The Mirrour of complements

THE MIRROVR OF COMPLEMENTS .

To offer service to a King .

SIR .

IF words were able to expresse the duty in which I hold my selfe obliged to present you my most humble service , I were most ingratefull and unworthy of the light of heauen , for since you captivate the glory of the greatest Emperours upon earth , I should much forget my selfe , if I thought my vowes alone sufficient to deserve the favour of your most princely grace ; In which the greatest Monarchs of the world indeauour to continue . Pardon then that fervent zeale which compels your subiects to such acknowledgement as is due unto your Majestie . And let mee speake it with permission , that the greatest honour I can possibly attaine , is to dye worthily in some action of your service .

SIR :

HEaven hath his Iove , the Gods , the Sunne and the Stars , but your vertues are so universally adored of the people , that you fill the gods with jealousie and emulation , and so long as your Majestie shall continue in this world , the earth shall haue possession of that glory wherewith she may compare with heaven . I adde nothing to this truth , but the due presentment of my most humble service , nor would I wish for any thing , but a fit occasion to maintaine it with the perill of my life and bloud .

SIR :

I Haue beene a long time possest with this desire to prostrate my selfe at the feete of your sacred Majestie , to tender you my vowes , and I shall account this the most fortunate occasion that euer I could be blest with , hoping so much ( also ) in the affection which you beare to vertue , that you will daigne to accept the offers of my most humble service . And permit mee with due reverence to affirme it , that the heavens could not have done mee more injustice , then in ordaining my nativity under any other influence then this of yours , which is the onely age that iustly can bee stiled happy , since the beginning of this Monarchie .

SIR :

IF the vertues of our ancestours were in your jurisdiction at this present , and that to obtaine the gracious favour of a Soveraigne , it were onely requisite to bee descended from a noble and a generous extraction , I should bee more confident to offer you that resolution and experience , which nature and my industrie have conferred upon me . For my Father bestowed his youth , and to his death continued ( nor sought he for retirement ) in the service of your predecessors ; and the vertues of my ancestors are eminent in all those places where the Sunne imparts his lustre : notwithstanding I hope these offers of my most humble service shall not be unpleasing , seeing that I trace the steps of my predecessours , and that I would not live but in the quality of your most faithfull humble subject .

To offer service to the Queene .

MADAM :

WIth permission from the King , and this of your Maiestie , I assume the boldnesse to present you with my humble duty , and to expresse my selfe , that there is nothing in the world which I desire with more vehemencie then to be your most humble and most faithfull seruant and subject .

MADAM :

THe honour which I received this day in kneeling before the King , would yet appeare but lame , and not fully perfected , if I had not this happy occasion to present my vowes unto your Majestie , and to tender you my most humble and most affectionate services , which I shall esteeme in the highest degree of honour that I can possibly attaine .

To give due respect unto a Noble man .

MY Lord , as I esteeme it a great favour to have the happinesse to salute you , and to doe my dutie to your honour ; so shall I alwaies account my selfe most happie , if it may please you to accept mee for your Lordships most humble and most obedient servant .

My Lord , the place you hold amongst great Princes , and those noble vertues wherewith you are so perfectly adorned , oblige me to make offer of that little which is in mee ; that in all occasions I may be able to render you most humble service .

My Lord , it may please your excellence to permit this humble expression of my due respects , hoping that heaven will blesse me with some favourable opportunitie wherein I may more effectually manifest how much my soule doth thirst to doe you service .

To salute a Gentlewoman with an intention of marriage , and to offer her his service .

ALEANDER .

GEntlewoman , I doubt not but you will repute my addresses both too bold and too presumptuous , but I hope your heart is as full of bountie , as your eyes of beautie , and will not be unapt to pardon that resolution which ( proceeding from my love ) hath encouraged me to come and offer you my most humble and most affectionate seruice .

CLARINDA .

SIR , J am sorry that I have not had the honour to know you sooner , and I wonder that you offer service to a person that is so unworthy of it .

Mistrisse , it is the excellencie of your disposition which makes you speake so .

Excuse me Sir , for truth commands my tongue to use this phrase .

Mistresse , I see so many noble and modest vertues expressed in your courtesie , as perswade my affectionate hope , that my intentions shall be acceptable , and that in time I may attaine to some thing in your good favour .

Sir , if I had any good favour in me , it should be wholly at your dispose , but having none , you cannot hope for any .

Mistrisse , you have so many gracefull beauties , that I should be most happy to possesse and to enjoy them . And I should be much preferred in my owne esteeme , if I had the favour to be affected by you , as much as I love and honour you .

When I condiscend to your affection , it must be so well disposed , that it exceed not the termes of civill honestie .

This it is which makes me honour you more deerely , and makes you still more lovely . And I beseech you to beleeve it , that my intentions have beene alwaies holy , and that I never aymed but at honest ends . What! did you thinke otherwise ? and that I had pretended something that might be preiudiciall to your honour ? no , I wish my heart may be deprived of life , before it shall give place to such a villanous designe : No , I intend for ever to continue your faithfull and most obedient servant , as mine indeavours shall expresse me in all occasions wherin I shall be employed by the honor of your commands .

Sir , my affection shall be the pledge of that gratitude wherewith I thanke you for this and all your other undeserved favours ; I am your humble servant .

Mistresse , it is I who am so much obliged to you , that I want all meanes to requite it , and therefore Mistresse I beseech you , and conjure you likewise , that I may obey you in all things where you shall thinke me capable to doe you service : in the interim after a thousand recommends , I humbly take my leave of you , leaving with you my heart for a pledge of my fidelitie and assured constancie .

Fare you well good Sir , I thanke you with all my heart for your kinde visit .

I hope to see you againe , and that ere long , if I may with your permission .

Sir , while your requests are civill , and your intentions honest , you shal alwayes finde these dores open both to you and to your friends , who shall be ever welcome to the best entertainment that our poore abilities will permit , and therefore you may come at all times when please you .

Mistresse , I assure you that in going hence I deprive my selfe of a most faire day , to bee imprisoned in such horrible darkenesse as I know not to expresse . For I protest , that without you , I have neither day nor light , and therefore the time of this sad absence will be so grievous to mee , that each moment will seeme an houre , each houre a day , and every day an age , if I be not cherished with my hope to bee in your good graces ; and therewith I shall resolve to be patient :

These are excessive phrases , but I hope you are not so passionate as you pretend . Farewell Sir , we shall see you some other time .

Mistresse , in this you both injure your own most excellent beautie , and my most faithfull affection ; but I hope time shall give you a more perfect view both of mee and it , since necessitie doth now force mee to leave you : yet I shall never leave that affection which your faire eyes have cast upon my soule . Adieu sweet Mistresse till I see you againe , which shall be as soone as I can possibly .

At the Review .

ALEANDER

I Protest unto you my fairest Mistresse , I never beleeved the torments of her absence whom a man affecteth to be so piercing and so cruell : for I sweare to your faire eyes , the true starres of my fortune , that I dyed of impatience to see you againe .

CLARINDA .

Is it possible ? Sir , I cannot credit it .

Mistresse , beleeve it I beseech you , if it please you , for I assure you that I could not any longer support the extremitie of that anguish which I suffered during my tedious exile from you the sweetest object of my indeat'd affections , wherein my soule receiues such full contentment .

Sir , all this may be Sir , for your words seeme to import great passion .

Mistresse , I protest unto you , I am not capable of any contentment in this world , saving that which pleaseth my affections , either in the visuall or intellectuall view of your most gracefull beauties .

Sir , I know my selfe unworthy of these attributes , and therefore though I take them as in jest , yet if you persist , I shall thinke you use them in derision .

And why ( sweet creature ) have you that conceit ? I assure you I speake it from my soule . And assure your selfe , my dearest Mistresse , that you now behold a man that is intirely yours , and one that desireth not to live , except onely for your service . But that which breeds my greatest difficultie is , that I must be some while absent from you to dispose some affaires of great importance . And I beseech you to beleeve , that wheresoever I shall goe , I shall alwaies carry in my soule the lively image of your perfections , and that I shall not live , but by the Idea of your faire eyes , with a perfect resolution to obey you in all occasions : Adue sweet Mistresse till I see you againe , and I pray you excuse me that I can no longer wait of you .

Sir , I give you infinite thankes , farewell till another time .

To offer service , thereby to give occasion of a correspondent amity with some stranger .

ALEANDER . SIR :

ALthough I have not merited the honour which I have to see you , and to kisse your hands with a most cordiall and absolute affection ; yet that earnest desire which I have to be accepted into your acquaintance , and admitted to your friendship , hath given me the boldnesse to present my selfe before you , to receive the honour of your commandements , and to offer you the due indevours of my service .

CLORIMAN .

Sir , It is a great contentment to me , to see the good affection which you beare mee , and J am much obliged unto you for the paine which you have taken to come and see mee ; assuring you , you can never goe to any place where you are more truely welcome , or where you have more power .

Sir , the desire I had to see you , and to be acquainted with you , put mee in resolution to come hither , and offer you my most humble service , with this humble suit , that you will be pleased to accept it .

Sir , you oblige mee infinitely , and I am very glad to see you , but more to understand your good affection to me . And though I am unworthy of it , yet I beseech you to continue it , assuring you of my part , you shall finde mee a most faithfull friend , and I hold my selfe much honoured in your amity , which I accept with a most thankefull heart ; and J am onely sorry for the trouble you have had in my occasion .

That which you call a trouble , is to me , Sir , a great contentment ; for I am alwayes best pleased when I have the happinesse to see men of your quality and merit , and most especially , when they honour mee with their friendship .

Sir , you doe me too much honour , and oblige mee to bee wholly yours ; so that I shall alwayes endevour to manifest the effects of what I speak ; and time shall let you see , that you have not a friend more assured , then I shall labour to approve my selfe .

To thanke a friend for some Courtesie .

SIr , I thanke you a thousand times for the great paines you have taken for me , hoping that heaven will grant me some happy occasion whereby I may returne you some good service for a recompence . I shall ever be obliged unto you for this ample & actuall expression of your love in this urgent and pressing occasion , for which I am much indebted to you .

Sir , This is the least that I could doe for you , it is not worthy your remembrance . I would doe more then this a thousand times for your contentment ; for this is nothing in respect of my desires to serve you .

Ahlas Sir ! I have already had so many large expressions of your excessive courtesies , and you have so much obliged me unto you , that I want abilities to satisfie so great a debt . But in lieu of recompence , I beseech you to command me where you finde me capable to serve you .

Sir , you shall ever finde mee a true observant of the rules of friendship , doe you onely continue your affection , and then assure your selfe you may command my service . For your good deeds doe very much exceed all that I have doue , that J do , or can doe for you . But though I am not strong in power , yet I shall ever have a strong desire to doe you some good service .

Sir , my good deeds towards you have beene such poore things , that I need not labour to answer you upon so meane a subject , but if I can , I shall be alwaies glad to serve you .

Sir , by this meanes still you increase my obligations , and therefore howsoever , if I cannot have the opportunity to pay you , yet I beseech God to reward you for me .

To goe to visit and salute a friend upon his new arrivall after some iourney .

SIr , so soone as I knew of your much desired returne , I could not omit the office of a friend in comming to salute you , and to continue the offer of my humble service which is ever at your dispose .

Sir , I am very humbly yours ; but I am infinitely sorry that you have hindered me of the honour to come and see you first , for so I intended , as soone as J had refreshed my selfe a little , for I am but newly alighted .

Sir , I should have beene very sorry if you had troubled your selfe to come to mee ; and I was therefore desirous to prevent you by being here as soone as I understood of your arrivall .

Sir , you oblige me abundantly to thanke you for the paines you have taken to come hither . But it belonged to me to render you that office .

You should not use these termes to the poorest of your servants , and one that hath nothing to present you but the duties of his obedience .

O good Sir , 〈◇〉 is for me to obey your commandements , for you honour me a hundred thousand times beyond my merit .

Let us leave this discourse , I beseech you Sir , for you know very well , that I am wholly yours . But tell me , I pray you , how have you had your health this long journey .

The best in the world , thankes be to God Sir , onely at N. I was a little troubled with a fit of a feaver , but it was quickly gone .

I beleeve you may well be weary ; for your journey was both very long and toylesome .

Excuse me , Sir , I am no whit weary , for my horse travelled very easily , ambled altogether .

I am glad with all my heart of your pleasant voyage , and yet much gladder of your happy returne ; But if it please you I shall assume the boldnesse to demand some newes of you , how goe all things there , is there any newes ?

I can assure you there is none there but good , all is well there , onely they feare , and that with great likelihood , they shall have great warres this summer .

How , doe they talke of warres say you ?

Yes , for the King of N. demands aid of his allies , but what the event will be , is yet uncertaine .

I thinke that Countrie will never be in peace , there 's nothing but warres there continually .

Indeed Sir at this time it is so , but I shall tell you more another time when I have leisure , now onely I desire your favour that I may repose a little .

To entertaine a friend that comes to visit us .

YOu are very welcome , good Sir , you honour me a thousand times above my merit , especially from your particular .

Pardon me , Sir , it is J that have received the honour .

It is the excesse of your good nature makes you use that phrase proceeding from that goodnesse which is native in you .

Sir , my indevours shall be as witnesses to give a faithfull testimony of the love J beare you .

Sir , you oblige me too much , I have not merited these favours from you .

Sir , this is but part of my respect , for I owe you much more in things of greater consequence .

Sir , there is no need that you should use these termes to your obliged servants .

Sir , it is so defective in that part , that I stand most obliged both to you and all my other friends .

Sir , I wish to serue you in all that I am able , and I should more willingly expresse it in action then in speech .

Sir , you have alreadie expressed it very amply , and I were worthy to be thought ingratefull if ever I should faile to make acknowledgement that I am much beholding to you .

You shall excuse me , Sir , if it please you , for I never gave you cause to say you are beholding to me , nor was there ever any such occasion ; but it pleaseth you to speake this out of the bountie of your spirit .

Sir , it is the debt it selfe which exacteth these words , that I may confesse my selfe to be wholly yours .

I see that you will conquer me with courtesle , but if it please you to sit , we shall discourse more at leasure .

I thanke you Sir , it needs not ; besides , it were undecent for mee to bee first in place , but if you please to sit , I shall keepe you company .

Then I pray you sit you there .

It shall be then to obey you .

Sir I am your servant .

Sir , it is I that am yours , and the most affectionate of all your servants .

Sir , shall it not bee offensive if I make bold to aske you what good winde brought you hither ?

Chiefly Sir to have the honour to see you , and to know the disposition of your health , and then to kisse your hands ; lastly , to beseech you to impart what good newes you heare from London .

There is no newes there , onely the King is gone to Hampton Court .

When one meeteth a friend in the street by accident .

GOod morrow to you Sir , this meeting makes me happy above my expectation : tell me how you doe ?

Very well thankes be to God , and alwaies most humbly ready to doe you service .

I am yours with all my heart .

In good faith Sir it troubled mee extremely that I had not the honour to see you , and J know not what to thinke of it , nor vpon what occasion .

Sir , I assure you I have bin at your lodging many times , and I know not if they told you or not , but I could never have the happinesse to finde you within .

And that is strange , for I stirre abroad as little as may be . But what newes heare you ? any that 's good ?

No truely Sir , I heare none at all , onely Mr. N. told me just now , that N. and N. were somewhat contentious yester night , and were like to have fought after some high words and injurious speeches .

Verily you have a good memory to retaine all these circumstances , but is it very certaine ?

I have told you my Author , if he be a lyer , I shall discredit him .

But it is a common phrase , that a lyer ought to have a good memory to keepe him from mistaking , and inable him to defend both the right side and the left .

You reckon me in the number then Sir , you have commended mine so much .

Pardon me Sir , I thought it not , of the contrary I praise you therfore the more , for a good memory includeth not that vice , but it is rather a guilt of nature which she alloweth not to all , not to me especially , for mine is very fraile . But J like better to have it so , then therewith to abuse the truth , in studying how to circumvent another .

But Sir , he that alledgeth his Author , cannot be betrayed , if so be he prove not false to him . But he dares not , for there was good company with us when he spake it .

Sir , not that I would attempt to injure either your life or honour , much lesse your reputation ; But I am afraid lest you be made the Author of it , and that he may abuse you authorizing his fable upon the testimony of your speeches .

That which you speak Sir , cannot but be good , for to medle with that which doth notconcern one , it is to be in danger to be mocked & exposed to derision and reproach ; hereafter I shall be more secret and retentive , and I thanke you for your good advise ; but as for me , I assure you it is not my invention . And if he did devise it , yet he ought not to make me his instrument to divulge it , albeit he may have told it to others that shall likewise tell you the same ; And howsoeuer though I am not well assured of the certaintie , yet I am certaine that he told it me .

An offer to accompany a Friend .

SIr , I should willingly offer you my company , if I thought it worthy your acceptance , and that I should not trouble you .

It is so farre from that Sir , that it would be a great honour to mee , and a thousand times more then I deserve , for such company as yours , cannot but be pleasant and delight full to all that love honour and vertue ; but I feare lest in so doing , you will trouble your selfe .

Sir , if my poore companie may pleasure you , I offer it with all my heart , but I feare to importune you .

Alas Sir , you will trouble your selfe too much , and for me I doe not deserve it , and therefore I should be unwilling to permit it .

Pardon mee Sir , this is no trouble , this ! I would I had the happinesse to bee alwaies in in your companie , if it might be , I should ever account that time well bestowed , which were so imployed .

Sir , you oblige mee too much , trouble not your selfe so , I beseech you , seeing you have other affaires that import you more then this ; J kisse your hands with all my heart .

Sir I have no affaires but such as ( for my love to you , and to render you the respects Iowe you ) I shall willingly dispense with : besides , your good affection to mee , doth oblige mee much more in a farre greater matter ; and therfore I assure you that I have nothing which can hinder meat this time .

O good Sir , it is I that must be beholding and indebted to you whiles I live , but I should be sorry to diuert you from your more serious affaires , which I feare cannot dispence with you so long as in your courtesie you speake of .

Sir , I will not detaine you here any longer . Here you Boy , carrie those things thither , and in the meane time , Sir , with your permission , I will goe into the Coach .

I will not refuse the honour , since it pleaseth you so to conferre it , and that you will goe , though I am very unwilling to trouble you , yet I will attend you thither .

These Gent . shall oblige mee so much as to keepe you companie while I dispatch that businesse .

To give a Present to a Friend .

SIr , here is a Booke which I would present unto you , but I am ashamed to give you a thing of so small value , as is not worthy your acceptance .

Alas Sir ! you indeare mee too much , you need not entertaine such feares , nor put your selfe to so much trouble ; but I may very well be sorry , that I can never meet with a good occasion to returne your favours ; I must intreat you therfore to excuse my want of power , and to accept and use my service as a poore part of recompence and satisfaction .

Sir , doe not ( I beseech you ) refuse it because it is little , for ( with all my heart ) I wish it of a greater value , that then it might bee more proper to your merit .

Sir , every publique action that is done so freely , should bee answered with some expression of respect to those that honour us ; but I that am not able at this present to returne you the like courtesie , can onely thanke you for this booke , intending to reade it often for your sake .

Sir , this is a trifle not worthy your remembring , onely I beseech you to reckon me in the number of your friends , and of your humblest servants .

Sir , I am yours most affectionately , and so I shall endevour to approve my selfe in all occasions where you shall please to try me .

We need not make tryall of the thing wee doubt not , and for my part I never distrusted the integritie of your affection .

That which I said Sir , was onely to assure you of the good will J beare you , and not that I think you have any suspition of me .

Sir , I haue a long time knowne the sinceritie of your intentions , and I beseech you to excuse me , that this present is not correspondent to your merit , and that you will not reflect upon the gift onely , but upon my good will and affection wherewith I offer it .

Sir , I highly esteeme both the one and the other , and therefore I shall rest your debter .

To desire some Courtesie of a Friend .

SIr , I have a suit to you , but the feare I have to be denied , makes me unwilling to move you in it .

Sir , what is it you desire of me , Sir ? I am ready to do any thing that may content you , so that it do not exceed my power .

Sir , if it be not too troublesome , I shall desire you to make my peace with M. N. for I know you are very powerfull with him .

Sir , you cannot trouble me in any thing in the world , and for this businesse I promise you that I will use my best indeavours to give you all the best satisfaction in it that possibly I can .

Sir , being I have never deserved this favour , you have a just cause to thinke me both bolde and troublesome : Onely necessitie is my warrant , which I hope your courtesie will accept for an excuse ; for indeed , Sir , it imports mee much in a businesse of great consequence .

Deare friend , my forces are farre short of my desire , notwithstanding I will doe what lieth in mee ( by GODS assistance ) to attaine your purpose .

Ah Sir , your forces are greater then this affaire requires , if it bee your pleasure so to use them ; and therefore , I beseech you , and conjure you to make triall .

Sir , to take away all doubt of my good intention , and to satisfie your request , I promise you to use all my power and credit , and to moove him in it when I see him next .

They say that Opportunity hath all her haire upon her forehead , and that wee cannot hold her when she is past us , because she is bald behinde , and in this occasion especially I feare the danger of delay .

Doe you not know that there was one who by one onely demurre , rednced the common wealth of Rome into a quiet government .

Yes very well Sir , but we neither live in that time nor place , nor is this businesse of that nature , and though he by his lingring did save his Countrey from that fearefull ruine which threatned it , yet there hath beene an in finite number who have lost whole kingdomes by negligent omitting of good opportunities . And this affaire being so different from that , both in it selfe , and in the qualitie of the persons , requireth likewise another manner of proceeding .

It is soone enough , if well enough , I will go about it immediatly , I meane , to speake with your man , and beleeve it in a short time you shall see the effects . Farewell till I see you next , and be confident of me .

To invite a Friend to Dinner .

SIr , you shall oblige me very much if you will do me the honour to come and take a poore dinner with me .

I thanke you with all my heart , I have not merited the favour of your courtesie , But I pray you excuse me for this time .

Why Sir , you shall do me a great favour if it please you , and for a requitall I shall serve you in all things where it may please you to imploy me .

Sir , you are too courteous and perswasive to be refused , and therefore I shall trouble you .

You cannot Sir , but you will do me a greater honour in it then I know how to deserve .

Sir , use me as your servant , I beseech you , for I do not affect ceremonies .

Truly Sir , it is not because I have any thing to dinner , that is worth your tarrying : But there is no remedie , you must a little exercise your patience with me , as a testimonie of your ove .

If all that are injoyned to abstinence , were well assured of the like sufferings , their pennance would be verie sweet and pleasing . This is an excesse of favour which you do me , therefore I pray you pardon me if I prove troublesome .

There needs no pardon where there is no offence , and I tell you that you cannot trouble your servants , and those that esteeme you equall with their lives . But I must rather aske you pardon for having stayed you here to such poore entertainment . Neverthelesse you have it with a good heart .

You have honoured me too much , but to requite you I shall alwayes and in all occasions labour to manifest ( if my abilitie concurre with my good desires ) that I will very freely both use mine owne endeavours and my friends to do you service .

At sitting downe to the Table .

THere then Sir , I beseech you sit .

After you Sir , if it please you .

No Sir , I pray you Sir .

No I protest , Sir , if it please you , you shall shew me the way .

Well Sir , it shall be then to obey you , since you will have it so .

Reason will have it so Sir , but here is a great deale of good meat more then needed , you know excesse is forbidden .

Feare it not Sir , what we leave will not be lost , here are people enow in this house to take an order with it , and therefore you need not thinke of it , nor use so many Complements in a house that is wholly at your dispose .

But let us drinke I pray you , for good wine warmes the bloud .

I thanks you Sir , with your leave I will be bold to drink to your good health , and to drink a whole one .

Sir , I thanke you heartily , and after that I will drinke a health to his Majestie , hoping you will do the like .

Most willingly Sir , I pray GOD preserve him , and us also .

Sir , to the good successe of your journey , and I beseech the divine bountie to blesse it , and to hasten your returne , that we may quickly meet and be merrie together in perfect health , and so I drinke to you .

Sir , I shall answer you with the like weapons ; to your good health .

Other Complements at sitting downe to the Table . To the Jnvited . ALEANDER .

COme my Masters , please it you that wee wash our hands ?

The invited .

After you Sir , if it please you .

ALEANDER .

Leave Ceremonies , for I cannot abide them . Let us wash , if it please you .

The invited .

Sir , they are not Ceremonies when a civill and a due respect commands them . You shall be first if it please you .

ALEANDER

Well , well , seeing you will not be ruled , let us wash together .

The invited .

Sir , it should not be so , but your desire hath all authoritie upon us .

ALEANDER .

And what , my masters , will you not please to sit ?

The invited .

It shall be after you Sir , if it please you , and seeing it appertaineth to you in right and equitie , these ceremonies are needlesse .

Aleander .

Well Gentlemen , to give you content , I wil sit here .

The invited .

Sir , you shall advance your selfe if it please you .

Aleand .

Master N. you shall sit there if you please , for that is your place appointed .

You make me much ashamed Sir , of the excessive honour which you doe me .

Aleander .

The cleane contrary way Sir , I doe not render it according to your merit , for one cannot attribute too much honour to men of your ranke and qualitie .

The invited .

Sir , J beleeve you mocke mee when you use these termes so farre above my desert , for you know Complements are frivolous among friends , as you and I have bin this many a day .

Aleander .

One cannot honour you enough againe I repeate it .

The invited .

Jt is all to the contrarie by your favour , for you cannot doe so little as will not be too much .

ALEANDER .

Goe to , let us eat I pray you , what are wee here for ? shall I carve to you ?

To entertaine a friend at the Table .

SIr , I must desire your patience , that you are so sorrily entertained .

Oh good Sir , it cannot be amisse with me in your company , but rather a thousand times better then I deserue .

I am sorrie we knew no sooner of your coming , for then we had beene better prepared , and whereas now we have nothing but ordinarie , and all because you took us unprovided : but there is no remedie , I pray you take such as there is in as good part as if there were more and better .

The good will and the deed are both apparant , but what would you more ? for my part I would not wish to be better .

How soever let us be merrie and cheerfull , though we have not wherewithall .

Sir , I know no cause you have to say so , for I have not seene a table better furnished , nor meat better ordered , what would you wish for more ? as for me , I need no urging , I go well enough without a spurre .

There is nothing here but what is common ; so it hath pleased God that those things which are needfull are easie to bee had : And so likewise he hath provided that those things which are not easily gotten are not so necessary ; please it you that I cut you some Capon ; But let us drinke first .

The Master of the feast his excuse to his friends after dinner or supper . Master .

GEntlemen , now I crave pardon for having stayed you here to such poore entertainment ; verily I should bee much ashamed of it , if I were not confident of your love and courtesie , wherein I hope you will excuse my errour , and impute it to the great contentment which I receive in your good company .

The invited .

Sir , you have prevented us in discharging that account which more properly belonged to us , for wee ought to have taken hold of the first occasion to give you thanks for the good welcome and the good cheere you have made us . But the heart shall be ingaged for the tongue , and shall alwayes make you such actuall expressions of his remembrance by the effects , as he shall be permitted or invited by a fit occasion .

Master .

My masters recreation is very good after meales , will it please you then to take a turne in the garden .

The invited .

The company likes well of any thing that shall please you Sir , but perhaps it will be a trouble to you .

Master .

It cannot trouble me , for at this time I have no such important businesse , besides I cannot have any trouble in this companie , but rather all pleasure and contentment ; Let us go then Sirs , if it please you , for I use not to leade my friends out of doores , but rather into the house .

The invited .

It shall be then to obey you Sir , since you will have it so .

Master .

And now Mr. N. what thinke you of this Garden , is it pleasant ?

The invited .

It is a very large one , and well made , it wants nothing but water to keepe him fresh .

Master .

There is water yonder above , and when there is occasion wee let it runne downe ; It comes from that adjoyning Rocke .

The invited .

See here a very fine convenience , which I perceived not till now ; But is this water also good to drinke ?

Master .

Most excellent good , it 's cold in Summer , and warme in Winter : and besides that , it is farre lighter then any that we have in all these parts .

The invited .

That is it which the Physitians commend so above all others , and according to the Proverbe , Good corne is heavie , and good water light .

Master .

The way to the Spring is somewhat slipperie and ill-favoured ; but one cannot have all commodities in one place .

The invited .

That is true Sir , and yet every one cannot have such as you have . God keepe you in good prosperitie ; and so taking our leaves of you , we recommend our selves to your good grace .

To take leave of ones friends at parting from some place .

SIr , now is the time that calls to my departure , and therefore by your favour , I come to take my leave of you .

Sir , I thanke you very humbly , and I desire but one thing of you , that is to forget the grosse wel come you have had here .

Sir , you shall pardon mee if it please you , for I shall never agree with you in that , For you have done me a thousand times more honour then ever I deserved of you .

It is I Sir that am to thanke you for the pains you have taken to come and see me ; But I hope ere long God will give me leave to requite it .

Sir , whensoever it shall please you to doe me that favour as to come to see me , you will oblige me very much , and I shall endeavour to make you welcome , not so well as you deserve but as well as my poore power can possibly attaine to .

Well then Sir , I recommend my selfe to your good graces .

And I mee to yours , which are much better , I will not bid you farewell , for I verily intend to come and see you one of these mornings , when you shall least dreame of it .

I dare you to it , and assure you you , cannot come so soone as I desire , but I doubt me you will not oblige me so much .

Sir , goe no further I beseech you .

I will not leave you here .

You are so too-ceremonious .

Permit me to doe what belongs to me , am not I the Master of the house ?

Now then goe no further if you will oblige me .

Well Sir , since you will have it so , I kisse your hands , and remaine your very humble servant .

Footman , my friend , I pray thee commend me humbly to thy Ladie .

Sir , J shall doe it my selfe .

Sir , it will be too great a trouble to you .

Sir , this is the least part of the service that I owe you , and which I desire to doe for you .

You oblige me too much Sir , and for part of recompence , I beseech you serve your selfe with me where you finde me capable .

J am yours Sir , and so I take my leave of you without a farewell , because by Gods grace I hope to see you againe shortly .

To bid a friend farewell that is going a journey , or retiring to his Country .

SIr , being constrained ( by the necessity of my affaires ) to leave you , I cannot but with much griefe , part from you , who have so much obliged mée with your noble favours , that I shall ever hold my selfe ingaged to render all the services I am able , both to you and yours . I know very well that I have often troubled you , and for the present , I cannot make you any other satisfaction , then to offer you all that I am , with protestation that I am wholly yours , and shall bee so while I live . Accept then if it please you , my most humble salutes , and doe me the favour to honour me with your commands .

Sir , I am very sorry , and much troubled for the losse which J shall have of your good companie ; howsoever since it is of necessitie , that this day I must sustaine this losse , J pray God your departure with us , may bee as profitable to you , at I desire it , and that wee may ( to comfort us in your absence ) have this satisfaction , that you shall have more pleasure and contentment in the places more remote , then if you were nearer to us , and in discontent : for I must confesse we have not had the meanes to give you that respect , which is due unto your merits .

Sir , I have had nothing here but all contentment , and a thousand times more favours then ever I deserved from you , and your friends likewise , for which I most humbly thanke you . But to make short , Sir , doth it please you to command me any thing ?

Why Sir , are you ready to goe ?

Behold Sir , there is nothing stayes mee , but to receive the honour of your Commandments , and then you shall quickly see mee mounted .

Sir , I shall take it as a great happinesse if you will vouchsafe to honour me with yours .

Sir , I thanke you with all my heart , but I stay here , onely to render that respect which I owe unto your merits .

Sir , J am utterly confounded at that excessive honour which you doe me .

Alas Sir , this is the least part of my debt , it is I that have received the advantage .

I thanke you Sir for the paines you have taken , if I may serve you in requitall , I shall doe it very gladly .

This is no paines Sir , what is this , I could not doe lesse at my departure then take my leave , and give you thankes for all your favours .

Sir , therein I am much obliged to you , but as for that , J will not give the ultimum vale , or the last adieu , for I hope yet wee shall have the happinesse to see you againe one day .

That shall bee as it pleaseth God , to whose good graces I recommend you , and mee to yours .

Sir , you shall goe no further if it please you .

Good Sir let mee goe with you to the next turning , if no further .

Sir , no further , I beseech you . But I am very forgetfull , permit me ( with your favour ) to bid my Lady farewell .

An adieu to a Ladie .

MAdam , your presence , and your faire vertues would retaine me here a longer time , did not the necessitie of my affaires compell me to this unhappie separation , which I must make , though most unwillingly , and against the proper course of all my strong defires . But I will not leave to honour you , whilest I live , with this assurance from my oath ( sweet Madam ) that wheresoever I become , in me you shall alwayes have a most affectionate and faithfull humble servant .

Sir , I assure you I am very sorrie for your sudden departure , which my eyes would witnesse with continuall weeping , were I not comforted by the hope I have of your safe and quicke returne .

Madam , my further stay could but procure your further trouble , and therefore you cannot have any cause to grieve at my departure .

Sir , your behaviour and conversation is so pleasant , and your company so honest , that I cannot but ressent the losse .

These are yours Madam , which so insensibly attract the verie soules of those that know them . But to omit this discourse , which though I should continue while I live , I should rather lessen then increase the glory of your merits ; For the present I am to take my leave of you , beseeching God to protect you . Adieu sweet Madam , I recommend my selfe to your good prayers .

Adieu good Sir , I pray God keepe you , and grant your journey a good successe , and that we may enjoy the benefit to see you returne speedily , merrily , and in good health .

A courteous Dispute about the first setting out .

NOw Sir , I have dispatcht my businesse , it resteth onely that I kisse your hands , and take my leave of you , Adieu Sir .

I have told you that I will not part with you here , let us go then if it please you .

You shall go first then , I pray you for it belongs to you .

I pray God deliver me from such an absurditie , I do not leade any man out of the house .

Ha , let us go then and exclude ceremonies , I had rather erre in civilitie then be too troublesome , it shall be to obey you .

Sir , J am he that is your humble servant .

Sir , Although my bodie may bee absent from you , my heart and my desire shall bee alwayes present with you ; and I beseech you to beleeve my promise , which I give you as an assurance ; and therewithall I kisse your hands and bid you farewell .

Farewell good Sir , God guide you , I pray you forget us not .

To excuse himselfe to some one , and to demand pardon for some offence .

SIr , I am verie sorrie for the fault wherein I have offended , and I beseech you that I may taste , as well the sweetnesse of your pardon as the bitternesse of my repentance ; I confesse that I forgot my selfe very much , and I am amazed to thinke how I could do it , especially since it was so wholly opposite to my designe and purpose , which was never otherwise then disposed to obey you in all occasions ; but this happened I know not how , whereof I heartily repent me , and therefore I present my selfe before you , to render you what satisfaction it shall please you to require .

But that is not sufficient to excuse such a rude fault as this , which in some sort hath given a great wound to your owne credit ; and I advise you hereafter , to exempt your selfe from such follies , lest you incurre some suspitious censure of disloyaltie , and of ingratitude towards your best friends .

Sir , doe not ( for all that I beseech you ) utterly exclude mee from your favour , lest you likewise injure the honour of your clemencie , and give some blemish to your courtesie ; and which is more , lest you offend God very highly , who commands us to pardon the faults of others , as freely as we desire forgivenesse of our owne .

Well , seeing you come in this manner to acknowledge your errour , I will forget it for this time , upon condition that you doe not increase it by a relapse , for then your fault will admit no excuse nor pardon .

Sir , I hoped for no lesse from the mildenesse of your good disposition ; and I promise you I will keepe such a carefull guard upon all my ensuing actions , that you shall never more have cause to complaine of me .

You shall bee welcome hither at all times , so long as you behave your selfe well and discreetly , and therefore let us see you here more often then we have done of late .

Sir , the fault I had committed , was the cause of my long absence , not presuming to appeare before you , during your indignation ; but I hope by Gods assistance to repaire my errour by a better life and conversation , as I desire and resolve with a firme and constant purpose .

God give you the grace to doe it , and while you walke in that path , I will never leave you ; I beseech him to guide you alwaies with his holy spirit , and so adieu to you , and remember to bee advised .

Sir I pray God accomplish you with all felicities , and that he wil blesse you with his benefits , as you have obliged me with your liberalities ; for I cannot requite them , onely this I assure you , I shall never forget them , and so I humbly take my leave of you , with a thousand recommends to your good graces .

Complements at a second appointed meeting .

SIr , I have made you stay very long , but I pray you pardon mee , for I could not come any sooner .

Sir , this is soone enough , I dranke a cup of wine this morning , to make the time passe merrily while I stayed for you , and now you are welcome ; and I beseech you to excuse my boldnesse in inviting you to so poore a dinner , which will not equall your ordinarie : but I have great confidence , that in your good disposition , you know very well how to excuse this errour , seeing that amongst friends , we esteeme not so much the food for the body , as that contentment which the minde conceives in the amitie and familiar conversation which we have one with another , as for me , you see my custome .

Sir , the qualitie you possesse , and the amitie which is betweene us , make me so dearely to esteeme you , that I can never refuse your companie . For there is nothing in the world which I desire so much as the frequent benefit of your pleasing conversation , as now you see I am so forward , that you neede not call mee twice .

I wish Sir , in stead of my poore companie , it would please God to afford some occasion of importance , wherein I might effectually expresse , that which I desire to doe for you .

Sir , I never doubted your good will to mee , and therefore I give you many thankes , and I promise you that my intire affection shall never faile you in any thing where I am capable to doe you service .

Sir , let us leave this discourse I pray you , for I cannot doe any thing that may deserve that value , but I shall still remaine more obliged to you for your regard , having done me the honour to come to my poore house , and afford me the benefit of your good companie .

Sir , I see well by your accounts , that you are not a good Arithmetician , excuse me Sir , I pray you , for speaking in this manner , for it is I that have this honour , and I should desire to enjoy it longer , were it not that my affaires call for my attendance in another place .

Sir , being I cannot goe with you any further , by reason of these Gentlemen which expect my companie , I beseech you to excuse mee , and take it in good part that my Man wait of you to your lodging . Ho N. heare you , goe and wait of this Gentleman to his lodging , and doe not leave him till you see him there , and faile not to salute my Cosen his wife in my name , and tell her , I send her a good night , wishing humble recommends .

When one commends our good Horse .

SIr you have a good Horse there .

Excuse me Sir , this is a poore Tit of little worth .

Sir , you shall pardon me , he is well made , every limbe hath his just proportion .

In that Sir , I shall agree with you , for J bought him for a good one , his head indeed is not amisse , and he carries it well enough , he hath a good foot , and a cleane legge , a good eye , a good haire , a good docke , and that well and long , and to exceed all this , he is well breathed : and such as he is Sir , he is at your dispose .

Sir , you honour mee too much , I have not deserved it of you , But I am wholly yours , and that with all my heart : Neverthelesse I will not refuse to use him when I have occasion without your trouble , seeing this offer proceeds from your good will .

Sir , you know a friend is another selfe , and therefore we ought to have mutuall respects one to another .

Sir , make triall of me when you please , and you shall alwayes finde a congruitie betweene my words and actions , howsoever I shall bee alwayes carefull to performe my promise .

Sir , it is a thing J never doubted , and of my part J assure you of the like , for J may boldly sweare that there is not a man in the whole world hath so much power with me as your selfe .

Sir I thanke you for it , I shall take the boldnesse to come and visit you very often , and to see how you do .

Sir you will oblige me very much , and when you do so , J shall say you are my friend indeed .

Sir I shall not faile , and so I take my leave of you , because I have a little businesse . Farewell Sir , I am wholly yours .

A Discourse of Exercises .

SIr , I pray you tell mee what is your daily exercise , and I shall tell you mine .

Sir , I want none , for from eight in the morning , till ten , I ride the great horse , and after dinner , I use to exercise my weapons . But how doe you bestow your time ?

I learne to danee , and to play upon the Lute , and I learne French also .

Sir , I beleeve your exercises are much pleasanter then mine , but in the meane time they are not so usefull nor so profitable , being they serve onely for a particular contentment , but mine are usefull both in publique and in private occasions in case of necessitie .

You say right Sir , but men of peace doe not desire warre .

Nay Sir , it is not that J preferre warre before peace , but yet it is good to be provided with defensive weapons .

That is true Sir , but in the meane time it is not fit for every man to take up armes , for sometimes it is better to suffer patiently , then to be too sudden in revenge .

Sir , that you speake is very true , but who observes it : that tenet is now out of request , which commands us to turne our right cheeke when we are strooke upon the left .

I beleeve it well , that for your part you cannot doe it , for you are too hastie , yet this is the holy Scripture , and I would wish you to consider , wee doe not want examples of it ; yet wee must not relye upon examples onely , but chiefly upon Gods Commandements .

Alas Sir , there are very few now a daies , that thinke of it , and if you should speake thus in some places , they would take you for a Divine .

That 's true , but for all that , it is fit that armes should have their limits as well as other things . A Magistrate may use them to Gods honour , and the King service : But private men being allowed to weare them , must not abuse them , nor you must not be offended with me .

It is no part of my intention , for I know this proceeds of your good nature , which wisheth no hurt to any one , and what we speake , is but in the way of sport and merriment .

To comfort a friend after the death of some Kinsman .

SIr , I desire not to renue your griefe , or againe to open those wounds which bleed inwardly alreadie in your heart , for this were an inhumane act , rather then the office of a friend , but the cause of my comming is to let you see the just ressentment that I have of Master N. your Cousins death , and I sweare to you , that troubles me as much as if it were the nearest of mine owne alliance , for you know wee were alwaies very intimate and familiar friends .

Sir , his bloud could not deny him , hee was the best of all my kindred , hee ever beheld mee with a friendly regard , and hee was a great comfort to me when hee found me afflicted and troubled in minde , besides the other favours and assistances which I received daily .

This indeed I confesse Sir may justly increase our sorrow , but yet wee have reason to be glad and praise God in this respect , seeing hee dyed a good Christian , and after hee was well prepared for his last conflict , wherein it often happens , that the most assured finde many difficulties .

It is true Sir , yet in the meane time , you see his Wife hath a great charge of children , and but little meanes to maintaine them .

Sir , what desire you more ? God will bee their especiall protector , and hee never forgets his charge , and you likewise for your part will not abandon them , as I assure my selfe in that opinion which I have of your good nature .

Sir , I know very well that I can expect nothing by it but charge and trouble , but that which grieves me , is his absence , and to finde my selfe deprived of his pleasant and familiar conversation , doth incessantly afflict my minde .

Sir , I will agree with you that it is a matter of great difficultie , and almost impossible suddenly to take away the impressions of such a just ressentment . Yet in the end wee must resolve with holy Iob to bee patient , saying , God hath given , and God hath taken away , his Name bee praised ; and since one may doe thus , this is the best way , for all the teares in the world cannot prevaile with death .

Sir , it is easie to give comfort to another , when wee our selves are not sensible of the evill , but when wee are to take it , then it is hard of digestion , especially in such accidents as this .

Sir , it cannot bee prevented , and yet you know it is better to dye once for all , then to dye a thousand times by a living kinde of death : to lye a long time sicke in bed , languishing of some painefull and grievous maladie , as wee see many that in the end are compelled to dye after suffering a thousand deaths .

But Sir , if it had pleased God to let him live but five or sixe yeeres longer , he had laid a good foundation to establish his house , and to provide for the preferment of his children , which are now exposed to the incertaine favours of those friends which shall take charge of them , and I feare that those who have most cause , will bee least carefull to provide for them .

Sir , in such cases as this , where there is no remedy , wee may say as the great Patriarch Abraham said to his sonne Isaac , God will provide ; briefly Sir , you are wise and discreet enough to apprehend such comfort as you thinke most fit . And so I defire your favour to goe and take order for the dispatch of an important businesse .

Sir , I give you many thankes for your paines , and for your friendly visite , whereby I have received great comfort : please you to drinke ?

Sir , I thanke you with all my heart , it needs not at this time , take comfort in God alone , and you shall see that he will dry up all teares , which might bee tollerable in a woman or a childe , but in a man of your qualitie , I can never approve it ; excuse mee Sir I pray you . Adieu .

FINIS .