say now as I haue oftentimes before sayde● , that there is no kinde of beast so noysome as the flatterer , nothing that will sooner consume bothe the sonne and the Father and all honest friendes . When the Father exhorteth the sonne to sobrietye , the flatterer prouoketh hym to wine , when the Father weaneth them to continencie , the flatterer allureth them to lust , when the Father admonisheth them to thrifte , the flatterer haleth them to prodigallitye , when the Father encourageth them to labour , the flatterer layeth a cusshion vnder his eldbowe to sleepe , biddinge them to eate , drincke , and bée merry , for that the lyfe of man is soone gone , and but as a short shadowe , and seeinge that wée haue but a whyle to lyue , who woulde lyue lyke a seruaunt ? they saye that nowe their Fathers bee ol●e and doate through age lyke Saturnus .

Héereof if commeth the young men giuing not onely attentiue eare but redy coyne to flatterers fall into such mys●ortune , heereof it procéedeth that they haunt the stewes , marry before they be wyse , and dye be●ore they thriue . These be the beas●s which liue by the trenchers of younge gentlemen , & consume the treasures of their reuenewes , these be they that soothe younge youthes in their owne sayinges , that vpholde them in all theyr dooinges with a yea , or nay , these be they that are at euery becke , at euery nod , ●réemen by fortune , slaues by free wil. Wherfore if there be any fathers that would haue his children nurtured and brought vp in honestye , let him expell these Panthers , whiche haue a swéete smell but a deuouringe minde : yet woulde I not haue parentes altogether precise , or to seu●re in correction , but let them wyth mildenesse ●orgyue light offences , and remember that they themselues h●ue bene younge , as the Phisition by minglinge bitter poysons with swéete liquor , bringeth healthe to the body , so the Father with sharpe rebukes seasoned with louing lookes , causeth a redresse and amendement in his childe . But if the Father be throughly angry vpon good occasion , let him not continue his rage , for I had rather he should be soone angry then harde to be pleased , for when the sonne shall percei●e that the Father hathe conceyued rather a hate then a heate againste him , he becommeth desperate , neyther regarding his fathers ire , neither his owne duetie . Some light faults let them dissemble as though they knewe them not , & séeing them let them not séeme to see them , & hearing them let them not seeme to heare . We can easily forget the offences of our friendes be they neuer so great , and shall wée not forgyue the escapes of our children be they neuer so small ? We beare of●entimes with our seruaunts and shall we not somtimes with our sonnes : the fairest Iennet is ruled as well with the wand as with the spurre , the wildest childe is assoone corrected with a word as with a weapon . If thy sonne be so stubborne obstinately to rebel against thee , or so wilful to perseuer in his wickednes that neither for feare of punishment , neither for hope of reward , he is any way to be reclaimed , then séeke out some marriage fit for his degree which is the surest bond of youth , & the strongest chain to fetter affections that can be found . Yet let his wife be such a one as is neither much more noble in birth , or farre more richer in goodes , but accord●ng to the wyse saying : choose one euery way , as néere as may bee equall in both : for they that doe desire greate dowries doe rather marrye themselues to the wealth , then to their wife . But to retourne to the matter , it is most requisite , that Fathers both by their discréet counsaile , and also their honest conuersation , bée an ensample of imitation to their children , that hee seeinge in their parentes as it were in a glasse the per●ection of manners , they maye bée encouraged by their vpright liuinge , to practise the lyke pietie : for if a Father rebuke his childe of swearinge , and hée himselfe a blasphemor , doth he not sée , that in detecting his sonnes vice , he also noteth his owne . If the father counsayle the sonne to refraine wine , as most vnholesome , and drincke himselfe immoderately , doth hee not as well reproue his owne folly , as rebuke hys sonnes ? Age alway ought to bée a myrror for youth , for where olde age is impudent there certeinly youth must néeds bee shamelesse , where the aged haue no respect of their honorable and graye haires , there the younge gallauntes haue little regarde of their honest behauiour , & in one word to conclude al , wher age is past grauitie , there youth is past grace . The sum of all wherewith I would haue my Ephaebus endued , & how I would haue him instructed , shall briefly appeare in this following . First , that he be of honest parents , nursed of his mother , brought vp in such a place as is incorrupt both for the aire & manners , wyth such a person as is vndefiled of great zeale , of profounde knowledge , of absolute perfection , that bee instructed in Philosophy , whereby hée may atteyne learninge , and haue in all sciences a sm●ake , whereby he maye readi●y dispute of any thing . That his body be kept in his pure strength by honest exercise , hys witte and memory , by diligent study .

That he abandon all allurements of vice , and continually enclyne to vertue , which if it shall as it may come to passe , then doe I hope that if euer Platoes common weale shall flourish , that my Ephaebus , shall be a Citizen , that if Aristotle si●ed any happye man it will bée my childe , if Tullye confesse anye to bee an absolute Orator , it will be my young youth . I am heere therefore gentlemen to exhort you , that with all industry you apply your mindes to the studie of Philosophye , that as you professe your selues students , so you maye bee students , that as you disdayne not the name of a scholler , so you wil not be found voyde of the duetie of schollers , let not your minds be carried away with vayn delyghts , as with trauayling into far and straunge countryes , where you shal see more wickednesse , then learne vertue and witte . Neyther with costlye attire of the new cutte , the Dutch hatte , the French hose , the Spanish rapier , the Italian hilte , and I know not what . Cast not your eyes on the beautie of woemen , leaste ye cast away your heartes with folly , let not that fonde loue , wherewith youthe fatteth himsel●e as fatte as a foole , infect you , for as a sinew béeing cut though it be healed there will alwayes remayne a scar●e , or as fine lynnen stayned with blacke incke , though it be washed neuer so often , will haue an yron mowle , so the minde once mangled or maymed with loue , though it be neuer so well cured with reason , or cooled by wisedome , yet there will appeare a scar by the which one may gesse the minde hath bene pierced , and a blemish whereby one maye iudge the hearte hathe bene stayned .

Refrayne from dyeing which was the onely cause that Pyr●us was striken to the hearte , and from dauncing which was the meanes that lost Iohn Baptists head . I am not hee that will disallow honest recreation although I detest the abuses , I speake ●oldely vnto you bicause I my selfe know you : what Athens hath bene , what Athens is , what Athens shal be I can gesse . Let not euery Iune and Alehouse in Athens be as it were your chamber , frequent not those ordinarie tables wher eyther for the desire of delycate cates , or the méetinge of youthefull companions , yée both spende your money vaynely and your time idly . Imitate him in lyfe whom ye honour ●or his learning , Aristotle , who was neuer seene in the company of those that idelly bestowed their time .

There is nothing more swifter then time , nothinge more sweeter , we haue not as Seneca sayth lyttle tyme to lyue , but wée léese much , neyther haue wée a shorte lyfe by Nature , but we make it shorter by naughtines , our lyfe is long if we know how to vse it . Followe Appelles that cunning and wise Painter , which would lette no day passe ouer his heade without a lyne , without some labour . It was pretely sayde of Hesiodas , lette vs indeauour by reason to excell beastes , séeinge beastes by nature excell men , although strickely taken it be not so , for that man is endewed with a soule , yet taken touching their perfection of sences in their kinde it is most certeine . Doth not the Lyon for strengthe , the Turtle for loue , the Ante for labour excell man ? Doth not the Eagle sée cléerer , the Uulter smell better , the Mowle heare lyghtlyer ? lette vs therefore endeuour to excell in vertue seeing in qualyties of the body we are inferiour to beastes . And h●ere I am most earnestly to exhort you to modestie in your behauiour , to duetie to your elders , to dilygence in your studyes . I was of late in Italy , where mine eares gloed , and my hearte was gauled to heare the abuses that reygn● in Athens : I can not tell whether those things sprange by the lewd● and lying lyppes of the ignoraunt , which are alwayes enemyes to learning , or by the reportes of such as saw them , and sorrowed at them . It was openly reported of an olde man in Naples that there was more lyghtnes in Athens , then in all Italy , more wanton youths of schollers , then in al Europe besides , more Papistes , more Atheists , more sectes , more schismes , then in all the Monarchies of the world , which things although I thinke they be not true , yet can I not but lament that they shoulde be déemed to bée true , and I feare me they be not altogether false , there can no greate smoke aryse but there must be some fire , no great reporte without great suspition . Frame therefore your liues to such integretie , your studies to the attayning of such perfection , that neyther the mighte of the strong , neyther the mallyce of the weake , neyther the swifte reportes of the ignoraunte be able to spotte you with dishonestie or note you of vngodlynesse . The greatest harme that you can doe vnto the enuious , is to doe well , the greatest corasiue that you can giue vnto the ignoraunt , is to prosper in knowledge , the greatest comforte that you can bestowe on your parents is to lyue well , and learne well , the greatest commoditie that you can yéelde vnto your countrey , is with wisedome to bestow that talente , that by grace was giuen you .

And héere I cannot chuse but giue you that counsell , that an olde man in Naples gaue me most wiselye , althoughe I hadde then neyther grace to followe it , neyther will to giue ●are to it , desiringe you not to reiecte it bicause I dyd once dispise it , It is this as I can remember worde ●or worde .

Desce●de into your owne cons●yences , consider with your selues the greate dif●erence betwéene staringe and starke blynde , witte and wisedome , loue and lust , bee merrye but with modestie , bée sober but not too sullen , be valyaunte but not too venterous , lette your attire be comely but not too costly , your dyet wholesome , but not excessiue , vse pastime as the worde importeth , to passe the time in honeste recreation . Mistrust no man without cause , neyther be ye credulous without proofe , be not lyght to follow euery mans opinion , neither obstinate to stande in your owne conceits , serue God , feare God , loue God , & God wil blesse you , as eyther your heartes can wish , or your friendes desire . This was his graue and godly aduise whose councell I woulde haue you all to follow , frequent lectures , vse disputations openly , neclecte not your priuate studyes , let not degrees be giuen for loue , but for learning , not for mony but for knowledge , and bicause you shall bée the better encouraged to follow my counsell , I will bée as it were an example my selfe , desiring you all to imitate me .

Euphues hauing ended his discourse , & finished those preceptes which he thought necessary for the instructing of youthe , gaue his minde to the continuall studye of Philosophie , insomuch as he became publyque Reader in the Uniuersitie , with such commendacion as neuer any before him , in the which he continued for the space of tenne yeares , onely searching out the secrets of Nature & the hidden misteries of Philosophy , & hauing collected into thrée volumes his lectures , thought for the profite of young schollers to sette them forth in print , which if hee had done , I would also in this his Notomie haue inserted , but hée alteringe his determination , fell into this discourse with himselfe .

Why Euphues art thou so addi●ted to the s●udye of the Heathen ? that thou hast forgotten thy God in Heauen ? shal thy witte be rather employed to the attaining of humayne wisedome then deuine knowledge ? Is Aristotle mor● deare to thee with his bookes ? then Christ with his bloude ? What comfort canst thou finde in Philosophy for thy guiltie conscience , what hope of the resurrection , what gladde tidinges of the Gospell ? Consider with thy selfe that thou art a gentlemen , yea , and a Gentile , and if thou neglect thy calling thou art worse then a Iewe. Most miserable is the estate of those gentlemen which thincke it a blemishe to their auncestors , and a blot to their owne gentrie to reade or practize diuinitie . They thincke it nowe sufficient for their felicitie to ryde well vppon a greate horse , to hawke , to hunt , to haue a smacke in Philosophye , neyther thincking of the beginninge of wisedome , neyther the ende which is Christe : onely they accompte diuinitie most contemptible , which is and ought to be most notable . Without this there is no Lawyer bée hée neuer so eloquent , no Phisition bée he neuer so excellent , no Philosopher be hée neuer so learned , no King no Keyser , be he neuer so royal in birth , so politique in peace , so expert in war , so valiaunt in prowesse , but he is to bée detested , and abhorred . Farewell therefore the fine and filed prases of Cicero , the pleasaunt Eligues of Ouid , the depth and profound knowledge of Aristotle . Farewell Rhetoricke , farewell Philosophie , farewell all learninge which is not spronge from the bowels of the holy Bible .

In this learning shal we finde milke for the weake , and marrowe for the stronge , in this shall wée sée how the ignoraunt may be instructed , the obstinate confuted , the penitent comforted , the wicked punished , the godly preserued . Oh I would gentlemen would ●emetimes sequester themselues from their own delights , & employ their wits in searching these heauenly and diuine misteries . It is common , yea , and lamentable to sée that if a younge youth , haue the giftes of Nature , as a sharpe witte or of Fortune , as sufficient wealthe to mainteine them gallauntly , hée employeth the one in the vaine inuentions of loue , the other in the vile brauery of pride , the one in the passions of hys mynde and prayses of his Ladye , the other in furnishinge of his bodye and furtheringe of his lust , héereof it commeth that such vayne ditties , such idle sonnets , suche inticinge songes , are sette foorth to the gaze of the worlde and griefe of the godlye . I my selfe knowe none so ill as my selfe , who in tymes past haue bene so superstitiously addicted , that I thought no heauen to the Paradise of loue , no Angell to bée compared to my Ladye , but as repentaunce hath caused mée to leaue and loath such vayne delightes , so wisedome hath opened vnto me the perfect gate to eternall lyfe .

Besides this , I my selfe haue thought that in diuinitie there coulde bée no eloquence , which I myght imitate , no pleasaunt inuention whiche I might followe , no delicate phrase , that myght delyght mée , but nowe I sée that in the sacred knowledge of Gods wyll , the onely eloquence , the true and perfect phrase , the testimony of saluation doth abide , and séeing without this , all learninge is ignoraunce , all wysdome more folly , and wytte playne bluntnesse , all Iustice iniquytie , all eloquence barbarisme , all beautie deformytye . I wyll spend all the remainder of my lyfe , in studying the olde testament , wherein is prefigured the comming of my sauiour , and the newe testament , wherein my Christ doth suffer for my sinnes , and is crucified for my redemption , whose bitter agonies shoulde cast euery good Christian into a shieueringe ague , to remember his anguishe , whose sweatinge of water and bloud should cause euery deuoute and zealous Catholique , to shedde teares of repentaunce in remembraunce of his tormentes .

Euphues , hauing discoursed this wyth himselfe , dyd immediatly abandon all lyght companye , all the dysputations in schooles , all Philosophy , and gaue hymselfe to the touchstone of holinesse in diuinitie , accomptinge all other thinges as most vyle and contemptible .

¶ Euphues to the Gentlemen schollers in Athens .

THe Merchant that trauaileth for gaine , the husbandman that toyleth for encrese , the Lawyer that pleadeth for golde , the craftes man that seeketh to liue by his labour , all these after they haue fatted themselues with sufficient , either take their ease or lesse paine than they were accustomed . Hippomanes ceased to runne when he had gotten the goale , Hercules to labour , when he had obtained the victorie , Mercurie to pipe when he had cast Argus in a slumber . Euery action hath his ende , and then wée leaue to sweate when wée haue founde the swéete . The Ant though shée toyle in Sommer , yet in Winter she leaueth to trauayle . The Bée though she delight to sucke the fayre flower , yet is she at laste cloyed wyth honny . The Spider that weaueth the finest thréede ceaseth at the last , when she hath finished hir web . But in the action and study of the minde ( gentlemen ) it is farre otherwise , for he that tasteth the swéete of learninge endureth all the sower of labour . Hée that séeketh the depth of knowledge is as it were in a Laborinth , in which the farther he goeth , the farther he is from the end : or like the bird in the limebush which the more she striueth to get out , the faster she sticketh in . And certeinly it may be said of learning , as it was famed of Nectar the drinck of the Gods the which the more it was dronck , the more it would ouerflow the br●mme of the cup , neither is it farre vnlike the stone that groweth in the riuer of Caria , the whiche the more it is cutte , the more it encreaseth . And it fareth with him that followeth it as with him that hath the dropsie , who the more he drincketh the more he thirsteth . Therefore in my minde the student is at lesse ease then the Oxe that draweth , or the Asse that carrieth his burthen , who neither at the boord when others eate is voide of labour , neither in his bed when others sléepe is without meditation . But as in manuary craftes though they bée all good , yet that is accompted most noble , that is most necessary , so in the actions and studies of the minde although they be all worthy , yet that deserueth greatest praise which bringeth greatest profit . And so we commonly do make best accompt of that which doth vs most good . We estéeme better of the Phisition that ministreth the potion , then of the Apoticarie that selleth the drugges .

Howe much more ought we with all diligence , studye , and industry , spende our short pilgrimage in the séeking out of our saluation . Uaine is Philosophye , vaine is Phisicke , vaine is Law , vaine is all Learning wythout the tast of diuine knowledge . I was determined to write notes of Philosophy , which had bene to feede you fat wyth follye , yet that I might séeme neyther idle , neyther you euill imployed , I haue héere set downe a briefe discourse which of late I haue had wyth an hereticke which kept mée from idlenesse , and maye if you reade it deterre you from heresie . It was wyth an Atheyst , a man in opinion monstrous , yet tractable to be perswaded . By thys shall you sée th● absurde dotage of hym that thincketh there is no God , or an vnsufficient God , yet héere shall you finde the summe of faith , which iustifyeth onely in Christ , the weakenesse of the law , the strengthe of the Gospell , and the knowledge of Gods will . Héere shall yee finde hope if ye be in dispaire , comfort if ye be distressed , if ye thirst drincke , meate if ye hunger , if ye feare Moses who sayth , without you fulfill the law you shall perish . Beholde Christ which sayth , I haue ouercommen the lawe . And that in these desperate dayes wherein so many sectes are sowen , and in the wayning of the world , wherein so many false Christes are come , you mighte haue a certeyntie of your saluation , I meane to sette downe the towchestone wherevnto euerye one oughte to trust , and by the which euerye one shoulde try himselfe , which if you followe , I doubte not but that as you haue proued learned Philosophers , you will also procéede excellent diuines , which God graunt .

¶ EVPHVES AND ATHEOS .

ATheos . I am gladde Euphues that I haue founde thée at leasure , partly that we might be merry , and partly that I mighte bée perswaded in a thinge that much troubleth my conscience . It is concerning God . There bée manye that are of this minde , that there is a God whom they tearme the creator of all things , a God whom they call the sonne the redéemer of the worlde , a God whome they name the holy Ghost , the worker of all thinges , the comforter , the spirite , and yet are they of this opinion also , that they be but one God , coequall in power , coeternal , incomprehensible , & yet a Trinitie in person . I for my parte although I am not so credulous to beleeue their curious opinions , yet am I desirous to heare the reasons that should driue them into such fonde and frenticke imaginations . For as I know nothing to be so absurde which some of the Philosophers haue not defended , so thinke I nothing so erronious which some of our Catholickes haue not maynteyned . If there were , as diuers dreame , a God that would reuenge the oppression of the widdowes and fatherlesse , that would rewarde the zeale of the mercifull , pittie the poore and pa●don the penitent , then woulde the people eyther stande in greater awe , or owe more loue towards their God .

I remember Tullye disputinge of the nature of Gods , bringeth Dionisius as a scoffer of such vayne and deuised Deities , who séeinge Aesculapius with a longe bearde of golde , and Apollo his father beardelesse , played the Barbar and shaued if from him , saying , it was not decent that the sonne shoulde haue a bearde and the father none . Seeing also Iupiter with an ornament of golde tooke it from him iesting thus , In Summer this aray is too heauie , in Winter too colde , héere I leaue one of wollen , both warmer for the colde and lyghter for the heat . He comming also into the Temple wher certeyne of the gods with golden giftes stretched out their handes , tooke them all away saying , Who will bee so madde as to refuse thinges so gentlye off●red .

Dost thou not sée Euphues what small accompt hée made of their gods , sor at the last sayling into his countrey with a prosperous winde , he laughing sayde , loe sée you not my Maysters , how well the Gods rewarde our Sacriledge . I coulde rehearse infinite opinions of excellent men who in this poynte holde on my side , but especiallye Protago●as . And in my iudgement if there be any God , it is the worlde wherein we lyue , that is the onely God , what can we beholde more noble then the worlde , more faire , more beautifull , more glorious ? what more maiesticall to the sight , or more constant in substance ? But this by the way Euphues , I haue greter & more forcible arguments to confirme my opinion , & to confute the errors of those that imagine that there is a God . But first I woulde gladly heare thée shape an aunswere to that which I haue sayde , for well I knowe that thou arte not onely one of those which beléeue that ther is a god , but of them also● which are so precise in honouring him , that they be scarce wise in helping themselues .

Euphues . If my hope ( Atheos ) were not better to conuerte thee , then my happe was heere to conferre with thée , my hearte woulde breake for griefe , which beginneth freshly to bléede for sorrowe , thou hast stroken mée into such a shiuering and colde terror at the rehearsing of this thy monstrous opinion , that I looke euery minute when the grounde shoulde open to swallowe thée vpp , and that God which thou knowest not shoulde with thunder from Heauen strike thée to Hell. Was there euer Barbarian so sencelesse , euer miscreaunt so bar●arous , that did not acknowledge a lyuinge and euerlasting Iehouah ? I cannot but tremble at the remembra●nce of his maiestie , and dost thou make it a mockerie ?

O iniquitie of times , O corruption of maners , O blasphemie against the heauens . The Heathen man sayth , yea that Tullye whome thou thy selfe alleadgest , that there is no nation so barbarous , no kinde of people so sauage in whom resteth not this perswasion that there is a God , and euen they that in other partes of theire lyfe séeme very lyttle to differ from brute beastes , doe continually kéepe a certeyne seede of Relygion , so throughlye hath this common principle possessed all mens mindes , and so faste it sticketh in all mens bowells .

Yea Idolatrye it selfe is sufficient proofe of this perswasion for we sée how willyngly man abaseth himselfe to honour other creatures , to doe homage to stockes , to goe on pilgrimage to images , if therefore man rather then he woulde haue no God doe worship a stone , how much more art thou duller then a stone which goest against the opinion of all men .

Plato a Philosopher woulde often say , there is one whome we may call God omnipotent , glorious , immortall , vnto whose similytude we that créepe héere on the earthe haue our soules framed . What can be sayde more of a Heathen , yea , what more of a Christian ? Aristotle when he coulde not finde out by the secrecie of Nature the cause of the ebbing and flowing of the Sea , cryed out with a loude voyce , O thing of things haue mercy vpon mee .

Cleanthes alleadged foure causes , which might induce man to acknowledge a God , the first by the foreséeing of things to come , the second by the infinite commodities which we dayly reape , as by the temperature of the aire , the fatnesse of the earth , the fruitefulnesse of trees , plantes and hearbes , the aboundaunce of all thinges that may eyther serue for the necessitie of many , or the superfluitie of a few , the thirde by the terror that the minde of man is stroken into , by lyghtenings , thunderings , tempestes , hayles , snow , earthquakes , pestilence , by the straunge and terrible fightes which cause vs to tremble , as the rayning of bl●ud , the firie impressions in the Elemente , the ouerflowinge of ●loudes in the earth , the prodigious shapes and vnnaturall formes of men , of beastes , of birdes , of fishes , of all creatures , the appearing of blasing Commettes , which euer prognosticate some straunge mutation , the sighte of two Sunnes which happened in the Consulshippe of Tudit●nus and Aquilius , with these things mortall men béeing afrighted are enforced to acknowledge an immortall & omnipotent God . The fourth by the equalitie of mouing in the heauen , the course of the Sunne , the order of the starres , the beautifulnesse of the Element , the sight whereof might sufficiently induce vs to beléeue they procéede not by chaunce , by nature , or destinie , but by the eternall and diuine purpose of some omnipotent Deitie . Héereoff it came that when the Philosophers could giue no reason by nature , they would saye there is one aboue nature , an other would cal him the first mouer , an other the ayder of nature , and so foorth .

But why goe I about in a thing so manifest to vse proofes so manifolde . If thou denie the truth who can proue it , if thou denie that blacke is blacke , who can by reason reproue thée , when thou opposest thy self against reason , thou knowest that manifest truthes are not to be proued but beléeued , and that he that denieth the principles of any Arte is not to bée confuted by argumentes , but to bée left to his owne folly . But I haue a better opinion of thée , and therefore I meane not to trifle wyth Philosophy but to trye this by the touchstone of the Scriptures . We reade in the seconde of Exodus , that when Moses desired of God to knowe what hée should name him to the children of Israell , hée aunswered , thou shalte saye , I am that I am . Agayne , hée that is hath sent mée vnto you . The Lorde euen your God , hée is God in the heauen aboue and in the earth beneath , I am the first , & the last I am . I am the Lorde , and there is none other besides mée . Agayne , I am the Lord and there is none other . I haue created the lyght and made darkenesse , making peace and framing euill . If thou desire to vnderstande what God is , thou shalt heare , he is euen a consuming fire , the Lorde of reuenge , the God of iudgement , the liuing God , the searcher of the reynes , he that made all things of nothing , Alpha and Omega , the beginning and yet without beginning , the ende and yet euerlastinge , one at whose breath the mountaines shall shake , whose seat is the loftie Cherubins , whose footestoole is the earthe inuisible , yet séeinge all things , a gelous God , a louing God , myraculous in all pointes , in no part monstrous . Besides this , thou shalt well vnderstande that hée is such a God as wil punish him whosoeuer he be the blasphemeth his name , for holy is the Lord. It is written , bring out the blasphemer without the tents & let al those that hearde him laye their handes vppon hys heade , and let all the people stone him . He that blasphemeth the name of the Lorde shall dye the death . Suche a gelous God , that whosoeuer committeth Idolatrye wyth straunge Gods hée will strike wyth terrible plagues ? Tourne not to Idols neyther make Gods wyth handes , I am the Lord your God : Thou shalte make no Image which the Lorde thy God abhorreth . Thou shalt haue no newe GOD , neyther worshyp any straunge Idoll . For all the Gods of the Gentiles are Diuels .

My sonnes kéepe your selues from Images , the worshippinge of Idols is the cause of all euyll , the beginninge and the ende . Cursed bée that man that engraueth any Images , it is an abhomination before the Lorde . They shall be confounded that worshippe grauen Images , or glory in Idols . I wyll not giue my glorye to an other , nor my prayses to grauen Images . If all these testimonies of the Scriptures cannot make thée to acknowledge a lyuinge GOD , harken what they saye of such as be altogether incredulous . Euery vnbeleeuer shall dye in his incredulitie . Woe be to those that bee loose in heart , they beléeue there is no God , and therefore they shall not bée protected of him . The wrathe of the Lorde shall kindle agaynste an vnbléeuinge nation . If yée beléeue not yée shall not endure . Hée that beléeueth not shall bée damned . Hée that beléeueth not is iudged alreadye . The portion of the vnbeléeuers shall be in the lake that burneth wyth fire and brimstome which is the seconde death . If thou feele in thy selfe Atheos anye sparke of grace praye vnto the Lorde and hée wyll cause it to flame , if thou haue no feelinge of fayth , yet praye and the Lorde wyll gyue aboundaunce , for as hée is a terrible God , whose voyce is lyke the rushinge of many waters , so is he a mercifull God whose woordes are as softe as Oyle . Though he breath fire out of his nostrils agaynst sinners , yet is he milde to those that aske forgiuenesse . But if thou bée obstinate that seeinge thou wylt not sée , and knowing thou wylt not acknowledge , then shall thy heart bée hardened wyth Pharao , and grace shall bée taken awaye from thée with Saule . Thus sayth the Lorde , who so beléeueth not shall perishe , heauen and earth shall passe , but the word of the Lord shall endure for euer .

Submyt thy selfe before the throne of hys Maiestye , and his mercye shall saue thée . Honour the Lorde and it shalll bée well wyth thée . Besides him feare no straunge God . Honour the Lorde wyth all thy soule . Offer vnto God the sacrifice of prayse . Be not lyke the hipocrites whiche honour God with their lips , but be farre from hym with their heartes , neyther lyke the foole which sayth his in heart , ther is no God . But if thou wylt stil perseuer in thine obstinacie thine end shal be worse then thy beginning , the Lord , yea , thy sauiour shal come to be thy Iudge when thou shalt beholde him come in glory with millions of Angels and Archangels , when thou shalt sée him appeare in thundringes and lyghtninges and flashinges of fire , when ●he mountaynes shall melt , and the heauens be wrapped vp lyke a scrowle , when all the earth shall tremble , with what face wilt thou beholde his glorye that deniest his Godhead ? how canst thou abide his presence that beléeuest not his essence ? what hope canst thou haue to be saued which diddest neuer acknowledge a-any to be thy Sauiour ? Then shall it be sayde to thée and to all those of thy s●cte ( vnlesse ye r●pent ) depart all yee workers of iniquitie , there shall bée wéepinge and gnashing of téeth . When you shal sée Abraham , Isaac , and Iacob , and all the Prophets in the kingdome of God , and yée to bée thrust out : You shall conceyue heate and bringe foorth woode , your owne consciences shall consume you lyke fire . Héere dost thou sée Atheos the threatninges agaynst vnbeléeuers , and the punishment prepared for miscreantes . What better or sounder proofe canst thou haue that there is a GOD then thine owne conscience , which is vnto thée a thousande wytnesses ? Consider wyth thy selfe that thy soule is immortal , made to the Image of the almighty God : bée not curious to enquire of God , but carefull to beléeue , neither bée thou desperate if thou sée thy sinnes abounde , but faythfull to obteine mercy , for the Lorde will saue thée bycause it is hys pleasure , searche therefore the Scriptures for they testifie of him .

Atheos . Truely Euphues you haue sayde somewhat , but you goe about contrarye to the customes of schooles , which mée thinckes you shoulde dilygentlye obserue béeinge a professed Philosopher , for when I demaunde by what reason men are induced to acknowledge a God , you confirme it by course of Scripture , as who shoulde saye there were not a relatyon betwéene GOD and the Scripture , bycause as the olde Fathers define , wythout Scripture there were no GOD , no Scripture without a GOD . Whosoeuer therefore denyeth a Godhead , denyeth also the scriptures which testifie of him . This is in my opinion absurdum per absurdius to proue one absurditie by an other . If thou canst as substantiallye by reason proue thy authoritie of Scriptures to be true , as thou hast proued by Scriptures there is a God , then will I willyngly with thée both beléeue the Scriptures , and worshippe thy God . I haue heard that Antiochus commaunded all the copies of the Testament to bée burnt , from whence therefore haue we these newe bookes , I thincke thou wilt not saye by reuelation , therefore goe forwarde .

Euphues . I haue read of the milke of a Tygresse that the more salte there is throwne into it the fresher it is , and it may be that thou hast eyther eaten of that milke , or that thou arte the Whelpe of that Monster , for the more reasons that are beate into thy head , the more vnreasonable thou séemest to bée , the greater my authorities are , the lesser is thy beliefe . As touching the authoritie of Scriptures although there be manye arguments which do proue yea and enforce the wicked to confesse that the Scriptures came from God , yet by none other meane then by the secrete testimony of the holy Ghost our heartes are truely perswaded that it is God which speaketh in the lawe , in the Prophets , in the Gospell , the orderly disposition of the wisedome of God , the doctrine sauoring nothing of earthlynesse , the godly agreement of all parts amonge themselues , and specially the basenesse of contemptible wordes vttering the high misteryes of the heauenly kingedome , are seconde helpes to establish the Scriptures .

Moreouer the antiquitie of the Scripture , whereas the bookes of other Relygions are later then the bookes of Moses , which yet doth not himselfe inuent a newe God , but setteth foorth to the Israelites the God of their fathers . Whereas Moses doth not byde the shame of Leuy his father , nor the mourninge of Aaron his brother , and of Marie his sister , nor doth aduannce his owne children : The same are arguments that in his booke is nothing fayned by man . Also the myracles that happened as well at the publyshing of the lawe as in all the rest of time are infallyble proofes that the Scriptures procéeded from the mouth of God. Also whereas Moses speaking in the person of Iacob , assigneth gouernment to the Tribe of Iuda , and where he telleth before of the callynge of the Gentiles , whereof the one came to passe foure hundreth yeares after , the other almost two thousande yeares , these are arguments that it is GOD himselfe that speaketh in the bookes of Moses .

Whereas Esay telleth before of the captiuitie of the Iewes and their restoryng by Cyrus ( which was borne an hundreth yeares after the deathe of Esay ) and wheras Ier●my before the people were led away apointeth their exile to continew thréescore and ten yeares . Whereas Ieremy and Ezechiel béeinge farre distaunt in places the one from the other doe agrée in all theire sayings . Where Daniel telleth of things to come sixe hundreth yeares after . These are most certeyne proues to establish the authoritie of the bookes of the Prophets , the simplycitie of the speach of the first thrée Euaungelysts , conteyninge heauenlye mysteries , the prayse of Iohn thundring from on high with weyghty sentences , the heauenlye maiestie shininge in the writings of Peter and Paule , the sodayne callyng of Mathew from the receipte of custome , the callyng of Peter and Iohn from their fisher boates to the preaching of the Gospell , the conuersion and callyng of Paule béeing an enemy to the Apostleshippe are signes of the holye Ghost speaking in them . The consent of so many ages , of so sundrye nations , and of so diuers mindes , in embracing the Scriptures , and the rare godlynesse of some , oughte to establish the authoritie thereoff amongst vs . Also the bloude of so many Martyrs which for the confession thereoff haue suffred deathe with a constant and sober zeale , are vndoubted testimonyes of the truthe and authoritie of the Scriptures .

The myracles that Moses recounteth are suffient to perswade vs that God , yea , the God of hoastes , sette downe the Scriptures . For this that hée was carryed in a clowde vpp into the mountayne : that there euen vntill the fortith daye he continued without the companye of men . That in the verye publyshinge of the lawe his face did shine as it were besette with Sunne beames , that lyghteninges flashed rounde about , that thunder and noyses were eache where hearde in the ayre , that a Trompette sownded being not sownded with any mouth of man .

That the entry of the Tabernacle by a clowde set betweene was kepte from the sighte of the people , that his authoritie was so miraculously reuenged with the horrible destruction of Chorah , Dathan , and Abiron , and all that wicked faction , that the rocke stroken with a rodde did by and by powre foorthe a ryuer , that at his prayer , it rayned Manna from Heauen . Dyd not God héerein commend him from Heauen as an vndoubted Prophet ?

Nowe as touchinge the tyrannye of Antiochus , which commaunded all the bookes to be burned , héerein GODS singuler prouidence is séene , which hath alwayes kepte his woorde bo●h from the mightye that they coulde neuer extinguishe the same , and from the mallitious that they coulde neuer diminish it . Ther were diuers copyes which god of his great goodnes kept from the bloudie proclamation of Antiochus , & by & by followed the translating of them into Greeke , that they might be publyshed vnto the whole worlde . The Hebrew tongue lay not onely vnestéemed but almost vnknown , and surely had it not bene Gods will to haue his religion prouided for , it had altogether perished . Th●u seest Atheos how the Scriptures come from the mouth of God , & are written by the finger of the Holy Ghost , in the consciences of all the faythfull . But if thou be so curious to aske other questions , or so quarrellous to striue agaynst the truth , I must aunswer thee , as an olde father answered a young foole which néedes would know what God did before he made Heauen , to whom he said , hell , for such curious inquisitors of gods secrets , whose wisedome is not to be comprehended , for who is he that can measure the winde or way the fire , or attayne vnto the vnsearcheable iudgementes of the Lorde .

Besides this , where the Holy Ghost hath ceased to sette downe , there ought we to cease to enquire , séeing we haue the sufficiencie of our saluation conteined in holy Scripture . It were an absurditie in schooles , if one béeing vrged with a place in Aristotle could finde none other shifte to auoyde a blancke then in doubting whether Aristotle spake such words or no. Shall it then be tollerable to denye the Scriptures hauing no other colour to auoyde an inconuenience , but by doubting whether they procéede from the holy Ghost ? But that such doubtes aryse amonge many in our age , the reason is , theire lyttle faythe , not the insufficient proofe of the cause .

Thou mayst as well demaund how I proue white to be white , or blacke , blacke , and why it shoulde bée called white rather then gréene . Such grosse questions are to be aunswered with slender reasons , and such idle heades would be scoffed with adle aunsweres . He that hath no motion of God in his minde , no féelinge of the spirite , no tast of heauenly thinges , no remorce in conscience , no sparke of zeale , is rather to be confounded by tormentes , then reasons , for it is an euydent and infallible signe that the holy Ghost hath not sealed his conscience , whereby hée myght crye Abba Father , I coulde alledge Scripture to proue that the godly shoulde refraine from the companye of the wicked , which although thou wylt not beléeue , yet will it condemne thée . Sainct Paul sayth , I desire you brethren that you absteine from the companye of those that walke inordinatelye . Agayne my sonne i● sinners shall flatter thée gyue no eare vnto them , flye from the euill , and euils shall flye from thée .

And surely were it not to confute thy detestable heresie , and bringe thée if it might be to some taste of the holy Ghost , I would abandon all place of thy abode , for I thincke the grounde accursed whereon th●u standest : Thine opinions are so monstrous that I cannot tell whether thou wylte cast a doubt also whether thou haue a soule or no , whiche if thou doe , I meane not to wast winde in prouing that which thine infidellitie wyll not permit thée to beléeue , for if thou hast as yet felt no tast of the spirit working in thée , then sure I am that to proue the immortallitie of the soule were bootelesse , if thou haue a secrete féelinge , then it were néedlesse . And God graunt thée that glowinge and sting in conscience that thy soule may witnesse to thy selfe that there is a liuing God , and thy heart shed drops of bloud as a token of repentance , in that thou hast denied that God , and so I commit thée to God , and that which I cannot do with any perswasion I wil not leaue to attempt with my prayer . Atheos . Nay stay a while good Euphues & leaue not him perplexed with feare , whom thou maist make perfect by faith . For now I am brought into such a double & doubtfull distresse that I knowe not howe to tourne mée , if I beléeue not the Scriptures , then shall I be damned for vnbeliefe , if I beléeue them then I shall be confounded for my wycked lyfe . I knowe the whole course of the Bible which if I shoulde beléeue then must I also beléeue that I am an abiect . For thus sayth Heli to his sonnes , if man sin againe man , God can forgiue it , if against God who shall entreate for him ? ●e that sinneth is of the Dyuell , the rewarde of sinne is death , thou shalte not suffer the wicked to lyue : take all the Princes of the people and hange them vp agaynst the Sunne on Iybbets , that my anger maye bée tourned from Israell , these sayinges of holy Scripture cause mée to tremble and shake in euery sinnewe . Agayne this saith the holy Byble nowe shall the scowrge fall vppon thée for thou hast sinned , beholde I set a curse before you to daye if you shall not harken to the commaundementes of the Lorde , all they that haue forsaken the Lorde shall be confounded ,

Furthermore , where threates are poured out agaynst sinners , my heart bléedeth in my bellye to remember them , I wyll come vnto you in iudgement sayth the Lorde , and I wyll be a swifte and a seuere witnesse , offenders , adulterers , and those that haue committed periurie and retained the duetie of the hirelinges , oppressed the widowes , misused the straunger , and those that haue not feared me the Lord of hoasts . Out of his mouth shall come a two edged swoorde . Beholde I come quickly , and bringe my rewarde with me , which is to yelde euery one according to his desertes . Great is the day of the Lord and terrible , and who is he that may abide him ? What shall I then doe when the Lord shall arise to iudge , and when hée shall demaund what shal I answere ? Besides this , the names that in holy scripture are attributed to God bring a terrour to my guiltie conscience . He is said to be a terrible God , a God of reuenge , whose voice is like the thunder , whose breath maketh al the corners of the earth to shake & tremble . These things Euphues testifie vnto my conscience that if there be a God , he is the God of the righteous , & one that wil confound the wicked . Whether therefore shal I goe , or how may I auoide the day of vengeance to come ? if I goe to heauen that is his seate , if into the earth that is his footstoole , if into the depth he is there also : Who can shrowde himself from the face of the Lord , or where can one hide him that the Lord cannot finde him ? his wordes are like fire and the people lyke drye woode and shal be consumed . Euphues . Although I cannot but reioyce to heare thée acknowledge a God , yet must I néedes lament to sée thée so much distrust him . The Diuell that roaring Lyon seing his pray to be taken out of his iawes , alledgeth al Scripture that may condemne the sinner , leauing al out that should comfort the sorrowful . Much like vnto the deceitfull Phisition which recounteth all things that may endomage his patient , neuer telling any thing that may recure him . Let not thy conscience be agrieued , but with a patient heart renounce all thy former iniquities and thou shalt receiue eternall life . Assure thy selfe that as God is a Lord so he is a father , as Christ is a Iudge , so he is a Sauiour , as ther is a lawe , so there is a Gospel . Though God haue leaden handes whiche when they strike paye home , yet hath he leaden féet which are as slow to ouertake a sinner . Heare therfore the great comfort flowing in euery leafe & line of the Scripture if thou be patient . I my selfe am euen hée which doth blotte out thy transgressions and that for mine owne sake , and I will not be mindefull of thy sinnes . Beholde the Lordes hande is not shortned that it cannot saue , neither his eare heauy , that it cannot heare . If your sinnes were as Crimosin they shall be made whiter then Snow , & though they were as red as Scarlet they shall be made like white Woll . If we confesse our offences hée is faythfull and iuste so that he will forgiue vs our sinnes . God hathe not appointed vs vnto wrath but vnto saluation , by the meanes of our Lorde Iesus Christe , the earthe is filled with the mercye of the Lorde . It is not the will of your Father which is in heauen that any one of the little ones should perishe . God is riche in mercye . I will not the death of a sinner sayth the Lord God , retourne and lyue . The sonne of man came not to destroye but to saue . God hath mercy on all , bycause hée can doe all . God is mercifull , longe sufferinge and of much mercy . If the wicked man shall repent of hys wickednesse which hée hath committed , and kéepe my commaundementes , doinge Iustice and iudgement hée shall lyue the lyfe , and shall not dye . If I shall saye vnto the sinner thou shalt dye the death , yet if hée repent and doe Iustice he shall not dye . Call to thy minde the great goodnesse of God in creating thée , his singuler loue in giuing his sonne for thée . So God loued the worlde that he gaue his onely begotten sonne that whosoeur beléeued in him myght not perish but haue euerlasting life . God hath not sent his sonne to iudge the world , but that the worlde might be saued by him . Can the Mother ( sayth the Prophet ) forget the chylde of hir wombe , & though she be so vnnaturall , yet will I not be vnmindefull of thée . There shal be more ioye in heauen for the repentaunce of one sinner than for nintie & nine iust persons . I came not saith Christ to cal the righteous but sinners to repentance . If any man sin , we haue an aduocate with the father Iesus Christe the righteous , hée is the propitiation for our sinnes , and not for our sinnes onely but for the sinnes of the whole worlde . I write vnto you little children bicause your sinnes be forgiuen for his names sake . Doth not Christ saye that whatsoeuer wée shall aske the Father in his name wée shall obtayne ? Doth not God saye this is my beloued sonne in whome I am well pleased , heare him ? I haue reade of Themistocles which hauing offended Philip the king of Macedonia , & could no way apease his anger , méeting his young sonne Alexander tooke him in his armes , & met Philip in the face : Philip séeing the smilyng countenaunce of the childe , was well pleased with Themistocles . Euen so if through thy manifolde sinnes and haynous offences thou prouoke the heauye displeasure of thy God insomuch as thou shalt tremble for horror , take his onelye begotten and welbeloued sonne Iesus in thine armes , and then he neyther can nor will bée angry with thée . If thou haue denyed thy God , yet if thou goe out with Peter and wéepe bitterly , God will not deny thée . Though with the prodigall sonne thou wallow in thine owne wilfulnesse , yet if thou retourne agayne sorrowfull thou shalt be receiued . If thou bée a grieuous offender , yet if thou come vnto Christ with the woman in Luke and wash his féete with thy teares thou shalt obteyne remission .

Consider with thy selfe the great loue of Christ and the bitter torments that he endured for thy sake , which was enforced through the horror of death to crye with a loude voyce . Eloi , Eloi , Lamasabathani , My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken mée , and with a groning spirite to say , my soule is heauie euen vnto the deathe , tarry héere and watch , and agayne , father if it be possible lette this cuppe passe from mée . Remember how he was crowned with thornes , crucified with théeues , scourged and hanged for thy saluation , how hée swette water and bloude , for thy remission , how he endured euen the torments of the damned spirites for thy redemption , how he ouercame death that thou shouldst not dye , how he conquered the Diuell that thou migh●est not be damned . When thou shalt record what he hath done to purchase thy fréedome , how canst thou dreade bondage ? When thou shalt beholde the agonyes and anguish of minde that he suffered for thy sake , how canst thou doubte of the release of thy soule ? When thy Sauiour shall be thy Iudge , why shouldest thou tremble to heare of iudgement ? When thou hast a continuall Mediator with God the father , howe canst thou distrust of his fauour .

Turne therefore vnto Christ with a willyng hearte & a waylyng minde for thy offences , who hath promised that at what time soeuer a sinner repenteth him of his sinnes he shal be forgiuen , who ●alleth al those that are heauie laden , that they might be refreshed , who is the dore to them that knocke , the waye to them that séeke , the truthe , the rocke , the corner stone , the fulnesse of time , it is he that can & will poure oyle into thy wounds . Who absolued Marie Magdalene from hir sinnes but Christ ? Who forgaue the théefe his robbery and manslaughter but Christ ? Who made Mathew the Publycane and tollgatherer , an Apostle and Preacher but Christ ? Who is that good shepehearde that fetcheth home the straye shéepe so louingly vppon his shoulders but Christ ? Who receiued home the lost sonne , was it not Christ ? Who made of Saul a persecuter , Paul an Apostle , was it not Christ ? I passe ouer diuers other histories both of the olde and new Testament which do aboundantly declare what great com●orte the faithfull penitent sinners haue alwayes had in hearing the comfortable promises of Gods mercy . Canst thou then Atheos distrust thy Christ who reioyceth at thy repentaunce ? Assure thy selfe that through his passion and bloudshedding , death hath lost his sting , the Diuill his victory , and that the gates of hell shall not preuayle agaynst thée . Lette not therefore the bloude of Christ be shed in vayne by thine obstinate and harde hearte . Let this perswasion rest in thée that thou shalt receiue absolution fréely , and then shalt thou féele thy soule euen as it were to hunger and thirst after rightuousnes .

Atheos . Well Euphues séeing the Holy Ghost hath made thée the meane to make me a man ( for before the tast of the gospell I was worse then a beast ) I hope the same spirite wil also lyghten my conscience with his word , & confirme it to the ende in constancie , that I may not only confesse my Christ faithfully , but also preach him fréely , that I may not only be a Minister of his word but also a Martir for it , it be his pleasure . O Euphues howe much am I bound to the goodne●● almightie god , which hath made me of an infidell a beléeuer , of a castaway a Christian , of an heathenly Pagan an heauenly Protestant . O how comfortable is the féelyng & tast of grace , how ioyfull are the glad tidings of the Gospell , the faithfull promises of saluation , the frée redemption of the soule . I will endeauour by all meanes to confute those damnable , I know not by what names to terme them , but blasphemers I am sure , which if they be no more certeinly they can be no lesse . I sée now the ods betwixt light & darkenes , faith & frowardnes , Christ & Belial , be thou Euphues a witnes of my faith séeing thou hast ben the instrument of my beliefe , and I will pray that I shewe it in my lyfe . As for thée I accompt my selfe so much in thy debt as I shal neuer be able with the losse of my life to render thée thi due , but god which rewardeth the zeale of al men wil I hope blesse thee , & I wil pray for thée . Eu. O Atheos little is the debt thou owest me , but great is the comfort that I haue receiued by thée . Giue the praise to God , whose goodnesse hath made thée a member of the mysticall body of Christe , and not onely a brother with his sonne , but also a coheriter with thy Sauiour . There is no heart so hard , no heathen so obstinate , no miscreaunt or Infidell so impious that by grace is not made as supple as oyle , as tractable as a shéepe , as faithfull as any . The Adamant though it be so harde that nothinge can bruse it , yet if the warme bloude of a Goate be poured vpon it , it bursteth : euen so although the heart of the Atheist and vnbeléeuer be so hard that neither reward nor reuenge can mollyfie it , so stout that no perswasion can breake it , yet if the grace of God purchased by the bloude of Christe , doe but once towch it , it renteth in sunder , and is enforced to acknowledge an omnipotent and euerlasting Iehoua . Lette vs therefore both ( Atheos I will not nowe call thée , but Theophilus ) fly vnto that Christ which hath through his mercy , not our merits , purchased for vs the enheritaunce of euerlasting lyfe .

¶ Certeine Letters writ by Euphues to his friendes .

Euphues to Philautus .

IF the course of youth had any respect to the staffe of age , or the liuing man any regarde to the dying moulde , we would with greater ●are when we were young , shunne those things which should griue vs when we be olde , and wyth more seueritie direct the sequele of our lyfe , for the feare of present death ? But such is eyther the vnhappinesse of mans condition , or the vntowardnesse of his crol●ed nature , or the wilfulnesse of his minde , or the blindnesse of his heart , that in youth he surfiteth wyth delightes preuenting age , or if he liue , continueth in dotage ●orgetting death . It is a world to sée how in our flourishing tyme when we best may , we be worst willing to thriue . And howe in fadinge of our dayes , when we moste shoulde , we haue least desire to remember our ende . Thou wilt muse Phila●tus , to here Euphues to preach , who of late had more minde to serue his Ladye then to worshippe his Lorde . Ah Philantus thou art now a Courtier in Italy , I a scholler in Athens , and as hard it is for thée to follow good counsayle as for me to enforce thée , séeing in thée there is little will to amend , and in mée lesse authoritie to commaunde , yet will I exhort thée as a friende , I woulde I myght compell thée as a Father . But I haue heard that it is peculier to an Italian to stande in hys owne conceite , and to a courtier neuer to be controlde , which causeth me to feare that in thée which I lament in others . That is , that either thou séeme to wise in thine owne opinion thinking scorne to be taught , or to wilde in thine attempts in reiecting admonishment . The one procéedeth of selfe loue and so thy name importeth , the other of méere folly , and that thy nature sheweth thou lookest : I should craue pardon for speaking so boldly , no Philautus : I meane not to flatter thee , for then shoulde I incurre the suspition of ●rawde , neither am I determined to fall out with thée , for them might the wise conuince me of folly . But thou art in great credite in the court , & what then ? shall thy credit with the Emperour abate my courage to my God ? or thy hauty lookes quench my kindled loue , or the gallant shew aslake my good wil ? hath the courtier any prerogatiue aboue the clowne , why hée should not be reprehended , doth his highe callinge not onely gyue hym a commision to sinne but remission also if he offend , doth his preheminence in the court warrant him to oppresse the poore by might and acquite him of punishment ? No Philantus . By how much the more thou excellest others in honors , by so muche the more thou oughtest to excéede them in honestie , & the higher thy calling is , the better ought thy conscience to bée , and as farre it beséemeth a gentleman to be from pryde , as hée is from pouertie , and as néere to gentlenesse in condition , as hée is in bloude : but I will descende wyth thee to perticulers . It is reported héere for a troth , that Philautus , hath giuen ouer himselfe to all deliciousnesse , desiringe rather to be dandled in the laps of Ladyes , then busied in the studye of good letters : And I woulde thys were all , which is to much , or the rest a lye , which is to monstrous . It is nowe in euerye mans mouth , that thou , yea , thou , Philautus , art so voyde of curtesie , that thou hast almost forgotten common sence and humanitie , hauinge neither care of religion ( a thing to common in a courtier ) neither regarde of honestie or any vertuous behauiour . Oh Philautus , dost thou lyue as thou shouldest neuer dye , and laugh as thou shouldest neuer mourne , art thou so simple that thou doste not know from whence thou camest , or so sinfull that thou carest not whether thou goest , what is in thée that shoulde make thée so secure , or what can there be in any that may cause him to glorye . Milo , that great wrastler beganne to wéepe when he sawe his armes brawnefallen and weake , saying , strength , strength , is but vanitie , Helen , in hir newe glasse viewing hir olde face , with a smyling countenaunce cryed . Beautie where is thy blaze ? Craesus with all his wealth , Aristotle with all his wit , all men with all their wisdome haue and shall perish and tourne to dust . But thou delightest to haue the newe fashion , the Spanish felte , the French ruffe , thy crewe of ru●sians , all thine attire misshapen to make thée a monster , and all thy time mispent to shewe thée vnhappy , what should I goe about to decipher thy life , séeinge the beginning sheweth the ende to bée naught . Art not thou one of those Philautus which sekest to win credite with thy superiors by flatterye , and wring out wealth from thy inferiors by force , & vndermine thy equals by frawde : dost thou not make the court not onely a couer to defend thy selfe from wrong , but a colour also to commit iniurie ? Art not thou one of those that hauing gotten on their sléeue the cognisaunce of a courtier haue shaken from thy skirtes the regard of curtesie , I cannot but lament ( I would I might remedy the great abuses that raigne in the eies of the Emperour , I feare me the Poet say to truely . Exeat aula qui vult esse pius virtus , & summa potestas non coeunt . Is not pietie tourned all to pollicie faith to foresight , rigor to Iustice , doth not he best thriue , the worst deserueth , & he rule al the country , that hath no conscience ? Doth not the Emperours court grow to this insolent blindnesse , that all that sée not their folly , they accompt fooles , & all that speake against it , precise ? laughing at the simplicitie of the one , & threatning the boldenes of the other . Philautus , if thou woldest with due consideration way how farre a courtiers lyfe is from a sound beliefe , thou wouldest either frame thy selfe to a new trade or els amend thine old mannors , yea , thou wouldest with C●ates leaue all thy possessions taking thy books and trudge to Athens , and with Anaxagoras dispise wealth to attaine wisdome , if thou haddest as great respect to dye well as thou hast care to liue wantonly , thou wouldest with Socrates séeke how thou mightest yelde to death , rather then wyth Aristippus search howe to prolonge thy lyfe . Dost thou not know that where the trée falleth there it lyeth ? and euery ones deathes daye is his domes day ? that the whole course of lyfe is but a meditation of d●ath , a pilgrimage , a warfare ? Hast thou not read or dost thou not regards what is written , that wée shall all bée cyted before the Tribunall seate of God to render a straight accompt of our stewardshyp ? if then the rewarde bée to be measured by thy merites , what boote canst thou looke for , but eternall paine , whiche héere lyuest in continuall pleasure ? So shouldest thou lyue as thou mayst dye , and then shalt thou dye to lyue . Wert thou as strong as Sampson , as wise as Salomon , as holy as Dauid , as faythfull as Abraham , as zealous as Moses , as good as any that euer lyued , yet shalt thou dye as they haue done , but not rise againe to lyfe with them , vnlesse thou liue as they did . But thou wilt say that no man ought to iudge thy conscience but thy selfe , séeinge thou knowest it better then any . O Philautus , if thou search thy selfe and sée not sinne , then is thy case almost curelesse . The patient , if Phisitions are to be credited , & common e●perience estemed , is the néerest death when he thinketh himselfe past his disease , & the lesse griefe he féeleth the greater fits he endureth , the wound that is not searched bicause it a lyttle smarteth , is fullest of dead flesh , and the sooner it skinneth the sorer it festereth . It is sayde that Thunder bruseth the trée , but breaketh not the barke , and pearceth the blade , and neuer hurteth the scabberd : Euen so doth sinne , wounde the hearte , but neuer hurte the eyes , and infect the soule , though outwardely it nothing afflict the body . Descende therfore into thine owne conscience , confesse thy sinnes , reforme thy manners , contemne the worlde , embrace Christ , leaue the courte , follow thy study , prefer holynesse before honour , honestie before promotion , relygion and vprightnesse of lyfe , before the ouerlashinge desires of the flesh . Resemble the Bée which out of the dryest and bitterest Time sucketh moyst & swéet Honny , and if thou canst out of the courte a place of more pompe then pietie , sucke out the true iuice of perfection , but if thou sée in thy selfe a will rather to goe forward in thy losenesse then any meane to goe backewarde , if the glystering faces of fayre Ladies or the glittering shew of lustie gallaunts , or courtly fare , or any delycate thing séeme to entice thée to farther lewdenesse , come from the court to Athens , and so in shunning the causes of euill thou shalt soone escape the effect of thy misfortune , the more those things please thée , the more thou displeasest God , and the greater pride thou takest in sinne , the greater paine thou heapest to thy soule . Examine thine own conscience and sée whether thou hast done as is required , if thou haue , thancke the Lorde and praye for encrease of grace , if not , desire God to giue thée a willyng minde to att●yne fayth , and constancie to continue to the ende .

Euphues to Ferardo .

I Salute thée , in the Lord , &c. Although I was not so wittie to follow thy graue aduice when I first knew thée , yet doe I not lacke grace to giue thée thankes since I tryed thée . And if I were as able to perswade thee to patience , as thou wert desirous to exhort me to pietie , or as wise to comfort thee in thine age , as thou willyng to instruct me in my youthe : thou shouldest nowe with lesse griefe endure thy late losse , and with little care leade thy aged lyfe , thou wéepest for the deathe of thy daughter , & I laugh at the folly of the father , for greater vanitie is there in the minde of the mourner , then bitternesse in the deathe of the deceased , but she was amyable , but yet sinful , but she was young & might haue lyued , but she was mortall and must haue dyed . I but hir youth made thée often merry , I but thine age should once make thée wise , I but hir gréene yeres wer vnfit for death , I but thy hoary haires shoulde dispise lyfe . Knowest thou not Ferardo , that lyfe is the gifte of God , deathe the due of nature , as we receiue the one for a benefitte , so must we abide the other of necessitie . Wisemen haue found that by learning which olde men should know by experience , that in lyfe there is nothing swéet , in death nothing sowre . The Philosophers accompted it the chiefest felycitie neuer to be borne , the second soone to die . And what hath death in it so hard that we should take it so heauily ? is it strange to sée the cutte off , which by nature is made to be cut , or that melten , which is fit to be melted ? or that burnt which is apt to be burnt , or man to passe that is borne to perish ? But thou grauntest that she shold haue dyed , & yet art thou grieued that she is dead . Is the death the better if the lyfe be longer ? no truly . For as neither he that singeth most , or praieth longest , or ruleth the sterne oftenest , but he that doth it best deserueth greatest prayse , so he , not that hath most yeres but many vertues , nor he that hath grayest haires but greatest goodnes , lyueth longest . The chiefe beautie of lyfe consisteth not in the numbring of many dayes , but in the vsing of vertuous doings . Amongst plants those be best esteemed that in shortest time bringe forth much frute . Be not the fairest flowers gathered when they be freshest ? the youngest beasts killed for sacrifice bicause they be finest ? The measure of lyfe is not length but honestie , neyther do we enter into lyfe to the ende we should set downe the day of our death , but therefore do we lyue , that we may obey him that made vs , and be willyng to dye when he shal call vs . But I wil aske thée this question , whether thou wayle the losse of thy daughter for thine owne sake or hirs , if for thine owne sake , bicause thou didst hope in thine age to recouer confort , then is thy loue to hir but for thy commoditie , and therein thou art but an vnkinde father , if for hirs , then dost thou mistrust hir saluation , and therein thou shewest thy vnconstant fayth . Thou shouldst not wéepe that she hath runne fast , but that thou hast gone so slowe , neyther ought it to grieue thée that she is gone to hir home with a few yeares , but that thou art to goe with manye . But why goe I about to vse a longe processe to a little purpose ? The budde is blasted as soone as the blowne Rose , the winde shaketh off the blossome as well as the fruite . Death spareth neyther the golden locks nor the hoary head . I meane not to make a treatise in the prayse of death but to note the necessitie , neyther to write what ioyes they receiue that dye , but to show what paynes they endure the lyue . And thou which art euen in the wane of thy life , whom nature hath nourished so long , that now she beginneth to nod , maist well know what griefes , what laboures , what paynes , are in age , & yet wouldest thou be eyther young to endure many , or elder to byde more . But thou thinkest it honourable to goe to the graue with a gray head , but I déeme it more glorious to be burted with an honest name . Age sayste thou is the blessing of God , yet the messenger of death . Descende therfore into thine owne conscience consider the goodnesse that commeth by the ende , & the badnesse which was by the beginning , take the death of thy daughter patiently , and looke for thine owne spéedely , so shalt thou perfourme both the office of an honest● man , and the honour of an aged father , and so farewell .

Euphues to Philautus . Touching the deathe of Lucilla .

I Haue receiued thy letters , and thou hast deceiued mine expectation , for thou séemest to take more thought for the losse of an harlot , then the life of an honest woman . Thou writest that she was shamefull in hir trade and shamelesse in hir ende . I beléeue thée , it is no meruayle that she which lyuing practised sinne , should dying be voyde of shame , neyther coulde there be any great hope of repentaunce at the houre of death where there was no regard of honestie in time of lyfe . She was stricken sodaynely béeinge troubled with no sickenesse : It may be , for it is commonly séene , that a sinfull lyfe is rewarded with a soddayne deathe , and a sweete beginning with a sowre ende . Thou addest moreouer that she being in great credite with the states , died in great beggerie in the stréetes , certes it is an olde saying that who so lyueth in the courte shall dye in the strawe , she hoped there by delyghtes to gayne money , and by hir deserts purchased misery , they that séeke to clyme by priuie sinne shall fall with open shame , and they that couet to swimme in vice , shall sinke in vanitie to their owne perilles . Thou sayest that for beautie she was the Helen of Greece , and I durst sweare that for beastlines she might be the Monster of Italy . In my minde greater is the shame to be accompted an harlot , then the praise to be estéemed amiable . But where thou arte in the courte , there is more regard of beautie then honestie , and more are they lamented that dye viciously then they loued that liue vertuously : for thou giuest as it were a sigh , with all thy companions in the court● séeme by thée to sound also , that Lucilla béeing one of so great perfection in all partes of the body and so littl● pietie in the soule , should be as it were snatched out of the iawes of so many young gentlemen . Well Philautus , thou takest not so much care for the losse of hir as I griefe for thy lewdnesse , neither canst thou sorrowe more to sée hir dye sodeinely , then I to heare thée lyue shamefullye . If thou meane to keepe mee as a friende shake off those vaine toyes and dalyaunces wyth women , beléeue mée Philautus I speake it wyth salt tears trickling downe my chéekes , the lyfe thou liuest in court is no lesse abhorred then the wicked death of Lucilla de●ested , & more art thou scorned for thy folly , then she hated for hir filthinesse .

The euill ende of Lucilla should moue thée to begin a good lyfe , I haue often warned thée to shunne thy wonted trade ? & if thou loue me as thou profestest in thy letters , then leaue all thy vices & shewe it in thy lyfe . If thou meane not to amend thy manners I desire thée to write no more to me , for I will neither answere thée nor read them . The Iennet is broken as soone with a wand as with the spurre , a gen●●eman as well allured with a word as with a swoord . Thou concludest in the end that Liuia is sick , truely I am sory for shée is a madyen of no lesse comlinesse then modesty , & hard it is to iudge whether she deserues more praise for hir beauty with the amorous or admiration for hir honestie of vertues , if thou loue me embrace hir , for she is able both to satisfy thine eye for choice , & instruct thy heart with learning . Commend me vnto hir , & as I praise hir to thée , so wil I pray for hir to God that either she may haue pa●ience to endure hir trouble or deliuerance to scape hir peril . Thou desirest me to send thée the Sermons which were preached of late in Athens . I haue fulfilled thy request , but I feare me thou wilt vse them as S. George doth his horse , who is euer on his backe but neuer rideth , but if thou wert as willing to read them , as I was to send them , or as ready to follow them , as desirous to haue them , it shall not repent thée of thy labour , nor me of my cost . And thus farewell .

¶ Euphues to Botonio , to take his exile patiently .

IF I were as wise to giue thée counsaile , as I am willing to do thée good , or as able to set thée at libertie , as desirous to haue thée frée , thou shouldest neither want good aduice to guyde thée , nor sufficient helpe to restore thée . Thou takest it heauylye that thou shouldest bée accused without colour , and exiled wythout cause : and I thincke thée happy ●o be so well rydde of the courte and to bee so voyde of crime . Thou sayest banishment is bitter to the frée borne , and I déeme it the better if thou bée wythout blame . There bée manye meates which are sowre in the mouth and sharpe in the mawe , but if thou mingle them wyth swéete sawces , they yeelde both a pleasaunt taste and holesome nourishment : Diuers colours offende the eyes , yet hauinge gréene amonge them whet the sight . I speake this to this en●e , that though thy exile seeme grieuous to thee , yet guiding thy selfe with the rules of Philosophye it shall bee more tollerable , hée that is colde doth not couer himselfe wyth care , but with clothes , he that is washed in the rayne dryeth himselfe by the fire not by his fancie , and thou which art bannished oughtest not with teares to bewaile thy hap , but with wisedome to heale thy hurt .

Nature hath giuen no man a country no more then she hath a house , or lands , or liuings . Socrates would neither call himselfe an Athenian neither a Grecian but a Citizen of the world . Plato would neuer accompt him banished that had the Sunne , Fire , Aire , Water , & Earth , that he had before , where he felt the Winters blast and the Summers blaze , wher the same Sunne & the same Moone shined , whereby he noted that euery place was a countrey to a wise man , and all partes a pallaice to a quiet minde .

But thou art driuen out of Naples , that is nothing All the Athenians dwell not in Colliton , nor euery Corinthian in Graecia , nor all the Lacedemonians in Pitania . How can any part of the world bée distant farre from the other , when as the Mathematicians set downe that the earth is but a pointe being compared to the heauens . Learne of the Bée as wel to gather Honny of the wéede as the flowre , and out of farre countries to liue , as wel as in thine owne .

He is to be laughed at which thincketh the Moone better at Athens then at Corinth , or the Honnye of the Bée swéeter that is gathered in Hybla then that which is made in Mantua ? when it was cast in Diogenes téeth that the Synoponetes had banished hym Pontus , yea , sayde hee , I them of Diogenes . I maye saye to thée as Straconicus sayde to his guest , who demaunded what faulte was punished wyth exile , and hée aunsweringe falshoode , why then sayde Straconicus d●st not thou practise deceite to the ende thou maist auoyde the myschiefes that followe in thy countrey .

And surely if conscience be the cause thou art banished tho court , I accompt thée wise in being so precise that by the vsing of vertue thou maist be exiled the place of vice . Better it is for thée to liue with honesty in the country then with honour in the court , & greater wil thy praise be by flying vanitie , then thy pleasure in followinge traines . Choose that place for thy palaice which is most quiet , custome will make it thy countrey , and an honest life will cause it a pleasaunt liuinge . Philip falling in the dust , and séeing the figure of his shape perfect in shewe . Good God sayd he , we desire the whole earth and sée how little serueth ? Zeno hearing that this onely barke wherein all his wealth was shipped to haue perished , cryed out thou hast done well Fortune to thrust me into my gowne agayne to embrace Philosophy : thou hast therefore in my minde great cause to reioyce , that God by punishment hath compelled thée to strick●nesse of lyfe which by lybertie might haue ben growen to lewdnesse . When thou hast not one place assigned thée wherein to liue , but one forbidden thée which thou must leaue , then thou béeing denied but one , that excepted thou maist choose any . Moreouer this dispute with thy selfe , I beare no office whereby I shoulde eyther for feare please the noble , or for gaine oppresse the néedy . I am no Arbiter in doubtfull cases , whereby I should eyther peruerte Iustice or incurre displeasure . I am frée from the iniuries of the stronge and mallice of the weake . I am out of the broiles of the sedytious , and haue escaped the threates of the ambitious . But as hée that hauinge a fayre Orcharde , séeing one trée blasted , recompteth the discommodity of that & passeth ouer in silence the fruytfulnesse of the other . So hée that is banished doth alwayes lament the losse of his house & the shame of his exile not reioysing at the liberty , quyetnesse & pleasure that he enioyeth by the swéet punishment . The kinges of Persia were déemed happy that they kepte their Winter in Babilon , in Media their Summer , and their Spring in Susis : and certeynly the Exile may in this be as happy as any king in Persia , for he may at his leasure , béeing at his owne pleasure , lead his Winter in Athens , his Summer in Naples , his Spring at Argos . But if hée haue anye businesse in hande , he may studie without trouble , sléepe without care , and wake at his will without controlment . Aristotle must dine when it pleaseth Philip , Diogenes when it lysteth Diogenes , the courtier suppeth when the king is satisfied , but Botonio may now eate when Botonio is an hungred .

But thou sayst that banishment is shamefull . No truly , no more then pouertie to the content , or graye haires to the aged . It is the cause that maketh thée shame . If thou wert banished vpon choller greater is thy credite in sustayninge wronge then thy enuyes in committinge iniurie , and lesse shame is it to thée to be oppressed by might , then theirs that wrought it for mallyce . But thou fearest thou shalt not thriue in a straunge nation , certeynly thou art more afrayde then hurte , the Pine trée groweth as soone in Pharo as in Ida , the Nightingale singeth as swéetly in the desarts as in the woodes of Crete , the wiseman lyueth as well in a farre country as in his owne home . It is not the nature of the place but the disposition of the person that maketh the lyfe pleasaunt . Séeing therefore Botonio , that all the Sea is apte for anye fishe that it is a hadde grounde where no flower will growe , that to a wise man all landes are as fertile as his owne enherytaunce . I desire thée to temper the sharpenesse of thy banishment with the swéetenesse of the cause , and to measure the clearenesse of thine owne conscience with the spite of thy enemyes quarrell , so shalt thou reuenge their mallyce with patience and endure thy banishment with pleasure .

¶ Euphues to a young gentleman in Athens named Alcius , who leauing his studie followed all lyghtnes and lyued both shamefully and sinfully to the griefe of his friends and discredite of the Vniuersitie .

IF I should talke in words of those things which I haue to conferre with thée in writinges , certes thou wouldest blush for shame , and I wéepe for sorrow , neyther could my tongue vtter that with patience which my hand can scarce write with modestie , neyther could thy eares heare that without glowing which thine eyes can hardly view without griefe . Ah Alcius I can not tell whether I should most lament in thée thy want of learning , or thy wanton lyuinge , in the one thou arte inferiour to all men , in the other superiour to all beasts . Insomuch as who séeth thy dull wit & marketh thy froward will may well say that he neuer saw smacke of learning in thy doings , nor sparke of relygion in thy lyfe . Thou onely vauntest of thy gentry , truely thou wast made a gentleman before thou knewest what honestie ment , & no more hast thou to bost of thy stock them he who béeing left rich by his father , dyeth a begger by his folly . Nobilytie began in thy auncestours and endeth in thée , and the Generositie that they gayned by vertue , thou hast blotted with vice . If thou clayme gentry by petegree , practise gentlenesse by thine honestie , that as thou challengest to be noble in blood thou maist also proue noble by knowledge , otherwise shalt thou hang lyke a blast among the faire blossoms and lyke a stayne in a péece of white lawne .

The Rose that is eaten with the Canker is not gathered bicause it groweth on that stalke that the swéet doth , neyther was Helen made a Starre bicause shée came of that Egge with Castor , nor thou a gentleman in that thy ancestours were of nobilytie . It is not the descent of birth , but the consent of conditions that maketh gentlemen , neyther great mannors but good manners that expresse the true Image of dignitie . There is copper coine of the stampe that gold is , yet is it not currant , there commeth poyson of the fish as well as good oyle yet is it not wholesome , and of man may procéede an euill childe and yet no gentleman . For as the Wine that runneth on the lées , is not therefore to be accompted neate bicause it was drawne of the same péece . Or as the water that springeth from the fountaines head and floweth into the filthye channell is not to be called cléere bicause it came of the same streame : so neyther is he that discendeth of noble parentage if he desist from noble déedes to be estéemed a gentleman in that he issued from the loynes of a noble sire , for that he obscureth the parentes he came off , and discrediteth his owne estate . There is no gentleman in Athens but soroweth to sée thy behauiour so farre to disagrée from thy birth , for this say they all ( which is the chiefest note of a gentleman ) that thou shouldest as well desire honestie in thy lyfe as honour by thy lynage , that thy nature should not swerue from thy name , that as thou by duetie woldest be regarded for thy progeny , so thou wouldest endeauour by deserts to be reuerenced for thy pietie .

The pure Corall is chosen as well by his vertue as his colour , a king is knowne better by his courage then his crowne , a righte gentleman is sooner séene by the tryall of his vertue then blasing of his armes . But I lette passe thy birthe , wishing thée rather with Vlysses to shew it in workes , then with Aiax to boast of it with wordes , thy stocke shall not be the lesse but thy modesty the greater . Thou liuest in Athens as the Waspe doth among Bées , rather to sting than to gather Honny , and thou dealest with most of thy acquaintaunce as the Dogge doth in the maunger , who neyther suffereth the Horse to eate haye , nor will himselfe , for thou béeing idle , wilt not permitte any ( as farre as in thée lyeth ) to be well employed . Thou art an heyre to fayre lyuing , that is nothing , if thou be disherited of learning , for better were it to thée to enherit righteousnesse then riches , and farre more séemely were it for thée to haue thy studdye full of bookes , then thy purse full of money , to gette goodes is the benefite of Fortune , to kéepe them the gifte of Wisedome . As therefore thou art to possesse them by thy fathers will , so arte thou to encrease them by thine owne witte . But alas , why desirest thou to haue the reuenewes of thy parent & nothing regardest to haue his vertues ? séekest thou by succession to enioye thy patrimony , and by vyce to obscure his pietie ? wilt thou haue the tytle of his honour and no touch of his honestie ? Ah Alcius remember that thou arte borne not to lyue after thin● owne luste , but to learne to dye , whereby thou mayste lyue after thy death . I haue often hearde thy father saye and that with a déepe sighe the teares tricklinge downe his graye haires that thy mother neuer longed more to haue thée borne when she was in trauaile , then hée to haue thée dead to rydde him of trouble . And not seldome hath thy mother wished , that eyther hir wombe had ben thy graue or the ground hirs . Yea , al thy friends with open mouth desire eyther that God will send thée grace to amende thy lyfe , or griefe to hasten thy death . Thou wilt demaunde of mée in what thou dost offend : and I aske thée in what thou dost not sinne . Thou swearest thou arte not co●etous , but I saye thou arte prodigall , and as much sinneth he that lauisheth without meane , as he that hoordeth without measure . But canst thou excuse thy selfe of vice in that thou art not couetous ? certeinly no more then the murtherer would therefore be guiltlesse bicause he is no coyner .

But why go I about to debate reason with thée when thou hast no regard of honestie ? though I leaue héere to perswade thée , yet will I not cease to pray for thée . In the meane season I desire thée , yea , & in Gods name commaund thée that if neither the care of thy parents whom thou Souldest comfort , nor the counsaile of thy friends which thou shouldest credit , nor the rigor of the lawe which thou oughtest to ●eare , nor the authority of the Magistrate which thou shouldest reuerence , can allure thée to grace . Yet the lawe of thy Sauiour who hath redéemed thée , and the punishment of the almightie who continually threatneth thée , draw thée to ame●dement , otherwise as thou liuest now in sinne , so shalt thou di● with shame and remaine with Sathan , from whome he that made thée , kéepe thée .

¶ Liuia from the Emperours court , to Euphues at Athens .

IF sickenesse had not put mée to silence and the weaknesse of my body hindred the willingnesse of my minde , thou shouldest haue had a more spéedy aunswere , and I no cause of excuse . I knowe it expedient to retourne an aunswere , but not necessary to wryte it in posse , for that in thinges of gr●ate importaunce wée commonly looke before wée leape , and where the heart droupeth through faintnesse , the hande is enforced to shake through féeblenesse . Thou sayest thou vnderstandest howe men liue in the cour●e , and of me thou desirest to knowe the estate of women , certes to dissemble with thée were to deceiue my selfe and to cloake the vanities in court were to clogge mine owne conscience wyth vices . The Empresse keepeth hir estate royall and hir maydens will not léese an ynch of their honour , shée endeauoureth to sette downe good lawes and they to breake them , shée warneth them of excesse and they studye to ex●éede , she sayth that decent● attire is good thoughe it be not costly , and they sweare vnlesse it bée déere it is not comely . She is héere accompted a slut that commeth not in hir silkes , and shée that hath not euerye fashion , hath no mans fauour . They that be most wanton are reputed most wise , and they that be the idlest liuers are déemed the finest louers . There is great quarelling for beautie , but no question of honestie : to conclude , both women and men haue fallen héere , in court to such agréement that they neuer ●arre about matters of religion , bycause they neuer meane to reason of them . I haue wished oftentimes rather in the countrey to spinne , then in the courte to dawnce , and truely a distaffe doth better become a mayden then a Lute , and sitter it is with the nedle to practise howe to liue , then with the pen to learne how to loue .

The Empresse gyueth ensample of vertue , and the Ladyes haue no leasure to followe hir . I haue nothing els to write . Heere is no good newes , as for badde : I haue tolde sufficient , yet this I must adde that some there bée whiche for their vertue deserue prayse , but they are onely commended for theire beautie , for this thincke courtiers , that to be honest is a certeine kinde of countrey modestie , but to bée amiable the courtly cur●esie .

I meane shortly to sue to the Empresse to bée dysmissed of the court , which if I obtayne I shall thinck● it a good rewarde for my seruice to bée so well rydde from such seueritie , for beléeue mée there is scarce one in courte that eyther feareth GOD , or meaneth good . I thancke thée for the booke thou dyddest sende mée , and as occasion shall serue . I wyll requyte thée . Philautus beginneth a little to lysten to connsayle , I wishe him well and thée too , of whome to heare so muche good it doth mee not a little good . Pray for mée as I doe for thée , and if oppor●unitie be offered write to me .

Farewell .

¶ Euphues to his friend Liuia .

DEare Liuia , I am as gladde to heare of thy welfare as sorrowfull to vnderstande thy newes , and it doth mée as much good that thou art recouered , as harme to thincke of those which are not to be recured . Thou hast satisfied my request and aunswered my expectation . For I longed to knowe the manners of women , and looked to haue them wanton . I lyke thée well that thou wylte not conceale their vanities , but I loue thée the better that thou doest not followe them , to reproue sinne is the signe of true honour , to renounce it the part of honestie . All good men wyll accompte thée wyse for thy truth , and happye for thy tryall , for they saye , to absteine from pleasure is the chiefest pietie , and I thincke in courte to refraine from vice is no little vertue . Straunge it is that the sounde oye viewinge the sore shoulde not be dimmed , that they that handle pitch should not be defiled , that they that continue in court should not be infected . And yet it is no great meruaile for by experience we sée that the Adamant cannot drawe yron if the Diamond 〈◊〉 it ●or vice allure the courtier if vertue be retained . Thou prays●st the Empresse for instituting good lawes , and grieuest to sée them violated by the Ladyes . I am sory to thincke it should be so , and I sigh in that it cannot be otherwise . Wher ther is no héed taken of a commaundement , there is small hope to be looked for of amendement . Where duetie can haue no show , honestie can beare no sway . They that cannot be enforced to obedience by authoritie , will neuer be wonne by fauour , for béeing without feare , they commonly are voide of grace : & as farre be they carelesse from honour as they be from awe , and as ready to dispise the good counsaile of their Péeres , as to contemne the good lawes of their Prince . But the breaking of lawes doth not accuse the Empresse of vice , neither shall hir makinge of them excuse the ladies of vanities . The Empresse is no more to be suspected of erring then the Carpenter that buildeth the house bée accused bicause théeues haue broken it , or the Mintmaister condemmed for his coyne bicause the traitor hath clipped it . Certeinly God wil both reward the godly zeale of thy Prince , and reuenge the godlesse doinges of the people .

Moreouer thou saist that in the court all be sluttes that swimme not in silkes , and that the idlest liuers are accompted the brauest louers , I cannot tell whether I should rather laugh at their folly or lament their phrensie , neither do I know whether the finne bée greater in apparel which moueth to pride , or in affection which entiseth to péeuishnesse , the one causeth them to forget themselues , the other to forgo their sences , ech do deceiue their soule , they that thinck one cannot be cloanly without pride , wil quickly iudge none to be honest without pleasure , which is as hard to confesse as to saye no meane to bée without excesse , thou wishest to be in the country wyth thy distaffe rather then to continue in the court with thy delights . I cannot blame thée , for Greece is as much to be commended for learning , as the court for brauery , & here maist thou liue with as good report for thine honestie , as they wyth renowme for their beautie . It is better to spinne with Penelope all night then to sing with Helen all daye . Huswifery in the countrey is as much praysed as honour in the court . We thinke it as great mirth to sing Psalmes , as you melody to chaunt Sonnets , & we accompt them as wyse that kéepe their owne lands with credite , as you those that gette others lyuings by craft . Therefore if thou wilt follow my aduise and prosecute thine owne determination thou shalt come out of a warme Sunne into Gods blessing . Thou addest ( I feare me also thou errest ) that in the courte there be some of great vertue , wisedome and sobrietie , if it be so I lyke it , and in that thou sayst it is so , I beléeue it . It may be , and no doubte it is in the courte as in all riuers some Fish some Frogs and as in all gardeins some flowers some wéeds , and as in all trées some blossoms some blasts . Nylus bréedeth the pretious stone and the poysoned Serpent . The court may as wel nourish vertuous Matrones as the lewde Minion . Yet this maketh me muse that they should rather bée commended for their beautie then for their vertue , which is an infallible argument that the delyghts of the flesh are preferred before the holynesse of the spirite . Thou sayst thou wilt sue to leaue thy seruice and I wil pray for thy go●d successe , when thou art come into the country I would haue thee first learne to forget all those thinges which thou hast séene in the court . I woulde Philautus were of thy minde to forsake his youthfull course but I am glad thou writest that he beginneth to amend his condicions he runneth farre that neuer retourneth , and hée sinneth deadly that neuer repenteth . I would haue him ende as Lucilla began without vyce , and not beginne as she ended without honestie . I loue the man well , but I cannot brooke his manners . Yet I conceiue a good hope that in his age he will be wise , for that in his youth I perceiu●d him wittie . Hee hath promised to come to Athens , which if he doe , I will so handle the matter that eyther he shall abiure the court for euer or absent himselfe for a yeare . If I bring the one to passe be shall forgo● his olde course , if the other forget his ill condicions . He that in court will thriue to reape wealth , and lyue warre to gette worship , must gayne by good conscience , and clyme by wisedome , otherwise his thrift is but theft where ther is no regard of gathering , and his honour but ambition , where there is no rare but of promotion . Philautus is too simple to vnderstand the wyles in courte , and too young to vndermine any by crafte . Yet hath he showen himselfe as farre from honestie as he is from age , and as full of crafte as he is of courage . If it were for thy preferment and his amendment , I wish you were both married , but if he should continue his folly whereb● thou ●●ouldest fal from thy duetie I rather wish you both buryed . Salute him in my name and hasten his iourney , but forgette not thine owne . I haue occasion to goe to Naples , that I may with more spéede arriue in Englande , where I haue hearde of a woman that in all quallyties e●c●lleth any man . which if it be so I shall thinke my labour as well bestowed as Saba did hirs , when shée trauayled to sée Salomon . At my goinge if thou bée in Naples I will visite thée and at my retourne I will tell t●ee my iudgement . If Philautus come this Winter , he shall in this my pilgrimage be a partner , a pleasant companion is a bayte in a iourney . We shall there as I heare sée a courte both brauer in shewe and better in substaunce , more gallaunt courtiers , more godlye cons●iues , as faire Ladyes and fairer conditions . But I will not vaunt before the victorie , nor sweare it is so vntill I sée it be so . Farewell vnto whom● aboue all I wish well .

I Haue finished the first part of Euphues whome now I lefte readye to crosse the Seas to Englande , if the winde sende him a shorte cutte you shall in the seconde part heare what newes he bringeth and I hope to haue him reteurnued within one Summer . In the meane season I wil stay for him in the country and as soone as he arriueth you shall know of his comming .

FINIS .